Reducing the Burden of Anemia and Neural Tube Defects in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Analysis to Identify Countries with an Immediate Potential to Benefit from Large-Scale Mandatory Fortification of Wheat Flour and Rice.

Using a predetermined set of criteria, including burden of anemia and neural tube defects (NTDs) and an enabling environment for large-scale fortification, this paper identifies 18 low- and middle-income countries with the highest and most immediate potential for large-scale wheat flour and/or rice fortification in terms of health impact and economic benefit. Adequately fortified staples, delivered at estimated coverage rates in these countries, have the potential to avert 72.1 million cases of anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive age; 51,636 live births associated with folic acid-preventable NTDs (i.e., spina bifida, anencephaly); and 46,378 child deaths associated with NTDs annually. This equates to a 34% reduction in the number of cases of anemia and 38% reduction in the number of NTDs in the 18 countries identified. An estimated 5.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) could be averted annually, and an economic value of 31.8 billion United States dollars (USD) generated from 1 year of fortification at scale in women and children beneficiaries. This paper presents a missed opportunity and warrants an urgent call to action for the countries identified to potentially avert a significant number of preventable birth defects, anemia, and under-five child mortality and move closer to achieving health equity by 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Unfinished Agenda for Food Fortification in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Quantifying Progress, Gaps and Potential Opportunities.

Large-scale food fortification (LSFF) is a cost-effective intervention that is widely implemented, but there is scope to further increase its potential. To identify gaps and opportunities, we first accessed the Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) to identify countries that could benefit from new fortification programs. Second, we aggregated Fortification Assessment Coverage Toolkit (FACT) survey data from 16 countries to ascertain LSFF coverage and gaps therein. Third, we extended our narrative review to assess current innovations. We identified 84 countries as good candidates for new LSFF programs. FACT data revealed that the potential of oil/ghee and salt fortification is not being met due mainly to low coverage of adequately fortified foods (quality). Wheat, rice and maize flour fortification have similar quality issues combined with lower coverage of the fortifiable food at population-level (< 50%). A four-pronged strategy is needed to meet the unfinished agenda: first, establish new LSFF programs where warranted; second, systems innovations informed by implementation research to address coverage and quality gaps; third, advocacy to form new partnerships and resources, particularly with the private sector; and finally, exploration of new fortificants and vehicles (e.g. bouillon cubes; salt fortified with multiple nutrients) and other innovations that can address existing challenges.

Effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D status on serological response to influenza vaccine in prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic data suggest that there is an association between vitamin D deficiency and influenza infection. We conducted a prospective influenza vaccination study to determine the influence of vitamin D status on serological response to influenza vaccine in prostate cancer (CaP) patients. METHODS: During the 2006-2007 influenza season, CaP patients treated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute were offered vaccination with the trivalent influenza vaccine (Fluzone®, 2006-2007) and sera collected for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay titers before and 3 months after vaccination. Response to vaccination was defined as ≥1:40 titer ratio or a fourfold increase in titer at 3 months, against any of the three strains. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-D3) levels were measured using DiaSorin ¹²5I radioimmunoassay kits. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with CaP participated in the study. Median baseline 25-D3 level was 44.88 ng/ml (range: 9.16-71.98 ng/ml) Serological response against any of the three strains was noted in 80%. There was a significant effect of baseline 25-D3 level when tested as a continuous variable in relation to serological response (P = 0.0446). All patients in the upper quartile of 25-D3 level responded by mounting a serological response (P = 0.0344). None of the other baseline variables (age, race, chemotherapy status, or white cell count) had an effect on serological response. CONCLUSIONS: In this study in CaP patients, a replete vitamin D status was associated with more frequent serological response to influenza vaccine.

Phase 2 trial of weekly intravenous 1,25 dihydroxy cholecalciferol (calcitriol) in combination with dexamethasone for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical data indicate that there is substantial antitumor activity and synergy between calcitriol and dexamethasone. On the basis of these data, the authors conducted a phase 2 trial of intravenous (iv) calcitriol at a dose of 74 microg weekly (based on a recent phase 1 trial) and dexamethasone in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). METHODS: A 2-stage Kepner-Chang design was used. Oral dexamethasone at a dose of 4 mg was given weekly on Days 1 and 2, and iv calcitriol (74 microg over 1 hour) was administered weekly on Day 2 from 4 to 8 hours after the dexamethasone dose in patients with CRPC. Laboratory data were monitored weekly, and renal sonograms, computed tomography scans, and bone scans were obtained every 3 months. Disease response was assessed by using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and standard criteria for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response. The calcitriol dose was delineated by from the authors' recent phase 1 trial. RESULTS: Of 18 evaluable patients, 15 patients were Caucasian (83%). No patients had a complete or partial response by either RECIST or PSA response criteria. Fourteen patients had progressive disease, 2 patients refused to continue treatment (after 64 days and 266 days), and 2 patients remain on the trial (for 306 days and 412 days).The median time to disease progression was 106 days (95% confidence interval, 80-182 days). Fourteen episodes of grade 3 or 4 toxicity were noted in 7 patients (hyperglycemia, hypocalemia, chest pain, dyspnea, hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, cardiac arrhythmia, and pain). Only 1 episode of grade 3/ 4 toxicity was related definitely to calcitriol (hypercalcemia). No treatment-related deaths were noted. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose, iv calcitriol at a dose of 74 microg weekly in combination with dexamethasone was well tolerated but failed to produce a clinical or PSA response in men with CRPC.

Concurrent oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The combination of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin with concurrent radiotherapy was demonstrated to be a safe regimen for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma in a prior phase I study. We now report the efficacy data for 42 patients treated with this regimen. METHODS: Each chemotherapy cycle lasted 29 days and consisted of 5-fluorouracil, 180 mg/m2 protracted-infusion from days 1 to 29, and oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29. The first cycle was administered concurrently with radiation. The radiation field included regional lymph nodes as well as the primary tumor or tumor bed to a dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 1 to 2 additional cycles of chemotherapy were administered. If esophagectomy was indicated, it occurred 4 weeks after completion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In the adjuvant group, concurrent chemoradiotherapy was initiated 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Median age was 61 years (range 38-78 years); 30 (71%) of the patients were male. Thirty-three patients had adenocarcinoma, and 9 had squamous cell carcinoma. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy was administered preoperatively (group 1) in 24 patients, definitively (group 2) in 13 patients, and as adjuvant treatment (group 3) in 5 patients. In group 1, 16 patients were down-staged including 1 patient with minimal residual disease and 5 with a complete pathologic response; 4 patients were not down-staged, and 4 did not undergo esophagectomy (2 progressed, 1 died of unrelated causes, and 1 refused). In group 2, 1 patient had a complete clinical response, 4 others were down-staged, 2 had stable disease, and 6 progressed. Four patients in group 3 progressed. Median survival was 28 months for group 1, 12 months for group 2, and not reached at 14 months for group 3. There was one grade 4 toxicity (anaphylaxis) in group 2. Grade 3 toxicities were reported for 5 patients in group 1 and 1 patient in group 2. They consisted of hypotension (n=1), fatigue (n=2), diarrhea (n=2), neuropathy (n=1), mucositis (n=1), pneumonitis (n=1), dehydration (n=1), emesis (n=1), and weight loss (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the incorporation of oxaliplatin into a multimodal concurrent chemoradiotherapy protocol for locally advanced esophageal cancer.