Phase 1/2 clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccine in Japanese participants: A report of interim findings

We initiated a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the S-268019-b recombinant protein vaccine, scheduled as 2 intramuscular injections given 21 days apart, in 60 randomized healthy Japanese adults. We evaluated 2 regimens of the S-910823 antigen (5 μg [n = 24] and 10 μg [n = 24]) with an oil-in-water emulsion formulation and compared against placebo (n = 12). Reactogenicity was mild in most participants. No serious adverse events were noted. For both regimens, vaccination resulted in robust IgG and neutralizing antibody production at days 36 and 50 and predominant T-helper 1-mediated immune reaction, as evident through antigen-specific polyfunctional CD4+ T-cell responses with IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 production on spike protein peptides stimulation. Based on the interim analysis, the S-268019-b vaccine is safe, produces neutralizing antibodies titer comparable with that in convalescent serum from COVID-19-recovered patients. However, further evaluation of the vaccine in a large clinical trial is warranted.     

Assessing the Effects of Geniculate Artery Embolization in a Nonsurgical Animal Model of Osteoarthritis

PurposeTo create a nonsurgical animal model of osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the effects of embolotherapy during geniculate artery embolization (GAE).Materials and MethodsFluoroscopy-guided injections of 700 mg of sodium monoiodoacetate were performed into the left stifle in 6 rams. Kinematic data were collected before and after induction. At 10 weeks after induction, Subjects 1 and 4–6 underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and Subjects 1, 3, and 4–6 underwent angiography with angiographic scoring to identify regions with greatest disease severity for superselective embolization (75–250-μm microspheres). Target vessel size was measured. At 24 weeks after angiography, DCE-MR imaging, angiography, and euthanasia were performed, and bilateral stifles were harvested. Medial/lateral tibial and femoral condylar, patellar, and synovial samples were cut, preserved, decalcified, and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. The stifle and synovium Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score and Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study score were determined. The volume transfer constant (K_trans) and extracellular volume fraction (v_e) were calculated from DCE-MR imaging along the lateral synovial regions of interest.ResultsThe mean gross and microscopic pathological scores were elevated at 38 and 61, respectively. Mean synovitis score was elevated at 9.2. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization angiographic scores were 5 and 3.8, respectively. Mean superior, transverse, and inferior geniculate artery diameters were 3.1 mm ± 1.21, 2.0 mm ± 0.50, and 1.6 mm ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization cartilage and synovitis scores were elevated at 35.13 and 73.3 and 5.5 and 9.2, respectively. The K_trans/v_e values of Subjects 4, 5, and 6 were elevated at 0.049/0.38, 0.074/0.53, and 0.065/0.51, respectively. Altered gait of the hind limb was observed in all subjects after induction, with reduced joint mobility. No skin necrosis or osteonecrosis was observed.ConclusionsA nonsurgical ovine animal knee OA model was created, which allowed the collection of angiographic, histopathological, MR imaging, and kinematic data to study the effects of GAE.     

Surgical resection after neoadjuvant durvalumab and radiation is feasible and safe in non–small cell lung cancer: Results from a randomized trial

ObjectiveSeveral trials have recently reported the safety of pulmonary resection after neoadjuvant immunotherapy with encouraging major pathological response rates. We report the detailed adverse events profile from a recently conducted randomized phase II trial in patients with resectable non–small cell lung cancer treated with neoadjuvant durvalumab alone or with sub-ablative radiation.MethodsWe conducted a randomized phase II trial in patients with non–small cell lung cancer clinical stages I to IIIA who were randomly assigned to receive neoadjuvant durvalumab alone or with sub-ablative radiation (8Gyx3). Secondary end points included the safety of 2 cycles of preoperative durvalumab with and without radiation followed by pulmonary resection. Postoperative adverse events within 30 days were recorded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0).ResultsSixty patients were enrolled and randomly assigned, with planned resection performed in 26 patients in each arm. Baseline demographics and clinical variables were balanced between groups. The median operative time was similar between arms: 128 minutes (97-201) versus 146 minutes (109-214) (P = .314). There was no 30- or 90-day mortality. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 10 of 26 patients (38%) after monotherapy and in 10 of 26 patients (38%) after dual therapy. Anemia requiring transfusion and hypotension were the 2 most common adverse events. The median length of stay was similar between arms (5 days vs 4 days, P = .172).ConclusionsIn this randomized trial, the addition of sub-ablative focal radiation to durvalumab in the neoadjuvant setting was not associated with increased mortality or morbidity compared with neoadjuvant durvalumab alone.     

Single-dose replicating poxvirus vector-based RBD vaccine drives robust humoral and T cell immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection

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大黄附子汤对重症急性胰腺炎小鼠肠道微皱褶细胞变化的影响

目的研究大黄附子汤对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)小鼠肠道微皱褶细胞(M细胞)变化的影响，为大黄附子汤临床防治SAP提供理论基础。 方法选取40只健康SPF级C57BL/6J雄性小鼠，随机分为4组(每组10只)：空白对照组、大黄附子汤对照组、SAP组、大黄附子汤治疗组，其中SAP组和大黄附子汤治疗组分别以3.5 g/kg剂量腹腔注射20% L-精氨酸，空白对照组和大黄附子汤对照组注射等剂量的等渗盐水；于造模后12、24、36 h，空白对照组和SAP组给予等渗盐水0.2 mL，大黄附子汤对照组和治疗组给予大黄附子汤0.2 mL灌肠，均于造模完成48 h后处死取材，使用ELISA检测血清淀粉酶、内毒素、IL-1β及TNF-α含量，取回肠及胰腺组织行HE染色、评分，免疫组化染色检测M细胞特异性蛋白GP2并评分。 结果(1)一般情况：对照组腹腔注射后小鼠一般情况好，精神状态良好，能正常进水，四肢活动自如，行动未受影响；SAP组小鼠腹腔注射后一般情况差，精神萎靡，反应迟钝，行动迟缓，呼吸急促，拱背收腹，饮水减少。(2)SAP组淀粉酶、内毒素、IL-1β及TNF-α水平较对照组明显升高(P<0.05)；与SAP组进行对比，大黄附子汤治疗组血清淀粉酶、内毒素、IL-1β及TNF-α水平出现显著下降(P<0.05)。(3)HE染色：SAP组胰腺及回肠组织坏死严重，可见大量白细胞浸润。大黄附子汤治疗组胰腺及回肠组织轻度坏死，可见少量中性粒细胞等白细胞浸润。(4)免疫组化染色：SAP组与对照组相比GP2表达降低(P<0.05)；相较于SAP组，大黄附子汤治疗组GP2的表达水平升高(P<0.05)。 结论大黄附子汤治疗可改善作为肠道免疫应答起始的M细胞数量与功能，增强肠道免疫应答，减轻肠免疫屏障损伤，减少内毒素入血，改善SAP症状。