Citations

291 Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has limited treatment options. Genomic analyses have led to development of targeted therapies now in clinical trials, and may enable discovery of new treatment options. However, biopsy often yields limited tissue, thus hampering tissue-based profiling opportunities. Comparative data regarding circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis and tissue based profiling in CCA are limited. Methods: We performed ctDNA NGS analysis along with tissue based profiling in pts with advanced CCA (January 2015- February 2018). ctDNA analysis was performed using Guardant 360 (Guardant Health, CA) which detects single nucleotide variants, amplifications, fusions, and specific insertion/deletion mutations in up to 73 different genes and the majority of tissue based profiling using Foundation One. The mutant allele fraction (MAF) for detected alterations was calculated relative to wild type in ctDNA. Therapeutic relevance was defined as alterations within OncoKB levels 1-3B and R1. The study was conducted in accordance with Mayo Clinic IRB requirements. Results: Among 124 pts and 139 total samples, ctDNA NGS revealed at least one genomic alteration (excluding variants of uncertain significance and synonymous mutations) in 89% of pts. Median number of alterations per pt was 3 [range, 1-15], with a median MAF of 0.42% (range, 0.1% - 94.2%). The total number of unique alterations was 321. The most commonly altered genes: TP53 (31%), KRAS (11%), FGFR2 (7%), APC and PIK3CA (each 5%) and ARID1A (3%). Amplifications were noted in 14 genes: BRAF, CCND1, CCND2, CCNE1, CDK4, CDK6, EGFR, ERBB2, FGFR1, FGFR2, MET, MYC, PDGFRA, and PIK3CA. Tissue-based profiling was available in 57 (46%) pts, with a median of 63 days between liquid and tissue biopsy. IDH1, FGFR2, TP53 and KRAS were most common gene mutations found in pts who had both liquid and tissue biopsy done. (Comparative results to be shown). Conclusions: ctDNA plasma profiling of pts with advanced CCA is a feasible alternative method to gather comprehensive genomic data. Further larger cohort studies comparing landscape of alterations seen on ctDNA versus tissue-based assays are needed.

289 Background: PDAC has limited treatment options. Genomic analyses have led to development of targeted therapies now in several clinical trials, and may enable the discovery of new treatment options. However, biopsy often yields limited tissue, thus hampering tissue-based profiling opportunities. Data regarding circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling in PDAC during real time clinical practice is limited. Methods: We performed ctDNA NGS analysis in pts with advanced PDAC (December 2014–August 2018). ctDNA analysis was performed using Guardant 360 (Guardant Health, CA), which detects single nucleotide variants, amplifications, fusions, and specific insertion/deletion mutations in up to 73 different genes. The mutant allele fraction (MAF) for detected alterations was calculated relative to wild type in ctDNA. Therapeutic relevance (TR) was defined as possible treatments within OncoKB levels 1-3B and R1. The study was conducted in accordance with Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board requirements. Results: Among 171 pts and 206 total samples, ctDNA NGS revealed at least one genomic alteration in 150 pts (88%). Median number of alterations per patient was 3 [range, 1-15]. The total number of unique alterations was 450 with the most commonly altered genes being: TP53 (181 alterations, 40%), followed by KRAS (118 alterations, 26%), CDKN2A (23 alterations, 5%), SMAD4 (15 alterations, 3%), EGFR (11 alterations, 2.4%), PIK3CA (9 alterations, 2%), GNAS (8 alterations, 1.5%). Amplifications were noted in 16 genes, including BRAF, CCND2, CCNE1, CDK4, CDK6, EGFR, ERBB2, FGFR1, FGFR2, KIT, KRAS, MET, MYC, PDGFRA, PIK3CA and RAF1. Therapeutically relevant alterations were seen in 95 pts of the 150 pts (63%). Tissue based profiling (Results to be shown) was done in 56 (33%) pts of total 171 pts with a median of 130 days between ctDNA and tissue biopsy. KRAS and TP53 were the most common gene mutations found in patients with both liquid and tissue biopsy results. Conclusions: ctDNA plasma profiling of pts with advanced PDAC is a feasible alternative method to gather comprehensive genomic data.

288 Background: Obesity is a risk factor for developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, the effect of obesity on survival of CCA is unclear. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the impact of obesity upon overall survival of CCA patients. Secondary aims were to analyze impact of obesity upon other disease characteristics such as tumor site, stage, age, sex, BMI and Ca 19-9. Methods: A total of 411 unique pts diagnosed with CCA at Mayo Clinic Florida between 2000 and 2018 were retrieved from our collective SDMS database. Variables evaluated included:demographics, Body Mass Index (BMI), AJCC stage, tumor location and Ca 19-9.A total of 185 pts had all data available pertaining to these variables. We further restricted the analysis to pts with intrahepatic CCA classified BMI as per CDC criteria normal (18.5-25kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2), thus leaving a total of 152 pts. Continuous and categorical variables were compared across BMI groups using Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test. Overall survival rates after diagnosis at 1, 2 and 3 years were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Among 152 pts included in the study, 28% were normal weight, 40% were overweight and 32% were obese. The overall survival rate at 1, 2 and 3 years for normal weight pts with all stages combined was 54.1%, 35%, and 30.7%, respectively. The overall survival rate at 1, 2 and 3 years for overweight pts with all stages combined was 59.7 %, 32.6%, and 25.4%, respectively. The overall survival rate at 1, 2 and 3 years for obese pts with all stages combined was 63.9%, 37.6%, and 26.7%, respectively(p = 0.8766). Multivariate analysis demonstrated is no significant difference in overall survival for obese pts compared to normal or overweight pts.(Table to be shown) However it showed, gender and Ca19-9 were statistically significant predictors of overall survival, with males and pts with Ca19-9≥100 doing worse (HR1.65 (CI = 1.05, 2.61, p = 0.031) and HR 2.31 (CI = 1.49, 3.59, p = < 0.01), respectively). Conclusions: BMI did not make a significant impact on the overall survival, though there may be a trend toward worse OS for ptswith higher BMI. A larger, stage focused evaluation is warranted for further exploration of this trend.

The Ice Hockey Summit III provided updated scientific evidence on concussions in hockey to inform these five objectives: 1) describe sport-related concussion (SRC) epidemiology, 2) classify prevention strategies, 3) define objective, diagnostic tests, 4) identify treatment, and 5) integrate science and clinical care into prioritized action plans and policy. Our action plan evolved from 40 scientific presentations. The 155 attendees (physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nurses, neuropsychologists, scientists, engineers, coaches, and officials) voted to prioritize these action items in the final Summit session. 1) Establish a national and international hockey data base for SRC at all levels, 2) eliminate body checking in Bantam youth hockey games, 3) expand a behavior modification program (Fair Play) to all youth hockey levels, 4) enforce game ejection penalties for fighting in Junior A and professional hockey leagues, 5) establish objective tests to diagnose concussion at point of care (POC), and 6) mandate baseline testing to improve concussion diagnosis for all age groups. Expedient implementation of the Summit III prioritized action items is necessary to reduce the risk, severity, and consequences of concussion in the sport of ice hockey.

Objectives: To assess—by literature review and expert consensus—workforce, workload, and burnout considerations among intensivists and advanced practice providers. Design: Data were synthesized from monthly expert consensus and literature review. Setting: Workforce and Workload section workgroup of the Academic Leaders in Critical Care Medicine Task Force. Measurements and Main Results: Multidisciplinary care teams led by intensivists are an essential component of critical care delivery. Advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) are progressively being integrated into ICU practice models. The ever-increasing number of patients with complex, life-threatening diseases, concentration of ICU beds in few centralized hospitals, expansion of specialty ICU services, and desire for 24/7 availability have contributed to growing intensivist staffing concerns. Such staffing challenges may negatively impact practitioner wellness, team perception of care quality, time available for teaching, and length of stay when the patient to intensivist ratio is greater than or equal to 15. Enhanced team communication and reduction of practice variation are important factors for improved patient outcomes. A diverse workforce adds value and enrichment to the overall work environment. Formal succession planning for ICU leaders is crucial to the success of critical care organizations. Implementation of a continuous 24/7 ICU coverage care model in high-acuity, high-volume centers should be based on patient-centered outcomes. High levels of burnout syndrome are common among intensivists. Prospective analyses of interventions to decrease burnout within the ICU setting are limited. However, organizational interventions are felt to be more effective than those directed at individuals. Conclusions: Critical care workforce and staffing models are myriad and based on several factors including local culture and resources, ICU organization, and strategies to reduce burden on the ICU provider workforce. Prospective studies to assess and avoid the burnout syndrome among intensivists and advanced practice providers are needed.

Abstract Medulloblastoma and central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors (CNS-PNET) are aggressive, poorly differentiated brain tumors with limited effective therapies. Using Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon mutagenesis, we identified novel genetic drivers of medulloblastoma and CNS-PNET. Cross-species gene expression analyses classified SB-driven tumors into distinct medulloblastoma and CNS-PNET subgroups, indicating they resemble human Sonic hedgehog and group 3 and 4 medulloblastoma and CNS neuroblastoma with FOXR2 activation. This represents the first genetically induced mouse model of CNS-PNET and a rare model of group 3 and 4 medulloblastoma. We identified several putative proto-oncogenes including Arhgap36, Megf10, and Foxr2. Genetic manipulation of these genes demonstrated a robust impact on tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. We also determined that FOXR2 interacts with N-MYC, increases C-MYC protein stability, and activates FAK/SRC signaling. Altogether, our study identified several promising therapeutic targets in medulloblastoma and CNS-PNET. Significance: A transposon-induced mouse model identifies several novel genetic drivers and potential therapeutic targets in medulloblastoma and CNS-PNET.

Despite numerous attempts at novel intervention and tests to aid in earlier diagnosis and improved treatment, there has been an increased incidence of overall mortality related to sepsis, despite improvements in in-hospital mortality. Statins have emerged as potential immunomodulatory and antioxidant agents that might impact on sepsis outcomes. Definitive evidence to support the routine use of statins in patients with sepsis has not yet been elicited. We retrospectively analysed data from patients who presented with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, stratifiying them according to statin use into two groups (statin and no statin). Sequential Organ Failure Assessment was used to evaluate severity of illness. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay, and mechanical ventilation and vasopressor therapy duration. Five hundred and sixty-eight patients were included. Patients with prior statin use (statin group) were older, more obese and had higher prevalence of smoking, diabetes and ischaemic heart disease. There was no difference in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and mortality did not vary between the two groups (19.6 vs 16.9%). Furthermore, secondary outcomes including ICU mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation and vasopressor duration did not differ. Multivariate analysis revealed age and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score were independent predictors of survival, while history of statin use was not (P=0.403). This current retrospective study did not find any benefit of statin use on primary and secondary outcomes of the patients admitted to an academic hospital with sepsis.

Background and objective Epidural blood patch (EBP) is a safe and effective treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), but clinical and procedural variables that predict EBP efficacy remain nebulous. Methods This study is an institutional review board-approved retrospective case series with dichotomized EBP efficacy defined at 3 months. The study included 202 patients receiving 604 EBPs; iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leaks were excluded. Results Of the EBPs, 473 (78%) were single-level, 349 (58%) lumbar, 75 (12%) bilevel, and 56 (9%) multilevel (≥3 levels). Higher volume (OR 1.64; p<0.0001), bilevel (3.17, 1.91–5.27; p<0.0001), and multilevel (117.3, 28.04–490.67; p<0.0001) EBP strategies predicted greater efficacy. Only volume (1.64, 1.47–1.87; p<0.0001) remained significant in multivariate analysis. Site-directed patches were more effective than non-targeted patches (8.35, 0.97–72.1; p=0.033). Lower thoracic plus lumbar was the most successful bilevel strategy, lasting for a median of 74 (3–187) days. Conclusions In this large cohort of EBP in SIH, volume, number of spinal levels injected, and site-directed strategies significantly correlated with greater likelihood of first EBP efficacy. Volume and leak site coverage likely explain the increased efficacy with bilevel and multilevel patches. In patients with cryptogenic leak site, and either moderate disability, negative prognostic brain MRI findings for successful EBP, or failed previous lumbar EBP, a low thoracic plus lumbar bilevel EBP strategy is recommended. Multilevel EBP incorporating transforaminal administration and fibrin glue should be considered in patients refractory to bilevel EBP. An algorithmic approach to treating SIH is proposed.