Citations

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Do humans with high‐affinity haemoglobin (HAH) demonstrate attenuated skeletal muscle deoxygenation during normoxic and hypoxic exercise? What is the main finding and its importance? Examination of near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived muscle oxygenation profiles suggests that fractional oxygen extraction is blunted during hypoxic exercise in humans with HAH compared with control subjects. However, muscle tissue oxygen saturation levels were higher in humans with HAH during exercise in normoxia compared with control subjects. These alterations in fractional oxygen extraction in humans with HAH might influence blood flow regulation and exercise capacity during hypoxia. AbstractRecently, researchers in our laboratory have shown that humans with genetic mutations resulting in high‐affinity haemoglobin (HAH) demonstrate better maintained aerobic capacity and peak power output during hypoxic exercise versus normoxic exercise in comparison to humans with normal‐affinity haemoglobin. However, the influence of HAH on tissue oxygenation within exercising muscle during normoxia and hypoxia is unknown. Therefore, we examined near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived oxygenation profiles of the vastus lateralis during graded cycling exercise in normoxia and hypoxia among humans with HAH (n = 5) and control subjects with normal‐affinity haemoglobin (n = 12). The HAH group elicited a blunted increase of deoxygenated haemoglobin + myoglobin during hypoxic exercise compared with the control group (P = 0.03), suggesting reduced fractional oxygen extraction in the HAH group. In addition, the HAH group maintained a higher level of muscle tissue oxygen saturation during normoxic exercise (HAH, 75 ± 4% vs. controls, 65 ± 3%, P = 0.049) and there were no differences between groups in muscle tissue oxygen saturation during hypoxic exercise (HAH, 68 ± 3% vs. controls, 68 ± 2%, P = 0.943). Overall, our results suggest that humans with HAH might demonstrate divergent patterns of fractional oxygen extraction during hypoxic exercise and elevated muscle tissue oxygenation during normoxic exercise compared with control subjects.

Objective The effect of gestational age (GA) on gastroschisis outcomes is unclear and delivery timing varies in practice. We aimed to correlate clinical outcomes of infants with gastroschisis and GA at delivery in the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC). Study Design This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of infants with gastroschisis admitted to CHNC neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from 2010 to 2016. Patients were categorized by GA: 32 to 346/7, 35 to 366/7, and ≥37 weeks. Respiratory and feeding interventions, mortality, length of stay, and common complications were compared. Results In 2021 for patients with gastroschisis, median GA at delivery was 36.3 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 35.1, 37.3) and mean birth weight 2,425 g (IQR 2,100, 2,766). Overall mortality was low and there was no difference across GA groups. Infants <35 weeks' gestation had the greatest need for respiratory and feeding interventions. Complications such as medical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), cholestasis, and central line-associated blood stream infection were less common in infants ≥37 weeks. Feeding initiation and full feeds were earliest in term infants, compared with infants between 35 and 366/7 weeks, and longest in infants <35 weeks. Prematurity had a significant negative association with breast milk exposure. Enteral feeding tube support at discharge increased with prematurity. Compared with term, infants born between 35 and 366/7 weeks' gestation had a higher incidence of medical NEC and lower exposure to mother's milk at discharge but the need for respiratory interventions or tube feeding at discharge was similar. Conclusion Premature infants with gastroschisis had more neonatal complications including respiratory interventions, longer NICU stay, longer time to full enteral feeds, and higher need for tube feeds at discharge as compared with those delivered at term. Differences were greatest for those <35 weeks GA. While overall mortality remains low, these results provide additional information about GA at birth in gastroschisis, with no evidence of benefit from preterm delivery. Key Points

Abstract Background: MET has been associated with beneficial anti-cancer effects in epidemiologic and preclinical research. It may act indirectly by reversing obesity associated physiologic changes or directly via mitochondrial mediated effects on LKB1/AMPK/mTOR and other mechanisms. MA.32 investigated the effect of MET vs PLAC (in addition to standard therapy) on adjuvant BC outcomes. Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind Phase III clinical trial conducted within the NCI US National Clinical Trials Network, NCRI (UK) BG, IBCSG. Methods: Between 2010-2013 BC patients &lt; 75 yo without diabetes (DM) with high risk T1-3, N0-3 M0 BC regardless of ER, PgR, HER2 and with adequate cardiac, renal and hepatic function were randomized (stratified for ER/PgR + vs -, BMI &lt; vs &gt; 30 kg/m2, HER2 +ve vs -ve, any vs no chemo) within 1 year of BC diagnosis to MET 850 mg po bid or PLAC bid for 5 years. Dose was reduced for toxicity with re-escalation when possible. Subjects were followed for Invasive Disease-Free Survival (IDFS primary outcome; events included invasive local/regional recurrences, distant recurrences, new ipsilateral/contralateral invasive BCs, new non-breast primary cancers, any death), Overall Survival (OS), Distant Relapse Free Survival (DRFS), BC Specific Survival (BCSS), BC Free Interval (BCFI), contralateral BC and cardiovascular (CV) events/new DM. 3582 subjects were required for 80% power to detect HR 0.76 (431 events). In 2011, entry was restricted to higher risk BC, leading to 80% power to detect HR 0.785 (544 events). In 2016, after the 2nd interim analysis at 29.5 months median F/U, the DSMB recommended (i) the intervention be continued with primary analysis triggered at 544 events be conducted in ER/PgR +ve (any HER2) subjects only and (ii) ER/PgR -ve subjects stop study drug for futility but blinding and follow-up continue. In 2021, a time driven analysis in ER/PgR +ve BC was approved (465 events providing 80% power to detect the original HR 0.76). Time to event survival described by the Kaplan-Meier method. Two-sided log-rank tests adjusting for stratification factors were primarily used to compare IDFS between arms. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify and adjust for factors significantly related to IDFS. Results: 3649 subjects were enrolled. In the 2533 ER/PgR +ve subjects included in the primary analysis, baseline mean (± SD) age was 52.7 (±9.9 yrs); mean BMI 28.8 (±6.4) kg/m2. Baseline tumor characteristics were balanced: T stage 1/2/3/4 = 832/1351/349/1; N stage 0/1/2/3 = 964/1097/449/23; HER2+ 429. 1901 (75%) received XRT. 2150 (84.9%) received (neo)adj chemo, 2223 (87.8%) (neo)adj hormones and 434 (17.1%) HER2 targeted therapy. Any Grade ≥ 3 toxicity was similar in MET and PLAC arms (21.7% and 18.7%, P = 0.06). Median follow-up was 96.2 (range 0.2-121.0) months with 465 IDFS events (234 MET, 231 PLAC, 76% due to BC). Efficacy results are shown below. MET vs PLACMET vs PLACIDFSOSPopulation Included# subjectsHR (95% CI)HR (95% CI)PRIMARY ANALYSISER/PgR +ve (any HER2)*25331.01 (0.84-1.21). P=0.920.89 (0.64-1.23). P=0.46ER/PgR -ve (any HER211161.01 (0.79-1.30. P=0.92)0.89 (0.64-1.23). P=0.46Exploratory. AnalysisHER2 +ve (any ER/PgR)6200.64 (0.43-0.95. P=0.0260.53 (0.30-0.98. P=0.0398**in ER/PgR pos BC HRs were similar for BCFI, DRFS, BCSS (ranging from 0.98-1.09)Conclusions: MET did not improve IDFS or other BC outcomes in ER/PgR positive or ER/PgR negative BC and should not be used as adjuvant treatment. Exploratory findings suggesting benefit in HER2+ve BC should be further investigated. Funded by: CCSRI, NCI (US), CBCF, BCRF, CRUK, Hold’Em for Life Charity, Apotex (Canada) Citation Format: Pamela J. Goodwin, Bingshu E Chen, Karen A Gelmon, Timothy J Whelan, Marguerite Ennis, Julie Lemieux, Jennifer A Ligibel, Dawn L Hershman, Ingrid A Mayer, Timothy J Hobday, Judith M Bliss, Priya Rastogi, Manuela Rabaglio-Poretti, Som D. Mukherjee, Robert R Mackey, Vandana G Abramson, Conrad Oja, Robert Wesolowski, Alastair M Thompson, Daniel W Rea, Paul M Stos, Lois E Shepherd, Vuk Stambolic, Wendy R Parulekar. CCTGMA.32, a phase III randomized double-blind placebo controlled adjuvant trial of metformin (MET) vs placebo (PLAC) in early breast cancer (BC): Results of the primary efficacy analysis (clinical trials.gov NCT01101438) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-08.

PURPOSE CALGB 40603 ( NCT00861705 ), a 2 × 2 randomized phase II trial, demonstrated that adding carboplatin or bevacizumab to weekly paclitaxel (wP) followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide significantly increased the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate in stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer. We now report long-term outcomes (LTOs) and correlative science end points. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate LTOs in 443 patients who initiated study treatment. Log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the impact of clinical characteristics, pathologic response, calculated residual cancer burden (RCB) in patients with residual disease (RD), treatment assignment, and dose delivery during wP on LTOs, including event-free survival (EFS). Genomic predictors of treatment response and outcomes were assessed on pretreatment tumor samples by mRNA sequencing. RESULTS Among baseline characteristics, only the clinical stage was associated with LTOs. At a median follow-up of 7.9 years, LTOs were not significantly improved with either carboplatin or bevacizumab, overall or in patients with basal-like subtype cancers by genomic analysis. Patients with pCR (n = 205, 46.3%) had significantly higher 5-year EFS (85.5% v 56.6%, log-rank P < .0001) and overall survival (87.9% v 63.4%, P < .0001) rates compared with patients with RD, even those with RCB class I. Among clinical and genomic features, evidence of immune activation, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and low B-cell receptor evenness, was associated with pCR and improved EFS. CONCLUSION Despite higher pCR rates, neither carboplatin nor bevacizumab appeared to improve LTOs although the study was not powered to assess these secondary end points. pCR was associated with superior LTOs even when compared with minimal RD. Markers of immune activation in pretreatment tumor biopsies were independently associated with higher pCR rates and improved survival.

PURPOSE The PALLAS study investigated whether the addition of palbociclib, an oral CDK4/6 inhibitor, to adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) improves invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) in early hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2–) breast cancer. In this analysis, we evaluated palbociclib exposure and discontinuation in PALLAS. METHODS Patients with stage II-III HR+, HER2– disease were randomly assigned to 2 years of palbociclib with adjuvant ET versus ET alone. The primary objective was to compare iDFS between arms. Continuous monitoring of toxicity, dose modifications, and early discontinuation was performed. Association of baseline covariates with time to palbociclib reduction and discontinuation was analyzed with multivariable competing risk models. Landmark and inverse probability weighted per-protocol analyses were performed to assess the impact of drug persistence and exposure on iDFS. RESULTS Of the 5,743 patient analysis population (2,840 initiating palbociclib), 1,199 (42.2%) stopped palbociclib before 2 years, the majority (772, 27.2%) for adverse effects, most commonly neutropenia and fatigue. Discontinuation of ET did not differ between arms. Discontinuations for non–protocol-defined reasons were greater in the first 3 months of palbociclib, and in the first calendar year of accrual, and declined over time. No significant relationship was seen between longer palbociclib duration or ≥ 70% exposure intensity and improved iDFS. In the weighted per-protocol analysis, no improvement in iDFS was observed in patients receiving palbociclib versus not (hazard ratio 0.89; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.11). CONCLUSION Despite observed rates of discontinuation in PALLAS, analyses suggest that the lack of significant iDFS difference between arms was not directly related to inadequate palbociclib exposure. However, the discontinuation rate illustrates the challenge of introducing novel adjuvant treatments, and the need for interventions to improve persistence with oral cancer therapies.

During exercise the normal pulmonary vessels can accommodate a three to fourfold increase in flow with about a 50 per cent increase in perfusion pressure. There is about a 10 per cent increase in the total volume of blood in the lungs, which may be accounted for mainly by an increase in capillary blood volume. The diffusion capacity is increased, the concentration of red blood cells is increased, and a relatively uniform ventilation-perfusion ratio is achieved throughout the lung.

Abstract Background Circulating levels of cancer antigen (CA) 15–3, a tumor marker and regulator of cellular metabolism, were reduced by metformin in a nonrandomized neoadjuvant study. We examined the effects of metformin (vs placebo) on CA 15–3 in participants of MA.32, a phase III randomized trial in early-stage breast cancer. Methods A total of 3649 patients with T1-3, N0-3, M0 breast cancer were randomly assigned; pretreatment and 6-month on-treatment fasting plasma were centrally assayed for CA 15–3. Genomic DNA was analyzed for the rs11212617 single nucleotide polymorphism. Absolute and relative change of CA 15–3 (metformin vs placebo) were compared using Wilcoxon rank and t tests. Regression models adjusted for baseline differences and assessed key interactions. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results Mean (SD) age was 52.4 (10.0) years. The majority of patients had T2/3, node-positive, hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer treated with (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Mean (SD) baseline CA 15–3 was 17.7 (7.6) and 18.0 (8.1 U/mL). At 6 months, CA 15–3 was statistically significantly reduced in metformin vs placebo arms (absolute geometric mean reduction in CA 15–3 = 7.7% vs 2.0%, P &lt; .001; relative metformin: placebo level of CA 15–3 [adjusted for age, baseline body mass index, and baseline CA 15–3] = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.92 to 0.96). This reduction was independent of tumor characteristics, perioperative systemic therapy, baseline body mass index, insulin, and the single nucleotide polymorphism status (all Ps &gt; .11). Conclusions Our observation that metformin reduces CA 15–3 by approximately 6% was corroborated in a large placebo-controlled randomized trial. The clinical implications of this reduction in CA 15–3 will be explored in upcoming efficacy analyses of breast cancer outcomes in MA.32.