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1.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 51(7): 3030-3040, 2023 04 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36869666

ABSTRACT

The hybridization and dehybridization of DNA subject to tension is relevant to fundamental genetic processes and to the design of DNA-based mechanobiology assays. While strong tension accelerates DNA melting and decelerates DNA annealing, the effects of tension weaker than 5 pN are less clear. In this study, we developed a DNA bow assay, which uses the bending rigidity of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) to exert weak tension on a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) target in the range of 2-6 pN. Combining this assay with single-molecule FRET, we measured the hybridization and dehybridization kinetics between a 15 nt ssDNA under tension and a 8-9 nt oligonucleotide, and found that both the hybridization and dehybridization rates monotonically increase with tension for various nucleotide sequences tested. These findings suggest that the nucleated duplex in its transition state is more extended than the pure dsDNA or ssDNA counterpart. Based on coarse-grained oxDNA simulations, we propose that this increased extension of the transition state is due to steric repulsion between the unpaired ssDNA segments in close proximity to one another. Using linear force-extension relations verified by simulations of short DNA segments, we derived analytical equations for force-to-rate conversion that are in good agreement with our measurements.


Subject(s)
DNA , Oligonucleotides , Oligonucleotides/genetics , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , DNA/genetics , DNA, Single-Stranded/genetics , Mechanical Phenomena
2.
Allergy ; 79(5): 1134-1145, 2024 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38146651

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease commonly driven by allergic and/or eosinophilic inflammation, both of which may be present in severe disease. Most approved biologics for severe asthma are indicated for specific phenotypes and target individual downstream type 2 components of the inflammatory cascade. Tezepelumab, a human monoclonal antibody (immunoglobulin G2λ), binds specifically to thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial cytokine that initiates and sustains allergic and eosinophilic inflammation in asthma. By blocking TSLP, tezepelumab has demonstrated efficacy across known asthma phenotypes and acts upstream of all current clinically used biomarkers. In a pooled analysis of the phase 2b PATHWAY (NCT02054130) and phase 3 NAVIGATOR (NCT03347279) studies, compared with placebo, tezepelumab reduced the annualized asthma exacerbation rate over 52 weeks by 62% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53, 70) in patients with perennial aeroallergen sensitization (allergic asthma); by 71% (95% CI: 62, 78) in patients with a baseline blood eosinophil count ≥300 cells/µL; and by 71% (95% CI: 59, 79) in patients with allergic asthma and a baseline blood eosinophil count ≥300 cells/µL. This review examines the efficacy and mode of action of tezepelumab in patients with allergic asthma, eosinophilic asthma and coexisting allergic and eosinophilic phenotypes.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Asthma , Humans , Asthma/drug therapy , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Eosinophils/immunology , Eosinophils/metabolism , Hypersensitivity/drug therapy , Eosinophilia/drug therapy , Cytokines/metabolism , Clinical Trials as Topic
3.
J Allergy Clin Immunol ; 152(2): 309-325, 2023 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37295474

ABSTRACT

This guidance updates 2021 GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) recommendations regarding immediate allergic reactions following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and addresses revaccinating individuals with first-dose allergic reactions and allergy testing to determine revaccination outcomes. Recent meta-analyses assessed the incidence of severe allergic reactions to initial COVID-19 vaccination, risk of mRNA-COVID-19 revaccination after an initial reaction, and diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine excipient testing in predicting reactions. GRADE methods informed rating the certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations. A modified Delphi panel consisting of experts in allergy, anaphylaxis, vaccinology, infectious diseases, emergency medicine, and primary care from Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed the recommendations. We recommend vaccination for persons without COVID-19 vaccine excipient allergy and revaccination after a prior immediate allergic reaction. We suggest against >15-minute postvaccination observation. We recommend against mRNA vaccine or excipient skin testing to predict outcomes. We suggest revaccination of persons with an immediate allergic reaction to the mRNA vaccine or excipients be performed by a person with vaccine allergy expertise in a properly equipped setting. We suggest against premedication, split-dosing, or special precautions because of a comorbid allergic history.


Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis , COVID-19 , Hypersensitivity, Immediate , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , GRADE Approach , Consensus , Vaccine Excipients , COVID-19/prevention & control , Excipients
4.
Lung ; 201(1): 47-55, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36808540

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Educational programs on chronic cough may improve patient care, but little is known about how Canadian physicians manage this common debilitating condition. We aimed to investigate Canadian physicians' perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge of chronic cough. METHODS: We administered a 10-min anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey to 3321 Canadian physicians in the Leger Opinion Panel who managed adult patients with chronic cough and had been in practice for > 2 years. RESULTS: Between July 30 and September 22, 2021, 179 physicians (101 general practitioners [GPs] and 78 specialists [25 allergists, 28 respirologists, and 25 ear/nose/throat specialists]) completed the survey (response rate: 5.4%). In a month, GPs saw a mean of 27 patients with chronic cough, whereas specialists saw 46. About one-third of physicians appropriately identified a duration of > 8 weeks as the definition for chronic cough. Many physicians reported not using international chronic cough management guidelines. Patient referrals and care pathways varied considerably, and patients frequently experienced lost to follow-up. While physicians endorsed nasal and inhaled corticosteroids as common treatments for chronic cough, they rarely used other guideline-recommended treatments. Both GPs and specialists expressed high interest in education on chronic cough. CONCLUSION: This survey of Canadian physicians demonstrates low uptake of recent advances in chronic cough diagnosis, disease categorization, and pharmacologic management. Canadian physicians also report unfamiliarity with guideline-recommended therapies, including centrally acting neuromodulators for refractory or unexplained chronic cough. This data highlights the need for educational programs and collaborative care models on chronic cough in primary and specialist care.


Subject(s)
Cough , Physicians , Adult , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Canada , Chronic Disease , Surveys and Questionnaires , Practice Patterns, Physicians'
5.
Allergy Asthma Proc ; 44(1): 45-50, 2023 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36719691

ABSTRACT

Background: Anaphylaxis is the most severe manifestation of a systemic allergic reaction, and, in the community setting, the immediate administration of an epinephrine autoinjector (EAI) can be life-saving. Physicians are tasked with selecting the most appropriate EAI for each individual and counseling patients and/or their caregivers to maximize the likelihood of successful deployment of the EAI. Objective: To offer an evidence-based expert clinical perspective on how physicians might best tailor EAI selection to their patients with anaphylaxis. Methods: A group of eight adult and pediatric allergists with expertise in anaphylaxis management reviewed and assessed the published data and guidelines on anaphylaxis management and EAI device selection. Results: Personalized EAI selection is influenced by intrinsic individual factors, extrinsic factors such as the properties of the individual EAI (e.g., dose, needle length, overall design) as well as cost and coverage. The number and the variety of EAIs available have expanded in most jurisdictions in recent years, which provide a greater diversity of options to meet the characteristics and needs of patients with anaphylaxis. Conclusion: There currently are no EAIs with customizable dose and needle length. Although precise personalization of each patient's EAI remains an optimistic future aspiration, careful consideration of all variables when prescribing EAIs can support optimal management of anaphylaxis.


Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis , Adult , Humans , Child , Anaphylaxis/drug therapy , Epinephrine , Injections , Caregivers , Patients
6.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 48(9): 5147-5156, 2020 05 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32282905

ABSTRACT

Cyclization of DNA with sticky ends is commonly used to measure DNA bendability as a function of length and sequence, but how its kinetics depend on the rotational positioning of the sticky ends around the helical axis is less clear. Here, we measured cyclization (looping) and decyclization (unlooping) rates (kloop and kunloop) of DNA with sticky ends over three helical periods (100-130 bp) using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). kloop showed a nontrivial undulation as a function of DNA length whereas kunloop showed a clear oscillation with a period close to the helical turn of DNA (∼10.5 bp). The oscillation of kunloop was almost completely suppressed in the presence of gaps around the sticky ends. We explain these findings by modeling double-helical DNA as a twisted wormlike chain with a finite width, intrinsic curvature, and stacking interaction between the end base pairs. We also discuss technical issues for converting the FRET-based cyclization/decyclization rates to an equilibrium quantity known as the J factor that is widely used to characterize DNA bending mechanics.


Subject(s)
DNA/chemistry , Cyclization , Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer , Kinetics , Models, Molecular , Nucleic Acid Conformation
7.
Biophys J ; 120(12): 2400-2412, 2021 06 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33894217

ABSTRACT

DNA strand displacement, in which a single-stranded nucleic acid invades a DNA duplex, is pervasive in genomic processes and DNA engineering applications. The kinetics of strand displacement have been studied in bulk; however, the kinetics of the underlying strand exchange were obfuscated by a slow bimolecular association step. Here, we use a novel single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer approach termed the "fission" assay to obtain the full distribution of first passage times of unimolecular strand displacement. At a frame time of 4.4 ms, the first passage time distribution for a 14-nucleotide displacement domain exhibited a nearly monotonic decay with little delay. Among the eight different sequences we tested, the mean displacement time was on average 35 ms and varied by up to a factor of 13. The measured displacement kinetics also varied between complementary invaders and between RNA and DNA invaders of the same base sequence, except for T → U substitution. However, displacement times were largely insensitive to the monovalent salt concentration in the range of 0.25-1 M. Using a one-dimensional random walk model, we infer that the single-step displacement time is in the range of âˆ¼30-300 µs, depending on the base identity. The framework presented here is broadly applicable to the kinetic analysis of multistep processes investigated at the single-molecule level.


Subject(s)
DNA , Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer , Base Sequence , DNA/genetics , Kinetics , Time and Motion Studies
8.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 47(3): e14, 2019 02 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30462308

ABSTRACT

While surface-based single-molecule experiments have revolutionized our understanding of biology and biomolecules, the workflow in preparing for such experiments, especially surface cleaning and functionalization, remains labor-intensive and time-consuming. Even worse, meticulously assembled flow channels can be used only once for most experiments. A reusable surface would thus dramatically increase productivity and efficiency of single-molecule experiments. In this paper, we report a novel surface reconditioning strategy termed ERASE (Epitaxial Removal Aided by Strand Exchange) that allows a single flow cell to be used for vast repetition of single-molecule experiments. In this method, biomolecules immobilized to the surface through a nucleic acid duplex are liberated when a competing DNA strand disrupts the duplex via toehold-mediated strand displacement. We demonstrate the wide-range applicability of this method with various common surface preparation techniques, fluorescent dyes, and biomolecules including the bacterial ribosome. Beyond time and cost savings, we also show ERASE can assort molecules based on a nucleic acid barcode sequence, thus allowing experiments on different molecules in parallel. Our method increases the utility of prepared surfaces and is a significant improvement to the current single-use paradigm.


Subject(s)
Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/chemistry , Carbocyanines , Fluorescent Dyes , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , Single Molecule Imaging
9.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol ; 31(7): 827-834, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32413203

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Food allergy is a substantial health burden, which disproportionately affects children. Among children with food allergy, as many as 70% have multiple food allergies. Whereas the overall burden of food allergy on quality of life has been described, little is known about the burden of individual allergens. We aimed to examine the perception of burden among families with multiple food-allergic children. METHODS: Parents of children with 1 + children with multiple food allergies including milk responded to online questions, including both open-ended and closed-ended questions on food allergy-related burdens of time, financial costs, social restrictions, and emotional demands. RESULTS: Overall, 64 children (69.8% boys) of whom (73.0%) most were aged 10 and younger were included. Most had been diagnosed with food allergy in infancy and by a (pediatric) allergist. Other common allergies included peanut (65.6%), tree nuts (57.8%), egg (76.6%), and sesame (31.3%). Quantitatively, milk allergy was reported as carrying the most burden, including most socially limiting (81.5%), requiring the most planning (75.9%), causing the most anxiety (68.5%), most challenging to find "safe" or allergy-friendly foods (72.2%), and costly (81.5%). Qualitatively, we identified five themes that captured burdens associated with costs, marketing of milk products to children, risk of cross-contamination, ubiquity of milk/dairy and public confusion with lactose intolerance, and an unwillingness of others to accommodate the allergy. CONCLUSION: Parents whose children have multiple food allergies, including milk, report milk as the allergy associated with the greatest time, financial, social, and emotional burdens.


Subject(s)
Caregiver Burden/psychology , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Milk Hypersensitivity/immunology , Parents/psychology , Adolescent , Allergens/immunology , Arachis/immunology , Attitude to Health , Canada , Child , Child, Preschool , Cost of Illness , Egg Hypersensitivity/immunology , Egg Hypersensitivity/psychology , Female , Food Hypersensitivity/economics , Food Hypersensitivity/psychology , Humans , Infant , Male , Milk Hypersensitivity/economics , Milk Hypersensitivity/psychology , Quality of Life , Sesamum/immunology , Surveys and Questionnaires
11.
N Engl J Med ; 374(14): 1344-55, 2016 Apr 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27050206

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Grade 2 gliomas occur most commonly in young adults and cause progressive neurologic deterioration and premature death. Early results of this trial showed that treatment with procarbazine, lomustine (also called CCNU), and vincristine after radiation therapy at the time of initial diagnosis resulted in longer progression-free survival, but not overall survival, than radiation therapy alone. We now report the long-term results. METHODS: We included patients with grade 2 astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma, or oligodendroglioma who were younger than 40 years of age and had undergone subtotal resection or biopsy or who were 40 years of age or older and had undergone biopsy or resection of any of the tumor. Patients were stratified according to age, histologic findings, Karnofsky performance-status score, and presence or absence of contrast enhancement on preoperative images. Patients were randomly assigned to radiation therapy alone or to radiation therapy followed by six cycles of combination chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 251 eligible patients were enrolled from 1998 through 2002. The median follow-up was 11.9 years; 55% of the patients died. Patients who received radiation therapy plus chemotherapy had longer median overall survival than did those who received radiation therapy alone (13.3 vs. 7.8 years; hazard ratio for death, 0.59; P=0.003). The rate of progression-free survival at 10 years was 51% in the group that received radiation therapy plus chemotherapy versus 21% in the group that received radiation therapy alone; the corresponding rates of overall survival at 10 years were 60% and 40%. A Cox model identified receipt of radiation therapy plus chemotherapy and histologic findings of oligodendroglioma as favorable prognostic variables for both progression-free and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients with grade 2 glioma who were younger than 40 years of age and had undergone subtotal tumor resection or who were 40 years of age or older, progression-free survival and overall survival were longer among those who received combination chemotherapy in addition to radiation therapy than among those who received radiation therapy alone. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00003375.).


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Astrocytoma/drug therapy , Astrocytoma/radiotherapy , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Brain Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Oligodendroglioma/drug therapy , Oligodendroglioma/radiotherapy , Adult , Astrocytoma/mortality , Brain Neoplasms/mortality , Combined Modality Therapy , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Lomustine/administration & dosage , Male , Neoplasm Grading , Oligodendroglioma/mortality , Procarbazine/administration & dosage , Survival Analysis , Vincristine/administration & dosage , Young Adult
12.
Phys Rev Lett ; 122(21): 218101, 2019 May 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31283336

ABSTRACT

Base-pair mismatch can relieve mechanical stress in highly strained DNA molecules, but how it affects their kinetic stability is not known. Using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we measured the lifetimes of tightly bent DNA loops with and without base-pair mismatch. Surprisingly, for loops captured by stackable sticky ends which leave single-stranded DNA breaks (or nicks) upon annealing, the mismatch decreased the loop lifetime despite reducing the overall bending stress, and the decrease was largest when the mismatch was placed at the DNA midpoint. These findings suggest that base-pair mismatch increases bending stress at the opposite side of the loop through an allosteric mechanism known as cooperative kinking. Based on this mechanism, we present a three-state model that explains the apparent dichotomy between thermodynamic and kinetic stability.


Subject(s)
Base Pair Mismatch , DNA/chemistry , Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer , Kinetics , Models, Chemical , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Thermodynamics
13.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol ; 123(1): 89-94, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31071440

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The variation of needle lengths of epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the variation of the needle length of EAIs. METHODS: Skin-to-muscle (STMD) and skin-to-bone distances (STBD) were measured for 303 children and adolescents and 99 adults. Distance was determined by ultrasound, applying high or low pressure on the probe. The risk of subcutaneous and periosteal/intraosseous injection was calculated using the lower and upper acceptance limits for length of EAI needles as provided for 3 high-pressure EAIs (HPEAI) and 1 low-pressure EAI (LPEAI). RESULTS: The variation in needle length of the HPEAIs are for Epipen Jr/Epipen 5 mm, for Jext 2 mm, for Auvi-Q 2.5 mm, and for the LPEAI, Emerade, 1.5 mm. When using the longest acceptable needles for Epipen Jr, the risk of intraosseous/periosteal penetration was highest in children weighing less than 15 kg at 60% and for Jext at 43%. The risk was low for Auvi-Q and Emerade. The risk of subcutaneous injection was greatest with the shortest needles of the Auvi-Q 0.1 mg at 94% in children weighing less than 15 kg. In adults, the risk of subcutaneous injection using the shortest needles was for Epi-Pen at 41%, Jext at 36%, Auvi-Q at 38%, and Emerade at 12%. CONCLUSION: The variation in needle length of EAIs influences the risk of subcutaneous and intraosseous/periosteal injections. Compared with Epipen Jr, the Auvi-Q 0.1 mg for children weighing less than 15 kg had a low risk of intraosseous/periosteal injection but a very high risk of subcutaneous injection. For adults, there is a significant risk of subcutaneous injection.


Subject(s)
Epinephrine/administration & dosage , Injections, Intramuscular/instrumentation , Injections, Subcutaneous/instrumentation , Self Administration/instrumentation , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bone and Bones/physiopathology , Child , Female , Humans , Injections, Intramuscular/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Muscles/physiopathology , Needles , Skin/physiopathology , Young Adult
14.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol ; 123(1): 42-47, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30776445

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To summarize evidence supporting the use of point-of-care ultrasonography as a clinical tool for allergists and immunologists. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published before December 18, 2018. STUDY SELECTIONS: We included any retrospective or prospective study that evaluated ultrasonography in allergy and immunology and epinephrine autoinjector (EAI) needle length. RESULTS: The standard EAI needle length may be inadequate for intramuscular delivery of epinephrine, particularly for women, at risk of anaphylaxis. In patients who weigh less than 15 kg, the lengths of commercially available EAIs may be too long, risking inadvertent intraosseous injection and resultant complications. Ultrasonography can be routinely used in the allergy clinic to guide needle length and angle for subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy injections to minimize systemic adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Point-of-care ultrasonography can be a useful tool to enhance patient care and safety in an allergy clinic. Ideally, all patients prescribed EAIs should have ultrasonographic measurement of the skin to muscle distance and skin to bone distance to assist in identifying patients at risk of subcutaneous or intraosseous injection in anaphylaxis and those at risk of intramuscular injection during subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy injections.


Subject(s)
Hypersensitivity/immunology , Allergy and Immunology , Desensitization, Immunologic/methods , Humans , Point-of-Care Systems , Ultrasonography/methods
16.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 45(15): e141, 2017 Sep 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28666354

ABSTRACT

Quantitative measurement of mRNA levels in single cells is necessary to understand phenotypic variability within an otherwise isogenic population of cells. Single-molecule mRNA Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) has been established as the standard method for this purpose, but current protocols require a long region of mRNA to be targeted by multiple DNA probes. Here, we introduce a new single-probe FISH protocol termed sFISH for budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a single DNA probe labeled with a single fluorophore. In sFISH, we markedly improved probe specificity and signal-to-background ratio by using methanol fixation and inclined laser illumination. We show that sFISH reports mRNA changes that correspond to protein levels and gene copy number. Using this new FISH protocol, we can detect >50% of the total target mRNA. We also demonstrate the versatility of sFISH using FRET detection and mRNA isoform profiling as examples. Our FISH protocol with single-fluorophore sensitivity significantly reduces cost and time compared to the conventional FISH protocols and opens up new opportunities to investigate small changes in RNA at the single cell level.


Subject(s)
DNA Probes/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence/methods , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics , Carbocyanines/chemistry , Carbocyanines/pharmacology , Fluorescent Dyes/pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal , Sensitivity and Specificity , Single Molecule Imaging
17.
Lancet Oncol ; 19(11): 1504-1515, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30316827

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The NRG/RTOG 9413 study showed that whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT) plus neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) improved progression-free survival in patients with intermediate-risk or high-risk localised prostate cancer compared with prostate only radiotherapy (PORT) plus NHT, WPRT plus adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT), and PORT plus AHT. We provide a long-term update after 10 years of follow-up of the primary endpoint (progression-free survival) and report on the late toxicities of treatment. METHODS: The trial was designed as a 2 × 2 factorial study with hormonal sequencing as one stratification factor and radiation field as the other factor and tested whether NHT improved progression-free survival versus AHT, and NHT plus WPRT versus NHT plus PORT. Eligible patients had histologically confirmed, clinically localised adenocarcinoma of the prostate, an estimated risk of lymph node involvement of more than 15% and a Karnofsky performance status of more than 70, with no age limitations. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) by permuted block randomisation to receive either NHT 2 months before and during WPRT followed by a prostate boost to 70 Gy (NHT plus WPRT group), NHT 2 months before and during PORT to 70 Gy (NHT plus PORT group), WPRT followed by 4 months of AHT (WPRT plus AHT group), or PORT followed by 4 months of AHT (PORT plus AHT group). Hormonal therapy was combined androgen suppression, consisting of goserelin acetate 3·6 mg once a month subcutaneously or leuprolide acetate 7·5 mg once a month intramuscularly, and flutamide 250 mg twice a day orally for 4 months. Randomisation was stratified by T stage, Gleason Score, and prostate-specific antigen concentration. NHT was given 2 months before radiotherapy and was continued until radiotherapy completion; AHT was given at the completion of radiotherapy for 4 months. The primary endpoint progression-free survival was analysed by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00769548. The trial has been terminated to additional follow-up collection and this is the final analysis for this trial. FINDINGS: Between April 1, 1995, and June 1, 1999, 1322 patients were enrolled from 53 centres and randomly assigned to the four treatment groups. With a median follow-up of 8·8 years (IQR 5·07-13·84) for all patients and 14·8 years (7·18-17·4) for living patients (n=346), progression-free survival across all timepoints continued to differ significantly across the four treatment groups (p=0·002). The 10-year estimates of progression-free survival were 28·4% (95% CI 23·3-33·6) in the NHT plus WPRT group, 23·5% (18·7-28·3) in the NHT plus PORT group, 19·4% (14·9-24·0) in the WPRT plus AHT group, and 30·2% (25·0-35·4) in the PORT plus AHT group. Bladder toxicity was the most common grade 3 or worse late toxicity, affecting 18 (6%) of 316 patients in the NHT plus WPRT group, 17 (5%) of 313 in the NHT plus PORT group, 22 (7%) of 317 in the WPRT plus AHT group, and 14 (4%) of 315 in the PORT plus AHT group. Late grade 3 or worse gastrointestinal adverse events occurred in 22 (7%) of 316 patients in the NHT plus WPRT group, five (2%) of 313 in the NHT plus PORT group, ten (3%) of 317 in the WPRT plus AHT group, and seven (2%) of 315 in the PORT plus AHT group. INTERPRETATION: In this cohort of patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer, NHT plus WPRT improved progression-free survival compared with NHT plus PORT and WPRT plus AHT at long-term follow-up albeit increased risk of grade 3 or worse intestinal toxicity. Interactions between radiotherapy and hormonal therapy suggests that WPRT should be avoided without NHT. FUNDING: National Cancer Institute.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Chemoradiotherapy/methods , Dose Fractionation, Radiation , Flutamide/administration & dosage , Goserelin/administration & dosage , Leuprolide/administration & dosage , Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy , Adenocarcinoma/mortality , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Canada , Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects , Chemoradiotherapy/mortality , Drug Administration Schedule , Flutamide/adverse effects , Goserelin/adverse effects , Humans , Kallikreins/blood , Leuprolide/adverse effects , Male , Neoplasm Grading , Neoplasm Staging , Progression-Free Survival , Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood , Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Time Factors , United States
18.
J Neurooncol ; 137(1): 39-47, 2018 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29404979

ABSTRACT

From 1990 to 1994, patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas were enrolled and randomized between hyperfractionated radiation (HFX) of 72.0 Gy in 60 fractions given twice daily and 60.0 Gy in 30 fractions given once daily. All patients received 80 mg/m2 of 1,3 bis(2 chloroethyl)-1 nitrosourea on days 1-3 q8 weeks for 1 year. Patients were stratified by age, KPS, and histology. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), with secondary endpoints including progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity. Out of the 712 patients accrued, 694 (97.5%) were analyzable cases (350 HFX, 344 standard arm). There was no significant difference between the arms on overall acute or late treatment-related toxicity. No statistically significant effect for HFX, as compared to standard therapy, was found on either OS, with a median survival time (MST) of 11.3 versus 13.1 months (p = 0.20) or PFS, with a median PFS time of 5.7 versus 6.9 months (p = 0.18). The treatment effect on OS remained insignificant based on the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 1.16; p = 0.0682). When OS was analyzed by histology subgroup there was also no significant difference between the two arms for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (MST: 10.3 vs. 11.2 months; p = 0.34), anaplastic astrocytoma (MST: 69.8 vs. 50.0 months; p = 0.91) or anaplastic oligodendroglioma (MST: 92.1 vs. 66.5 months; p = 0.33). Though this trial provided many invaluable secondary analyses, there was no trend or indication of a benefit to HFX radiation to 72.0 Gy in any subset of malignant glioma patients.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Brain Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Carmustine/therapeutic use , Dose Fractionation, Radiation , Glioma/drug therapy , Glioma/radiotherapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
19.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol ; 120(6): 648-653.e1, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29499370

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Epinephrine should be administered intramuscularly in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. The length of the epinephrine auto-injector (EAI) needle should ensure intramuscular injection. OBJECTIVE: To discuss suitable EAI needle lengths based on ultrasound measurements related to weight. METHODS: The skin-to-muscle distance (STMD) and skin-to-bone distance (STBD) were measured by ultrasound in the mid-third of the anterolateral area of the right thigh when applying high pressure (8 lb; high-pressure EAI [HPEAI]) or low pressure (low-pressure EAI [LPEAI]) on the ultrasound probe. The study included 302 children and adolescents and 99 adults. The maximum and minimum STMD and the maximum and minimum STBD were estimated. RESULTS: Using HPEAIs, the risk of periosteal or intraosseous penetration was 32% in children weighing less than 15 kg. The risk of subcutaneous injection was 12% in adolescents and 33% in adults. With LPEAIs, there was no risk of periosteal or intraosseous injection and the risk of subcutaneous injections in adolescents and adults was lower at 2% and 10%, respectively. A new EAI for injection in small children would have no risk of periosteal or intraosseous injection but would have 71% chance of subcutaneous deposit of epinephrine. CONCLUSION: Common HPEAIs have a high risk of periosteal or intraosseous penetration in children and subcutaneous injections in overweight and obese adults. LPEAIs have some risk of subcutaneous injection in adults. HPEAIs with 0.1 mg of epinephrine and shorter needles have no risk of periosteal or intraosseous injection but have a high risk of subcutaneous deposit. For adult or overweight or obese patients, HPEAIs and LPEAIs should have longer needles. Future studies should focus on triggering pressures and variations in needle length.


Subject(s)
Adrenergic Agonists/administration & dosage , Epinephrine/administration & dosage , Food Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Needles , Needlestick Injuries/prevention & control , Syringes , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anthropometry , Body Weight , Child , Female , Food Hypersensitivity/diagnostic imaging , Food Hypersensitivity/immunology , Humans , Injections, Intramuscular , Injections, Subcutaneous , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology , Muscle, Skeletal/diagnostic imaging , Periosteum/anatomy & histology , Periosteum/diagnostic imaging , Pressure , Risk Assessment , Self Administration/instrumentation , Self Administration/methods , Self Administration/standards , Skin/anatomy & histology , Skin/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography
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