Cytidine deaminase enzyme activity is a predictive biomarker in gemcitabine-treated cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine is a chemotherapeutic agent, widely used for the treatment of many types of cancer. Cytidine deaminase (CDA) enzyme plays an important role in the metabolism of gemcitabine. This study aimed to assess the power of serum CDA residual activity in predicting drug efficacy and toxicity in gemcitabine-treated cancer patients. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled 63 patients with different types of malignancies who received gemcitabine chemotherapy between May 2019 and January 2022. Blood samples were obtained before the initiation of chemotherapy and serum CDA residual activity was determined using a modification of the Berthelot assay. The patients were followed up for at least 12 months up to 41 months. Overall survival was recorded and treatment-related toxicities were documented according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with a lower than median CDA value (≤ 8.06 U/mg protein) had a significantly longer survival compared to patients with higher CDA values (> 8.06 U/mg, P ˂ 0.005). Among several potentially involved factors, a significant association between CDA activity and overall survival was observed in univariate analysis (HR = 4.219, 95% CI 1.40-12.74, P = 0.011). On the other hand, the rate of anemia was significantly higher in low-CDA patients compared to high-CDA individuals (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that CDA activity could be a promising biomarker to predict survival and the occurrence of anemia in cancer patients treated with gemcitabine.

Prevalence, management, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections in older people and those with dementia in mental health wards in London, UK: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: People living in group situations or with dementia are more vulnerable to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Older people and those with multimorbidity have higher mortality if they become infected than the general population. However, no systematic study exists of COVID-19-related outcomes in older inpatients in psychiatric units, who comprise people from these high-risk groups. We aimed to describe the period prevalence, demographics, symptoms (and asymptomatic cases), management, and survival outcomes of COVID-19 in the older inpatient psychiatric population and people with young-onset dementia in five National Health Service Trusts in London, UK, from March 1 to April 30, 2020. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we collected demographic data, mental health diagnoses, clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, symptoms, management, and COVID-19-related outcome data of inpatients aged 65 years or older or with dementia who were already inpatients or admitted as inpatients to five London mental health Trusts between March 1 and April 30, 2020, and information about available COVID-19-related resources (ie, testing and personal protective equipment). Patients were determined to have COVID-19 if they had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, or had relevant symptoms indicative of COVID-19, as determined by their treating physician. We calculated period prevalence of COVID-19 and analysed patients' characteristics, treatments, and outcomes. FINDINGS: Of 344 inpatients, 131 (38%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period (period prevalence 38% [95% CI 33-43]). The mean age of patients who had COVID-19 was 75·3 years (SD 8·2); 68 (52%) were women and 47 (36%) from ethnic minority groups. 16 (12%) of 131 patients were asymptomatic and 121 (92%) had one or more disease-related comorbidity. 108 (82%) patients were compulsorily detained. 74 (56%) patients had dementia, of whom 13 (18%) had young-onset dementia. On average, sites received COVID-19 testing kits 4·5 days after the first clinical COVID-19 presentation. 19 (15%) patients diagnosed with COVID-19 died during the study period, and their deaths were determined to be COVID-19 related. INTERPRETATION: Patients in psychiatric inpatient settings who were admitted without known SARS-CoV-2 infection had a high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 compared with those in the community and had a higher proportion of deaths from COVID-19 than in the community. Implementation of the long-standing policy of parity of esteem for mental health and planning for future COVID-19 waves in psychiatric hospitals is urgent. FUNDING: None.