Citations

176 Background: Multiple tumour tissue studies have demonstrated the prognostic utility of CNVs in mCRPC. However, accurate assessment of CNVs in plasma cfDNA remains challenging, and prognostic significance has not been well characterized. Using a large customized panel, we correlated plasma CNVs with clinical outcomes in a contemporary cohort of mCRPC patients. Methods: Deep targeted sequencing was performed using a 180-gene cfDNA panel (Predicine) in 56 patients commencing AR pathway inhibitors (enzalutamide or abiraterone; n = 34) or taxane chemotherapy (n = 22) at two Australian institutions. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to correlate CNVs with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Significant results were validated in an independent cohort (Mayo Clinic, n = 144). Results: Median follow-up was 19.4 months (mo; IQR 11.3-31.9). The most common CNVs in the Australian cohort are shown (Table). OS was significantly decreased in patients with PI3KCA gain (median 21.7 mo vs 6.6 mo, p < 0.0001), PTEN loss (24.8 mo vs 11.7 mo, p = 0.0019) and AR gain (21.7 mo vs 12.0 mo, p = 0.0083). Furthermore, all three alterations independently predicted for poor survival in multivariable analyses (MVA; Table). Findings in the independent cohort showed similar OS results in MVA: PIK3CA gain (HR 2.0, p = 0.07), PTEN loss (HR 1.7, p = 0.08) and AR gain (HR 1.7, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Sequencing of plasma cfDNA revealed that PTEN loss, and PIK3CA and AR gain are associated with inferior clinical outcomes in patients commencing contemporary systemic treatment. These data support therapeutic strategies co-targeting the PI3K and AR pathways in mCRPC.[Table: see text]

160 Background: mCRPC is a heterogeneous disease state with variable survival and molecular markers that define survival continue to be determined. We applied a 120 gene panel based targeted next-gen sequencing (NGS) approach to probe plasma ctDNA based outcomes for survival. Methods: mCRPC chemo-naive patients (pts) were enrolled in a prospective study and plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) extracted. ctDNA fractions estimated based on somatic variants. NGS of plasma cfDNA was performed using HiSeq X Ten on a panel of 120 genes (PredicineLDT). Clinical and molecular prognostic factors were determined for overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) at the univariate level and only significant associations included in multivariate analysis (significance at P<0.05). Results: 96 mCRPC pts were enrolled. 17/96 pts failed NGS QC. Median cfDNA, ctDNA yields for 79/96 pts are provided in Table. Median follow up for study cohort was 92.5 months (mon) (Range:62.3-109.6); median survival time was 25.9 mon (95% CI:19.9, 31.4) and 72/79 pts had died. TMPRSS2-ERG fusion was detected in 18/79 pts. Significant alterations associated with OS are listed in Table. 49/59 pts underwent subsequent docetaxel chemo. In chemo treated pts significant copy number alterations predictive of survival included AR amplification (p=0.01, HR=2.0, 95% CI[1.2, 3.5], RB1 loss (p=3.20E-06, HR=5.0, 95% CI[2.4, 10.6], PTEN(p=0.009, HR=2.6, 95% CI[1.2, 5.4]), CDH1(p=0.001, HR=4.3, 95% CI[1.6, 11.4]). Conclusions: ctDNA yield in mCRPC state was the most significant prognostic factor for survival, Several specific plasma genomic perturbations were observed topredict docetaxel efficacy and need further evaluation.[Table: see text]

Abstract Remediation of struggling learners is a challenge faced by all educators. In recognition of this reality, and in light of contemporary challenges facing infectious diseases (ID) fellowship program directors, the Infectious Diseases Society of America Training Program Directors’ Committee focused the 2018 National Fellowship Program Directors’ Meeting at IDWeek on “Remediation of the Struggling Fellow.” Small group discussions addressed 7 core topics, including feedback and evaluations, performance management and remediation, knowledge deficits, fellow well-being, efficiency and time management, teaching skills, and career development. This manuscript synthesizes those discussions around a competency-based framework to provide program directors and other educators with a roadmap for addressing common contemporary remediation challenges.

Background: HIT has the potential to improve the health of individuals and the performance of providers, yielding improved quality, cost savings, and greater engagement by patients. Minorities face a variety of financial and nonfinancial barriers to obtaining appropriate and timely health care. Studying the behavior of minority patients will help understand the specific challenges to HIT adoption and engagement in patients and their caregivers. We undertook a patient-reported survey to explore these factors and understand any underlying disparities. Methods: A 21-question paper-based anonymous questionnaire addressing the responder's attitudes, understanding and needs of the electronic medical record (EMR) was used. This was administered to adult patients with lymphoid malignancies and their caregivers at two campuses of Mayo Clinic in Florida (San Pablo and inner-city; Riverside). Categorical and continuous variables between white and minority responders as well as minority responders from the two campuses were compared using the Chi-square test and U Mann Whitney with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The survey was completed by 1004 patients and caregivers. Average time taken to complete the survey was approximately 11 minutes. Of the responders, 716 (71%) were whites and 271 (27%) were minorities, with race-ethnicity not reported by 17 (2%). Among minorities, 30% (n=80) were seen at San Pablo and 64% (n=173) at the Riverside campus, with 6% at a multiple myeloma patient-caregiver symposium. Whites were older (median age 66 vs. 62 years, p&lt;0.001) and had higher education (undergraduate or higher 60% vs. 52%, p=0.023) as compared to minorities. Minority survey responders had lesser access to a computer (84% vs. 92%, p&lt;0.001) or a smartphone (85% vs. 89%, p=0.08). (Figure 1a) Exploring HIT awareness showed that only 51% of minorities were registered to use the EMR as compared to 72% whites (p&lt;0.001) and a lesser number of minorities even knew that they could access their medical records electronically (81% vs. 92%, p&lt;0.001). even among those registered to use the EMR, 13% minorities reported never using the EMR as compared to 4% whites (p&lt;0.001). Encouragingly, a higher willingness to learn about and use the EMR was noted among minorities who were more interested in knowing how to access the EMR (43% vs. 36%, p=0.04), would increase the use of EMR if someone explained how to use it (17% vs. 10%, p=0.002), and if someone explained about test results (14% vs. 6%, p&lt;0.001). (Figure 1b) Comparing minorities among the two campuses, those from the San Pablo campus were older (67.5 yrs. vs. 57 yrs., P&lt;0.001), had higher level of education (undergraduate or higher in 66% vs. 47%, p=0.005) and a higher number had access to a computer (94% vs. 78%, P=0.001) as compared to those from the inner-city Riverside. (Figure 2a) Minorities from the Riverside campus were less likely to be aware of the current HIT EMR (75% vs. 93%, p&lt;0.001), were significantly less likely to have registered for the patient EMR portal (38% vs. 76%, p&lt;0.001) and never used the EMR even if registered for it (22% vs. 7%, p=0.01) as against those from the San Pablo campus. Minorities at the Riverside campus had a higher interest in knowing how to access the EMR (47% vs. 33%, p=0.03). Linguistic barriers were more striking in the inner-city Riverside campus where a higher proportion of minority survey responders noted that it would help if the EMR was in their primary language (66% vs. 48%, p=0.006). (Figure 2b) Conclusions: Minorities continue to struggle with suboptimal utilization of healthcare system including that of HIT. There are barriers related to access, awareness, language and understanding of HIT that prevent the integration and participation of racial-ethnic minorities in the healthcare system to a full extent. It is important to qualify the minorities better, since there exist HIT utilization disparities even within the minorities from different areas representing socioeconomic and demographic differences. Efforts need to be made at several levels to help the minorities overcome educational, access and linguistic barriers so that they can benefit from advancements in the healthcare system. Disclosures Ailawadhi: Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy. Manochakian:Novocure: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Guardant Health: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Chanan-Khan:AbbVie: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Jansen: Research Funding; Mayo Clinic: Employment; Ascentage: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Are sex difference in the central airways present in healthy paediatric patients? What is the main finding and its importance? In patients ≤12 years we found no sex differences in central airway luminal area. After 14 years, the males had significantly larger central airway luminal areas than the females. The sex differences were minimized, but preserved when correcting for height. Luminal area is the main determinant of airway resistance and our finding could help explain sex differences in pulmonary system limitations to exercise in paediatric patients. Abstract Cross‐sectional airway area is the main determinant of resistance to airflow in the respiratory system. In paediatric patients (<18 years), previous evidence for sex differences in cross‐sectional airway area was limited to patients with history of pulmonary disease or cadaveric studies with small numbers of subjects. These studies either only report tracheal data and do not include a range of ages or correct for height. Therefore, we sought to assess sex differences in airway luminal area utilizing paediatric patients of varying ages and no history of respiratory disease. Using three‐dimensional reconstructions from high‐resolution computed tomography scans, we retrospectively assessed the cross‐sectional airway area in healthy paediatric females ( n = 97) and males ( n = 128) over a range of ages (1–17 years). The areas of the trachea, left main bronchus, left upper lobe, left lower lobe, right main bronchus, intermediate bronchus and right upper lobe were measured at three discrete points by a blinded investigator. No differences between the sexes were noted in the cross‐sectional areas of the youngest (ages 1–12 years) patients ( P > 0.05). However, in patients ≥14 years the cross‐sectional areas were larger in the males compared to females in most airway sites. For instance, the cross‐sectional size of the trachea was 25% (218 ± 44 vs . 163 ± 24 mm 2 , P < 0.01) larger in males vs . females among ages 13–17 years. When accounting for height, these sex differences in airway areas were attenuated, but persisted. Our results indicate that sex differences in paediatric airway cross‐sectional area manifest after age ≥14 years and are independent of height.

Spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSSs) have been associated with worse clinical outcomes in the pre–liver transplantation (LT) setting, but little is known about their post‐LT impacts. Our aim was to compare LT candidates with and without SPSSs and assess the impact of SPSSs on patient mortality and graft survival in the post‐LT setting. Patients 18 years or older with abdominal imaging done prior to LT were included. Exclusion criteria were the presence of pre‐LT surgical shunts, LT indications other than cirrhosis, and combined solid organ transplantations. SPSSs were classified as absent, small, or large according to their maximum diameter (8 mm). Multiple variables that could influence the post‐LT course were extracted for analysis. Patient and graft survival were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method and were compared between groups using a log‐rank test. The project received institutional review board approval. We extracted data from 326 patients. After comparing patients without SPSS or with small or large SPSSs, no statistical difference was found for overall patient survival: no SPSS (n = 8/63), reference; small SPSS (n = 18/150), hazard ratio (HR), 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45‐2.46); and large SPSS (n = 6/113), HR, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.20‐1.78); P = 0.20. Also, no difference was found for graft survival: no SPSS (n = 11/63), reference; small SPSS (n = 21/150), HR, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.38‐1.70); large SPSS (n = 11/113), HR, 0.59 (95% CI, 0.25‐1.40); P = 0.48. Similarly, no statistical significance was found for these variables when comparing if the graft used was procured from a donation after circulatory death donor versus a donation after brain death donor. In conclusion, the previously described association between SPSSs and worse clinical outcomes in pre‐LT patients seems not to persist once patients undergo LT. This study suggests that no steps to correct SPSS intraoperatively are necessary.

AbstractBackgroundHematopoietic-cell transplant (HCT) recipients are at risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. We evaluated the RSV fusion inhibitor presatovir in a randomized, double-blind, Phase II trial in HCT recipients with RSV upper respiratory tract infections.MethodsPatients were stratified by lymphopenia (&lt;200/µL) and ribavirin use; were randomized, stratified by lymphopenia (&lt;200/μL) and ribavirin use, to receive oral presatovir at 200 mg or a placebo on Days 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17, and were followed through Day 28. The coprimary efficacy endpoints were the time-weighted average change in the nasal RSV viral load between Days 1 and 9 and the proportion of patients developing lower respiratory tract complications (LRTCs) through Day 28.ResultsFrom 23 January 2015 to 16 June 2017, 189 patients were randomly assigned to treatment (96 to presatovir and 93 to the placebo). Presatovir treatment, compared with the placebo treatment, did not significantly affect (prespecified α = 0.01) a time-weighted average decline in the RSV viral load from Day 1 to 9 (treatment difference, −0.33 log10 copies/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] −.64 to −.02 log10 copies/mL; P = .040) or the progression to LRTC (11.2% vs 19.5%, respectively; odds ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, .22–1.18; P = .11). In a post hoc analysis among patients with lymphopenia, presatovir decreased LRTC development by Day 28 (2/15 [13.3%] vs 9/14 [64.3%], respectively; P = .008), compared with the placebo. Adverse events were similar for patients receiving presatovir and the placebo.ConclusionsPresatovir had a favorable safety profile in adult HCT recipients with RSV but did not achieve the coprimary endpoints. Exploratory analyses suggest an antiviral effect among patients with lymphopenia.Clinical Trials RegistrationNCT02254408; EUDRA-CT#2014-002474-36.

Abstract Background Extensive work in basic and clinical science suggests that biological mechanisms of aging are causally related to the development of disease and disability in late life. Modulation of the biological mechanisms of aging can extend both life span and health span in animal models, but translation to humans has been slow. Methods Summary of workshop proceedings from the 2018–2019 Epidemiology of Aging Workshop hosted by the Intramural Research Program at the National Institute on Aging. Results Epidemiologic studies play a vital role to progress in this field, particularly in evaluating new risk factors and measures of biologic aging that may influence health span, as well as developing relevant outcome measures that are robust and relevant for older individuals. Conclusions Appropriately designed epidemiological studies are needed to identify targets for intervention and to inform study design and sample size estimates for future clinical trials designed to promote health span.

Abstract Background: CLL is the most common leukemia diagnosis in adults and its treatment has undergone significant change from chemotherapy, to immunotherapy and now targeted kinase inhibitors, leading to improved overall survival (OS). With improving survivorship, SPMs can occur but an in-depth analysis of risks and trends of SPMs in CLL survivors is lacking. We performed a population-based analysis to evaluate this. Methods: Patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database diagnosed with CLL between 1973-2015 were included. Due to variation in management techniques over time, the cohort was divided in four time periods: 1973-1982, 1983-1992, 1993-2002 and 2003-2015. We evaluated differences in risk for SPMs among CLL survivors compared to risk of individual malignancies expected in the general population during these time periods and studied the effect of demographics and time since CLL diagnosis. Results: Over a nearly 270,000 person-year follow up, 6,467 new SPMs were diagnosed with a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.2 (95% CI 1.17-1.23), which resulted in a 39 excess cancers per 10,000 population. The CLL survivors had a 20% overall increased risk of developing SPMs (excluding non-squamous skin cancer) compared to the general population. The risks for both solid (SIR 1.15 CI 95% 1.12-1.18) and hematological malignancies (SIR 1.61 95% CI 1.5-1.73) was higher than the expected in the general population. However, the risk for individual cancers was heterogeneous. The tumors associated with the highest risk were Hodgkin lymphoma (almost 8 times higher), Kaposi Sarcoma (4 times), non-epithelial skin cancers (4 times), salivary gland cancer (3 times) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (3 times). In contrast, tumors in the hepatobiliary system, female breast and female genital system were associated with a lower risk than the general population. The highest SIR across the study periods was observed in the younger population (ages 15-49). Although the risk increased in all ethnicities, it was statistically significant only in Caucasians. There was no gender-wise difference in SIR during any of the four time periods. A statistically significant increase in SIR was observed for both men and women from 1973-1982 to 2003-2015. This was mostly due to an increase in risk of hematological malignancies from 1.08 early in the study to 2.56 in the most recent study period. The SIR in solid tumors did not change significantly over time; in absolute terms, however, lung carcinoma contributed the most to the excess risk, followed by non-epithelial skin cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The risk of developing a SPM was higher for the CLL survivors during most of the latency periods, but it was statistically significant during the 2-5 months and 12-59 months after diagnosis. A multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of period of diagnosis on the development of SPMs among these patients. After adjusting for gender, ethnicity, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and age at diagnosis of CLL, patients diagnosed with CLL in the most recent time period were at 45% higher risk of developing SPMs as compared to the patient diagnosed during 1973-1982 (Hazard ratio(HR) =1.45 95%CI:1.34-1.6, p<0.001). Moreover increased HRs were also observed for 1983-1992 and 1993-2002 time periods (Fig. 1) Conclusions: With improving therapeutics for cancer treatment, survivorship is improving as well and the risk of SPMs needs to be better understood and addressed. This is truer for CLL, where majority of patients have a favorable survival. The risk of SPMs was 20% higher in CLL survivors than in the general population and was most prominent in the survivors aged 15-49 years at the time of CLL diagnosis. The risk of individual malignancies may be heterogenous but there has been an increase in risk of SPMs over time, mainly due to an increase of secondary hematological malignancies in recent years. Active survivorship plans and long-term surveillance for SPMs is crucial for improved outcomes of patients with a history of CLL. Disclosures Ailawadhi: Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 750 Background: DKK1 is a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway in bone that is overexpressed in a subset of newly-diagnosed MM patients with osteolytic lesions as well as in refractory and relapsed patients. Expression also correlates with the number of osteolytic lesions in untreated MM patients. BHQ880 is a novel anti-DKK1 human monoclonal antibody. Alleviation of DKK1 inhibition by BHQ880 results in activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, leading to increased bone mass mediated via upregulation of osteoblasts in mice and monkeys. In murine models of MM bone disease; this anabolic activity of BHQ880 increased trabecular and cortical bone density. Lytic bone disease in MM is caused by osteoclast activation and osteoblast inhibition. Current approved therapies for the treatment of MM bone disease are focused on osteoclast inhibition (e.g., bisphosphonates) and BHQ880 therapy may be able to reverse the effects of DKK1-induced osteoblast inhibition. Therefore, dual therapy with zoledronic acid to decrease bone resorption and BHQ880 to increase new bone formation may provide an effective treatment strategy for MM bone disease. Methods: In the phase I portion of this phase I/II study, patients with relapsed or refractory MM with prior skeletal-related event (SRE) were treated with BHQ880 as an IV infusion Q28 days. Patients also received Zol (4 mg) and approved MM Tx (bortezomib not allowed). Bone markers and total DKK1 levels along with bone mineral density are being measured. Full PK profiles were collected during the first and second cycle, after which predose (trough) samples were collected to assess accumulation. Results: Ten pts (6:M, 4:F), median age: 66.5 yrs (range 41- 70), performance status-0(5 pts), 1(4 pts), 2 (1 pts) have been enrolled in the following dose levels (mg/kg) 3 (2 pts), 10 (starting dose level -4 pts), 20 (4 pts) and have been on treatment for 1 day to 5 28-day cycles. No BHQ880-related AE's have been observed to date. Bone mineral density (BMD) data from the first two patients treated at 10 mg show the following: a.) Pt 1 (hip +5.8%, spine N/A due to surgery, wrist -1.8%); b.) Pt 2 (hip -0.2%, spine +6.1%, wrist not done). The biomarker data from these patients show: a.) Pt 1 shows a maximal +98% change over baseline in PINP at day 15 post-treatment, while osteocalcin (OC) changes +17% at day 15, reaching a +56% change over baseline at cycle 4 day 1; uNTx/Cr changes – 43 % at cycle 2 day 15. b) Partial data from Pt 2 suggests a -44 % change in PINP and –73 % change in OC and a +73% change in uNTx/Cr. Baseline total DKK1 levels on 3 patients ranged from 8.8 to 21.5 ng/mL. Preliminary PK analysis is available in 1 out of 3 patients treated at 10mg/kg. The Cmax achieved after the first infusion was 165 ug/mL and 201 ug/mL after the second infusion. Calculated t1/2 was 188 hours after the first infusion and 254 hours after the second infusion. Regarding overall exposure, AUC0-672 hours after first infusion was 36081 hr*ng/mL and 48533 hr*ng/mL after the second infusion. Conclusion: BHQ880 given IV Q28 days appears to be well tolerated in combination with Zol and chosen MM Tx. Once safety of 40 mg/kg BHQ880 or the MTD dose has been determined, pts will be enrolled in the phase II portion to assess activity on a SRE endpoint. Updated safety, efficacy, bone density and biomarker data will be presented on all patients at the upcoming ASH meeting. Disclosures: Padmanabhan: Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Off Label Use: BHQ880, a novel osteoblast activating, anti-DKK1 antibody. Dzik-Jurasz:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gangolli:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Ettenberg:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Miner:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Bilic:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Whyte:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mehdi:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Chiang:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Rae:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Shah:Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Millenium: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Elan: Consultancy. Giles:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Clavis: Research Funding. Stewart:Novartis: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Proteolix: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria.