[Immune checkpoint inhibitors related cardiovascular toxicity: 3­mounth follow-up].

AIM: To analyze the condition of the cardiovascular system in oncological patients receiving immune antitumor therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) based on results of laboratory and instrumental examinations during a 3-month follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study included 49 patients (25 men and 24 women aged 65.6±8.7 and 64.3±9.6 years, respectively). A laboratory screening (C-reactive proteins, troponin I, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), EchoCG, and carotid ultrasound were performed for all patients. 27 patients were followed up at 3 months after the antitumor therapy initiation. Statistical analysis was performed with the StatPlus 8.0.3 software. RESULTS: Incidence of cardiovascular complications was 16.3 %. The following significant changes in EchoCG parameters were observed: LV EF; (p=0.017), increased LV end-systolic volume (ESV) (р=0.023), and increased LV index of myocardial performance (LIMP; р=0.016). The degree of changes in ESV (ΔESV) depended on a history of chronic heart failure (р=0.03), whereas the degree of changes in EF (ΔEF) depended on the patient's age at the initiation of antitumor therapy (р=0.006). Ultrasound showed an increase in maximum carotid stenosis (р=0.018). CONCLUSION: The study showed a high incidence of newly developed cardiovascular complications associated with the CPI treatment as well as the presence of changes in EchoCG parameters and data of carotid ultrasound.

[Assessment of PD-L1 expression using the neural network analysis algorithm in non-small cell lung carcinoma biopsy specimens]. / Otsenka v bioptatakh nemelkokletochnykh kartsinom legkogo ekspressii PD-L1 s primeneniem algoritma neirosetevogo analiza.

Neural network analysis of digital copies of histological micropreparations is one of the methods used to standardize quantitative continuous data. PD-L1 (22C3) biomarker expression in metastatic non-small cell lung carcinomas without mutations in the EGFR, ALK, and ROS1 genes serves as an indication for the use of pembrolizumab for the first-line therapy. OBJECTIVE: To quantify PD-L1 biomarker expression in non-small cell lung carcinomas using the neural network analysis of digital copies of histological micropreparations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical study of PD-L1 (22C3) expression was performed on 96 non-small cell lung carcinoma biopsy specimens. The digital copies of histological micropreparations were processed by the QuPath software neural network analysis module. RESULTS: The neural network analysis module segmented tumor, stroma, and artifacts in the micropreparations, showing a sufficient level of agreement with a visual assessment. Digital image analysis quantified stained tumor cells in the high PD-L1 expression group and showed 96% agreement rate versus visual assessment. However, the group of tumors without PD-L1 expression versus visual assessment showed a low (58%) agreement rate. CONCLUSION: The neural network analysis algorithm is applicable to the study of digital copies of histological micropreparations containing tumor, stroma, and artifacts. The algorithm allows for quantitative immunohistochemical assessment of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. The algorithm can quantify the immunohistochemically detected expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells.

[Membrane-modifying effect of taurine].

The effect of taurine on the membrane-bound processes in rat erythrocytes and peritoneal mast cells was studied. By EPR method using spin probe 5-DS a significant decrease in the order parameter S of erythrocyte membrane phospholipid acyl chains in in vitro experiments after incubation with taurine (10 mM, 1 h) was shown. The increase of erythrocyte membrane response to peroxide hemolysis was also observed, that was apparently induced by decrease of membrane viscosity as a result of lessening the solidity of the erythrocyte membrane phospholipid packing. The different effects of taurine on ionophore A23187 and compound 48/80-stimulated functional activity of the peritoneal rat mast cells by various modes of administration (peroral, intraperitoneal, intramuscular) were shown. This makes it possible to conclude that the mechanism of taurine activity at the organism level seems to be a mediated process and systemic by nature.