Citations

Abstract Background: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is a major burden on public health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important risk factor. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics of ESLD from cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the performance of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) - platelet ratio index (APRI) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in Ghana. Methods: We performed an observational cross-sectional study in outpatient hepatology clinics at three teaching hospitals in Ghana, West Africa. One hundred and forty-one HCC, 216 cirrhosis and 218 chronic HBV patients were recruited by convenience sampling. Sociodemographic, history and examination, laboratory, and disease staging information were shown using descriptive statistics. Performance of the APRI score in diagnosis of cirrhosis and Alpha fetoprotein in the diagnosis of HCC was determined using AUROC analysis.Results: Median age at presentation was 44 years for HCC and 46 years for cirrhosis. HBV was found in 69.5% of HCC and 47.2% of cirrhosis cases, and HCV in 6.4% and 3.7% respectively. APRI cut-off of 2 had sensitivity of 45.4% and specificity of 95% in diagnosis of cirrhosis, and cut-off of 1 had sensitivity of 75.9% and specificity of 89%. AUC of AFP was 0.88 (95% CI 0.81-0.94) in diagnosis of HCC. Low monthly income was associated with lower odds of undertaking AFP. Thirty one percent of cirrhotic persons were Child-Pugh C, and 67.9% of HCC patients had advanced or terminal disease at presentation. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the young age of ESLD patients in Ghana and the advanced nature at presentation. It highlights shortcomings in surveillance and the need for policies to address the burden and improve outcomes in Ghana.

Abstract Introduction: Amplification of chromosome 9p24.1 encoding PDL1, PDL2, and JAK2 (the PDJ amplicon) has been detected in 5-25% of triplenegative breast cancers (TNBC), and is associated with poor outcome and activation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Here, we have developed a robust multiplexed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay for detection of 9p24.1 amplification, and assessed the frequency and cellular distribution of the PDJ amplicon in a cohort of African American (AA) women with TNBC. Methods: The FISH assay combines three chromosome 9 probes to simultaneously target JAK2 and PD-L1 (9p24.1, PDJ), chromosome 9q22, and the 9q34.1 regions. This enables discrimination of PDJ amplicons from whole chromosome 9p arm gains and from chromosome 9 ploidies that occur in the background of genomic instability in aneuploid cancer genomes. Fifty cells were scored for each probe and the average copy number was obtained. We defined PDJ amplification as PDJ>4, PDJ/9q22 ratio≥2, and/or PDJ/9q34.1 ratio≥2. The assay was benchmarked to array CGH of flow sorted TNBC tissue from Mayo Clinic Arizona (n=14). Tissue microarrays from TNBC PDX tumors (n=20) and from African American women with TNBC (n=87) were assessed. Results: Using selected TNBC tissue with known CGH data, the FISH assay tightly correlated with PDJ copy number in 13/14 cases. The discordant case was negative by CGH on a biopsy with low tumor content, but FISH positive on tissue section (PDJ >7.5 and a PDJ/9q22 ratio=4). Of 20 TNBC PDX tumors, 5 were amplified by FISH. Twelve of 87 (14%) of tumors had PDJ amplification by FISH, of which ten were from breast tissue and two were from lymph node. Of these 12, PDJ>4 (n=0), PDJ/9q22 ratio≥2 (n=6), and PDJ/9q34.1 ratio≥2 (n=10). Significant intratumoral variation was observed with the presence of single cells with >10 PDJ copies in 8/17 (47%) amplified and 0/90 non-amplified total cases. Conclusion: 9p24.1 (PDJ) amplification encoding JAK2, PD-L1, and PD-L2 is detected by three-color FISH in 14% of TNBC from African American women. Individual cells with ≥10 copies of PDJ was seen exclusively in 8/17 amplified cases. We identified 5 PDX tumors which may provide valuable preclinical models for the amplicon. The association of this biomarker with clinical outcome will be presented. Citation Format: Karen S. Anderson, Tammey Naab, Lori K Koslosky, Megan Anderson, Michael Lewis, Yasmine Kanaan, Ali Afsari, Luisel Ricks-Santi, Barbara A. Pockaj, Michael T Barrett. Tissue prevalence and cellular heterogeneity of 9p24.1 amplification in TNBC in African American women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-17.

Abstract Background : Sex is recognized as a significant determinant of outcome among glioblastoma patients, but the relative prognostic importance of glioblastoma features has not been thoroughly explored for sex differences. Methods : Combining multi-modal MR images, biomathematical models, and patient clinical information, this investigation assesses which pretreatment variables have a sex-specific impact on the survival of glioblastoma patients (299 males and 195 females). Results : Among males, tumor (T1Gd) radius was a predictor of overall survival (HR=1.027, p=0.044). Among females, higher tumor cell net invasion rate was a significant detriment to overall survival (HR=1.011, p<0.001). Female extreme survivors had significantly smaller tumors (T1Gd) (p=0.010 t-test), but tumor size was not correlated with female overall survival (p=0.955 CPH). Both male and female extreme survivors had significantly lower tumor cell net proliferation rates than other patients (M p=0.004, F p=0.001, t-test). Conclusion : Despite similar distributions of the MR imaging parameters between males and females, there was a sex-specific difference in how these parameters related to outcomes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of severe short‐term nutritional deprivation (ND) on the fractional synthesis rates (FSR) specific proteins and protein pools in the diaphragm muscle (DiaM). Male rats were divided into two groups: 20% of usual food intake for 4 days (ND) with water provided at libitum and free‐eating control (Ctl). [U‐13‐C] leucine was continuously infused through the jugular vein for 3–3.5 h after a priming dose of the isotope. Blood samples were collected from the carotid artery at baseline and every 30 min at precursor pool plateau. DiaM was excised at the end of the isotope infusion. Mixed muscle protein (MMP), myosin heavy chain (MHC), sarcoplasmic (Sarco) and mitochondrial (Mito) proteins were extracted from DiaM and the incorporation of the label into each protein(s) was determined using mass spectrometry. The FSR of MMP, MHC, Sarco and Mito in the rat DiaM were calculated using the precursor‐product relationship. ND resulted in the reduction of the FSRs of MMP (71%), MHC (69%), Sarco (44%) and Mito (55%) in DiaM. In summary, short‐term ND is associated with a global decrease in the synthetic rate of DiaM proteins, suggesting a compromise in the ability of the DiaM to synthesize functionally important proteins in the ND state. The underlying mechanisms for this depressed state of protein synthesis in DiaM related to ND remain to be elucidated.

Progranulin is a mediator of development, tumorigenesis and wound repair. Mutations in the gene for progranulin cause frontotemporal dementia. Little is known about the role of progranulin in the nervous system. The cleavage products of progranulin, granulins, were first isolated from granule‐enriched fractions of human and equine neutrophils and from rat bone marrow. Immunohistochemistry of granulin has been reported in macrophages or monocytes. Here we use a post‐embedding immunogold labeling method to ultrastructurally localize progranulin in mouse and human tissue. Bone marrow from mouse femoral bone was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Human choroid plexus and a brain abscess were obtained from autopsy brains fixed in formalin. Tissues were dehydrated in ethanols, infiltrated and embedded in LR White resin. Thin sections were collected on Formvar‐coated nickel grids and incubated with antibodies to mouse or human progranulin, followed by gold‐conjugated secondary antibodies. In all tissues progranulin was localized to secretory granules and vesicles in neutrophils and macrophages. Labeled granules had morphological features of secretory granules. They were membrane‐bound vesicles with pale to optically dense contents and ranged from 200 to 500 microns in diameter. This is the first report of the ultrastructural localization of progranulin to mouse and human neutrophils and macrophages in normal and inflammatory conditions, including neuroinflammatory disorders.

INTRODUCTION The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities. Variations in human cortical surface area and thickness are associated with neurological, psychological, and behavioral traits and can be measured in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Studies in model organisms have identified genes that influence cortical structure, but little is known about common genetic variants that affect human cortical structure. RATIONALE To identify genetic variants associated with human cortical structure at both global and regional levels, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain MRI data from 51,665 individuals across 60 cohorts. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 cortical regions with known functional specializations. RESULTS We identified 369 nominally genome-wide significant loci ( P < 5 × 10 −8 ) associated with cortical structure in a discovery sample of 33,992 participants of European ancestry. Of the 360 loci for which replication data were available, 241 loci influencing surface area and 66 influencing thickness remained significant after replication, with 237 loci passing multiple testing correction ( P < 8.3 × 10 −10 ; 187 influencing surface area and 50 influencing thickness). Common genetic variants explained 34% (SE = 3%) of the variation in total surface area and 26% (SE = 2%) in average thickness; surface area and thickness showed a negative genetic correlation ( r G = −0.32, SE = 0.05, P = 6.5 × 10 −12 ), which suggests that genetic influences have opposing effects on surface area and thickness. Bioinformatic analyses showed that total surface area is influenced by genetic variants that alter gene regulatory activity in neural progenitor cells during fetal development. By contrast, average thickness is influenced by active regulatory elements in adult brain samples, which may reflect processes that occur after mid-fetal development, such as myelination, branching, or pruning. When considered together, these results support the radial unit hypothesis that different developmental mechanisms promote surface area expansion and increases in thickness. To identify specific genetic influences on individual cortical regions, we controlled for global measures (total surface area or average thickness) in the regional analyses. After multiple testing correction, we identified 175 loci that influence regional surface area and 46 that influence regional thickness. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes involved in the Wnt signaling pathway, which is known to influence areal identity. We observed significant positive genetic correlations and evidence of bidirectional causation of total surface area with both general cognitive functioning and educational attainment. We found additional positive genetic correlations between total surface area and Parkinson’s disease but did not find evidence of causation. Negative genetic correlations were evident between total surface area and insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, and neuroticism. CONCLUSION This large-scale collaborative work enhances our understanding of the genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex and its regional patterning. The highly polygenic architecture of the cortex suggests that distinct genes are involved in the development of specific cortical areas. Moreover, we find evidence that brain structure is a key phenotype along the causal pathway that leads from genetic variation to differences in general cognitive function. Identifying genetic influences on human cortical structure. ( A ) Measurement of cortical surface area and thickness from MRI. ( B ) Genomic locations of common genetic variants that influence global and regional cortical structure. ( C ) Our results support the radial unit hypothesis that the expansion of cortical surface area is driven by proliferating neural progenitor cells. ( D ) Cortical surface area shows genetic correlation with psychiatric and cognitive traits. Error bars indicate SE. IMAGE CREDITS: (A) K. COURTNEY; (C) M. R. GLASS

9005 Background: Dual inhibition of the MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway with dabrafenib (D) and trametinib (T) in combination has demonstrated clinical benefit compared to D alone in a randomized Phase II trial in V600 BRAF-mutant MM pts, thus delaying the development of BRAFi resistance. Little is known about the efficacy of D + T after BRAFi resistance has been acquired. This analysis evaluates the ability of D + T combination to treat acquired resistance compared to the D + T combination as first-line treatment. Methods: These data from a phase I/II study include 1. BRAFi-resistant group: pts who received 150/2 D+T in Part B (n=26) and Part C (n=43) following progression on BRAFi monotherapy (mono); 2. BRAFi-naïve group: pts who received initial 150/2 D+T in Part B (n=24) and Part C (n=54). Results: Baseline characteristics (ECOG PS, M staging, LDH) were similar across all groups.In the Part B BRAFi-resistant group, 93% of pts previously received D or vemurafenib and all pts received D prior to D+T in Part C. In BRAFi-resistant group, prior best response of CR/PR (38%, 56%), SD (35%, 27%), PD (27%, 7%) was observed in Parts B and C respectively. In BRAFi-resistant group, the ORR and PFS with D+T was lower than initial D+T in BRAFi-naive group. Median duration of response (DoR) in BRAFi-resistant group cannot be calculated due to small no. of pts responding. Median DoR for BRAFi-naïve pts was 11.3 mo and 10.5 mo in Parts B and C respectively. In Part C, the 12-mo overall survival rates in BRAFi-naïve (150/2) pts was 79% vs 70% for pts initially on D mono, despite 80% pts crossing over to D+T combination. Conclusions: The clinical activity for 150/2 D+T combination is consistently superior in BRAFi-naive group vs BRAFi-resistant group in both Parts B and C. Dual MAPK blockade can delay clinical resistance to BRAF inhibition. However, once BRAFi resistance has occurred, the combination of BRAFi + MEKi is far less effective. Clinical trial information: NCT01072175. [Table: see text]

Abstract Background The effectiveness of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke prevention depends on low procedural risks. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and timing of procedural complications after CEA, which may clarify underlying mechanisms and help inform safe discharge policies. Methods Individual-patient data were obtained from four large carotid intervention trials (VACS, ACAS, ACST-1 and GALA; 1983–2007). Patients undergoing CEA for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis directly after randomization were used for the present analysis. Timing of procedural death and stroke was divided into intraoperative day 0, postoperative day 0, days 1–3 and days 4–30. Results Some 3694 patients were included in the analysis. A total of 103 patients (2·8 per cent) had serious procedural complications (18 fatal strokes, 68 non-fatal strokes, 11 fatal myocardial infarctions and 6 deaths from other causes) [Correction added on 20 April, after first online publication: the percentage value has been corrected to 2·8]. Of the 86 strokes, 67 (78 per cent) were ipsilateral, 17 (20 per cent) were contralateral and two (2 per cent) were vertebrobasilar. Forty-five strokes (52 per cent) were ischaemic, nine (10 per cent) haemorrhagic, and stroke subtype was not determined in 32 patients (37 per cent). Half of the strokes happened on the day of CEA. Of all serious complications recorded, 44 (42·7 per cent) occurred on day 0 (20 intraoperative, 17 postoperative, 7 with unclear timing), 23 (22·3 per cent) on days 1–3 and 36 (35·0 per cent) on days 4–30. Conclusion At least half of the procedural strokes in this study were ischaemic and ipsilateral to the treated artery. Half of all procedural complications occurred on the day of surgery, but one-third after day 3 when many patients had been discharged.

3501 Background: Cumulative neurotoxicity commonly leads to early discontinuation of oxaliplatin-based therapy. In a relatively small, prematurely-discontinued, randomized study, IV CaMg was associated with reduced oxaliplatin-induced sNT (Grothey, JCO, 2011). N08CB was designed to definitively test whether IV CaMg significantly decreases cumulative oxaliplatin-related sNT. Methods: 353 pts with colon cancer undergoing adjuvant therapy with FOLFOX were randomized to 3 arms: IV CaMg (1g calcium gluconate, 1g magnesium sulfate) before and after oxaliplatin vs PL before and after vs CaMg before and PL after. The primary endpoint was cumulative sNT repeatedly measured by the sensory subscale of the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20. Secondary endpoints, using CTCAE 4.0 and an oxaliplatin specific neurotoxicity scale, were also assessed. Acute neuropathy data were also collected for 5 days following each oxaliplatin dose. The area under the curve (AUC) of the sensory subscale during the treatment cycles was used as summary measures for comparison. The Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were conducted for each treatment versus placebo arm, at 2.5%, adjusting for multiplicity using Bonferroni’s approach. Results: CaMg did not reduce cumulative sNT. Primary and secondary analyses data are summarized in the Table. In addition, there were no significant differences between arms regarding oxaliplatin administered doses or chemotherapy discontinuation rates. Also, there were no substantial differences in acute neuropathy scores or side-effects between study arms. Conclusions: This study does not demonstrate any activity of IV CaMg as a neuroprotectant against oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Clinical trial information: NCT01099449. [Table: see text]

8579 Background: The ERIVANCE BCC study is the pivotal trial of vismodegib (GDC-0449), a first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor of Hedgehog signaling, for treatment of locally advanced (laBCC) and metastatic BCC (mBCC), for whom there are no other effective therapy options. The study met the primary endpoint of overall response rate by independent review (Sekulic, Melanoma Res 2011). Here we report a 6-mo update of investigator-assessed (I-A) efficacy and safety endpoints as of May 26, 2011. Methods: This multicenter, international, nonrandomized 2-cohort study enrolled patients (pts) with laBCC (deemed inoperable or for whom surgery would be significantly disfiguring), and mBCC pts with RECIST-measurable disease. Pts received 150 mg oral vismodegib daily. Results: 104 pts (71 laBCC/33 mBCC) enrolled at 31 sites in the US, Europe, and Australia. I-A efficacy endpoints are shown in the table. One-year survival rate was 77.3% (95% CI 62.48–92.09%) for mBCC and 93.1% (95% CI 86.49–99.63%) for laBCC. Adverse events (AEs) in >30% of pts were muscle spasms, alopecia, dysgeusia, weight decrease, fatigue, nausea, and amenorrhea (33.3%; 2/6 pts). Serious AEs were reported in 32 pts (31%). No additional fatal AEs were reported since the prior data cut (n=7, 7%; none considered related to vismodegib). Conclusions: This 6-mo update of I-A efficacy and safety endpoints from the ERIVANCE BCC study supports the significant clinical benefit of vismodegib in both laBCC and mBCC reported at the primary analysis. Median DOR and PFS increased numerically with follow-up. The AE profile was consistent with the prior data cut. These results further support the efficacy of vismodegib for treatment of advanced BCC. [Table: see text]