Utility of the Repeat and Point Test for Subtyping Patients With Primary Progressive Aphasia.

BACKGROUND: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) may present with three distinct clinical sybtypes: semantic variant PPA (svPPA), nonfluent/agrammatic variant PPA (nfvPPA), and logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the utility of the German version of the Repeat and Point (R&P) Test for subtyping patients with PPA. METHOD: During the R&P Test, the examiner reads out aloud a noun and the participants are asked to repeat the word and subsequently point to the corresponding picture. Data from 204 patients (68 svPPA, 85 nfvPPA, and 51 lvPPA) and 33 healthy controls were analyzed. RESULTS: Controls completed both tasks with >90% accuracy. Patients with svPPA had high scores in repetition (mean=9.2±1.32) but low scores in pointing (mean=6±2.52). In contrast, patients with nfvPPA and lvPPA performed comparably in both tasks with lower scores in repetition (mean=7.4±2.7 for nfvPPA and 8.2±2.34 for lvPPA) but higher scores in pointing (mean=8.9±1.41 for nfvPPA and 8.6±1.62 for lvPPA). The R&P Test had high accuracy discriminating svPPA from nfvPPA (83% accuracy) and lvPPA (79% accuracy). However, there was low accuracy discriminating nfvPPA from lvPPA (<60%). CONCLUSION: The R&P Test helps to differentiate svPPA from 2 nonsemantic variants (nfvPPA and lvPPA). However, additional tests are required for the differentiation of nfvPPA and lvPPA.

Early weight loss is an independent risk factor for shorter survival and increased side effects in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer undergoing first-line treatment within the randomized Phase III trial FIRE-3 (AIO KRK-0306).

Body weight loss is frequently regarded as negatively related to outcomes in patients with malignancies. This retrospective analysis of the FIRE-3 study evaluated the evolution of body weight in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). FIRE-3 evaluated first-line FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil and irinotecan) plus cetuximab or bevacizumab in mCRC patients with RAS-WT tumors (ie, wild-type in KRAS and NRAS exons 2-4). The prognostic and predictive relevance of early weight loss (EWL) regarding patient outcomes and treatment side effects were evaluated. Retrospective data on body weight during first 6 months of treatment were evaluated (N = 326). To correlate with efficacy endpoints and treatment side effects, patients were grouped according to clinically significant EWL ≥5% and <5% at Month 3. Age constituted the only significant predictor of EWL following a linear relationship with the corresponding log odds ratio (P = .016). EWL was significantly associated with the incident frequencies of diarrhea, edema, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Further, a multivariate analysis revealed EWL to be an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival (32.4 vs 21.1 months; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-2.38; P = .0098) and progression-free survival (11.8 vs 9.0 months; HR: 1.72; 95% CI = 1.18-2.5; P = .0048). In conclusion, EWL during systemic treatment against mCRC is significantly associated with patient age. Patients exhibiting EWL had worse survival and higher frequencies of adverse events. Early preventative measures targeted at weight maintenance should be evaluated, especially in elderly patients being at highest risk of EWL.

Gender-dependent survival benefit from first-line irinotecan in metastatic colorectal cancer. Subgroup analysis of a phase III trial (XELAVIRI-study, AIO-KRK-0110).

BACKGROUND: XELAVIRI compared sequential (Arm A) versus initial (Arm B) irinotecan in combination with fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, trial identification: NCT01249638. In the full analysis set of the study, non-inferiority of time to failure of strategy (TFS) was not shown. The present analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of gender on treatment outcome and tolerability. METHODS: The study end-points overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), TFS and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in female versus male patients and in molecular subgroups (i.e. RAS mutational status). Interaction of treatment and gender was tested by likelihood ratio tests. RESULTS: In total, 281 male and 140 female patients (n = 421) were evaluated. Among the male patients, the ORR was 33.6% without and 58.3% with initial irinotecan (P < 0.001). PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-0.69; P < 0.001) and OS (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.47-0.85; P = 0.002) were also significantly better with initial irinotecan. Among the female patients, the ORR was 42.7% in Arm A and 43.1% in Arm B, PFS was similar (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.76-1.55; P = 0.649) without and with initial irinotecan. A strong trend for inferior outcome with regard to OS with initial irinotecan was observed (HR 1.46; 95% CI 0.95-2.24; P = 0.081) and the trend reached significance in the multivariate analysis (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.08-2.95; P = 0.02). Formal interaction of treatment and gender was observed for ORR (P = 0.018), PFS (P = 0.002) and OS (P = 0.001). Treatment-related adverse events were not significantly different between male and female patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis suggests that gender interacts with efficacy of initial irinotecan when used in combination with fluoropyrimidines and bevacizumab. Although male patients derived a significant and clinically meaningful benefit from initial combination chemotherapy, this was not observed in female patients.

Amphiregulin Expression Is a Predictive Biomarker for EGFR Inhibition in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Combined Analysis of Three Randomized Trials.

PURPOSE: Amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) are ligands of EGFR. Predictive information for anti-EGFR treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) was observed, but data for other agents is limited. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Ligand mRNA expression; RAS, BRAF, PIK3CA mutations; and EGFR expression were assessed by qRT-PCR, pyrosequencing, and IHC, respectively, in mCRC tumor tissue of patients participating in the randomized controlled trials FIRE-1, CIOX, and FIRE-3. Normalized mRNA expression was dichotomized using median and third quartile. Overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method including univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Penalized spline regression analysis tested interaction of mRNA expression and outcome. RESULTS: Of 688 patients with available material, high AREG expression was detected in 343 (>median) and 172 (>3rd quartile) patients. High AREG expression was associated with significantly higher OS [26.2 vs. 21.5 months, HR = 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68-0.94; P = 0.007], PFS (10.0 vs. 8.1 months, HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.63-0.86; P = 0.001), and objective response rate (63.1% vs. 51.6%, P = 0.004) compared to low expression at both threshold values. This effect remained significant in multivariate Cox regression analysis (OS: P = 0.01, PFS: P = 0.002). High AREG mRNA expression interacted significantly with the efficacy of cetuximab compared with bevacizumab (OS: P = 0.02, PFS: P = 0.04) in RAS WT mCRC. CONCLUSIONS: High AREG mRNA expression is a favorable prognostic biomarker for mCRC which interacted significantly with efficacy of anti-EGFR treatment.

Seizures in Alzheimer's disease are highly recurrent and associated with a poor disease course.

BACKGROUND: Seizures are an important comorbidity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Conflicting results regarding clinical parameters associated with seizures in AD were previously reported. Data on seizure recurrence risk, a crucial parameter for treatment decisions, are lacking. METHODS: National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data were analyzed. Seizure prevalence in AD and an association with disease duration were investigated. Associations of seizures with age of AD onset and with cognitive and functional performance, and seizure recurrence risk were studied. RESULTS: 20,745 individuals were investigated. In AD dementia, seizure recurrence risk was 70.4% within 7.5 months. Seizure history was associated with an earlier age of onset of cognitive symptoms (seizures vs. no seizures: 64.7 vs. 70.4 years; p < 0.0001) and worse cognitive and functional performance (mean MMSE score: 16.6 vs. 19.6; mean CDR-sum of boxes score: 9.3 vs. 6.8; p < 0.0001; adjusted for disease duration and age). Seizure prevalence increased with duration of AD dementia (standardized OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.39-1.73, p < 0.0001), rising from 1.51% at 4.8 years to 5.43% at 11 years disease duration. Seizures were more frequent in AD dementia compared to normal controls (active seizures: 1.51% vs. 0.35%, p < 0.0001, OR = 4.34, 95% CI = 3.01-6.27; seizure history: 3.14% vs. 1.57%, p < 0.0001, OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.67-2.46). CONCLUSION: Seizures in AD dementia feature an exceptionally high recurrence risk and are associated with a poor course of cognitive symptoms. AD patients are at an increased risk for seizures, particularly in later disease stages. Our findings emphasize a need for seizure history assessment in AD, inform individual therapeutic decisions and underline the necessity of systematic treatment studies of AD-associated epilepsy.

Current treatment options in RAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer patients: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized phase III trials.

PURPOSE: Although biomarkers for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer exist, the benefit patients with RAS mutated tumors derive from established regimens is unclear. METHODS: Efficacy of therapeutic strategies available for RAS mutated patients (addition of chemotherapeutic agents and/or anti angiogenic agents) were investigated in fourteen randomized controlled phase III trials at trial level by meta-analysing individual study hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). RESULTS: 6810 of 10,748 patients (63.3%) were available (48.5% RAS wildtype, 51.5% RAS mutated). Across all treatment lines, additional treatment efficacy (chemotherapy and/or anti angiogenic agents) was significantly smaller in RAS mutated compared to wildtype tumors for OS and PFS. In detail, patients with RAS mutated metastatic colorectal cancer derived significant benefit in PFS but not in OS by the addition of either chemotherapy or anti angiogenic agents to the respective comparator. In patients with RAS wildtype metastatic colorectal cancer, PFS and OS were improved by the addition of chemotherapy or anti angiogenic agent. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic benefit of additional substances is less distinct in patients with RAS mutated as compared to RAS wildtype metastatic colorectal cancer, especially with regard to OS.

Factors That Influence Conversion to Resectability and Survival After Resection of Metastases in RAS WT Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): Analysis of FIRE-3- AIOKRK0306.

BACKGROUND: Tumor assessments after first-line therapy of RAS wild-type mCRC with cetuximab (cet) versus bevacizumab (bev) in combination with FOLFIRI were evaluated for factors influencing resectability, conversion to resectability, and survival after best response. METHODS: Conversion to resectability was defined as conversion of initially unresectable to resectable disease at best response as determined by retrospective assessment. Univariate and multivariate logistic models were fitted with resectability at best response as response variable. A Cox model comparing the survival from best response was used to measure the influence of treatment, resectability at best response, and resection. Interaction of resection and treatment arm on survival was tested by likelihood ratio test. RESULTS: Overall, 270 patients were evaluable (127 cet-arm, 143 bev-arm). Lung metastases (odds ratio [OR] 0.35, 95% confidence response [CI] 0.19-0.63), BRAF mutation (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.82), and elevated alkaline phosphatase (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.9) before randomization were associated with less chance of successful conversion and were integrated into a nomogram. Early tumor shrinkage (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.06-3.3; p 0.034) and depth of response (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p < 0.001) were associated with successful conversion therapy. Resection of metastases improved post-best-response survival (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.97; p = 0.039), predominantely in cet-treated patients (interaction test, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to resectability is significantly associated with baseline characteristics that can be used in a nomogram to predict conversion. Moreover, early efficacy parameters (ETS and DpR) are associated with successful conversion therapy. In FIRE-3, resection of metastases was associated with improved post-best response survival, this effect originated predominantly from the cetuximab-based study arm.

Safety and efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate in multiple system atrophy (PROMESA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterised by aggregation of α-synuclein in oligodendrocytes and neurons. The polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate inhibits α-synuclein aggregation and reduces associated toxicity. We aimed to establish if epigallocatechin gallate could safely slow disease progression in patients with multiple system atrophy. METHODS: We did a randomised, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical trial at 12 specialist centres in Germany. Eligible participants were older than 30 years; met consensus criteria for possible or probable multiple system atrophy and could ambulate independently (ie, were at Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3); and were on stable anti-Parkinson's, anti-dysautonomia, anti-dementia, and anti-depressant regimens (if necessary) for at least 1 month. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to epigallocatechin gallate or placebo (mannitol) via a web-generated permuted blockwise randomisation list (block size=2) that was stratified by disease subtype (parkinsonism-predominant disease vs cerebellar-ataxia-predominant disease). All participants and study personnel were masked to treatment assignment. Participants were given one hard gelatin capsule (containing either 400 mg epigallocatechin gallate or mannitol) orally once daily for 4 weeks, then one capsule twice daily for 4 weeks, and then one capsule three times daily for 40 weeks. After 48 weeks, all patients underwent a 4-week wash-out period. The primary endpoint was change in motor examination score of the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) from baseline to 52 weeks. Efficacy analyses were done in all people who received at least one dose of study medication. Safety was analysed in all people who received at least one dose of the study medication to which they had been randomly assigned. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02008721) and EudraCT (2012-000928-18), and is completed. FINDINGS: Between April 23, 2014, and Sept 3, 2015, 127 participants were screened and 92 were randomly assigned-47 to epigallocatechin gallate and 45 to placebo. Of these, 67 completed treatment and 64 completed the study (altough one of these patients had a major protocol violation). There was no evidence of a difference in the mean change from baseline to week 52 in motor examination scores on UMSARS between the epigallocatechin gallate (5·66 [SE 1·01]) and placebo (6·60 [0·99]) groups (mean difference -0·94 [SE 1·41; 95% CI -3·71 to 1·83]; p=0·51). Four patients in the epigallocatechin gallate group and two in the placebo group died. Two patients in the epigallocatechin gallate group had to stop treatment because of hepatotoxicity. INTERPRETATION: 48 weeks of epigallocatechin gallate treatment did not modify disease progression in patients with multiple system atrophy. Epigallocatechin gallate was overall well tolerated but was associated with hepatotoxic effects in some patients, and thus doses of more than 1200 mg should not be used. FUNDING: ParkinsonFonds Deutschland, German Parkinson Society, German Neurology Foundation, Lüneburg Foundation, Bischof Dr Karl Golser Foundation, and Dr Arthur Arnstein Foundation.

Amphiregulin (AREG) and Epiregulin (EREG) Gene Expression as Predictor for Overall Survival (OS) in Oxaliplatin/Fluoropyrimidine Plus Bevacizumab Treated mCRC Patients-Analysis of the Phase III AIO KRK-0207 Trial.

Background: The EGFR (epithelial growth factor receptor) ligands amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) have been considered as predictors for EGFR-antibody efficacy. The effect of AREG and EREG expression levels in primary tumor samples on the outcome of bevacizumab-treated patients is unknown. Patients and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples from surgically removed primaries of the AIO KRK-0207 trial have been tested for AREG and EREG expression. The AIO KRK-0207 trial was a randomized phase-3 study to investigate the best maintenance strategy after oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab induction treatment in patients with mCRC. Association of AREG and EREG levels with outcome parameters were investigated, taking into account RAS and BRAF mutations. Results: A total of 331 tumor samples had measurable AREG and EREG tissue levels. In the total cohort using continuous expression levels, higher logAREG and logEREG levels were associated with a significant longer overall survival (OS) (HR 0.80; p = 0.003 and HR 0.78; p = 0.001, respectively). The subgroup of BRAF mutant tumors displayed significantly lower AREG and EREG levels compared to wild-type tumors. The prognostic effect of AREG and EREG expression was limited to the double wild-type subpopulation, whereas in the RAS mutant and BRAF mutant subgroups no prognostic effect was detected. Conclusion: Low logAREG and logEREG levels are associated with a shorter OS in oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab treated patients. As low AREG and EREG level are associated with BRAF mutations, the prognostic value of EREG and AREG levels is limited to the RAS and BRAF wild-type subpopulation.

Prognostic value of radiologically enlarged lymph nodes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Subgroup findings of the randomized, open-label FIRE-3/AIO KRK0306 trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the prognostic impact of radiologically enlarged lymph nodes ≥ 10 mm on the survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective, randomized, open-label FIRE-3/AIO KRK0306 trial evaluated the first-line therapy of patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer with fluorouracil, folinic acid and irinotecan plus either cetuximab or bevacizumab. In the RAS wild-type population (n = 400), adequately evaluable baseline computed tomographies (n = 339) were reviewed for enlarged regional and distant lymph nodes. Their prognostic relevance was retrospectively analyzed in uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regressions. RESULTS: Median overall survival was 21.7 months in patients with enlarged lymph nodes and 33.2 months in patients without (hazard rate ratio [HR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-2.09; P < 0.001). This was confirmed in multivariable analysis (HR = 1.37, 95% CI, 1.02-1.83; P = 0.036). Progression-free survival of patients with enlarged lymph nodes showed a consistent but insignificant trend (9.9 vs. 11.1 months; HR = 1.23, 95% CI, 0.98-1.54; P = 0.072). Enlarged lymph nodes were also associated with BRAF-mutations (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The presence of radiologically enlarged lymph nodes in baseline staging has a negative prognostic value beyond established and potential prognostic parameters.

Relevance of liver-limited disease in metastatic colorectal cancer: Subgroup findings of the FIRE-3/AIO KRK0306 trial.

In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), liver-limited disease (LLD) is associated with a higher chance of metastectomy leading to long-term survival. However, limited data describes the prognostic and predictive relevance of initially unresectable LLD with regard to targeted first-line therapy. The present analysis investigated the relevance of initially unresectable LLD in mCRC patients treated with targeted therapy against either the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF). The analysis was performed based on FIRE-3, a randomized phase III trial comparing first-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRI plus either cetuximab (anti-EGFR) or bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) in RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC. Of 400 patients, 133 (33.3%) had LLD and 267 (66.8%) had non-LLD. Median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in LLD compared to non-LLD patients (36.0 vs. 25.4 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51-0.87; p = 0.002). In a multivariate analysis also including secondary hepatic resection as time-dependent variable, LLD status was independently prognostic for OS (HR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50-0.91; p = 0.01). As assessed by interaction tests, treatment benefit from FOLFIRI plus cetuximab compared to FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab was independent of LLD status with regard to objective response rate (ORR), early tumour shrinkage ≥20% (ETS), depth of response (DpR) and OS (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, LLD could be identified as a prognostic factor in RAS-WT mCRC, which was independent of hepatic resection in patients treated with targeted therapy. LLD had no predictive relevance since benefit from FOLFIRI plus cetuximab over bevacizumab was independent of LLD status.

Predictors of cerebrovascular events at mid-term after transcatheter aortic valve implantation - Results from EVERY-TAVI registry.

BACKGROUND: Clinical relevant cerebrovascular events (CVE) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) still remain a devastating complication associated with mortality and severe impairments. Therefore, identification of particularly modifiable predictors of this complication is clinically relevant and an important step for planning preventive strategies. METHODS: A total of 985 patients who underwent trans-femoral TAVI for aortic valve stenosis in our institution from February 2008 to January 2015 were considered. The influence of demographics, clinical and procedural data on the occurrence of CVE was assessed with a competing risk model with death as competing event. Clinical events were defined according to VARC-2 criteria. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 838days, 95% CI 807-892, 59 patients experienced any CVE (5.9%) and the overall cumulative mortality rate was 46.1%. CVEs mainly occur later than 30days after TAVI (47.5%), 88.1% of them were of ischemic origin and 52.5% were disabling events. Independent predictors of CVEs were age (hazard ratio 1.05; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09), history of CVE (hazard ratio 2.54; 95% CI 1.39 to 4.63) and use of balloon post-dilation (hazard ratio 1.85; 95% CI 1.08 to 3.18). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing TAVI incidence of clinically relevant CVEs is frequent with half of the events occurring after the first 30days post-TAVI. Identification of balloon post-dilation as the only modifiable predictor of CVE risk at mid-term, urges its cautious performance after prosthesis implantation. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02289339.

Methylated free-circulating HPP1 DNA is an early response marker in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Detection of methylated free-circulating DNA (mfcDNA) for hyperplastic polyposis 1 (HPP1) in blood is correlated with a poor prognosis for patients with metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRC). Here, we analyzed the plasma levels of HPP1 mfcDNA in mCRC patients treated with a combination therapy containing a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab to test whether HPP1 mfcDNA is a suitable prognostic and response biomarker. From 467 patients of the prospective clinical study AIO-KRK-0207, mfcDNA was isolated from plasma samples at different time points and bisulfite-treated mfcDNA was quantified using methylation specific PCR. About 337 of 467 patients had detectable levels for HPP1 mfcDNA before start of treatment. The detection was significantly correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.86; 95%CI 1.37-2.53). About 2-3 weeks after the first administration of combination chemotherapy, HPP1 mfcDNA was reduced to non-detectable levels in 167 of 337 patients. These patients showed a better OS compared with patients with continued detection of HPP1 mfcDNA (HR HPP1(sample 1: pos/ sample 2: neg) vs. HPP1(neg/neg) = 1.41; 95%CI 1.00-2.01, HPP1(neg,pos/pos) vs. HPP1(neg/neg) = 2.60; 95%CI 1.86-3.64). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that HPP1 mfcDNA discriminates well between patients who do (not) respond to therapy according to the radiological staging after 12 or 24 weeks (AUC = 0.77 or 0.71, respectively). Detection of HPP1 mfcDNA can be used as a prognostic marker and an early marker for response (as early as 3-4 weeks after start of treatment compared with radiological staging after 12 or 24 weeks) to identify patients who will likely benefit from a combination chemotherapy with bevacizumab.

The relevance of primary tumour location in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of first-line clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective subgroup analyses suggest that primary tumour location (PTL) has a prognostic importance and relates to response to targeted therapy. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of first-line clinical trials available up to October 2016, which assessed the relevance of PTL in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Right- and left-sided colorectal cancers were differentiated (RC and LC). RESULTS: In 13 first-line randomised controlled trials and one prospective pharmacogenetic study, RC was associated with a significantly worse prognosis compared with LC (hazard ratio [HR] for overall survival: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43-1.70; P < 0.0001). A meta-analysis of PRIME and CRYSTAL study suggests that PTL was predictive of survival benefit from addition of anti-EGFR antibody to standard chemotherapy in patients with RAS wild-type tumour (overall survival, HR for LC: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.58-0.83; P < 0.0001 and HR for RC: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.68-1.35; P = 0.802). A meta-analysis of FIRE-3/AIO KRK0306, CALGB/SWOG 80405 and PEAK study indicates that patients with RAS wild-type LC had a significantly greater survival benefit from anti-EGFR treatment compared with anti-VEGF treatment when added to standard chemotherapy (HR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.58-0.85; P = 0.0003). By contrast, in patients with RC, benefit from standard therapy was poor and bevacizumab-based treatment was numerically associated with longer survival (HR 1.3; 95% CI: 0.97-1.74; P = 0.081). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis demonstrates that PTL is prognostic in mCRC. Further, it supports the conclusion that patients with left-sided RAS wild-type mCRC should be preferentially treated with an anti-EGFR antibody. In right-sided mCRC, chemotherapy plus bevacizumab is a treatment option, but optimal treatment has yet to be defined.

Drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents in large coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: Recent data have suggested that patients with coronary disease in large arteries are at increased risk for late cardiac events after percutaneous intervention with first-generation drug-eluting stents, as compared with bare-metal stents. We sought to confirm this observation and to assess whether this increase in risk was also seen with second-generation drug-eluting stents. METHODS: We randomly assigned 2314 patients needing stents that were 3.0 mm or more in diameter to receive sirolimus-eluting, everolimus-eluting, or bare-metal stents. The primary end point was the composite of death from cardiac causes or nonfatal myocardial infarction at 2 years. Late events (occurring during months 7 to 24) and target-vessel revascularization were the main secondary end points. RESULTS: The rates of the primary end point were 2.6% among patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents, 3.2% among those receiving everolimus-eluting stents, and 4.8% among those receiving bare-metal stents, with no significant differences between patients receiving either drug-eluting stent and those receiving bare-metal stents. There were also no significant between-group differences in the rate of late events or in the rate of death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. Rates of target-vessel revascularization for reasons unrelated to myocardial infarction were 3.7% among patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents, 3.1% among those receiving everolimus-eluting stents, and 8.9% among those receiving bare-metal stents. The rate of target-vessel revascularization was significantly reduced among patients receiving either drug-eluting stent, as compared with a bare-metal stent, with no significant difference between the two types of drug-eluting stents. CONCLUSIONS: In patients requiring stenting of large coronary arteries, no significant differences were found among sirolimus-eluting, everolimus-eluting, and bare-metal stents with respect to the rate of death or myocardial infarction. With the two drug-eluting stents, similar reductions in rates of target-vessel revascularization were seen. (Funded by the Basel Cardiovascular Research Foundation and the Swiss National Foundation for Research; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN72444640.).