A Synergistic Interaction between Chk1- and MK2 Inhibitors in KRAS-Mutant Cancer.

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer. Despite substantial efforts, no clinically applicable strategy has yet been developed to effectively treat KRAS-mutant tumors. Here, we perform a cell-line-based screen and identify strong synergistic interactions between cell-cycle checkpoint-abrogating Chk1- and MK2 inhibitors, specifically in KRAS- and BRAF-driven cells. Mechanistically, we show that KRAS-mutant cancer displays intrinsic genotoxic stress, leading to tonic Chk1- and MK2 activity. We demonstrate that simultaneous Chk1- and MK2 inhibition leads to mitotic catastrophe in KRAS-mutant cells. This actionable synergistic interaction is validated using xenograft models, as well as distinct Kras- or Braf-driven autochthonous murine cancer models. Lastly, we show that combined checkpoint inhibition induces apoptotic cell death in KRAS- or BRAF-mutant tumor cells directly isolated from patients. These results strongly recommend simultaneous Chk1- and MK2 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of KRAS- or BRAF-driven cancers.

Inspiratory Muscle Dysfunction Mediates and Predicts a Disease Continuum of Hypercapnic Failure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with chronic hypercapnic failure. The present work aimed to comprehensively investigate inspiratory muscle function as a potential key determinant of hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with COPD. METHODS: Prospective patient recruitment encompassed 61 stable subjects with COPD across different stages of respiratory failure, ranging from normocapnia to isolated nighttime hypercapnia and daytime hypercapnia. Arterialized blood gas analyses and overnight transcutaneous capnometry were used for patient stratification. Assessment of respiratory muscle function encompassed body plethysmography, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), diaphragm ultrasound, and transdiaphragmatic pressure recordings following cervical magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerves (twPdi) and a maximum sniff manoeuvre (Sniff Pdi). RESULTS: Twenty patients showed no hypercapnia, 10 had isolated nocturnal hypercapnia, and 31 had daytime hypercapnia. Body plethysmography clearly distinguished patients with and without hypercapnia but did not discriminate patients with isolated nocturnal hypercapnia from those with daytime hypercapnia. In contrast to ultrasound parameters and transdiaphragmatic pressures, only MIP reflected the extent of hypercapnia across all three stages. MIP values below -48 cmH2O predicted nocturnal hypercapnia (area under the curve = 0.733, p = 0.052). CONCLUSION: In COPD, inspiratory muscle dysfunction contributes to progressive hypercapnic failure. In contrast to invasive tests of diaphragm strength only MIP fully reflects the pathophysiological continuum of hypercapnic failure and predicts isolated nocturnal hypercapnia.

Randomized Clinical Study of Temporary Transvenous Phrenic Nerve Stimulation in Difficult-to-Wean Patients.

Rationale: Diaphragm dysfunction is frequently observed in critically ill patients with difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of temporary transvenous diaphragm neurostimulation on weaning outcome and maximal inspiratory pressure. Methods: Multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study. Patients aged ⩾18 years on invasive mechanical ventilation for ⩾4 days and having failed at least two weaning attempts received temporary transvenous diaphragm neurostimulation using a multielectrode stimulating central venous catheter (bilateral phrenic stimulation) and standard of care (treatment) (n = 57) or standard of care (control) (n = 55). In seven patients, the catheter could not be inserted, and in seven others, pacing therapy could not be delivered; consequently, data were available for 43 patients. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients successfully weaned. Other endpoints were mechanical ventilation duration, 30-day survival, maximal inspiratory pressure, diaphragm-thickening fraction, adverse events, and stimulation-related pain. Measurements and Main Results: The incidences of successful weaning were 82% (treatment) and 74% (control) (absolute difference [95% confidence interval (CI)], 7% [-10 to 25]), P = 0.59. Mechanical ventilation duration (mean ± SD) was 12.7 ± 9.9 days and 14.1 ± 10.8 days, respectively, P = 0.50; maximal inspiratory pressure increased by 16.6 cm H2O and 4.8 cm H2O, respectively (difference [95% CI], 11.8 [5 to 19]), P = 0.001; and right hemidiaphragm thickening fraction during unassisted spontaneous breathing was +17% and -14%, respectively, P = 0.006, without correlation with changes in maximal inspiratory pressure. Serious adverse event frequency was similar in both groups. Median stimulation-related pain in the treatment group was 0 (no pain). Conclusions: Temporary transvenous diaphragm neurostimulation did not increase the proportion of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. It was associated with a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure, suggesting reversal of the course of diaphragm dysfunction. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03096639) and the European Database on Medical Devices (CIV-17-06-020004).

Endotyping Sleep Apnea One Breath at a Time: An Automated Approach for Separating Obstructive from Central Sleep-disordered Breathing.

Rationale: Determining whether an individual has obstructive or central sleep apnea is fundamental to selecting the appropriate treatment. Objectives: Here we derive an automated breath-by-breath probability of obstruction, as a surrogate of gold-standard upper airway resistance, using hallmarks of upper airway obstruction visible on clinical sleep studies. Methods: From five nocturnal polysomnography signals (airflow, thoracic and abdominal effort, oxygen saturation, and snore), nine features were extracted and weighted to derive the breath-by-breath probability of obstruction (Pobs). A development and initial test set of 29 subjects (development = 6, test = 23) (New York, NY) and a second test set of 39 subjects (Solingen, Germany), both with esophageal manometry, were used to develop Pobs and validate it against gold-standard upper airway resistance. A separate dataset of 114 subjects with 2 consecutive nocturnal polysomnographies (New York, NY) without esophageal manometry was used to assess the night-to-night variability of Pobs. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 1,962,229 breaths were analyzed. On a breath-by-breath level, Pobs was strongly correlated with normalized upper airway resistance in both test sets (set 1: cubic adjusted [adj.] R2 = 0.87, P < 0.001, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.74; set 2: cubic adj. R2 = 0.83, P < 0.001, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.7). On a subject level, median Pobs was associated with the median normalized upper airway resistance (set 1: linear adj. R2 = 0.59, P < 0.001; set 2: linear adj. R2 = 0.45, P < 0.001). Median Pobs exhibited low night-to-night variability [intraclass correlation(2, 1) = 0.93]. Conclusions: Using nearly 2 million breaths from 182 subjects, we show that breath-by-breath probability of obstruction can reliably predict the overall burden of obstructed breaths in individual subjects and can aid in determining the type of sleep apnea.

Research Priorities for Patients with Heart Failure and Central Sleep Apnea. An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement.

Background: Central sleep apnea (CSA) is common among patients with heart failure and has been strongly linked to adverse outcomes. However, progress toward improving outcomes for such patients has been limited. The purpose of this official statement from the American Thoracic Society is to identify key areas to prioritize for future research regarding CSA in heart failure.Methods: An international multidisciplinary group with expertise in sleep medicine, pulmonary medicine, heart failure, clinical research, and health outcomes was convened. The group met at the American Thoracic Society 2019 International Conference to determine research priority areas. A statement summarizing the findings of the group was subsequently authored using input from all members.Results: The workgroup identified 11 specific research priorities in several key areas: 1) control of breathing and pathophysiology leading to CSA, 2) variability across individuals and over time, 3) techniques to examine CSA pathogenesis and outcomes, 4) impact of device and pharmacological treatment, and 5) implementing CSA treatment for all individualsConclusions: Advancing care for patients with CSA in the context of heart failure will require progress in the arenas of translational (basic through clinical), epidemiological, and patient-centered outcome research. Given the increasing prevalence of heart failure and its associated substantial burden to individuals, society, and the healthcare system, targeted research to improve knowledge of CSA pathogenesis and treatment is a priority.

[Latest news on RA-ILD]. / Aktuelles zur RA-ILD.

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is of high clinical relevance. It not only affects the quality of life but also makes a significant contribution to the mortality rate of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. RA-ILD can present with all known radiological and histopathological patterns seen in other interstitial pneumonias. Among these pneumonias, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), followed by usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) has the worst prognosis. In addition, acute exacerbation of RA-ILD, which can occur at any time during the disease, is highly lethal. An algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of RA-ILD is pending and will be addressed in the following article. In addition to immunosuppressants and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), antifibrotics have recently gained importance in the therapy of RA-ILD.

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on daytime and nighttime arterial blood pressure in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea and endothelial dysfunction.

PURPOSE: A nocturnal non-dipping or rise in blood pressure (BP) is associated with poor cardiovascular outcome. This study aimed to test whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can reduce nocturnal BP and normalize the 24-h BP profile in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and erectile dysfunction as a surrogate for endothelial dysfunction (ED). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients with OSA and ED on stable antihypertensive medication (age 55.8 ± 9.5 years, body mass index 35.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2, apnea-hypopnoea index 66.1 ± 27.4/h) were treated with CPAP for 6 months (average daily use 5.8 ± 2.3 h). Twenty-four hour BP recordings were performed using a portable monitoring device. Rising was defined as an increase, whereas non-dipping was defined as a fall in nocturnal BP of less than 10% compared to daytime values. Serum noradrenaline levels as markers of sympathetic activity were measured at baseline and at 6 month follow up. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, nocturnal systolic and diastolic BP were significantly reduced after CPAP therapy (128.5 ± 14 to 122.9 ± 11 mmHg, p = 0.036; 76.2 ± 9 to 70.5 ± 5 mmHg, p = 0.007). The frequency of non-dipping and rising nocturnal systolic BP, as well as mean nocturnal heart rate, was reduced after CPAP treatment (73 to 27%, p = 0.039; 20 to 7%, p = 0.625; from 81.5 ± 10 to 74.8 ± 8 beats per minute p = 0.043). Serum levels of noradrenaline were significantly lower after CPAP therapy (398 ± 195 ng/l vs. 303 ± 135 ng/l, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe OSA and clinically apparent ED, CPAP therapy was associated with a decrease in nocturnal BP and serum noradrenaline levels, as well as a normalization of the 24-h BP profile.

Transbronchial cryobiopsy in fibrosing interstitial lung disease: modifications of the procedure lead to risk reduction.

Sixty-one subjects with fibrosing interstitial lung disease were prospectively analysed to determine the efficacy of transbronchial cryobiopsy (CryoTBB) and the effect of procedural modifications which were introduced after an interim analysis of the first 19 subjects. The modifications significantly reduced complication rates from 84% to 14% (p<0.001). 30-day-mortality was 2%. The algorithm with initial CryoTBB and surgical lung biopsy (SLB) as optional step-up procedure was feasible. CryoTBB led to a confident diagnosis in 46/61 subjects (75%). Only 21% out of all subjects were forwarded for SLB. As the modified CryoTBB reduced but not eliminated the risk of severe complications, tissue sampling should be limited to patients where confident diagnosis enables life prolonging therapy. Trial registration number: NCT01714518.

COMET: a multicomponent home-based disease-management programme versus routine care in severe COPD.

The COPD Patient Management European Trial (COMET) investigated the efficacy and safety of a home-based COPD disease management intervention for severe COPD patients.The study was an international open-design clinical trial in COPD patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s <50% of predicted value) randomised 1:1 to the disease management intervention or to the usual management practices at the study centre. The disease management intervention included a self-management programme, home telemonitoring, care coordination and medical management. The primary end-point was the number of unplanned all-cause hospitalisation days in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Secondary end-points included acute care hospitalisation days, BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exercise) index and exacerbations. Safety end-points included adverse events and deaths.For the 157 (disease management) and 162 (usual management) patients eligible for ITT analyses, all-cause hospitalisation days per year (mean±sd) were 17.4±35.4 and 22.6±41.8, respectively (mean difference -5.3, 95% CI -13.7 to -3.1; p=0.16). The disease management group had fewer per-protocol acute care hospitalisation days per year (p=0.047), a lower BODE index (p=0.01) and a lower mortality rate (1.9% versus 14.2%; p<0.001), with no difference in exacerbation frequency. Patient profiles and hospitalisation practices varied substantially across countries.The COMET disease management intervention did not significantly reduce unplanned all-cause hospitalisation days, but reduced acute care hospitalisation days and mortality in severe COPD patients.

Effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

PURPOSE: Different forms of training focusing on the muscles of the upper airways showed limited effects on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and/or snoring. We investigated the effect of generalized respiratory muscle training (RMT) in lean patients with mild to moderate OSA. METHODS: Nine male subjects (52.0 ± 10.8 years, BMI 29.1 ± 2.1 kg/m2) with obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 9-29) participated in an open, single-arm pilot study. After a 1-week build-up phase, patients underwent 4 weeks of normocapnic hyperpnea RMT five times a week for 30 min each. The initial and final measurements comprised polysomnography, pulmonary function tests, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and SF-36 questionnaire (quality of life (QoL) self-assessment). The investigational site was a university-affiliated hospital for pulmonary diseases and sleep medicine, Solingen/Germany. RESULTS: Patients trained effectively, seen by a significant (p < 0.01) increase of breathing frequency (23.3 ± 1.5 /min vs. 30.6 ± 2.9 /min) and minute volume (81.2 ± 13.7 L vs. 109.1 ± 21.9 L). AHI, snoring and ESS remained unchanged after training. QoL as measured by SF-36 significantly (p < 0.05) improved after the training in the subscales "bodily pain" (79 ± 21 vs. 90 ± 12) and "change of health" (3.1 ± 0.3 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that AHI, pulmonary function or daytime sleepiness are affected by 5 weeks of RMT. Nevertheless, there is an improvement of parameters of quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , register no. NCT 00936286.

Successful Concomitant Therapy with Pirfenidone and Nintedanib in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Case Report.

Pirfenidone and nintedanib are both pleiotropic anti-fibrotic agents approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as monotherapy. To date, evidence supporting their efficacy as concomitant therapy has not been reported. Here, we present the first case of a Caucasian male patient with IPF treated with both pirfenidone and nintedanib following 2 years of treatment with pirfenidone monotherapy. Over a 24-month period, there was a clear decline in the patient's forced vital capacity from 3.5 liter before initiation of treatment to 2.5 liter after 24 months. Concomitant nintedanib treatment was initiated in March 2015. Lung function stabilized, and the two treatments were well tolerated. Treatment with pirfenidone and nintedanib has currently been ongoing for nearly 12 months. This is the first report of a successful long-term treatment with pirfenidone and nintedanib and suggests that in selected cases, concomitant anti-fibrotic therapy may represent a safe and therapeutically valuable escalation option after pirfenidone monotherapy.

Parameters of Overnight Pulse Wave under Treatment in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

BACKGROUND: Sleep-related breathing disorders may promote cardiovascular (CV) diseases. A novel and differentiated approach to overnight photoplethysmographic pulse wave analysis, which includes risk assessment and measurement of various pulse wave characteristics, has been evaluated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess if and which of the differentiated pulse wave characteristics might be influenced by OSA treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP). METHODS: The study included two protocols. In the case-control study (group A), pulse wave-derived CV risk indices recorded during PAP therapy were compared with those obtained in age, body mass index, and CV risk class-matched patients with untreated OSA (n = 67/67). In the prospective PAP treatment study (group B), 17 unselected patients undergoing a full-night sleep test at baseline and after 23 ± 19 weeks of treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: In untreated OSA patients (group A), the overnight hypoxic load was increased (SpO2 index 38.7 ± 17.5 vs. 24.0 ± 11.1, p < 0.001) and the pulse wave attenuation index (PWA-I) was lower (29.4 ± 9.2 vs. 33.5 ± 11.8, p = 0.022) than in treated patients. In group B, PAP therapy reduced the hypoxic load and increased the PWA-I significantly. The composite CV risk index was slightly but not significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: PAP therapy modified the hypoxic load and pulse wave-derived markers. The PWA-I - associated with sympathetic vascular tone - was most prominently modified by PAP. This novel approach to markers of CV function should be further evaluated in prospective studies.

[Sleep disorders in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]. / Bedeutung von Schlafstörungen, deren Abklärung und Behandlung bei Asthma und COPD.

Sleep disturbances (SD) are a frequent finding in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and have a negative impact on quality of life and the clinical course of the disease. The causes of SD are multiple and include for example respiratory symptoms and comorbidities. On the other hand sleep goes along with multiple physiological changes in respiration, so that sleep itself interacts with asthma and COPD. This interaction favors respiratory symptoms and may lead to hypoxemia and hypercapnia. A further complication of the respiratory situation and the clinical course can be found in asthma and COPD patients with coexisting obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Due to the heterogeneity of SD in asthma and COPD, a detailed patient survey is the most important diagnostical tool. Based on the survey further technical examinations should be considered. Treatment strategies for the reduction of SD in asthma and COPD include an optimized medication and treatment of comorbidities. If indicated oxygen therapy, positive pressure breathing and pulmonary rehabilitation can contribute.

Recommendations for clinical management of excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea - A Delphi consensus study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Excessive daytime sleepiness is common with obstructive sleep apnoea and can persist despite efforts to optimise primary airway therapy. The literature lacks recommendations regarding differential diagnosis and management of excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea. This study sought to develop expert consensus statements to bridge the gap between existing literature/guidelines and clinical practice. METHODS: A panel of 10 international experts was convened to undertake a modified Delphi process. Statements were developed based on available evidence identified through a scoping literature review, and expert opinion. Consensus was achieved through 3 rounds of iterative, blinded survey voting and revision to statements until a predetermined level of agreement was met (≥80 % voting "strongly agree" or "agree with reservation"). RESULTS: Consensus was achieved for 32 final statements. The panel agreed excessive daytime sleepiness is a patient-reported symptom. The importance of subjective/objective evaluation of excessive daytime sleepiness in the initial evaluation and serial management of obstructive sleep apnoea was recognised. The differential diagnosis of residual excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea was discussed. Optimizing airway therapy (eg, troubleshooting issues affecting effectiveness) was addressed. The panel recognised occurrence of residual excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea despite optimal airway therapy and the need to evaluate patients for underlying causes. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea is a public health issue requiring increased awareness, recognition, and attention. Implementation of these statements may improve patient care, long-term management, and clinical outcomes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Severity stages of obesity-related breathing disorders - a cross-sectional cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a general underappreciation of the spectrum of obesity-related breathing disorders and their consequences. We therefore compared characteristics of obese patients with eucapnic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), OSA with obesity-related sleep hypoventilation (ORSH) or obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) to identify the major determinants of hypoventilation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, diagnostic study (NCT04570540), obese patients with OSA, ORSH or OHS were characterized applying polysomnography with transcutaneous capnometry, blood gas analyses, bodyplethysmography and measurement of hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR). Pathophysiological variables known to contribute to hypoventilation and differing significantly between the groups were specified as potential independent variables in a multivariable logistic regression to identify major determinants of hypoventilation. RESULTS: Twenty, 43 and 19 patients were in the OSA, ORSH and OHS group, respectively. BMI was significantly lower in OSA as compared to OHS. The extent of SRBD was significantly higher in OHS as compared to OSA or ORSH. Patients with ORSH or OHS showed a significantly decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity compared to OSA. HCVR was significantly lower in OHS and identified as the major determinant of hypoventilation in a multivariable logistic regression (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.346, p = 0.050, odds ratio (95%-confidence interval) 0.129 (0.017-1.004)). CONCLUSION: Although there were differences in BMI, respiratory mechanics and severity of upper airway obstruction between groups, our data support HCVR as the major determinant of obesity-associated hypoventilation.

Initial Proportion and Dynamic of B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 in a Large City in the West of Germany.

Rationale: Several mutational variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified in the past months with increasing prevalence worldwide. Some variants, such as B.1.1.7, are of high relevance due to increased transmissibility, facilitating virus spread and calling for stricter containment measures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine proportion and dynamic of B.1.1.7 in SARS-CoV-2-positive samples in a large city in the west of Germany. Methods: Consecutive SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from a local outpatient clinic, obtained over a period of 4 weeks (mid-January to mid-February 2021), were examined for the presence of the variant B.1.1.7. The size of B.1.1.7 infection clusters was compared with non-B.1.1.7 clusters. The transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 was described based on corresponding cases of an infection cluster in a local child daycare centre. Results: Among 226 SARS-CoV-2-positive cases, B.1.1.7 was detected in 74 subjects (33%). The 7-day moving mean of the B.1.1.7 proportion started at 20% and reached 50% only 3 weeks later. B.1.1.7 clusters comprised 10.7 ± 12.1 persons per cluster, while non-B.1.1.7 clusters were considerably smaller (5.1 ± 5.8). One specific B.1.1.7 infection cluster in a 40-children daycare centre started with one teacher leading to 11 infected children and 8 infections among teachers. The infection spread to 6 families and one other daycare centre, with a total 43 SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects. Conclusions: We found a rapid increase in the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 with larger infection clusters than non-B.1.1.7. These results suggested a rapid increase in the B.1.1.7 proportion and a renewed increase in the total number of SARS-CoV-2 infections for the time following the analysed period. Considering the rapid emergence and spread of viral variants, close monitoring of mutation events is essential. Therefore, routine whole-genome sequencing appears to be useful in addition to searching for known mutations.