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Recent data highlight genomic events driving antigen escape as a recurring cause of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) resistance in multiple myeloma (MM). Yet, it remains unclear if these events, leading to clonal dominance at progression, result from acquisition under treatment selection or selection of pre-existing undetectable clones. This differentiation gains importance as these immunotherapies progress to earlier lines of treatment, prompting the need for innovative diagnostic testing to detect these events early on. By reconstructing phylogenetic trees and exploring chemotherapy mutational signatures as temporal barcodes in 11 relapsed refractory MM patients with available whole genome sequencing data before and after CART/TCE treatment, we demonstrated that somatic antigen escape mechanisms for BCMA- and GPRC5D-targeting therapies are acquired post-diagnosis, likely during CART/TCE treatment. Longitudinal tracking of these mutations using digital PCR in 4 patients consistently showed that genomic events promoting antigen escape were not detectable during the initial months of therapy but began to emerge nearly 1 year post therapy initiation. This finding reduces the necessity for a diagnostic panel to identify these events before CART/TCE. Instead, it underscores the importance of surveillance and identifying patients at higher risk of acquiring these events.
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Social-educational robotics, such as NAO humanoid robots with social, anthropomorphic, humanlike features, are tools for learning, education, and addressing developmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder or ASD) through social and collaborative robotic interactions and interventions. There are significant gaps at the intersection of social robotics and autism research dealing with how robotic technology helps ASD individuals with their social, emotional, and communication needs, and supports teachers who engage with ASD students. This research aims to (a) obtain new scientific knowledge on social-educational robotics by exploring the usage of social robots (especially humanoids) and robotic interventions with ASD students at high schools through an ASD student-teacher co-working with social robot-social robotic interactions triad framework; (b) utilize Business Model Canvas (BMC) methodology for robot design and curriculum development targeted at ASD students; and (c) connect interdisciplinary areas of consumer behavior research, social robotics, and human-robot interaction using customer discovery interviews for bridging the gap between academic research on social robotics on the one hand, and industry development and customers on the other. The customer discovery process in this research results in eight core research propositions delineating the contexts that enable a higher quality learning environment corresponding with ASD students' learning requirements through the use of social robots and preparing them for future learning and workforce environments.
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Context: Two-thirds of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients have radioiodine (RAI)-resistant disease, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality. For rare NTRK and RET fusion-positive metastatic, RAI-resistant thyroid cancers, variable success of re-induction of RAI avidity during treatment with NTRK or RET inhibitors has been reported. Case presentation and results: We report two cases with RAI-resistant lung metastases treated with larotrectinib: an 83-year-old male presenting with an ETV6::NTRK3 fusion-positive tumor with the TERT promoter mutation c.-124C>T, and a 31-year-old female presenting with a TPR::NTRK1 fusion-positive tumor (and negative for TERT promoter mutation). Post larotrectinib treatment, diagnostic I-123 whole body scan revealed unsuccessful RAI-uptake re-induction in the TERT-positive tumor, with a thyroid differentiation score (TDS) of -0.287. In contrast, the TERT-negative tumor exhibited successful I-131 reuptake with a TDS of -0.060. Conclusion: As observed for RAI-resistance associated with concurrent TERT and BRAF mutations, the co-occurrence of TERT mutations and NTRK fusions may also contribute to re-sensitization failure.
Subject(s)
Iodine Radioisotopes , Thyroid Neoplasms , Humans , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Thyroid Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Male , Female , Adult , Aged, 80 and over , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Pyrazoles/therapeutic use , Receptor, trkA/genetics , Telomerase/genetics , Receptor, trkC/genetics , Receptor, trkC/metabolism , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets/genetics , Mutation , ETS Translocation Variant 6 ProteinABSTRACT
Currently, there are limited and conflicting reports on the prognostic utility of PIK3CA and associated pathway markers for cervical cancers treated with primary surgical management. Moreover, current studies are lacking complete characterization of adjuvant treatment with RT and/or chemotherapy. We aimed to document the prevalence, clinicopathologic, adjuvant treatment details, and prognostic value of PI3K/AKT pathway mutations and copy number variation and phosphorylated AKT status in patients with cervical cancers treated with primary surgery. A clinicopathologic review was performed on a retrospective cohort of 185 patients with cervical cancer, treated with primary surgery at a single tertiary institution. Next-generation sequencing and digital PCR was used to determine PI3K/AKT pathway mutational status and PIK3CA copy number variation, respectively, and fluorescent immunohistochemistry measured phosphorylated AKT expression. In all, 179 of 185 (96.8%) of tumors were successfully sequenced; 48 (26.8%) were positive for PI3K/AKT pathway mutations-the majority (n=37, 77.1%) PIK3CA mutations. PIK3CA mutation was associated with pathologically positive lymph nodes [12 (32%) vs. 22 (16%); P =0.022] and indication for postoperative chemoradiotherapy [17 (45.9%) vs. 32 (22.5%); P =0.004]. On multivariable analysis, PIK3CA status was not associated with overall survival ( P =0.103) or progression-free survival ( P =0.240) at 5 yrs, nor was PIK3CA copy number variation status. phosphorylated AKT ≤ median significantly predicted for progression-free survival [multivariable hazard ratio 0.39 (0.17-0.89; P =0.025)] but not overall survival ( P =0.087). The correlation of PIK3CA with pathologic positive lymph node status yet lack of association with survival outcomes may be due to the use of adjuvant postoperative therapy. PIK3CA assessment before radical hysterectomy may help identify patients with a higher risk of node-positive disease.
Subject(s)
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Female , Humans , Prognosis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/surgery , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Retrospective Studies , DNA Copy Number Variations , Prevalence , Mutation , Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/geneticsABSTRACT
B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) target loss is considered to be a rare event that mediates multiple myeloma (MM) resistance to anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) or bispecific T cell engager (TCE) therapies. Emerging data report that downregulation of G-protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D (GPRC5D) protein often occurs at relapse after anti-GPRC5D CAR T therapy. To examine the tumor-intrinsic factors that promote MM antigen escape, we performed combined bulk and single-cell whole-genome sequencing and copy number variation analysis of 30 patients treated with anti-BCMA and/or anti-GPRC5D CAR T/TCE therapy. In two cases, MM relapse post-TCE/CAR T therapy was driven by BCMA-negative clones harboring focal biallelic deletions at the TNFRSF17 locus at relapse or by selective expansion of pre-existing subclones with biallelic TNFRSF17 loss. In another five cases of relapse, newly detected, nontruncating, missense mutations or in-frame deletions in the extracellular domain of BCMA negated the efficacies of anti-BCMA TCE therapies, despite detectable surface BCMA protein expression. In the present study, we also report four cases of MM relapse with biallelic mutations of GPRC5D after anti-GPRC5D TCE therapy, including two cases with convergent evolution where multiple subclones lost GPRC5D through somatic events. Immunoselection of BCMA- or GPRC5D-negative or mutant clones is an important tumor-intrinsic driver of relapse post-targeted therapies. Mutational events on BCMA confer distinct sensitivities toward different anti-BCMA therapies, underscoring the importance of considering the tumor antigen landscape for optimal design and selection of targeted immunotherapies in MM.
Subject(s)
Multiple Myeloma , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Multiple Myeloma/genetics , Multiple Myeloma/therapy , Antigenic Drift and Shift , DNA Copy Number Variations , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Immunotherapy , Antibodies , Membrane ProteinsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM: Lung cancer remains the main culprit in cancer-related mortality worldwide. Transcript fusions play a critical role in the initiation and progression of multiple cancers. Treatment approaches based on specific targeting of discovered driver events, such as mutations in EGFR, and fusions in NTRK, ROS1, and ALK genes led to profound improvements in clinical outcomes. The formation of chimeric proteins due to genomic rearrangements or at the post-transcriptional level is widespread and plays a critical role in tumor initiation and progression. Yet, the fusion landscape of lung cancer remains underexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the JAFFA pipeline to discover transcript fusions in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The set of detected fusions was further analyzed to identify recurrent events, genes with multiple partners and fusions with high predicted oncogenic potential. Finally, we used a generalized linear model (GLM) to establish statistical associations between fusion occurrences and clinicopathological variables. RNA sequencing was used to discover and characterize transcript fusions in 270 NSCLC samples selected from the Glans-Look specimen repository. The samples were obtained during the early stages of disease prior to the initiation of chemo- or radiotherapy. RESULTS: We identified a set of 792 fusions where 751 were novel, and 33 were recurrent. Four of the 33 recurrent fusions were significantly associated with clinicopathological variables. Several of the fusion partners were represented by well-established oncogenes ERBB4, BRAF, FGFR2, and MET. CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study allow researchers to identify, select, and validate promising candidates for targeted clinical interventions.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Small Cell Lung Carcinoma , Humans , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
The article describes the relationship between a certified nurse-midwife and their supervising obstetrician. The article deals with the relationship of both parties and the requirement of a collaborative agreement in a majority of states. The legal responsibilities of both the certified nurse-midwife and obstetrician are discussed and how it impacts both providers. The key factor is the trust relationship between the parties involved and how this can lead to more diverse obstetrical care and access for patients in the United States.
Subject(s)
Nurse Midwives , Obstetrics , Physicians , Pregnancy , Humans , United States , Female , Obstetricians , GynecologistsABSTRACT
The U.S. has the tools to end the HIV epidemic, but progress has stagnated. A major gap in U.S. efforts to address HIV is the under-utilization of medications that can virtually eliminate acquisition of the virus, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This document proposes a financing and delivery system to unlock broad access to PrEP for those most vulnerable to HIV acquisition and bring an end to the HIV epidemic.
Subject(s)
Epidemics , HIV Infections , Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The efficacy of topical corticosteroids is limited in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) due to rapid clearance from the nasal cavity and insufficient drug delivery to inflamed sinonasal passages. LYR-210 is an implantable corticosteroid matrix designed to provide up to 24 weeks of treatment to patients with CRS by locally delivering mometasone furoate (MF) to the sinonasal mucosa. In a randomized, controlled, dose-ranging LANTERN study, LYR-210 (7500 µg) achieved clinically relevant improvement in CRS cardinal symptom composite scores, the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), ethmoid opacification, and the need for rescue treatment at 24 weeks. OBJECTIVE: As the plasma MF concentrations of LYR-210 (2500 µg) and LYR-210 (7500 µg) were evaluated at weeks 4, 12, and 24 in the LANTERN study (data on file at Lyra Therapeutics, Inc.), this study aims to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of both doses of LYR-210 at earlier timepoints post-placement in patients with CRS. METHODS: Twenty-four surgically naïve adult patients with CRS were enrolled in an open-label, multicenter study and underwent in-office bilateral administration of LYR-210 (2500 µg) (n = 12 patients) or LYR-210 (7500 µg) (n = 12 patients) into the middle meatus. Plasma MF concentrations were determined pre-placement and 1-h post-placement (day 1), and on days 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, and 56 by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Both LYR-210 doses were well-tolerated with no serious adverse events. Systemic MF levels were dose-dependent and lower than reported values of other respiratory MF products. Plasma MF concentrations showed steady drug release from LYR-210 (2500 µg) and LYR-210 (7500 µg) that persisted through day 56. CONCLUSION: LYR-210 achieved dose-dependent, continuous local MF delivery at a steady rate with low systemic exposure for months.
Subject(s)
Pregnadienediols , Sinusitis , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Adult , Chronic Disease , Drug Liberation , Humans , Mometasone Furoate/therapeutic use , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Pregnadienediols/adverse effects , Pregnadienediols/pharmacokinetics , Sinusitis/drug therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the study was to identify patients with NTRK fusion-positive or RET fusion/mutation-positive thyroid cancers, who could benefit from neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor (NTRK) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RET) inhibitors. Methods: Patients were identified in the Calgary prospective thyroid cancer database (N= 482). Patients were 'pre-screened' with clinically available MassARRAY® BRAF test, Colon Panel, Melanoma Panel, or ThyroSPEC™. Mutation-negative tumors were 'screened' for NTRK fusions and RET fusions/mutations with the Oncomine™ Comprehensive Assay v3 (OCAv3). Results: A total of 86 patients were included in 1 of 2 separate analyses. Analysis A included 42 patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-resistant distant metastases. After pre-screening, 20 BRAF and RAS mutation-negative patients underwent OCAv3 screening, resulting in the detection of 4 patients with NTRKfusions and 4 patients with RET fusions (8/20, 40% of analyzed patients). Analysis B included 44 patients, 42 with American Thyroid Association (ATA) high and intermediate risk of recurrence and 2 with medullary thyroid carcinoma. During pre-screening, 1 patient with an NTRK fusion, 1 patient with a RET fusion, and 30 patients with BRAF mutations were identified. The remaining 9 patients received OCAv3 screening, resulting in detection of 1 patient with an NTRKfusion and 1 with a RET fusion (4/11, 36% of analyzed patients). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a higher rate of NTRK fusions and RETfusions in patients with thyroid cancer with RAI-resistant distant metastases and ATA high or intermediate risk of recurrence. This highlights the importance of early screening to enable intervention with a NTRK or RET inhibitor.
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INTRODUCTION: Latino children are the fastest growing population of obese children in the United States, the most obese group of children by race and a significant disparity in childhood obesity. Extended family, often grandparents, are traditionally involved in childcare in Latino family structure, yet their influence on family health behaviors is unclear. This study explored grandparent involvement in the care of Latino children in South Texas and their possible influence on child body mass index (BMI) and family health behaviors to determine if they present an opportunity to improve child obesity treatment plans. METHODS: Partnering with the local school district, we surveyed parents (N = 174) and grandparents (N = 108) of 188 Latino, primary school-age children regarding grandparent care and family health behaviors. We weighed, measured, and interviewed children regarding grandparent care and their own health behaviors. RESULTS: All groups exceeded state and national obesity rates, with almost half the children in overweight or obese categories. Grandparents were routinely present in 30%-67% of the children sampled, dependent on respondent group. We found no significant relationship between grandparent involvement and child BMI, however grandparent cohabitation with the family was associated with less fast-food consumption by children (p = .001) and parents (p = .006) and healthier diet scores for children (p = .008) and grandparents (p = .004). More frequent exercise by parents (r = .33, p = .001) and grandparents (r = .25, p = .012) was associated with more frequent exercise by children. DISCUSSION: This study enhances understanding of grandparent involvement in the care of Latino children and illuminates opportunities to involve grandparents in family-focused, community-supported interventions, incorporating cultural understanding in decreasing Latino childhood obesity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Subject(s)
Grandparents , Pediatric Obesity , Child , Health Behavior , Health Status , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pediatric fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors (PFMTs) can be challenging to definitively classify. Large case series or diagnostic updates have not been recently published despite identification of molecular alterations that could improve diagnostic accuracy. Our review of the literature found that over two-thirds of the more than 30 types of PFMTs harbor recurrent molecular alterations. We performed an institutional review of PFMTs to highlight limitations of a predominantly morphological classification, and evaluated the utility of a next-generation sequencing assay to aid diagnosis. METHODS: PFMTs identified over a period of 12 years were reviewed, categorized per the new WHO classification, and tested using the Oncomine Childhood Cancer Research Assay. RESULTS: Eighty-seven specimens from 58 patients were reviewed; 50 were chosen for molecular analysis, 16 (32%) lacking definitive classification. We identified alterations, some novel, in 33% of assayed cases. Expected alterations were identified for most known diagnoses and mutations were identified in 6 of 16 tumors (38%) that were initially unclassified. CONCLUSION: We confirmed a significant subset of PFMTs remain difficult to classify using current criteria, and that a combined DNA/RNA assay can identify alterations in many of these cases, improving diagnostic certainty and suggesting a clinical utility for challenging cases.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Fibroma/genetics , Granuloma, Plasma Cell/genetics , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Myofibroma/genetics , Sarcoma/genetics , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/genetics , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Fibroma/classification , Fibroma/diagnosis , Fibroma/pathology , Granuloma, Plasma Cell/classification , Granuloma, Plasma Cell/diagnosis , Granuloma, Plasma Cell/pathology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Mutation , Myofibroma/classification , Myofibroma/diagnosis , Myofibroma/pathology , Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Sarcoma/classification , Sarcoma/diagnosis , Sarcoma/pathology , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/classification , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/diagnosis , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
Advanced cancers frequently show histologic and molecular intratumoral heterogeneity. Therefore, we comprehensively characterized advanced, metastatic, radioiodine-resistant (RAIR) thyroid carcinomas at the molecular level in the context of histologic heterogeneity with the aim to identify potentially actionable mutations that may guide the use of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to 29 macrodissected tissue samples of histologically heterogeneous and homogeneous areas, lymph node and lung metastases from six clinically and histologically well-characterized metastatic RAIR thyroid cancer patients with structural incomplete response to treatment. WES data were analyzed to identify potential driver mutations in oncogenic pathways, copy number alterations, microsatellite instability, mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity, and the relevance of histologic heterogeneity to molecular profiling. In addition to known driver mutations in BRAF, NRAS, EIF1AX, NCOA4-RET, and TERT, further potentially actionable drivers were identified in AKT1, ATM, E2F1, HTR2A, and MLH3. The analysis of the evolutionary history of the mutations and the reconstruction of the molecular phylogeny of the cancers show a remarkable association between histologic and molecular heterogeneity. A comprehensive molecular analysis of the primary tumor guided by histologic analysis may help to better stratify patients for precision medicine approaches. Given the association between the molecular and the histologic heterogeneity, the selection of tumor samples for molecular analysis should be based on meticulous histologic evaluation of the entire tumor.
Subject(s)
Mutation , Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Genetic Heterogeneity , Genetic Testing/methods , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Thyroid Neoplasms/drug therapy , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Exome Sequencing/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Early phase clinical studies are ongoing to evaluate the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) despite a paucity of information on the immune microenvironment. This study aims to better characterize the immune microenvironment of ACC tumours and evaluate survival outcomes based on tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. METHODS: Patient characteristics, treatment and outcome data were collected for 24 ACC patients. The CD8+(cluster of differentiation 8) TIL and PD-L1 expression were quantified by immunohistochemistry. Marker expression and survival outcomes were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: All cases were negative for PD-L1 expression; four cases had focal high, eight cases had focal moderate and 12 cases had low TIL expression. Based on TIL expression, there was no difference in disease-free or overall survival. CONCLUSION: Adenoid cystic carcinoma tumours were found to be associated with a poor immunogenic microenvironment, with absent PD-L1 expression and low CD8+ TILs. There was no association between TIL expression and survival. These data suggest that PD-L1 and TIL expression are unlikely to be useful as predictive biomarkers for response to immunotherapy.
Subject(s)
B7-H1 Antigen , Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic , B7-H1 Antigen/immunology , Biomarkers, Tumor , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Humans , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating , Prognosis , Salivary Glands , Tumor MicroenvironmentSubject(s)
Epidural Space , Subdural Space , Catheters , Epidural Space/diagnostic imaging , Humans , IncidenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: For DSM - 5, the American Psychiatric Association Board of Trustees established a robust vetting and review process that included two review committees that did not exist in the development of prior DSMs, the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and the Clinical and Public Health Committee (CPHC). The CPHC was created as a body that could independently review the clinical and public health merits of various proposals that would fall outside of the strictly defined scientific process. METHODS: This article describes the principles and issues which led to the creation of the CPHC, the composition and vetting of the committee, and the processes developed by the committee - including the use of external reviewers. RESULTS: Outcomes of some of the more involved CPHC deliberations, specifically, decisions concerning elements of diagnoses for major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, catatonia, and substance use disorders, are described. The Committee's extensive reviews and its recommendations regarding Personality Disorders are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our experiences, the CPHC membership unanimously believes that external review processes to evaluate and respond to Work Group proposals is essential for future DSM efforts. The Committee also recommends that separate SRC and CPHC committees be appointed to assess proposals for scientific merit and for clinical and public health utility and impact.
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Advisory Committees , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Public Health , Autism Spectrum Disorder/classification , Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder, Major/classification , Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnosis , Humans , Substance-Related Disorders/classification , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
In the 2 decades since The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations designated pain as the fifth vital sign, practitioners have become increasingly aware of the numerous challenges associated with the assessment and management of pain in older adults. Comprehensive pain assessment relies not only on the availability of assessment tools, but also on a clinician's knowledge, training, prior experience, and keen awareness of their own implicit bias and how it may influence their assessment and decisions. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate outcomes of a two-part online learning module on home healthcare clinicians' knowledge of pain. A quasi-experimental, one-group pretest posttest design was used. Of the 94 clinicians who volunteered, 54 participants completed all modules and surveys. Mean posttest scores (58.7%) were significantly higher than pretest scores (50.7%; n = 54, T = 3.08, p-value = 0.003). The strongest gains in learning occurred for those with lower pretest scores. The mean difference between posttest and pretest scores did not vary among job titles. There was no significant difference in posttest scores among job titles. A higher mean pretest score was associated with greater years of clinical experience, but did not significantly affect mean posttest scores. These findings suggest elearning is an effective educational approach to improve home healthcare clinicians' pain knowledge, particularly those who lack a sufficient knowledge base at the outset.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care , Pain , Aged , Educational Measurement , Educational Status , Humans , Pain Measurement , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the prognostic value of PI3K/AKT pathway mutations in a large cohort of patients with cervical cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with pre-treatment archival specimens, diagnosed with FIGO stages IB-IVA cervical cancer between 1998 and 2014 and treated with radical, curative intent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at a single center were identified. Mutational status was determined by next generation sequencing and PIK3CA copy number (CNV) was assessed by digital PCR. RESULTS: 190 patients with available pre-treatment tumor specimens were identified. Median OS and PFS were 57.4 and 46.0 months, respectively. A total of 161 tumors were successfully sequenced; 60 (37.3%) had PI3K/AKT pathway mutations, with 50 (30.1%) having PIK3CA hotspot mutations. PIK3CA CNV gain was noted in 79 (59.2%) of the 154 successfully analyzed. On univariate analysis, PIK3CA mutation was associated with poor OS (HR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.03-2.92; p = .037) but not PFS (HR 1.38; 0.84-2.28; p = .204). Absence of any PI3K/AKT pathway mutation was associated with improved OS (HR 1.68; 1.01-2.81; p = .046) but not PFS (HR 1.50; 0.93-2.43; p = .202). Associations were not maintained when adjusting for clinical factors. On univariate analysis, PIK3CA mutation positive, CNV normal tumors were associated with poorer OS (HR 2.55; 1.18-5.50; p = .017) and trend to worse PFS (HR 1.87; 0.90-3.83; p = .094) when compared to those with CNV gain and wildtype PIK3CA. CONCLUSIONS: PI3K/AKT pathway mutations are common in cervical cancer. Consideration of PIK3CA mutational status with CNV status may be important in predicting outcome in cervical cancer patients.
Subject(s)
Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chemoradiotherapy , Female , Gene Dosage , HeLa Cells , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Middle Aged , Mutation , Neoplasm Staging , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Survival Rate , Tissue Array Analysis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/metabolism , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Young AdultABSTRACT
CCNE1 amplification is a recurrent alteration associated with unfavourable outcome in tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). We aimed to investigate whether immunohistochemistry (IHC) can be used to identify CCNE1 amplification status and to validate whether CCNE1 high-level amplification and overexpression are prognostic in HGSC. A testing set of 528 HGSC samples stained with two optimised IHC assays (clones EP126 and HE12) was subjected to digital image analysis and visual scoring. DNA and RNA chromogenic in situ hybridisation for CCNE1 were performed. IHC cut-off was determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Survival analyses (endpoint ovarian cancer specific survival) were performed and validated in an independent validation set of 764 HGSC. Finally, combined amplification/expression status was evaluated in cases with complete data (n = 1114). CCNE1 high-level amplification was present in 11.2% of patients in the testing set and 10.2% in the combined cohort. The optimal cut-off for IHC to predict CCNE1 high-level amplification was 60% positive tumour cells with at least 5% strong staining cells (sensitivity 81.6%, specificity 77.4%). CCNE1 high-level amplification and overexpression were associated with survival in the testing and validation set. Combined CCNE1 high-level amplification and overexpression was present in 8.3% of patients, mutually exclusive to germline BRCA1/2 mutation and significantly associated with a higher risk of death in multivariate analysis adjusted for age, stage and cohort (hazard ratio = 1.78, 95 CI% 1.38-2.26, p < 0.0001). CCNE1 high-level amplification combined with overexpression identifies patients with a sufficiently poor prognosis that treatment alternatives are urgently needed. Given that this combination is mutually exclusive to BRCA1/2 germline mutations, a predictive marker for PARP inhibition, CCNE1 high-level amplification combined with overexpression may serve as a negative predictive test for sensitivity to PARP inhibitors.