Moving on From Sipuleucel-T: New Dendritic Cell Vaccine Strategies for Prostate Cancer.

Tumors evade the immune system though a myriad of mechanisms. Using checkpoint inhibitors to help reprime T cells to recognize tumor has had great success in malignancies including melanoma, lung, and renal cell carcinoma. Many tumors including prostate cancer are resistant to such treatment. However, Sipuleucel-T, a dendritic cell (DC) based immunotherapy, improved overall survival (OS) in prostate cancer. Despite this initial success, further DC vaccines have failed to progress and there has been limited uptake of Sipuleucel-T in the clinic. We know in prostate cancer (PCa) that both the adaptive and the innate arms of the immune system contribute to the immunosuppressive environment. This is at least in part due to dysfunction of DC that play a crucial role in the initiation of an immune response. We also know that there is a paucity of DC in PCa, and that those there are immature, creating a tolerogenic environment. These attributes make PCa a good candidate for a DC based immunotherapy. Ultimately, the knowledge gained by much research into antigen processing and presentation needs to translate from bench to bedside. In this review we will analyze why newer vaccine strategies using monocyte derived DC (MoDC) have failed to deliver clinical benefit, particularly in PCa, and highlight the emerging antigen loading and presentation technologies such as nanoparticles, antibody-antigen conjugates and virus co-delivery systems that can be used to improve efficacy. Lastly, we will assess combination strategies that can help overcome the immunosuppressive microenvironment of PCa.

Machine-assisted interpretation of auramine stains substantially increases through-put and sensitivity of microscopic tuberculosis diagnosis.

Of all bacterial infectious diseases, infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis poses one of the highest morbidity and mortality burdens on humans throughout the world. Due to its speed and cost-efficiency, manual microscopy of auramine-stained sputum smears remains a crucial first-line detection method. However, it puts considerable workload on laboratory staff and suffers from a limited sensitivity. Here we validate a scanning and analysis system that combines fully-automated microscopy with deep-learning based image analysis. After automated scanning, the system summarizes diagnosis-relevant image information and presents it to the microbiologist in order to assist diagnosis. We tested the benefit of the automated scanning and analysis system using 531 slides from routine workflow, of which 56 were from culture positive specimen. Assistance by the scanning and analysis system allowed for a higher sensitivity (40/56 positive slides detected) than manual microscopy (34/56 positive slides detected), while greatly reducing manual slide-analysis time from a recommended 5-15 min to around 10 s per slide on average.

[Treatment of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica]. / Therapie der Riesenzellarteriitis und Polymyalgia rheumatica.

Patients with untreated active giant cell arteritis (GCA) are at high risk of permanent vision loss. Therefore, treatment with glucocorticoids should be immediately initiated at an initial dose of 40-60 mg prednisolone equivalent dose per day. Once remission is achieved, the prednisolone dose should be reduced to 15-20 mg within 2-3 months and then to ≤5 mg per day within 1 year. Glucocorticoid-sparing treatment with tocilizumab or alternatively methotrexate should be initiated in patients with an increased risk or pre-existing complications of glucocorticoid treatment and patients with relapse. In polymyalgia rheumatica, prednisolone dosages of 15-25 mg/day are sufficient. After achieving remission, the dose should then be reduced to 10 mg within 4-8 weeks and then to 1 mg per month thereafter. Glucocorticoid-sparing treatment with methotrexate should be initiated in patients with an increased risk or existing complications of glucocorticoid treatment, relapse or increased glucocorticoid requirements.

A population-based epidemiological study of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Hungary.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in Hungary based on the 2015 International Panel of NMO Diagnosis (IPND) criteria. METHODS: A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted of 6.4 million Hungarians (age ≥ 16 years) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016. Possible NMOSD patients were selected via multistage re-evaluation from multiple sources. Crude and sex- and serostatus-specific prevalence (per 100 000 persons) and incidence rates (per 1 000 000 person-years) from 2006 to 2015 were estimated and age-adjusted rates were determined. RESULTS: Of 2262 study candidates, 154 NMOSD patients (age ≥ 16 years) with onset until 31 December 2016 were identified based on 2015 IPND criteria. The prevalence analysis on 1 January 2016 included 123 NMOSD living cases, resulting in a prevalence of 1.91 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.52-2.28] per 100 000 persons. The 101 incident cases emerging from the observed 76 394 288 person-years provided an incidence rate of 1.32 (95% CI 1.08-1.61) per 1 000 000 person-years. Age-adjusted prevalence was 1.87 (95% CI 1.56-2.23) per 100 000 persons and incidence was 1.20 (95% CI 0.98-1.46) per 1 000 000 person-years. CONCLUSIONS: In this first report of a large population-based epidemiological study from an Eastern European Caucasian population using robust case validation, a greater prevalence and incidence of NMOSD was found compared to previous large studies in Caucasian populations.

Efecto de Diferentes Técnicas de Acabado y Pulido Sobre la Rugosidad de un Composite de Nanoparticulas / Effect of Different Finishing and Polishing Techniques on the Roughness of a Nanoparticle Composite

El objetivo fue comparar la rugosidad de un composite nanoparticulado con diferentes técnicas de acabado y pulido. Se obtuvieron 20 discos en conformadores ad-hoc en los que se insertó un composite nanoparticulado en capas de 2mm. Se activó cada incremento durante 30s con una intensidad de 1450 mw/cm2. Todas las probetas se pulieron con la secuencia completa de discos Sof-lex a velocidad media y luego se asignaron a uno de 4 grupos (n=5) tratados de la siguiente manera: G1: sin tratamiento extra; G2: con cepillos Astrobrush y JC-SICRA-G; G3: con pasta de diamantes Diamond Gloss aplicada con fieltro; y pasta de óxido de aluminio Poligloss y fieltro; G4: igual que G3 + cepillos (igual que G2). Las superficies se evaluaron con un perfilómetro óptico tridimensional. Se registró la rugosidad promedio (Ra) en tres puntos de cada espécimen, se consideró la Ra a la media de los tres registros obtenidos. Los datos se analizaron mediante ANOVA de una vía y prueba de Tukey para comparaciones múltiples. Los resultados obtenidos fueron: G1: 132,20nm (26,16); G2: 77,20 nm (20,64); G3: 78,74 nm (10,04); G4: 66,47nm (31,08). Se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos (P=0.0017); de las comparaciones múltiples surge que G1 presentó una rugosidad media significativamente mayor que los restantes. G1>G2 (P<0.01), G1>G3 (P<0,05), G1>G4 (P<0,01). En conclusión, el uso de sistemas anexos de pulido permite lograr mayor lisura superficial. El uso de más de un sistema complementario no mejora el resultado (AU)

Lifestyle, habitat and farmers' risk of exposure to tick bites in an endemic area of tick-borne diseases in Hungary.

Controlling tick bites on farmers is important to the management of tick-borne diseases and occupational health risks in agriculture. Based on an extensive household survey conducted between June and August 2015 with 219 farmers from western Hungary where tick-borne diseases are endemic, we analysed the pattern of farmers' self-reported contacts with ticks and investigated the potential interactions between farmers, landscape and the risk of exposure to tick bites. We developed a lifestyle typology based on farmers' socioeconomic profiles, farming objectives and time use patterns, and a habitat typology describing different configurations of tick habitats and agricultural areas in place of farming. We found no relationship between tick exposure risk and self-prevention. The lifestyle typology could be used to classify the risk of tick bites and the adoption of prevention measures into different levels, the difference between which could further be modified by the habitat typology. Our results suggest that (i) farmers who are frequently engaged in outdoor recreations and (ii) part-time and inexperienced farmers who have lower rate of preventive actions are likely to experience greater exposure to tick bites either in less cultivated, semi-natural habitats or in agricultural landscape with highly diverse land uses. Future disease prevention practices should take into consideration the interaction of lifestyle and habitat and the need to associate different farmer groups with different landscape configurations.

The evolution of chemotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Chemotherapy has been explored as a treatment option for metastatic prostate cancer since the early 1980s. Docetaxel, a taxane chemotherapeutic, was approved for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in 2004, and is now standard of care for late stage disease. Recent clinical studies demonstrated that patients with metastatic castration-sensitive disease, and possibly those with high-risk localized prostate cancer also benefit from docetaxel administration, expanding the role of chemotherapy in the prostate cancer treatment landscape. Another taxane, cabazitaxel, is approved for post-docetaxel metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Taxanes and other chemotherapeutics, such as carboplatin, are now being tested in combination regimens. This review presents an outline of recent and ongoing clinical studies assessing docetaxel and its derivative cabazitaxel at different stages of the disease, and in various combinations with other agents. We summarize current knowledge on biomarkers predictive of response to chemotherapy, which may in future be used to guide individualized treatment decisions.

North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0543 (Alliance): A phase 2 trial of pharmacogenetic-based dosing of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine as first-line therapy for patients with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin in combination with either 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine is commonly used as first-line therapy for patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma. The addition of irinotecan improves survival in other gastrointestinal tumors but at the cost of hematologic toxicity. The authors performed a phase 2 cooperative group study (North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0543, Alliance) using genotype-dosed capecitabine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (gCAPIRINOX), with dosing assigned based on UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A1 (UGT1A1) genotype to test: 1) whether the addition of irinotecan would improve outcomes; and 2) whether UGT1A1 genotype-based dosing could optimize tolerability. METHODS: Previously untreated patients with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma received irinotecan (day 1), oxaliplatin (day 1), and capecitabine (days 2-15) in a 21-day cycle and were dosed with gCAPIRINOX according to UGT1A1*28 genotypes (6/6, 6/7, and 7/7). RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (17 with the 6/6 genotype, 10 with the 6/7 genotype, and 6 with the 7/7 genotype) were enrolled from October 2007 to November 2013; 73% were male, with a mean age of 64 years (range, 41-77 years). Location of the primary tumor included the duodenum (58%), jejunum (30%), and ileum (9%). The regimen yielded a confirmed response rate of 37.5% (95% confidence interval, 21%-56%), with a median progression-free survival of 8.9 months and a median overall survival of 13.4 months. Neither hematologic toxicity (grade ≥3 in 52.9%, 30.0%, and 33.3%, respectively, of the 6/6, 6/7, and 7/7 genotype groups) nor tumor response rate (41.2%, 33%, and 33%, respectively) were found to differ significantly by UGT1A1 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: UGT1A1 genotype-directed dosing (gCAPIRINOX) appears to be feasible with favorable rates of hematologic toxicity compared with prior 3-drug studies in unselected patients. Larger studies would be needed to determine the regimen's comparability to oxaliplatin and capecitabine (CapeOx) alone or if response/toxicity differs among patients with different UGT1A1 genotypes. Cancer 2017;123:3494-501. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Clinical trial enrollment of adolescents and young adults with sarcoma.

More than half of all sarcomas occur in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 15 to 39 years. After the publication of the AYA series in the April 1, 2016 issue of Cancer, several leaders in the field of sarcoma across disciplines gathered to discuss the status of sarcoma clinical research in AYAs. They determined that a focused effort to include the underrepresented and understudied AYA population in current and future sarcoma clinical trials is overdue. Trial enrichment for AYA-aged sarcoma patients will produce more meaningful results that better represent the disease's biology, epidemiology, and treatment environment. To address the current deficit, this commentary outlines changes believed to be necessary to expediently achieve an increase in the enrollment of AYAs in sarcoma clinical trials. Cancer 2017;123:3434-40. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

A prospective multicentre phase III validation study of AZGP1 as a biomarker in localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancers (PCs) with similar characteristics at the time of diagnosis can have very different disease outcomes. Conventional biomarkers of PC still lack precision in identifying individuals at high risk of PC recurrence. While many candidate biomarkers are proposed in the literature, few are in clinical practice as they lack rigorous validation. This study prospectively enrolled an independent phase III cohort to evaluate the clinical utility of zinc-alpha 2-glycoprotein (AZGP1) as a prognostic biomarker in localized PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our multicentre, prospective phase III study, AZGP1 status in 347 radical prostatectomy specimens was assayed by immunohistochemistry in a NATA-accredited laboratory. The AZGP1 score was assessed in a multivariable model incorporating established prognostic factors. We also report extended outcomes from our previous phase II study. The primary endpoint was biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS). Secondary endpoints were metastasis-free survival (MFS) and PC-specific survival (PCSS). RESULTS: In the phase II cohort, with a median follow-up of 15.8 years, low/absent AZGP1 expression was an independent predictor of poor BRFS (HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9; P = 0.03), MFS (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.6; P = 0.02) and PCSS (HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5-9.5; P = 0.005). These results were validated in our prospective phase III cohort. Low/absent AZGP1 expression independently predicted for BRFS (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3; P = 0.02), with shorter MFS (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4; P = 0.02). AZGP1 improved the discriminatory value when incorporated into existing prognostic risk models. CONCLUSION: Our study provides prospective phase III validation that absent/low AZGP1 expression provides independent prognostic value in PC. This study provides robust evidence for the incorporation of this biomarker into clinical practice.

Phase II study of MLN8237 (Alisertib) in advanced/metastatic sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is commonly overexpressed in sarcoma. The inhibition of AURKA by shRNA or by a specific AURKA inhibitor blocks in vitro proliferation of multiple sarcoma subtypes. MLN8237 (alisertib) is a novel oral adenosine triphosphate-competitive AURKA inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program-sponsored phase II study of alisertib was conducted through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (A091102). Patients were enrolled into histology-defined cohorts: (i) liposarcoma, (ii) leiomyosarcoma, (iii) undifferentiated sarcoma, (iv) malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, or (v) other. Treatment was alisertib 50 mg PO b.i.d. d1-d7 every 21 days. The primary end point was response rate; progression-free survival (PFS) was secondary. One response in the first 9 patients expanded enrollment in a cohort to 24 using a Simon two-stage design. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled at 24 sites [12 LPS, 10 LMS, 11 US, 10 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), 29 Other]. The median age was 55 years; 54% were male; 58%/38%/4% were ECOG PS 0/1/2. One PR expanded enrollment to the second stage in the other sarcoma cohort. The histology-specific cohorts ceased at the first stage. There were two confirmed PRs in the other cohort (both angiosarcoma) and one unconfirmed PR in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. Twelve-week PFS was 73% (LPS), 44% (LMS), 36% (US), 60% (MPNST), and 38% (Other). Grade 3-4 adverse events: oral mucositis (12%), anemia (14%), platelet count decreased (14%), leukopenia (22%), and neutropenia (42%). CONCLUSIONS: Alisertib was well tolerated. Occasional responses, yet prolonged stable disease, were observed. Although failing to meet the primary RR end point, PFS was promising. TRIAL REGISTRATION ID: NCT01653028.

Outcomes of patients with non-melanoma solid tumours receiving self-funded pembrolizumab at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy agents show anti-cancer activity in several solid cancers. Efficacy in non-melanoma solid tumours for non-approved indications is unknown. AIM: To evaluate patient and disease characteristics, rate and duration of response, and toxicity of self-funded pembrolizumab in patients with non-melanoma solid cancers. METHOD: Retrospective review describing outcomes and toxicity of self-funded pembrolizumab in patients with non-melanoma solid cancers treated at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. RESULTS: From April 2015 to December 2015, 21 patients received or were planned to receive self-funded pembrolizumab. The median age was 50 years (16-76), 28 and 10% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2, and 3-4 respectively. Sixty-two percent received at least two to four lines of prior drug treatment. Median follow-up was 3.0 months (range, 0.4-9.6). Fourteen (67%) patients requested pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab was clinician offered for 7 (33%) patients. Patients who requested pembrolizumab had worse outcomes. Three patients died before receiving pembrolizumab. Of the 18 patients that received at least one dose, a partial response was observed in 3 (17%). Progressive disease occurred in 83%. Four patients received only one cycle of pembrolizumab and died after a median of 27 days (range 13-43). Immune-related adverse events of any grade occurred in 33%. No grade 3-4 events were observed. CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab was well tolerated. Meaningful responses were observed in 17% of treated patients. Response continues after 5-6.5 months follow-up in 11% and >8 months of follow-up for the other responding patient. Financial impact to the patient can be substantial. Outcomes for 33% were poor with three patients dying prior to receiving therapy and four dying within weeks of receiving one dose. This highlights issues regarding the careful selection of patients, futility of anti-cancer therapy at the end-of-life and patients' perceived benefit of receiving this therapy.

Comparación en la resistencia de unión en la fijación de postes de base orgánica con la utilización de cementos resinosos vs. ionómeros modificados con resina / A comparison of bond strength in cementing organic base posts by using resin cements vs. resin-modified glass ionomer cements

Los postes de base orgánica reforzados con fibras constituyen un recurso terapéutico de gran relevancia para la rehabilitación de dientes tratados endodónticamente. Sin embargo, la metodología para obtener una adecuada fijación a las paredes radiculares todavía es objeto de estudio y discusión. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la resistencia de unión en la cementación de postes de base orgánica reforzadoscon fibra de vidrio, empleando un cemento resinoso, y compararla con la resistencia de unión de dichos postes utilizando un cemento de ionómero vítreo modificado con resinas como medio de fijación. Se utilizaron 24 premolares inferiores humanos unirradiculares recientemente extraídos. Se realizó el tratamiento endodóntico a todas las piezas dentarias empleando instrumentación mecanizada con un sistema rotatorio y técnica híbrida para la obturación. Posteriormente, se realizaron las maniobras de desobturación y preparación del lecho radicular, y la cementación del poste en cada pieza dentaria. Los especímenes obtenidos se dividieron en 2 grupos según los materiales utilizados para la cementación: 1) Cemento resinoso (Rebilda DC; VOCO Germany) con sistema adhesivo; 2) Cemento de ionómero vítreo modificado con resina (Meron Plus; VOCO Germany). Resultados: La resistencia de unión en la cementación de postes de fibra de vidrio fue significativamente mayor con la utilización de cementos resinosos en comparación con el uso de cemento de ionómero vítreo reforzado con resina (p <0,0001). Conclusión: la utilización de cementos de resina duales como medio de fijación es más recomendable que el uso de cementos de ionômero.

Organic base posts reinforced with fibers constitute a therapeutic resource of great relevance for the rehabilitation of endodontically treatedteeth. However, the methodology for proper attachment to the root walls is still under study and discussion. The aim of this study was toevaluate the bond strength in cementing organic base posts reinforced with fiberglass, using resin cement, and compare it with the bondstrength of these posts using glass ionomer cement modified with resins as fixing means. 24 single-rooted human premolars recentlyextracted were used. Endodontic treatment was performed to all teeth using a mechanized rotary instrumentation and hybrid technique forsealing. Subsequently, we proceeded to unsealing all the teeth, preparing root beds and cementing the posts. The obtained specimens weredivided into 2 groups according to the materials used for cementation: 1) Resin cement (Rebilda DC, VOCO Germany) with adhesivesystem; 2) Glass ionomer cement modified with resin (Meron Plus, VOCO Germany). Results: The bond strength of fiberglass postscementation was significantly higher with the use of resin cements compared with using glass ionomer cement reinforced with resin (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The use of dual resin cements is more recommendable as fixing means than ionomer cements.

The Globalization of Cooperative Groups.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported adult cooperative oncology research groups (now officially Network groups) have a longstanding history of participating in international collaborations throughout the world. Most frequently, the US-based cooperative groups work reciprocally with the Canadian national adult cancer clinical trial group, NCIC CTG (previously the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group). Thus, Canada is the largest contributor to cooperative groups based in the United States, and vice versa. Although international collaborations have many benefits, they are most frequently utilized to enhance patient accrual to large phase III trials originating in the United States or Canada. Within the cooperative group setting, adequate attention has not been given to the study of cancers that are unique to countries outside the United States and Canada, such as those frequently associated with infections in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Global collaborations are limited by a number of barriers, some of which are unique to the countries involved, while others are related to financial support and to US policies that restrict drug distribution outside the United States. This article serves to detail the cooperative group experience in international research and describe how international collaboration in cancer clinical trials is a promising and important area that requires greater consideration in the future.

Implementing Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy with Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Anal Cancer: 3 Year Outcomes at Two Sydney Institutions.

AIMS: Modern chemoradiotherapy used for the treatment of anal cancer has significant acute toxicity. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) may reduce these side-effects. We report our experience implementing IMRT with simultaneous boost at the Sydney Cancer Centre and Royal North Shore Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected acute toxicity data on all consecutive patients treated definitively with IMRT between January 2008 and December 2011. Patients received concurrent 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C. The radiotherapy dose varied by stage in accordance with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0529 protocol. The first 30 plans were evaluated for adherence to RTOG 0529 dose specifications. Locoregional control and survival outcomes were analysed in July 2014. RESULTS: We included 42 patients (stage I 12%; II 41%; III 45%) with a median follow-up time of 43 months. At 3 years the locoregional control was 94% (95% confidence interval: 78-99), overall survival was 92% (95% confidence interval: 78-97), disease-free survival was 89% (95% confidence interval: 73-96), metastasis-free survival was 89% (95% confidence interval: 73-96) and colostomy-free survival was 89% (95% confidence interval: 72-96). There was no acute grade 4 toxicity. Acute grade 3 toxicity rates were: dermatological (33%), gastrointestinal (14%) and haematological (19%). Twenty-six per cent of patients were hospitalised for treatment-related toxicity. Only 12% required a treatment break greater than 3 days. All patients achieved RTOG 0529 planning target volume dose specifications. Most critical organ dose constraints were either met or met with minor deviation. The exception was 76% major deviation in small bowel constraints. Despite this no increase in gastrointestinal toxicity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT with simultaneous integrated boost is safe and well tolerated in an unselected population. Most dose specifications are achievable. Excellent locoregional control and survival outcomes are achievable outside of a clinical trial setting.

Cytokine profiling of docetaxel-resistant castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel improves symptoms and survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, ∼50% of patients are chemoresistant. This study examined whether changes in cytokine levels predict for docetaxel resistance in vitro and in a clinical cohort. METHODS: PC3 cells or their docetaxel-resistant subline (PC3Rx) were co-cultured with U937 monocytes, with and without docetaxel treatment, and cytokine levels were measured. The circulating levels of 28 cytokines were measured pre-/post cycle 1 of docetaxel from 55 men with CRPC, and compared with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response. RESULTS: PC3Rx-U937 co-culture expressed more cytokines, chiefly markers of alternative macrophage differentiation, compared with PC3-U937 co-culture. Docetaxel treatment enhanced cytokine production by PC3Rx-U937 co-culture, while reducing cytokine levels in PC3-U937. In patients, changes in the levels of seven circulating cytokines (macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC1), interleukin (IL)-1ra, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12 and IFNγ) after cycle 1 of docetaxel were associated with progressive disease (all P<0.05). The combination of changes in MIC1, IL-4 and IL-6 most strongly predicted PSA response (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In vitro studies suggest docetaxel resistance is mediated, at least in part, by cytokines induced by the interaction between the docetaxel-resistant tumour cells and macrophages. Early changes in circulating cytokine levels were associated with docetaxel resistance in CRPC patients. When considered together, these data suggest a significant role for the inflammatory response and macrophages in the development of docetaxel resistance in CRPC.

Expression of E6AP and PML predicts for prostate cancer progression and cancer-specific death.

BACKGROUND: The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) tumor suppressor plays an important role in the response to a variety of cellular stressors and its expression is downregulated or lost in a range of human tumors. We have previously shown that the E3 ligase E6-associated protein (E6AP) is an important regulator of PML protein stability but the relationship and clinical impact of PML and E6AP expression in prostatic carcinoma is unknown. METHODS: E6AP and PML expression was assessed in tissue microarrays from a phase I discovery cohort of 170 patients treated by radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer (PC). Correlation analysis was carried out between PML and E6AP expression and clinicopathological variates including PSA as a surrogate of disease recurrence. The results were confirmed in a phase II validation cohort of 318 patients with associated clinical recurrence and survival data. RESULTS: Survival analysis of the phase I cohort revealed that patients whose tumors showed reduced PML and high E6AP expression had reduced time to PSA relapse (P = 0.012). This was confirmed in the phase II validation cohort where the expression profile of high E6AP/low PML was significantly associated with reduced time to PSA relapse (P < 0.001), clinical relapse (P = 0.016) and PC-specific death (P = 0.014). In multivariate analysis, this expression profile was an independent prognostic indicator of PSA relapse and clinical relapse independent of clinicopathologic factors predicting recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study identifies E6AP and PML as potential prognostic markers in localized prostate carcinoma and supports a role for E6AP in driving the downregulation or loss of PML expression in prostate carcinomas.

Methylated Glutathione S-transferase 1 (mGSTP1) is a potential plasma free DNA epigenetic marker of prognosis and response to chemotherapy in castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferase 1 (GSTP1) inactivation is associated with CpG island promoter hypermethylation in the majority of prostate cancers (PCs). This study assessed whether the level of circulating methylated GSTP1 (mGSTP1) in plasma DNA is associated with chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS). METHODS: Plasma samples were collected prospectively from a Phase I exploratory cohort of 75 men with castrate-resistant PC (CRPC) and a Phase II independent validation cohort (n=51). mGSTP1 levels in free DNA were measured using a sensitive methylation-specific PCR assay. RESULTS: The Phase I cohort identified that detectable baseline mGSTP1 DNA was associated with poorer OS (HR, 4.2 95% CI 2.1-8.2; P<0.0001). A decrease in mGSTP1 DNA levels after cycle 1 was associated with a PSA response (P=0.008). In the Phase II cohort, baseline mGSTP1 DNA was a stronger predictor of OS than PSA change after 3 months (P=0.02). Undetectable plasma mGSTP1 after one cycle of chemotherapy was associated with PSA response (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We identified plasma mGSTP1 DNA as a potential prognostic marker in men with CRPC as well as a potential surrogate therapeutic efficacy marker for chemotherapy and corroborated these findings in an independent Phase II cohort. Prospective Phase III assessment of mGSTP1 levels in plasma DNA is now warranted.

Circulating microRNAs are associated with docetaxel chemotherapy outcome in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel is the first-line chemotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, response rates are ∼50% and determined quite late in the treatment schedule, thus non-responders are subjected to unnecessary toxicity. The potential of circulating microRNAs as early biomarkers of docetaxel response in CRPC patients was investigated in this study. METHODS: Global microRNA profiling was performed on docetaxel-resistant and sensitive cell lines to identify candidate circulating microRNA biomarkers. Custom Taqman Array MicroRNA cards were used to measure the levels of 46 candidate microRNAs in plasma/serum samples, collected before and after docetaxel treatment, from 97 CRPC patients. RESULTS: Fourteen microRNAs were associated with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response or overall survival, according to Mann-Whitney U or log-rank tests. Non-responders to docetaxel and patients with shorter survival generally had high pre-docetaxel levels of miR-200 family members or decreased/unchanged post-docetaxel levels of miR-17 family members. Multivariate Cox regression with bootstrapping validation showed that pre-docetaxel miR-200b levels, post-docetaxel change in miR-20a levels, pre-docetaxel haemoglobin levels and visceral metastasis were independent predictors of overall survival when modelled together. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that circulating microRNAs are potential early predictors of docetaxel chemotherapy outcome, and warrant further investigation in clinical trials.