Consent document translation expense hinders inclusive clinical trial enrolment.

Patients from historically under-represented racial and ethnic groups are enrolled in cancer clinical trials at disproportionately low rates in the USA1-3. As these patients often have limited English proficiency4-7, we hypothesized that one barrier to their inclusion is the cost to investigators of translating consent documents. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated more than 12,000 consent events at a large cancer centre and assessed whether patients requiring translated consent documents would sign consent documents less frequently in studies lacking industry sponsorship (for which the principal investigator pays the translation costs) than for industry-sponsored studies (for which the translation costs are covered by the sponsor). Here we show that the proportion of consent events for patients with limited English proficiency in studies not sponsored by industry was approximately half of that seen in industry-sponsored studies. We also show that among those signing consent documents, the proportion of consent documents translated into the patient's primary language in studies without industry sponsorship was approximately half of that seen in industry-sponsored studies. The results suggest that the cost of consent document translation in trials not sponsored by industry could be a potentially modifiable barrier to the inclusion of patients with limited English proficiency.

Study of volatile compounds profiles in milk matrices using Enterococcus faecalis EstA and Rhizomucor miehei lipase.

The use of esterase/lipase enzymes of different origins in food industry is a widely employed strategy to enhance the formation of characteristic aromatic compounds derived from fat and diversify flavour. In the present work, we studied EstA enzyme of Enterococcus faecalis and a high purity Rhizomucor miehei lipase (Palatase). EstA was obtained recombinantly in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and optimum esterase activity was detected at pH 6.75 and 40 °C. We evaluated the effect of the enzymes on milk mixtures prepared with different fat contents (2.8 and 6%) and structure (native or homogenized) on volatile compounds profiles. The milk fat structure before and after the application of low homogenization was characterized by dynamic light dispersion and microscopy. Native milk fat mixtures presented particles of 4.6 µm and 184 nm and homogenized mixtures had particles of 1.4 µm and 258 nm; microscopy images were in concordance with these results. Fifteen volatile compounds were identified, including ketones, esters, alcohols, and acids. We showed the key role of milk fat levels and microstructure in the nature of the volatile compounds produced by the R. miehei enzyme. Both in native or homogenized states, the highest content of fat favored a higher production of acids whereas the lowest fat level favored a higher esters production along with a more balanced volatile profile. For EstA enzyme, results showed a limited action on fat, as biosynthesis of esters only increased with the highest fat level homogenized.

Is There a Place for Temozolomide plus Nivolumab among Neuroendocrine Neoplasms?

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of multiple solid malignancies, but their role in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) is unclear. The accompanying article reports on a study combining the programmed cell death (PD-1) inhibitor nivolumab with the alkylating agent temozolomide in patients with advanced NENs. See related article by Owen et al., p. 731.

Comparison of wire versus Nylon in Bonny-Mallet Finger treated with pull-out surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Zone I extensor tendon lesion accompanies an avulsion fracture of the bone insertion. A common complication of traditional pull-out is the necrosis of the site of the button in the finger pad. Zhang described an alternative way of anchoring the cerclage to the Kirschner Wire (K-wire) to relieve the pressure in the finger pad. He describes the use of wire cerclage, for fracture reduction. The objective of this paper is to perform a comparison between wire and nylon using Zhang pull-out technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a cohort study comparing Nylon versus Wire in Zhang technique. Comparing cosmetic satisfaction, stiffness, residual pain, and Crawford scale. RESULTS: When comparing the outcomes between both groups, we found no statistical difference in cosmetic satisfaction (p = 0.285), stiffness (p = 0.460), and residual pain (p =1.000), overall complications (p = 1.000), or Crawford scale (p = 1.000). We only found a significant statistical difference in pain when removing the cerclage, being greater in Group B (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant outcome difference between nylon and wire cerclage. However, at the time of removing it, patients experience less pain.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una complicación común del pull-put tradicional es la necrosis del sitio del botón en la yema del dedo. Zhang describió una forma alternativa de anclar el cerclaje al clavo de Kirschner para aliviar la presión en la yema del dedo. Describe el uso de cerclaje de alambre para la reducción de fracturas. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una comparación entre el alambre y el nailon utilizando la técnica de extracción de Zhang. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Realizamos un estudio de cohorte comparando la técnica de nailon versus alambre en Zhang. Comparación de satisfacción cosmética, rigidez, dolor residual y escala de Crawford. RESULTADOS: Al comparar los resultados entre ambos grupos, no encontramos diferencias estadísticas en la satisfacción cosmética (p = 0.285), rigidez (p = 0.460) y dolor residual (p = 1.000), complicaciones generales (p = 1.000) o escala de Crawford (p = 1.000). Solo encontramos una diferencia estadística significativa en el dolor al retirar el cerclaje, siendo mayor en el Grupo B (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONES: No encontramos diferencias significativas en los resultados entre el cerclaje de nailon y el cerclaje con alambre. Pero, al momento de retirarlo, los pacientes experimentan menos dolor. Tipo de estudio: terapéutico Nivel de evidencia III.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor induced thyroid dysfunction is a frequent event post-treatment in NSCLC.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid dysfunction is the most frequent endocrine immune related adverse event (irAE) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), typically arising 3-6 months into immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, but arising after ICI cessation, in some cases. Due to limited post-treatment adverse event reporting requirements on ICI trials, the incidence of ICI-induced thyroid dysfunction arising after therapy is unclear. We investigated ICI-induced thyroid dysfunction in a cohort of 294 NSCLC patients, with a specific focus on the post-treatment setting. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ICI-induced thyroid dysfunction (clinically acted upon or laboratory only) was performed in 294 UCLA NSCLC patients treated 2012-2018. Clinically acted upon thyroid dysfunction was defined as thyroid diagnosis documentation and/or thyroid medication administration. Laboratory only dysfunction was defined as abnormal thyroid labs in the absence of clinical action. Timing of thyroid dysfunction relative to ICI treatment and thyroid monitoring patterns were also assessed. RESULTS: 82% (241/294) of ICI treated NSCLC patients had thyroid labs during treatment. Of these 241 patients, 13% (31/241) had clinically acted upon thyroid dysfunction prior to, 8% (18/241) during, and 4% (9/241) after ICI. Most patients, 66% (159/241), did not have thyroid labs after ICI, but in the 53 patients with labs and no prior clinical dysfunction, 17% (9/53) developed clinical dysfunction after ICI. In these 9 patients, median time from ICI initiation to dysfunction was 253 days. Two patients with post-treatment laboratory only dysfunction were observed. CONCLUSIONS: ICI-induced thyroid dysfunction arising post-treatment appears more common than previously appreciated, warranting additional evaluation.

Psychogenic non-epileptic and epileptic seizures: clues for a differential diagnosis. Findings from a Colombian study / Crisis psicógenas no epilépticas y crisis epilépticas: pistas para un diagnóstico diferencial. Hallazgos de un estudio colombiano

Introduction. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are paroxysmal changes in behavior that resemble epileptic seizures, although they have no electrophysiological correlation or clinical evidence of epilepsy. Aim. To compare clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with PNES-alone and PNES-andepilepsy. Patients and methods. A cross-sectional study of consecutive patients diagnosed with PNES in a 20-month period was carried out. A video-EEG was performed in all patients. Socio-demographical, clinical and semiological characteristics were compared between those patients with and without concomitant epilepsy. Results. Sixty-five patients were included, 35 (53.9%) had PNES-alone and 30 (46.1%) had PNES-and-epilepsy. The proportion of women in the study was 70.8%. The median age at seizure onset was 16 years. A late start was recorded in PNES-alone group (23 years) compared to PNES-and-epilepsy group (11 years), however, it was not significant. There was a lower frequency of antiepileptic drugs use in the PNES-alone group compared with the PNES-and-epilepsy group. The most frequent semiological features were the gradual onset of events (69.2%) and the duration longer than two minutes (63.1%). Conclusion. The waxing and waning pattern during paroxysmal events suggest a non-epileptic origin. However, it is not uncommon to find patients with concomitant epileptic seizures

Introducción. Las crisis psicógenas no epilépticas (CPNE) son cambios paroxísticos en el comportamiento que se asemejan a las crisis epilépticas, aunque no tienen correlación electrofisiológica ni evidencia clínica de epilepsia. Objetivo. Comparar las características clínicas y sociodemográficas entre pacientes diagnosticados con CPNE, con y sin epilepsia concomitante. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio transversal de pacientes consecutivamente diagnosticados de CPNE durante un período de 20 meses. A todos los participantes se les realizó un videoelectroencefalograma (video-EEG). Se compararon las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y semiológicas entre los que presentaban y los que no presentaban epilepsia concomitante. Resultados. Se incluyó a 65 pacientes, 35 con CPNE (53,9%), y 30 con CPNE y epilepsia (46,1%). La edad mediana en el inicio del video-EEG fue de 33 años, y un 70,8% eran mujeres. La edad mediana de inicio de las crisis fue de 16 años. En el grupo de CPNE hubo un inicio más tardío (23 años) en comparación con el grupo de CNPE y epilepsia (11 años), pero la diferencia no fue significativa. La proporción de pacientes en terapia con fármacos antiepilépticos fue significativamente mayor en el grupo con CPNE y epilepsia comparado con el grupo con CPNE. Las características semiológicas más frecuentemente encontradas fueron el inicio gradual de las crisis (69,2%) y una duración de más de dos minutos (63,1%). Conclusión. La variabilidad en los síntomas sugiere un origen no epiléptico de los eventos paroxísticos, los cuales se presentan frecuentemente en pacientes con epilepsia

The estrogen pathway as a modulator of response to immunotherapy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of about 18%. Thus, there is a great need for novel therapeutic approaches to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved outcomes for a subset of patients, especially those with high programmed death-ligand 1 expression and/or high tumor mutational burden, but have failed in the majority of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that the estrogen signaling pathway may be a therapeutic target in metastatic NSCLC and that the estrogen pathway may play a role in sex-based responses to ICIs. This report will review the epidemiologic, preclinical and clinical data on the estrogen pathway in NSCLC, its implications in sex-based responses to ICIs and the potential use of antiestrogen therapy in combination with ICIs.

Immunologic mediators of outcome for irradiated oropharyngeal carcinoma based on human papillomavirus status.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic value of pre-treatment immune parameters including white blood cell count (WBC) and circulating lymphocyte count (CLC) among patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated by radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 136 consecutive patients were treated by radiation therapy for locally advanced (stage III/IV) squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx with known human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with documented pre-treatment laboratory bloodwork. The Kaplan-Meier method and linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between pre-treatment CBC and CLC values with survival endpoints. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients satisfied inclusion criteria. Median age was 62 years (range, 22-91). Eighty-four patients were HPV-positive (76%) and 27 (24%) were HPV-negative. There was no difference in WBC and CLC mean values at baseline between HPV-positive and HV-negative (p > 0.05, for both). Trends were detected in the HPV-positive cohort favoring patients with higher CLC, with respect to 2-year local-regional control (93% vs. 82%, p = 0.06) and distant control (88% vs. 82%, p = 0.10) using the median CLC as cut-off. HPV-positive patients with CLC values in the lowest quartile had inferior local-regional control compared to those in the upper 3 quartiles (69% vs. 89%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Low pre-treatment CLC was correlated with local-regional recurrence and distant failure among HPV-positive patients. These associations were not observed in the HPV-negative cohort.

FDG-PET metabolic tumor parameters for the reirradiation of recurrent head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The utility of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging to predict outcome has been well-established for patients undergoing definitive radiation in the initial management of head and neck cancer. However, the usefulness of this modality in the recurrent setting remains uncertain. We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of metabolic tumor parameters measured on FDG-PET in patients treated by reirradiation for recurrent head and neck cancer. METHODS: Thirty-four tumors occurring in 29 patients were reirradiated and were evaluable. The most common disease sites were the oropharynx (n = 9), oral cavity (N = 8), and nasopharynx (n = 6). Potential correlations of FDG-PET maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) with survival endpoints were explored. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard. RESULTS: The median MTV, SUV, and gross tumor volume, as delineated using the 50% SUVmax threshold, were 366 cc (range, 0-3,567 cc), 8.1 (range, 0-25), and 48.5 cc (range, 1-190 cc), respectively. On univariate analysis, both MTVs (as measured as a continuous variable and using the median value of 266 cc as cutoff) were predictive of decreased overall survival (P < 0.05 for both). A strong trend toward decreased progression-free survival (P = 0.05), in-field control (P = 0.06), and locoregional control (P = 0.07) was also observed with increasing MTV when analyzed as a continuous variable. Multi-variate analysis confirmed MTV as an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION: The PET-derived parameter MTV may serve as a potentially valuable factor for risk stratification and for guiding treatment in future reirradiation trials. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:2345-2350, 2018.

Prognostic significance of HPV status in the re-irradiation of recurrent and second primary cancers of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) status among patients treated by salvage radiation therapy for local-regional recurrences and second primary cancers of the head and neck arising in a previously irradiated field. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The medical records of 54 consecutive patients who underwent re-irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck occurring in a previously irradiated field were reviewed. Only patients with biopsy-proven evidence of recurrent disease that had previously been treated with doses of radiation therapy of at least 60 Gy were included. Determination of HPV status at the time of recurrence was performed by p16 immunohistochemistry. The median age at re-irradiation was 58.5 years (range, 27.9 to 81.5 years). Thirty patients (55.5%) were lifelong never-smokers. The Kaplan Meier method was used to calculate overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional control, and distant metastasis-free survival with comparisons between groups performed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: HPV status among tumors that were re-irradiated was as follows: 16 positive (29.7%); 7 negative (12.9%); 31 unknown (57.4%). The median overall survival in the entire cohort was 11.7 months (range, 8 to 27 months), with the 1-year and 2-year estimates of overall survival being 47.2% and 38.4%, respectively. A statistical trend was identified favoring patients with HPV-positive cancers with respect to the endpoints of overall survival (p = 0.06) and progression-free survival (p = 0.08) after re-irradiation when compared to the HPV-negative/unknown population. There was no significant difference in distant control between the two cohorts (p = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: The favorable prognostic significance of HPV seemingly extends to patients treated by re-irradiation suggesting that this biomarker may be useful in risk stratification in this setting.

Tolerance of the Brachial Plexus to High-Dose Reirradiation.

PURPOSE: To study the tolerance of the brachial plexus to high doses of radiation exceeding historically accepted limits by analyzing human subjects treated with reirradiation for recurrent tumors of the head and neck. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data from 43 patients who were confirmed to have received overlapping dose to the brachial plexus after review of radiation treatment plans from the initial and reirradiation courses were used to model the tolerance of this normal tissue structure. A standardized instrument for symptoms of neuropathy believed to be related to brachial plexus injury was utilized to screen for toxicity. Cumulative dose was calculated by fusing the initial dose distributions onto the reirradiation plan, thereby creating a composite plan via deformable image registration. The median elapsed time from the initial course of radiation therapy to reirradiation was 24 months (range, 3-144 months). RESULTS: The dominant complaints among patients with symptoms were ipsilateral pain (54%), numbness/tingling (31%), and motor weakness and/or difficulty with manual dexterity (15%). The cumulative maximum dose (Dmax) received by the brachial plexus ranged from 60.5 Gy to 150.1 Gy (median, 95.0 Gy). The cumulative mean (Dmean) dose ranged from 20.2 Gy to 111.5 Gy (median, 63.8 Gy). The 1-year freedom from brachial plexus-related neuropathy was 67% and 86% for subjects with a cumulative Dmax greater than and less than 95.0 Gy, respectively (P=.05). The 1-year complication-free rate was 66% and 87%, for those reirradiated within and after 2 years from the initial course, respectively (P=.06). CONCLUSION: The development of brachial plexus-related symptoms was less than expected owing to repair kinetics and to the relatively short survival of the subject population. Time-dose factors were demonstrated to be predictive of complications.

Cheese milk low homogenization enhanced early lipolysis and volatiles compounds production in hard cooked cheeses.

Homogenization applied to cheese milk has shown to increase lipolysis but its use is not spread as it can induce detrimental effects. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of low-pressure homogenization of the cream followed by pre-incubation of cheese milk on the composition, ripening index, lipolysis and volatile profiles of hard cooked cheeses. For that, control and experimental miniature Reggianito cheeses were made and analyzed during ripening (3, 45 and 90days). Homogenization had no impact on composition and proteolysis. An acceleration of the lipolysis reaction was clearly noticed in cheeses made with homogenized milk at the beginning of ripening, while both type of cheeses reached similar levels at 90days. We found the level of several compounds derived from fatty acid catabolism were noticeably influenced by the treatment applied: straight-chain aldehydes such as hexanal, heptanal and nonanal and methylketones from C5 to C9 were preferentially formed in experimental cheeses.

Re-irradiation for recurrent and second primary cancers of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a single-institutional experience with the use of re-irradiation for recurrent and new primary cancers of the head and neck. METHODS: The medical charts of 80 consecutive patients who underwent re-irradiation for local-regionally recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer between November 1998 and December 2015 were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression to determine predictors of clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-six of the 80 patients were evaluable. The median age was 57.5 (range 26.6-84.9); Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was used in 71 (93.4%) patients with a median dose of 60Gy. Thirty-one patients (40.8%) underwent salvage surgery before re-irradiation and 47 (61.8%) received concurrent systemic therapy. The median time interval between radiation courses was 25.3months (range 2-322months). The 2-year estimates of overall survival, progression free survival, locoregional control, and distant control were 51.0%, 31.3%, 36.8% and 68.3%, respectively. Patients who underwent salvage surgery prior to re-irradiation had significantly improved locoregional control, progression free survival, and overall survival (p<0.05, for all). On multivariate analysis, gross tumor volume (GTV) at re-irradiation and interval between radiation courses were associated with improved overall survival. Severe (grade⩾3) late complications were observed in 25 patients (32.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Re-irradiation for recurrent or second primary head and neck cancer is feasible and effective in select patients with head and neck cancer. The high observed rate of treatment-related morbidity highlights the continue challenges that accompany this approach.

Heart Dose Is an Independent Dosimetric Predictor of Overall Survival in Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In the randomized trial of standard- versus high-dose chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced (LA) NSCLC (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0617), overall survival (OS) was worse in the high-dose arm. Although heart dose was suggested as a contributing factor, actionable parameters have not been established. We present an analysis of clinical and dosimetric parameters affecting OS in this patient population, focusing on heart dose. METHODS: Clinical data were collected on 416 patients with LA NSCLC treated at a single institution, with a subset of 333 available treatment plans recontoured using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0617 normal tissue guidelines. Toxicity and dosimetry data were analyzed for 322 patients; multivariate analysis was performed on 251 patients. Dosimetric parameters of radiation to tumor and organs at risk were analyzed with clinical data pertaining to OS, disease-free survival, and toxicity. RESULTS: Patients were treated with radiation therapy to prescribed doses of 50.0 to 84.9 Gy (median 66.0 Gy). Median follow-up was 14.5 months. Median OS was 16.8 months. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 61.4% and 38.8%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with worse OS were increasing heart V50 (volume receiving ≥50 Gy), heart volume, lung V5 (proportion of the lung structure [excluding the target volume]) receiving at least 5 Gy), bilateral mediastinal lymph node involvement, and lack of concurrent chemotherapy. When stratified by heart V50 less than 25% versus 25% or greater, the 1-year OS rates were 70.2% versus 46.8% and the 2-year OS rates were 45.9% versus 26.7% (p < 0.0001). Median heart V50 was significantly higher (20.8% versus 13.9%, p < 0.0001) for patients with cardiac toxicity with a Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade of 1 or higher. CONCLUSIONS: Heart dose is associated with OS and cardiac toxicity for patients with LA NSCLC treated with chemoradiotherapy.