Replication of a neuroimaging biomarker for striatal dysfunction in psychosis.

To bring biomarkers closer to clinical application, they should be generalizable, reliable, and maintain performance within the constraints of routine clinical conditions. The functional striatal abnormalities (FSA), is among the most advanced neuroimaging biomarkers in schizophrenia, trained to discriminate diagnosis, with post-hoc analyses indicating prognostic properties. Here, we attempt to replicate its diagnostic capabilities measured by the area under the curve (AUC) in receiver operator characteristic curves discriminating individuals with psychosis (n = 101) from healthy controls (n = 51) in the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis. We also measured the test-retest (run 1 vs 2) and phase encoding direction (i.e., AP vs PA) reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Additionally, we measured effects of scan length on classification accuracy (i.e., AUCs) and reliability (i.e., ICCs). Finally, we tested the prognostic capability of the FSA by the correlation between baseline scores and symptom improvement over 12 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in a separate cohort (n = 97). Similar analyses were conducted for the Yeo networks intrinsic connectivity as a reference. The FSA had good/excellent diagnostic discrimination (AUC = 75.4%, 95% CI = 67.0-83.3%; in non-affective psychosis AUC = 80.5%, 95% CI = 72.1-88.0%, and in affective psychosis AUC = 58.7%, 95% CI = 44.2-72.0%). Test-retest reliability ranged between ICC = 0.48 (95% CI = 0.35-0.59) and ICC = 0.22 (95% CI = 0.06-0.36), which was comparable to that of networks intrinsic connectivity. Phase encoding direction reliability for the FSA was ICC = 0.51 (95% CI = 0.42-0.59), generally lower than for networks intrinsic connectivity. By increasing scan length from 2 to 10 min, diagnostic classification of the FSA increased from AUC = 71.7% (95% CI = 63.1-80.3%) to 75.4% (95% CI = 67.0-83.3%) and phase encoding direction reliability from ICC = 0.29 (95% CI = 0.14-0.43) to ICC = 0.51 (95% CI = 0.42-0.59). FSA scores did not correlate with symptom improvement. These results reassure that the FSA is a generalizable diagnostic - but not prognostic - biomarker. Given the replicable results of the FSA as a diagnostic biomarker trained on case-control datasets, next the development of prognostic biomarkers should be on treatment-response data.

What is the duration of untreated psychosis worldwide? - A meta-analysis of pooled mean and median time and regional trends and other correlates across 369 studies.

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been associated with poor mental health outcomes. We aimed to meta-analytically estimate the mean and median DUP worldwide, evaluating also the influence of several moderating factors. This PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis searched for non-overlapping individual studies from inception until 9/12/2022, reporting mean ± s.d. or median DUP in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), without language restrictions. We conducted random-effect meta-analyses, stratified analyses, heterogeneity analyses, meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment (PROSPERO:CRD42020163640). From 12 461 citations, 369 studies were included. The mean DUP was 42.6 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 40.6-44.6, k = 283, n = 41 320), varying significantly across continents (p < 0.001). DUP was (in descending order) 70.0 weeks (95% CI 51.6-88.4, k = 11, n = 1508) in Africa; 48.8 weeks (95% CI 43.8-53.9, k = 73, n = 12 223) in Asia; 48.7 weeks (95% CI 43.0-54.4, k = 36, n = 5838) in North America; 38.6 weeks (95% CI 36.0-41.3, k = 145, n = 19 389) in Europe; 34.9 weeks (95% CI 23.0-46.9, k = 11, n = 1159) in South America and 28.0 weeks (95% CI 20.9-35.0, k = 6, n = 1203) in Australasia. There were differences depending on the income of countries: DUP was 48.4 weeks (95% CI 43.0-48.4, k = 58, n = 5635) in middle-low income countries and 41.2 weeks (95% CI 39.0-43.4, k = 222, n = 35 685) in high income countries. Longer DUP was significantly associated with older age (ß = 0.836, p < 0.001), older publication year (ß = 0.404, p = 0.038) and higher proportion of non-White FEP patients (ß = 0.232, p < 0.001). Median DUP was 14 weeks (Interquartile range = 8.8-28.0, k = 206, n = 37 215). In conclusion, DUP is high throughout the world, with marked variation. Efforts to identify and intervene sooner in patients with FEP, and to promote global mental health and access to early intervention services (EIS) are critical, especially in developing countries.

Emraclidine, a novel positive allosteric modulator of cholinergic M4 receptors, for the treatment of schizophrenia: a two-part, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1b trial.

BACKGROUND: Emraclidine is a novel, brain-penetrant, highly selective M4 receptor positive allosteric modulator in development for the treatment of schizophrenia. We aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of multiple ascending doses of emraclidine in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: We conducted a two-part, randomised, phase 1b trial in the USA. Eligible participants were aged 18-50 years (part A) or 18-55 years (part B) with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition, as confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and extrapyramidal symptom assessments indicating normal to mild symptoms at screening. Part A evaluated the safety and tolerability of emraclidine in five cohorts of participants with stable schizophrenia who received ascending oral doses of emraclidine 5-40 mg (40 mg was administered as 20 mg twice daily) or placebo at a single US site. Part B was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study that enrolled adults with acute schizophrenia across five US sites; participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive emraclidine 30 mg once daily, emraclidine 20 mg twice daily, or placebo for 6 weeks (doses established in part A). The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability, assessed in the safety population (participants who received at least one dose of emraclidine or placebo). This trial is now complete and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04136873. FINDINGS: Between Sept 23, 2019, and Sept 17, 2020, 118 patients were assessed for eligibility and 49 were randomly assigned across five cohorts in part A. 44 participants completed the study, with 36 participants receiving emraclidine and eight receiving placebo. The two highest doses tested were selected for part B. Between Oct 12, 2020, and May 7, 2021, 148 patients were assessed for eligibility and 81 were randomly assigned to emraclidine 30 mg once daily (n=27), emraclidine 20 mg twice daily (n=27), or placebo (n=27) in part B. Incidence of adverse events (14 [52%] of 27 participants in the emraclidine 30 mg once daily group, 15 [56%] of 27 in the emraclidine 20 mg twice daily group, and 14 [52%] of 27 in the placebo group), clinical assessments, and weight changes were similar across groups. The most common adverse event was headache (15 [28%] of 54 participants in the emraclidine groups, seven [26%] of 27 in the placebo group). Modest, transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate in emraclidine groups observed at treatment initiation diminished over time and were not considered clinically meaningful by week 6. INTERPRETATION: These data support further investigation of emraclidine as a once-daily treatment for schizophrenia without need for titration and with a potentially favourable side-effect profile. FUNDING: Cerevel Therapeutics.

Efficacy and safety/tolerability of antipsychotics in the treatment of adult patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotics are widely used in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), but there has been no comprehensive meta-analytic assessment that examined their use as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. METHODS: A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted on randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) that reported on the efficacy and safety/tolerability of antipsychotics for the treatment of adults with MDD. Data of both monotherapy and adjunctive antipsychotic use were extracted, but analyzed separately using a random-effects model. Co-primary outcomes were study-defined-treatment response and intolerability-related discontinuation. We also illustrated the risk/benefit balance of antipsychotics for MDD, using two-dimensional graphs representing the primary efficacy and safety/tolerability outcome. Secondary outcomes included psychopathology, remission, all-cause-discontinuation, inefficacy-related discontinuation, and adverse events. RESULTS: Forty-five RCTs with 12 724 patients were included in the analysis. In monotherapy (studies = 13, n = 4375), amisulpride [1.99 (1.55-2.55)], sulpiride [1.50 (1.03-2.17)], and quetiapine [1.48 (1.23-1.78)] were significantly superior to placebo regarding treatment response. However, intolerability-related discontinuations were significantly higher compared to placebo with amisulpride and quetiapine. In adjunctive therapy (studies = 32, n = 8349), ziprasidone [1.80 (1.07-3.04)], risperidone [1.59 (1.19-2.14)], aripiprazole [1.54 (1.35-1.76)], brexpiprazole [1.41 (1.21-1.66)], cariprazine [1.27 (1.07-1.52)], and quetiapine [1.23 (1.08-1.41)] were significantly superior to placebo regarding treatment response. However, of these antipsychotics that were superior to placebo, only risperidone was equivalent to placebo regarding discontinuation due to intolerability, while the other antipsychotics were inferior. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that there are significant differences regarding the risk/benefit ratio among antipsychotics for MDD, which should inform clinical care.

A systematic review of digital interventions for smoking cessation in patients with serious mental illness.

Tobacco smoking is highly prevalent among patients with serious mental illness (SMI), with known deleterious consequences. Smoking cessation is therefore a prioritary public health challenge in SMI. In recent years, several smoking cessation digital interventions have been developed for non-clinical populations. However, their impact in patients with SMI remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review to describe and evaluate effectiveness, acceptability, adherence, usability and safety of digital interventions for smoking cessation in patients with SMI. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsychINFO and the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register were searched. Studies matching inclusion criteria were included and their information systematically extracted by independent investigators. Thirteen articles were included, which reported data on nine different digital interventions. Intervention theoretical approaches ranged from mobile contingency management to mindfulness. Outcome measures varied widely between studies. The highest abstinence rates were found for mSMART MIND (7-day point-prevalent abstinence: 16-40%). Let's Talk About Quitting Smoking reported greater acceptability ratings, although this was not evaluated with standardized measures. Regarding usability, Learn to Quit showed the highest System Usability Scale scores [mean (s.d.) 85.2 (15.5)]. Adverse events were rare and not systematically reported. Overall, the quality of the studies was fair to good. Digitally delivered health interventions for smoking cessation show promise for improving outcomes for patients with SMI, but lack of availability remains a concern. Larger trials with harmonized assessment measures are needed to generate more definitive evidence and specific recommendations.

Relapse prevention through health technology program reduces hospitalization in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric hospitalization is a major driver of cost in the treatment of schizophrenia. Here, we asked whether a technology-enhanced approach to relapse prevention could reduce days spent in a hospital after discharge. METHODS: The Improving Care and Reducing Cost (ICRC) study was a quasi-experimental clinical trial in outpatients with schizophrenia conducted between 26 February 2013 and 17 April 2015 at 10 different sites in the USA in an outpatient setting. Patients were between 18 and 60 years old with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified. Patients received usual care or a technology-enhanced relapse prevention program during a 6-month period after discharge. The health technology program included in-person, individualized relapse prevention planning with treatments delivered via smartphones and computers, as well as a web-based prescriber decision support program. The main outcome measure was days spent in a psychiatric hospital during 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: The study included 462 patients, of which 438 had complete baseline data and were thus used for propensity matching and analysis. Control participants (N = 89; 37 females) were enrolled first and received usual care for relapse prevention followed by 349 participants (128 females) who received technology-enhanced relapse prevention. During 6-month follow-up, 43% of control and 24% of intervention participants were hospitalized (χ2 = 11.76, p<0.001). Days of hospitalization were reduced by 5 days (mean days: b = -4.58, 95% CI -9.03 to -0.13, p = 0.044) in the intervention condition compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that technology-enhanced relapse prevention is an effective and feasible way to reduce rehospitalization days among patients with schizophrenia.

Clozapine once- versus multiple-daily dosing: a two-center cross-sectional study, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evidence regarding effectiveness and safety of clozapine once- vs. multiple-daily dosing is limited. We compared demographic and clinical parameters between patients with once- vs. multiple-daily dosing in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Germany (AGATE dataset), and the Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, using non-parametric tests. Effectiveness and safety outcomes were available in the AGATE dataset. We performed a systematic review in PubMed/Embase until February 2022, meta-analyzing studies comparing clozapine once- vs. multiple-daily-dosing. We estimated a pooled odds ratio for adverse drug-induced reactions (ADRs) and meta-analyzed differences regarding clinical symptom severity, age, percentage males, smokers, clozapine dose, and co-medications between patients receiving once- vs. multiple-daily dosing. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. Of 1494 and 174 patients included in AGATE and Lausanne datasets, clozapine was prescribed multiple-daily in 74.8% and 67.8%, respectively. In the AGATE cohort, no differences were reported for the clinical symptoms severity or ADR rate (p > 0.05). Meta-analyzing eight cohorts with a total of 2810 clozapine-treated individuals, we found more severe clinical symptoms (p = 0.036), increased ADR risk (p = 0.01), higher clozapine doses (p < 0.001), more frequent co-medication with other antipsychotics (p < 0.001), benzodiazepines (p < 0.001), anticholinergics (p = 0.039), and laxatives (p < 0.001) in patients on multiple- vs. once-daily dosing. Of six studies, five were rated as good, and one as poor quality. Patients responding less well to clozapine may be prescribed higher doses multiple-daily, also treated with polypharmacy, potentially underlying worse safety outcomes. Patient preferences and adherence should be considered during regimen selection.

Delphi panel to obtain clinical consensus about using long-acting injectable antipsychotics to treat first-episode and early-phase schizophrenia: treatment goals and approaches to functional recovery.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is mostly a chronic disorder whose symptoms include psychosis, negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. Poor adherence is common and related relapse can impair outcomes. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) may promote treatment adherence and decrease the likelihood of relapse and rehospitalization. Using LAIs in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and early-phase (EP) schizophrenia patients could benefit them, yet LAIs have traditionally been reserved for chronic patients. METHODS: A three-step modified Delphi panel process was used to obtain expert consensus on using LAIs with FEP and EP schizophrenia patients. A literature review and input from a steering committee of five experts in psychiatry were used to develop statements about patient population, adverse event management, and functional recovery. Recruited Delphi process psychiatrists rated the extent of their agreement with the statements over three rounds (Round 1: paper survey, 1:1 interview; Rounds 2-3: email survey). Analysis rules determined whether a statement progressed to the next round and the level of agreement deemed consensus. Measures of central tendency (mode, mean) and variability (interquartile range) were reported back to help panelists assess their previous responses in the context of those of the overall group. RESULTS: The Delphi panelists were 17 psychiatrists experienced in treating schizophrenia with LAIs, practicing in seven countries (France, Italy, US, Germany, Spain, Denmark, UK). Panelists were presented with 73 statements spanning three categories: patient population; medication dosage, management, and adverse events; and functional recovery domains and assessment. Fifty-five statements achieved ≥ 80% agreement (considered consensus). Statements with low agreement (40-79%) or very low agreement (< 39%) concerned initiating dosage in FEP and EP patients, and managing loss of efficacy and breakthrough episodes, reflecting current evidence gaps. The panel emphasized benefits of LAIs in FEP and EP patients, with consensus that LAIs can decrease the risk of relapse, rehospitalization, and functional dysfunction. The panel supported links between these benefits and multidimensional longer-term functional recovery beyond symptomatic remission. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this Delphi panel support the use of LAIs in FEP and EP schizophrenia patients regardless of disease severity, number of relapses, or social support status. Gaps in clinician knowledge make generating evidence on using LAIs in FEP and EP patients critical.

Restrictive Intraoperative Fluid Rate is Associated with Improved Outcomes in Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Management of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CS/HIPEC) has historically favored liberal fluid administration owing to lengthy duration of surgery and hyperthermia. This practice has been challenged in recent years with studies demonstrating improved outcomes with restrictive fluid administration. METHODS: Patients who underwent CS/HIPEC between March 2010 and September 2018 were included for analysis. Patients who received an above-median fluid rate (high-IVF) versus below-median fluid rate (low-IVF) were compared, and multivariate analyses were performed for length of stay, 90-day unplanned readmissions, and major complications. RESULTS: The 167 patients had a mean age of 56.7 ± 11.4 years and body mass index of 29.5 ± 6.9 kg/m2. The median rate of total intraoperative crystalloid and colloid was 7.4 mL/kg/h. The low-IVF group had less blood loss (183 vs. 330 mL, p = 0.002), were less likely to need intraoperative vasopressor drip (2.4% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.018), and experienced fewer cardiac complications (2.4% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.031), pneumonias (0% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.024), and Clavien-Dindo grade 3-5 complications (14.5% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.004). Multivariate analyses identified bowel resection (HR 4.65, p = 0.0008) as a risk factor for 90-day unplanned readmission, while bowel resection, intraoperative fluid rate, and estimated blood loss were associated with increased length of stay. CONCLUSION: Higher intraoperative fluid intake was associated with multiple postoperative complications and increased length of stay, and represents a potentially avoidable risk factor for morbidity in CS/HIPEC.

Changes in telepsychiatry regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic: 17 countries and regions' approaches to an evolving healthcare landscape.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine as a way to reduce COVID-19 infections was noted and consequently deregulated. However, the degree of telemedicine regulation varies from country to country, which may alter the widespread use of telemedicine. This study aimed to clarify the telepsychiatry regulations for each collaborating country/region before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We used snowball sampling within a global network of international telepsychiatry experts. Thirty collaborators from 17 different countries/regions responded to a questionnaire on barriers to the use and implementation of telepsychiatric care, including policy factors such as regulations and reimbursement at the end of 2019 and as of May 2020. RESULTS: Thirteen of 17 regions reported a relaxation of regulations due to the pandemic; consequently, all regions surveyed stated that telepsychiatry was now possible within their public healthcare systems. In some regions, restrictions on prescription medications allowed via telepsychiatry were eased, but in 11 of the 17 regions, there were still restrictions on prescribing medications via telepsychiatry. Lower insurance reimbursement amounts for telepsychiatry consultations v. in-person consultations were reevaluated in four regions, and consequently, in 15 regions telepsychiatry services were reimbursed at the same rate (or higher) than in-person consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that, due to COVID-19, the majority of countries surveyed are altering telemedicine regulations that had previously restricted the spread of telemedicine. These findings provide information that could guide future policy and regulatory decisions, which facilitate greater scale and spread of telepsychiatry globally.

A New Treatment Paradigm: Targeting Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1) in Schizophrenia.

This continuing education supplement is jointly provided by Medical Education Resources and CMEology. The supplement is supported by an independent educational grant from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. It was edited and peer reviewed by the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.After reviewing the learning objectives and reading the supplement, please complete the Activity Evaluation/Credit Request form online at https://www.cmesurvey.site/TAAR1. ABSTRACT: All currently available antipsychotics work via essentially the same mechanism: by antagonizing the dopamine D2 receptor. However, schizophrenia is an extremely heterogeneous condition, and antipsychotics do not adequately control symptoms for all patients. Negative and cognitive symptoms are especially difficult to manage with existing medications. Therefore, antipsychotic agents with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. Recently, a phase 2 clinical trial and extension study demonstrated that, relative to placebo, the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonist ulotaront was effective at controlling the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. In addition, ulotaront seems to lack the weight gain, metabolic issues, and extrapyramidal symptoms associated with traditional antipsychotics. This agent is currently undergoing multiple phase 3 trials for the treatment of schizophrenia. Another TAAR1 agonist, ralmitaront, is being investigated for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Two phase 2 clinical trials are underway, evaluating ralmitaront both as a monotherapy and an add-on therapy to traditional antipsychotics. In this supplement, we review the biologic, preclinical, and clinical data available for TAAR1 agonists, so that if and when they are approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, psychiatry specialists will be ready to use them to optimize patient outcomes. We also briefly review other emerging therapies in late-stage development for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Prevalence of impaired kidney function in patients with long-term lithium treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although lithium renal effects have been extensively investigated, prevalence rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lithium-treated patients vary. Our aim was to provide prevalence estimates and related moderators. METHODS: We performed a systematic review in PubMed/Embase until November 01, 2021, conducting a random effects meta-analysis of studies evaluating CKD prevalence rates in lithium-treated patients calculating overall prevalence ±95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-regression analyses included sex, age, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lithium-treatment dose, duration, and blood levels. Subgroup analyses included sample size, diagnoses, and study design. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were estimated for studies including patients receiving nonlithium treatment. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Five, nine, and six trials were rated as high, fair, and low quality, respectively. In 20 studies (n = 25,907 patients), we estimated an overall prevalence of 25.5% (95% CI = 19.8-32.2) of impaired kidney function; despite lack of differences (p = 0.18), prevalence rates were higher in elderly samples than mixed samples of elderly and nonelderly (35.6%, 95% CI = 21.4-52.9, k = 2, n = 3,161 vs. 25.1%, 95% CI = 19.1-31.3, k = 18, n = 22,746). Prevalence rates were associated with longer lithium treatment duration (p = 0.04). Cross-sectional studies provided lower rates than retrospective studies (14.5%, 95% CI = 13.5-15.5, k = 6, n = 4,758 vs. 29.5%, 95% CI = 22.1-38.0, k = 12, n = 17,988, p < 0.001). Compared with 722,529 patients receiving nonlithium treatment, the OR of impaired kidney function in 14,187 lithium-treated patients was 2.09 (95% CI = 1.24-3.51, k = 8, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: One-fourth of patients receiving long-term lithium may develop impaired kidney function, although research suffers from substantial heterogeneity between studies. This risk may be twofold higher compared with nonlithium treatment and may increase for a longer lithium treatment duration.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors, Version 2.2022.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma that occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Most of these tumors are caused by oncogenic activating mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes. The NCCN Guidelines for GIST provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of patients with these tumors. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel discussion behind recent important updates to the guidelines, including revised systemic therapy options for unresectable, progressive, or metastatic GIST based on mutational status, and updated recommendations for the management of GIST that develop resistance to specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Version 2.2022, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare malignancies of mesenchymal cell origin that display a heterogenous mix of clinical and pathologic characteristics. STS can develop from fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. The evaluation and treatment of patients with STS requires a multidisciplinary team with demonstrated expertise in the management of these tumors. The complete NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Soft Tissue Sarcoma provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of extremity/superficial trunk/head and neck STS, as well as retroperitoneal/intra-abdominal STS, desmoid tumors, and rhabdomyosarcoma. This portion of the NCCN Guidelines discusses general principles for the diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal/intra-abdominal STS, outlines treatment recommendations, and reviews the evidence to support the guidelines recommendations.

An International Adult Guideline for Making Clozapine Titration Safer by Using Six Ancestry-Based Personalized Dosing Titrations, CRP, and Clozapine Levels.

This international guideline proposes improving clozapine package inserts worldwide by using ancestry-based dosing and titration. Adverse drug reaction (ADR) databases suggest that clozapine is the third most toxic drug in the United States (US), and it produces four times higher worldwide pneumonia mortality than that by agranulocytosis or myocarditis. For trough steady-state clozapine serum concentrations, the therapeutic reference range is narrow, from 350 to 600 ng/mL with the potential for toxicity and ADRs as concentrations increase. Clozapine is mainly metabolized by CYP1A2 (female non-smokers, the lowest dose; male smokers, the highest dose). Poor metabolizer status through phenotypic conversion is associated with co-prescription of inhibitors (including oral contraceptives and valproate), obesity, or inflammation with C-reactive protein (CRP) elevations. The Asian population (Pakistan to Japan) or the Americas' original inhabitants have lower CYP1A2 activity and require lower clozapine doses to reach concentrations of 350 ng/mL. In the US, daily doses of 300-600 mg/day are recommended. Slow personalized titration may prevent early ADRs (including syncope, myocarditis, and pneumonia). This guideline defines six personalized titration schedules for inpatients: 1) ancestry from Asia or the original people from the Americas with lower metabolism (obesity or valproate) needing minimum therapeutic dosages of 75-150 mg/day, 2) ancestry from Asia or the original people from the Americas with average metabolism needing 175-300 mg/day, 3) European/Western Asian ancestry with lower metabolism (obesity or valproate) needing 100-200 mg/day, 4) European/Western Asian ancestry with average metabolism needing 250-400 mg/day, 5) in the US with ancestries other than from Asia or the original people from the Americas with lower clozapine metabolism (obesity or valproate) needing 150-300 mg/day, and 6) in the US with ancestries other than from Asia or the original people from the Americas with average clozapine metabolism needing 300-600 mg/day. Baseline and weekly CRP monitoring for at least four weeks is required to identify any inflammation, including inflammation secondary to clozapine rapid titration.

Awareness of illness moderates self-assessment of psychotic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Self-reports or patient-reported outcome measures are seldom used in psychosis due to concerns about the ability of patients to accurately report their symptomatology, particularly in cases of low awareness of illness. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of insight on the accuracy of self-reported psychotic symptoms using a computerized adaptive testing tool (CAT-Psychosis). METHODS: A secondary analysis of data drawn from the CAT-Psychosis development and validation study was performed. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorders were administered by clinicians. Patients completed the self-reported version of the CAT-Psychosis. Patients were median-split regarding their insight level to compare the correlation between the two psychosis severity measures. A subgroup sensitivity analysis was performed only on patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients with a psychotic disorder who completed both CAT-Psychosis and Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorders were included. For the whole sample, CAT-Psychosis scores showed convergent validity with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ratings (r = 0.517, 95% confidence interval = [0.392, 0.622], p < 0.001). Insight was found to moderate this correlation (ß = -0.511, p = 0.005), yet agreement between both measures remained statistically significant for both high (r = 0.621, 95% confidence interval = [0.476, 0.733], p < 0.001) and low insight patients (r = 0.408, 95% confidence interval = [0.187, 0.589], p < 0.001), while psychosis severity was comparable between these groups (for Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale: U = 3057, z = -0.129, p = 0.897; disorganization: U = 2986.5, z = -0.274, p = 0.784 and for CAT-Psychosis: U = 2800.5, z = -1.022, p = 0.307). Subgroup of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders showed very similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Insight moderates the correlation between self-reported and clinician-rated severity of psychosis, yet CAT-Psychosis remains valid in patients with both high and low awareness of illness.

Preoperative Ultrasound Assessment of Regional Lymph Nodes in Melanoma Patients Does not Provide Reliable Nodal Staging: Results From a Large Multicenter Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether preoperative ultrasound (US) assessment of regional lymph nodes in patients who present with primary cutaneous melanoma provides accurate staging. BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that preoperative US could avoid the need for sentinel node (SN) biopsy, but in most single-institution reports, the sensitivity of preoperative US has been low. METHODS: Preoperative US data and SNB results were analyzed for patients enrolled at 20 centers participating in the screening phase of the second Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial. Excised SNs were histopathologically assessed and considered positive if any melanoma was seen. RESULTS: SNs were identified and removed from 2859 patients who had preoperative US evaluation. Among those patients, 548 had SN metastases. US was positive (abnormal) in 87 patients (3.0%). Among SN-positive patients, 39 (7.1%) had an abnormal US. When analyzed by lymph node basin, 3302 basins were evaluated, and 38 were true positive (1.2%). By basin, the sensitivity of US was 6.6% (95% confidence interval: 4.6-8.7) and the specificity 98.0% (95% CI: 97.5-98.5). Median cross-sectional area of all SN metastases was 0.13 mm2; in US true-positive nodes, it was 6.8 mm2. US sensitivity increased with increasing Breslow thickness of the primary melanoma (0% for ≤1 mm thickness, 11.9% for >4 mm thickness). US sensitivity was not significantly greater with higher trial center volume or with pre-US lymphoscintigraphy. CONCLUSION: In the MSLT-II screening phase population, SN tumor volume was usually too small to be reliably detected by US. For accurate nodal staging to guide the management of melanoma patients, US is not an effective substitute for SN biopsy.

Antenatal Antidepressant Prescription Associated With Reduced Fetal Femur Length but Not Estimated Fetal Weight: A Retrospective Ultrasonographic Study.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Antidepressants are among the most frequently prescribed medications during pregnancy and may affect fetal weight. Associations between antenatal antidepressant use and ultrasonographic measures of fetal development have rarely been examined. We hypothesized that the prescription of an antenatal antidepressant would be associated with lower estimated fetal weight (EFW). METHODS/PROCEDURES: A retrospective analysis of routine ultrasonographic data extracted from electronic medical records was performed on a cohort of pregnant women with psychiatric diagnoses and grouped according to the presence of an antenatal antidepressant prescription (n = 32 antidepressant-prescribed and n = 44 antidepressant prescription-free). After stratifying for gestational age, comparisons included 13 ultrasonographic parameters, frequency of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios and growth deceleration, and maternal serum protein markers assessed per routine care, including α-fetoprotein, free ß-human chorionic gonadotropin, and unconjugated estriol levels, using t tests, nonparametric and Fisher tests, and effect sizes (ESs) were computed. FINDINGS/RESULTS: No statistically significant EFW differences between groups at any time point were detected (P > 0.05). Antenatal antidepressant prescription was associated with lower femur length at weeks 33 to 40 (P = 0.046, ES = 0.75) and greater left ventricular diameter at weeks 25 to 32 (P = 0.04, ES = 1.18). No differences for frequency of oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios or growth deceleration were observed (P > 0.05). We did not detect group differences for maternal proteins (P > 0.05). IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Our evidence suggested a lack of association between antenatal antidepressant prescription and lower EFW but indicated an association with lower femur length and greater left ventricular diameter in mid-late gestation. Future research should examine the clinical implications of these findings.

Barriers to Referral for Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Identified Using a Tailoring Grid Methodology: Interviews with Stakeholders in New York State.

INTRODUCTION: Cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CS/HIPEC) has variable uptake, with referrals reliant on other physicians. To characterize barriers to referral for CS/HIPEC, we created a pragmatic "tailoring grid", incorporating the concepts of Pathman's 4 As of awareness, agreement, adoption, and adherence and barriers acting at the individual, practice group, and organization level. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We invited surgeons and medical oncologists from Western New York State who potentially refer patients for CS/HIPEC to participate in tailoring grid interviews. RESULTS: Interviews of 10 surgeons and 10 medical oncologists were completed. The participants were positioned in the Pathman 4 A's with respect to referrals for CS/HIPEC as follows: (1) A 19 aware (1 not aware); (2) A 3 in agreement (17 not in agreement); (3) A 9 adopters; and (4) A 6 adherent. Among the 9 participants who had referred at least one patient for CS/HIPEC (adopters/adherent), only 2 were in agreement with the appropriateness of CS/HIPEC. Barriers to awareness of included lack of interaction with colleagues and knowledge of indications. Barriers to agreement included lack of high quality of evidence supporting CS/HIPEC such as well-designed RCTs. Barriers to adoption included lack of communication with CS/HIPEC surgeons; lack of inclusion of the procedure into algorithms and defined morbidity/mortality rates. Barriers to adherence included lack of inclusion into guidelines by major societies; perceptions that the procedure is resource-intensive; lack of defined quality measures. CONCLUSIONS: The tailoring grid efficiently identified barriers to awareness, agreement, adoption and adherence for routine referral for CS/HIPEC. Barriers to increased referrals included lack of high-quality evidence supporting CS/HIPEC. Barriers more easily addressed included communication between referring and CS/HIPEC surgeons, and outcomes at the individual patient and hospital level.

Post-Marketing Safety Concerns with Esketamine: A Disproportionality Analysis of Spontaneous Reports Submitted to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

INTRODUCTION: Esketamine nasal spray received approval for treatment-resistant depression in March 2019. OBJECTIVE: Using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database (March 2019-March 2020), we analysed esketamine-related adverse events (AEs) to detect and characterize relevant safety signals. METHODS: We used the consolidated case/non-case approach to estimate the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information component (IC) with relevant confidence intervals (95% CI) for esketamine-related AEs with ≥4 counts. Comparisons between serious and non-serious AEs were performed using non-parametric tests. RESULTS: The FAERS database contained 962 cases of esketamine-related AEs, with signals detected for several AEs, such as dissociation (ROR = 1,612.64, 95% CI = 1,354.63, 1,919.79; IC = 8.19, 95% CI = 7.96, 8.35), sedation (ROR = 238.46, 95% CI = 202.98, 280.15; IC = 7, 95% CI = 6.75, 7.18), feeling drunk (ROR = 96.17, 95% CI = 61.42, 150.57; IC = 4.84, 95% CI = 4.09, 5.36), suicidal ideation (ROR = 24.03, 95% CI = 18.72, 30.84; IC = 4.31, 95% CI = 3.9, 4.61), and completed suicide (ROR = 5.75, 95% CI = 3.18, 10.41; IC = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.23, 2.94). Signals for suicidal and self-injurious ideation, but not suicide attempt and completed suicide, remained when comparing esketamine to venlafaxine. Females and patients receiving antidepressant polypharmacy, co-medication with mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, or somatic medications were more likely to suffer from serious versus non-serious AEs (χ2 = 125.29, p < 0.001, χ2 = 9.08, p = 0.003, χ2 = 8.14, p = 0.004, χ2 = 19.48, p < 0.001, χ2 = 25.62, p < 0.001, and χ2 = 16.79, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Esketamine may carry a clear potential for serious AEs, which deserves urgent clarification by means of further prospective studies.