Carbapenem Versus Fosfomycin Tromethanol in the Treatment of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia Coli-Related Complicated Lower Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

The aim of this observational prospective study was to compare the effect of fosfomycin tromethanol (FT) and carbapenems (meropenem or imipenem cilastatin) in the treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- producing Escherichia coli-related complicated lower urinary tract infection (CLUTI). Inclusion criteria were: patients who were aged >18 yr with dysuria or problems with frequency or urgency in passing urine; those with >20 leukocytes/mm³ in urine microscopy and culture-proven ESBL-producing carbapenem or FT-sensitive E. coli in the urine (>10⁵ cfu/mm³); no leukocytosis or fever; and who were treated with FT (oral 3 g sachet × 1 every other night, three times) or carbapenems between march 2005 and January 2006 in our outpatient clinic and hospital. A total of 47 CLUTI attacks in 47 patients (27 FT group, 20 carbapenem group) were observed prospectively. Clinical and microbiological success in the carbapenem and FT groups was similar (19/20 vs 21/27 and 16/20 vs 16/27 p>0.05). Drug acquisition costs were significantly lower in the FT group (p<0.001). Although it is not a randomized controlled study, these data show that FT may be a suitable, effective and cheap alternative in the treatment of ESBL-producing E. coli-related CLUTI.     

Impact of carbapenem administration on systemic endotoxemia in patients with severe sepsis and Gram-negative bacteremia

In order to investigate the effect of carbapenems on systemic endotoxemia, 20 patients with severe sepsis due to ventilator-associated pneumonia and Gram-negative bacteremia were enrolled; 10 (group A) were administered 1 g t.i.d. of imipenem/cilastatin and 10 (group B) 2 g t.i.d. of meropenem. Blood was sampled at 0 time and after 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 hours for detection of endotoxins (LPS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and drug levels. LPS were determined by the QCL-1000 LAL assay, IL-6 by an enzymeimmunoassay, CRP by nephelometry and carbapenem levels by a microbiological assay. We did not find that carbapenems had any effect on the kinetics of LPS and CRP; IL-6 of group A was lower than group B at 72 and 84 hours. No correlation was observed between drug levels of any carbapenem and LPS, IL-6 or CRP. It is concluded that in septic patients with Gram-negative bacteremia administration of either imipenem or meropenem did not affect systemic endotoxemia. The above data support the safe administration of both carbapenems in patients with severe sepsis.     

Risk factors for coexistence of fluoroquinolone resistance and ESBL production among Enterobacteriaceae in a Greek university hospital

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance (QR) among ESBL- producing Enterobacteriaceae causing nosocomial infections. The study was conducted in Laikon General Hospital in Athens, Greece, during the period January 2004 - January 2005. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected from the medical charts of the patients diagnosed with nosocomial infections due to an ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. QR was 60% among the 84 ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Infection from QR-ESBL bacteria was associated with increased hospital stay (p=0.028); QRESBL bacteria were isolated later during hospitalization than fluoroquinolone susceptible (QS)-ESBL (p=0.089); factors associated with QR were immune-deficiency (p=0.047), previous use of carbapenems (p=0.08) and fluoroquinolones (p=0.067), and admission to the Transplantation Unit (p=0.047). In addition, QR-ESBL bacteria were more likely to be resistant to co-trimoxazole (p<0.001), gentamicin (p=0.054) and tobramycin (p=0.004). Logistic regression analysis indicated that admission to the transplantation unit was an independent risk factor for infection due to a QR-ESBL isolate. Results of this study question ciprofloxacin's usefulness as a valid alternative to carbapenems in our hospital for the treatment of infections due to ESBL-producing bacteria. In addition strategies for addressing the QR-ESBL situation should focus on limiting fluoroquinolone and carbapenem consumption and emphasize on barrier precautions in patients with longer hospitalization, immunosuppression, or admission to the transplantation unit.     

Optimal dose and schedule of an HER-2/neu (E75) peptide vaccine to prevent breast cancer recurrence: from US Military Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Group Study I-01 and I-02

BACKGROUND.

E75, a HER‐2/neu‐derived peptide, was administered as a preventive vaccine with granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) in disease‐free lymph node‐positive (NP) and lymph node‐negative (NN) breast cancer (BCa) patients. The optimal biologic dose (OBD) was determined based on toxicity and immunologic response.

METHODS.

Patients were vaccinated over 6 months (3, 4, or 6 times) with different doses of E75 plus GM‐CSF. Toxicities were graded per National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria. GM‐CSF was reduced for significant toxicity. Immunologic response was measured by delayed type hypersensitivity test (DTH), and E75‐specific CD8⁺ T‐cells were quantified with human leukocyte antigen‐A2:immunoglobulin G dimer and flow cytometry.

RESULTS.

Ninety‐nine patients (48 NP and 51 NN) were vaccinated in 7 dose groups. The OBD was 1000 μg E75 plus 250 μg GM‐CSF monthly × 6. The optimal dose group (ODG, n = 29) experienced similar toxicities to the suboptimal dose group (SDG, n = 70), which was comprised of the remaining 6 groups. The ODG demonstrated a trend toward an increase in the average postvaccine dimer (0.87 ± 0.10% vs 0.67 ± 0.05%; P = .07), a significantly larger DTH response (21.5 ± 2.5 mm vs 11.3 ± 1.3 mm; P = .0002), and a trend toward decreased recurrences (3.4% vs 12.9%; P = .27). Compared with the SDG, the ODG had larger tumors (percentage ≥T2: 55% vs 23%; P = .004), more positive lymph nodes (percentage NP: 76% vs 37%; P = .001), and higher grade tumors (percentage grade 3: 52% vs 30%; P = .07), but a shorter median follow‐up time (20 months vs 32 months; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS.

Compared with suboptimally dosed patients, the optimally dosed E75 vaccine in disease‐free BCa patients had similar toxicity but enhanced HER‐2/neu‐specific immunity that may lead to decreased recurrences with additional follow‐up. Cancer 2008. Published 2008 by the American Cancer Society.     

Prevalence of oral and blood oncogenic human papillomavirus biomarkers among an enriched screening population: Baseline results of the MOUTH study

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer screening is being explored in research studies, but strategies to identify an appropriate population are not established. The authors evaluated whether a screening population could be enriched for participants with oncogenic HPV biomarkers using risk factors for oral HPV.

Methods

Participants were enrolled at Johns Hopkins Hospitals and Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. Eligible participants were either men aged 30 years or older who had two or more lifetime oral sex partners and a personal history of anogenital dysplasia/cancer or partners of patients who had HPV-related cancer. Oral rinse and serum samples were tested for oncogenic HPV DNA, RNA, and E6 or E7 antibodies, respectively. Participants with any biomarker were considered at-risk.

Results

Of 1108 individuals, 7.3% had any oncogenic oral HPV DNA, and 22.9% had serum antibodies for oncogenic HPV E6 or E7. Seventeen participants (1.5%) had both oral and blood biomarkers. HPV type 16 (HPV16) biomarkers were rarer, detected in 3.7% of participants, including 20 with oral HPV16 DNA and 22 with HPV16 E6 serum antibodies (n = 1 had both). In adjusted analysis, living with HIV (adjusted odds ratio, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.60–4.40) and older age (66–86 vs. 24–45 years; adjusted odds ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.07–2.70) were significant predictors of being at risk. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of oral HPV16 (1.8% vs. 0.9%), any oncogenic oral HPV DNA (7.3% vs. 3.5%), and HPV16 E6 antibodies (2.2% vs. 0.3%) was significantly elevated.

Conclusions

Enrichment by the eligibility criteria successfully identified a population with higher biomarker prevalence, including HPV16 biomarkers, that may be considered for screening trials. Most in this group are still expected to have a low risk of oropharyngeal cancer.     

Human papillomavirus serologic follow-up response and relationship to survival in head and neck cancer: a case-comparison study

Background

Human papillomavirus high risk (HPV-HR) type 16 is a significant risk factor for head and neck cancers (HNC) independent of tobacco and alcohol. The purpose of this study was to determine whether antibody levels to the HPV-16 oncoproteins E6 and E7 measured in sera collected at baseline (BL) prior to treatment and at two post-treatment follow-up (FU) visits were associated with HNC risk factors or prognosis.

Methods

Presence of antibodies to HPV-16 E6 and E7 was evaluated in 109 newly diagnosed HNC cases with BL and FU blood samples, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

HPV-16 E6 and/or E7 seropositive HNC cases were associated with higher risk in younger patients (≤ 55 years), more sexual partners (≥ 10), oropharyngeal cancer, worse stage at diagnosis, poorer grade, and nodal involvement. Between BL and FU (median = 8.3 months), there were decreased antibody levels for seropositive E6 (73% vs. 27%, p = 0.02) and seropositive E7 patients (65% vs. 35%, p = 0.09) with 5% of BL E6 and 35% of BL E7 seropositive patients converting to negative status at FU. Overall mortality (OM) was significantly worse among BL E6 seronegative patients than among BL seropositive patients (40.2% vs.13.6%, p = 0.01). There were no disease specific (DS) deaths among BL E6 seropositive vs. 24% in BL E6 seronegative patients (p = 0.01). BL E7 seronegative patients also had higher mortality than BL seropositive patients (OM: 38.2% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.04; DS: 22.5% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.07).

Conclusion

These findings are the first to follow post-treatment OD levels of HPV-16 E6 and E7 in HNC and suggest that these HPV antibodies may be potential prognostic markers of survival in HNC patients.

     

保留前列腺远端包膜及精囊对改善原位新膀胱功能及勃起功能的作用

背景与目的:膀胱全切是浸润性膀胱癌的主要治疗手段,膀胱全切后尿流改道方法很多,其中原位新膀胱下尿路重建在近年得到广泛应用.本研究旨在探讨改良根治性全膀胱切除术中保留前列腺远端包膜及精囊对改善原位新膀胱功能及勃起功能的作用.方法:选择2000年1月至2006年12月应用改良根治性膀胱全切及新回肠膀胱术治疗膀胱癌患者27例,同期应用经典术式治疗9例.观察两组患者术后并发症、新膀胱(术后6个月)的储尿、排尿、控尿功能及患者的勃起功能并进行比较.结果:术后随访3～84个月.术后6个月改良和经典组新膀胱容量[(385±68)mL vs.(388±71)mL]、最大充盈压[(24±16)cmH2O vs.(25±15)cmH2O],两组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).但在最大尿流率[(18±5)mL/s vs.(14±7)mL/s]、剩余尿[(35±16)mL vs.(97±35)mL]、完全控尿率[(24/27)vs.(3/9)]、夜间尿失禁[(3/27)vs.(6/9)]、新膀胱-尿道吻合口狭窄[(4/27)vs.(3/9)],以及患者正常勃起功能术后得以保留[(19/23)vs.(3/7)]方面,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:在改良根治性膀胱全切术中保留远端的前列腺包膜及精囊,可明显改善患者术后的储尿、排尿、控尿功能,保护阴茎的勃起功能,同时可有效防止新膀胱-尿道吻合口狭窄的发生.     

快速康复在不同方式胃癌根治手术中的应用

目的:评价快速康复（fast track,FT）模式在不同方式胃癌根治手术患者术后康复中的有效性及安全性。方法:收集我科2016年1月至2017年6月期间行开放(OS)及腹腔镜(LS)胃癌根治手术患者各40例，随机分为FT处理组（OS+FT组、LS+FT组）和常规处理（NT）对照组（OS+NT组、LS+NT组），比较不同处理模式对术后疼痛评分、恢复情况和术后并发症发生率的影响。结果:OS+FT组、LS+FT组术后1、2、3、4和5 d疼痛评分均低于NT对照组，各观察时点差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.005）；OS+FT组、LS+FT组术后首次排气时间、首次离床时间以及住院时间均短于NT对照组（P＜0.05）；术后OS+FT组、LS+FT组总体并发症发生率均为10%，与NT对照组（OS+NT组20%，LS+NT组15%）相比，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论:FT模式有利于减少患者痛苦，加速术后恢复，未增加术后并发症风险，在不同方式胃切除手术患者围术期处理过程中安全、有效。     

The effect of delineation method and observer variability on bladder dose-volume histograms for prostate intensity modulated radiotherapy

Purpose

To quantify the effect of delineation method on bladder DVH, observer variability (OV) and contouring time for prostate IMRT plans.

Materials and methods

Planning CT scans and IMRT plans of 30 prostate cancer patients were anonymized. For 20 patients, 1 observer delineated the bladder using 9 methods. The effect of delineation method on the DVH curve, discrete dose levels and delineation time was quantified. For the 10 remaining CTs, 6 observers delineated bladder wall using 4 methods. Observer-based volume variation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to describe the dosimetric effects of OV.

Results

Manual delineation of the bladder wall (BW_m) was significantly slower than any other method (mean: 20 min vs. ?13 min) and the dosimetric effect of OV was significantly larger (V70 Gy ICC: 0.78 vs. 0.98). Only volumes created using a 2.5 mm contraction from the outer surface, and a method providing a consistent wall volume, showed no notable dosimetric differences from BW_m in both absolute and relative volume.

Conclusions

Automatic contractions from the outer surface provide quicker, more reproducible and reasonably accurate substitutes for BW_m. The widespread use of automatic contractions to create a bladder wall volume would assist in the consistent application of IMRT dose constraints and the interpretation of reported dose.     

Combined therapies with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in DMBA-induced rat mammary cancer

Sixty-one female SD rats with 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer were divided into six groups according to the antitumor agent administered: MPA (20 mg/kg, Im), FT 207 (40 mg/kg, Ip), MPA (20 mg/kg, Im) + FT 207 (40 mg/kg, Ip), E2 priming (3 micrograms/body, Im, three days) + MPA (20 mg/kg, Im), E2 (3 mg/body, Im, three days) + MPA (20 mg/kg, Im) and control. The sizes of the tumors in all DMBA rats were measured at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the start of the administration, and the antitumor effects were compared among the groups. The antitumor effect of MPA + FT 207 was better than that when they were administered separately. It was shown that chemo-endocrine therapy with MPA was very effective. The antitumor effect was in the order of E2 priming + MPA, E2 + MPA and MPA among these three groups. E2 priming before MPA administration was thought to be very promising. The progesterone receptor (PgR) level tended to increase by E2 priming in DMBA tumors. Furthermore, in the E2 priming + MPA group, the tumors with high PgR levels before therapy tended to be more responsive than those with low PgR levels.     

High expression levels of p27 correlate with lymph node status in a subset of advanced invasive breast carcinomas: relation to E-cadherin alterations,proliferative activity,and ploidy of the tumors

BACKGROUND: The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 plays a central role in cell cycle progression and is deregulated in breast carcinomas. Although its levels are inversely associated with tumor proliferation, overexpression of p27 has been reported in a subset of rapidly proliferating breast carcinoma cell lines. METHODS: p27 levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in a series of 52 sporadic invasive breast carcinomas consisting of 47 ductal, 2 lobular, and 3 mixed; most tumors were Grade 2 or 3 (46 of 52) and Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) Stage II-IV (46 of 52). E-cadherin expression and its gene alterations at 16q22.1 were also studied, because in vitro evidence suggests a biologic association between p27 and E-cadherin-mediated growth suppression. RESULTS: The mean p27 labeling index (LI; percentage of p27 positive tumor cells) was 33.3% +/- 25.3% (range, 0.1-85%). High p27 levels (p27 LI, > 50%) were observed in 14 (26.9%) of 52 carcinomas and were significantly associated with metastatic disease in axillary lymph nodes (14 of 33 vs. 0 of 19; P = 0.0007 by Fisher exact test). In addition, p27 LI was higher in the group of lymph node positive vs. lymph node negative tumors (mean p27 LI, 40.9% vs. 20.1%; P = 0.008 by Mann-Whitney test). Reduced or absent E-cadherin expression was found in 27 of 45 (60%) informative cases. Allelic imbalance of the 16q22.1 locus was found in 14 (27.5%) of 51 cases by using the microsatellite markers D16S503, D16S752, and D16S512. p27 LI and E-cadherin alterations were not statistically related. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, high p27 levels detected in a subset of advanced breast carcinomas correlate with lymph node metastasis, suggesting that other mechanisms may bypass the cell cycle inhibitory role of p27 and provide growth advantage in these tumors.     

原发性骨髓纤维化患者右心功能减退临床指标变化分析

目的:探讨原发性骨髓纤维化（PMF）患者右心功能减退相关指标变化。方法:回顾性分析2015年1月至2019年8月江苏省连云港市第二人民医院和江苏省人民医院55例PMF患者临床资料。比较纤维化前/早期和明显纤维化期患者右心功能相关超声心动图指标和生化指标差异,采用单因素线性回归法分析肺动脉压与各生化指标的关系。结果:纤维化前/早期组患者血红蛋白水平[119 g/L（47~224 g/L）比78 g/L（33~182 g/L）]及血小板计数[233×10 12/L（5×10 12/L~984×10 12/L）比117×10 12/L（7×10 12/L~731×10 12/L）]高于明显纤维化期组,差异均有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。22例有完整心脏超声结果的患者中,90.9%（20/22）患者肺动脉压增高,72.7%（16/22）患者左心房直径增加,90.9%（20/22）患者右心室舒张期内径增加,无射血分数异常者。纤维化前/早期组患者肺动脉压[48 mmHg（46~90 mmHg）比33 mmHg（20~50 mmHg）（1 mmHg=0.133 kPa）]、左心室舒张期内径[46 mm（36~50 mm）比47 mm（43~53 mm）]、短缩率[38.1%（36.0%~38.9%）比35.4%（32.7%~37.8%）]与明显纤维化期组比较,差异均有统计学意义（均 P<0.05）。患者肺动脉压与年龄（ r=0.590）及血清铁蛋白（SF）（ r=0.608）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）（ r=0.711）、可溶性生长刺激表达基因2（ST-2）（ r=0.580）水平均呈正相关（均 P<0.05）,与血小板计数呈负相关（ r=-0.596, P=0.003）。 结论:PMF患者易出现右心功能减退。PMF患者年龄越高、血小板计数越低或SF、LDH、ST-2水平升高时,肺动脉压越高。     

CIN和子宫颈鳞癌的HPV16/18感染与p53、MDM2蛋白表达的关系

目的研究子宫颈鳞癌及C IN的HPV感染、p53蛋白和M DM 2蛋白的表达及三者之间的相互关系。方法选取子宫颈鳞癌61例、C IN 47例、正常子宫颈组织54例,分别采用原位杂交技术检测HPV 16/18感染,用免疫组化技术S-P法检测p53蛋白和M DM 2蛋白。结果HPV 16/18感染率鳞癌组为62.3%(38/61),C IN组为70.2%(33/47),对照组为16.7%(9/54)。C IN组和鳞癌组的HPV 16/18的感染率均显著高于对照组(P值均<0.05)。而C IN组与鳞癌组的HPV 16/18感染率差异无显著性(P>0.05)。C IN组、鳞癌组、对照组的p53阳性率分别为19.1%(9/47)、26.2%(16/61)、3.7%(2/54)。C IN组、鳞癌组、对照组的M DM 2阳性率分别为14.9%(7/47)、26.2%(16/61)、7.4%(4/54)。C IN组和鳞癌组的p53阳性率均显著高于对照组(P值均<0.05),C IN组与鳞癌组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。M DM 2阳性率鳞癌组显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而在C IN组和鳞癌组之间、C IN组和对照组之间差异均无显著性(P值均>0.05)。在本实验各组中,p53与M DM 2之间的阳性率均无统计学相关(P值均>0.05)。p53阳性率和HPV 16/18感染之间差异无显著性(P值均>0.05),而M DM 2的阳性率与HPV 16/18感染仅在子宫颈鳞癌组呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论C IN及子宫颈鳞癌与HPV 16/18感染关系密切;p53和M DM 2均参与子宫颈癌及癌前病变的发生,但p53的突变、M DM 2的扩增和过表达均不占主导地位。     

Ultrasound findings and histological features of ductal carcinoma in situ detected by ultrasound examination alone

Background

With the increasing use of high-resolution ultrasound (US) examination, many breast carcinomas that cannot be identified by mammography (MMG) alone have been detected. Many of these carcinomas are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and small-sized invasive carcinomas. Until date, DCISs have often been described as palpable masses with calcifications on MMG, but what are the characteristics of DCISs that are detectable by US alone?

Methods

One hundred fifty cases with DCIS that we experienced at our clinic from 2003 to 2007 were classified into 47 cases (echo group) diagnosed by US alone and 103 cases (MMG/PE group) diagnosed by MMG or clinically.

Results

US findings of the echo group showed cystic or solid lesions in 37 cases (79%). The mean age of the echo group was significantly higher than that of the MMG/PE group (59.6 vs. 51.2 years; P < 0.01). Tumor sizes detected by US were 5.7 + 2.8 and 11.5 + 10.8 mm (P < 0.001), respectively. The tumor sizes of the echo group were, therefore, approximately half that of the MMG/PE group. Extensive intraductal components were significantly fewer in the echo group, and tumor grades of the echo group were significantly low (Van Nuys classification). In the echo group, all cases with a tumor size <5 mm were grade 1 by Van Nuys classification. In addition, cases with ≥5 mm tumor size had a significantly lower tumor grade in the echo group than in the MMG/PE group.

Conclusions

Cystic or solid lesions accounted for approximately 80% of US findings of DCISs detected by US alone, and most were similar to benign forms. Moreover, most DCISs detected by US alone were localized and of low grade (Van Nuys classification).

     

Comparative antimicrobial potency of meropenem tested against Gram-negative bacilli: report from the MYSTIC surveillance program in the United States (2004)

The Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information Collection (MYSTIC) Program is a longitudinal resistance surveillance network of more than 100 medical centers worldwide monitoring the susceptibility of bacterial pathogens to carbapenems and other broad-spectrum agents. In 2004 (year six), the antimicrobial activity of 12 broad-spectrum agents was assessed against 2,799 Gram-negative bacterial isolates submitted from 15 United States (USA) medical centers using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI; formerly NCCLS) recommended methods. Meropenem continued to demonstrate a high potency with MIC90 values 4- to 32-fold lower than imipenem against the Enterobacteriaceae. The wide spectrum of activity for meropenem against all Gram-negative isolates was demonstrated by the overall rank order of percentage susceptibility at CLSI breakpoints: amikacin (96.5%) > meropenem (96.0%) > imipenem (95.8%) > piperacillin/tazobactam (91.5%) > tobramycin (91.4%) > cefepime (91.2%) > ceftazidime (89.0%) > gentamicin (88.0%) > aztreonam (81.5%) > levofloxacin (80.5%) > ciprofloxacin (80.2%) > ceftriaxone (69.1%). Only the aminoglycosides (84.5%) and carbapenems (76.1-83.8%) exhibited acceptable levels of susceptibility against the Acinetobacter spp. isolates as this species group became more resistant to all antimicrobial classes. A continued increase in the resistance rate for both ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin over the six years was observed, most alarming among Escherichia coli (20.2-20.7%) and indole-positive Proteus species (34.4-42.2%) isolates, some documented as clonal. Continued surveillance of these broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents appears warranted to monitor the potency and spectrum of activity against Gram-negative pathogens causing serious infections and the emergence of new or novel resistance mechanisms that could compromise carbapenem therapy.     

Beta-carotene supplementation in smokers reduces the frequency of micronuclei in sputum.

beta-carotene has been hypothesised to reduce lung cancer risk. We studied the effect of 14 weeks of beta-carotene supplementation (20 mg d-1) on the frequency of micronuclei in sputum in 114 heavy smokers in a double-blind trial. Micronuclei reflect DNA damage in exfoliated cells and may thus provide a marker of early-stage carcinogenesis. Pre-treatment blood levels of cotinine, beta-carotene, retinol and vitamins C and E were similar in the placebo group (n = 61) and the treatment group (n = 53). Plasma beta-carotene levels increased 13-fold in the treatment group during intervention. Initial micronuclei counts (per 3,000 cells) were higher in the treatment group than in the placebo group (5.0 vs 4.0, P < 0.05). During intervention, the treatment group showed a 47% decrease, whereas the placebo group showed a non-significant decrease (16%). After adjustment for the initial levels, the treatment group had 27% lower micronuclei counts than the placebo group at the end of the trial (95% CI: 9-41%). These results indicate that beta-carotene may reduce lung cancer risk in man by preventing DNA damage in early-stage carcinogenesis.     

Pathologic analysis of non-neoplastic parenchyma in renal cell carcinoma: a comprehensive observation in radical nephrectomy specimens

Background

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the histological features of non-neoplastic parenchyma in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We prospectively collected radical nephrectomy (RN) specimens, to analyze the histological changes within peritumoral and distant parenchyma.

Methods

Data of patients who underwent RN and had no known history of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or chronic kidney disease etc., were prospectively collected. Tumor pseudo-capsule (PC), and parenchyma within 2 cm from tumor margin, were pathologically assessed. The parenchyma beyond PC or tumor margin was divided into 20 subsections of 1 mm in width. Histological changes, including chronic inflammation, glomerulosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and nephrosclerosis, were given scores of 0, 1, 2 or 3 for each subsection of each specimen, according to their severity. The 20 subsections of each specimen were further divided into four groups according to the distance from the tumor edge (group 1: 0–2 mm; group 2: 2–5 mm; group 3: 5–10 mm; group 4: 10–20 mm), to better compare the peritumoral parenchyma with the distant parenchyma.

Results

In total, 53 patients were involved in this study. All tumors were confirmed RCCs (clear cell vs. papillary vs. chromophobe were 83% vs. 5.7% vs. 11.3%, respectively), with a mean size of 5.6 cm. Histological changes were more severe in peritumoral parenchyma close to PC or tumor edge (0–5 mm), and less common within parenchyma more distant from the tumor (5–20 mm) (p?<?0.001). chronic inflammation and nephrosclerosis were the most common changes especially in peritumoral parenchyma (0-2 mm). PC was present in 49 tumors (92.5%), and PC invasion occurred in 5 cases (10.2%). Mean PC thickness was 0.7 mm. PCs were more likely to be present in clear cell RCC or papillary RCC than in chromophobe RCC (100% vs. 100% vs. 33.3%, respectively; p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Most RCCs have a well-developed PC, especially clear cell RCC. Histological changes mainly occur in peritumoral parenchyma, being rather uncommon in distant parenchyma. A compression band filled with severe histological changes was typically observed in renal parenchyma close to the tumor. Its preservation while performing an enucleation margin may not be entirely necessary.

     

Treatment Decision Making and Financial Toxicity in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

IntroductionOncologists have increasingly been proponents of shared decision making (SDM) to enhance patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary health care spending. However, its effect on patient out-of-pocket costs is unknown. This study investigated the relationship between patient preferences for SDM and financial toxicity (FT) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).Patients and MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized surveys of women aged ≥ 18 with MBC who received care at two academic hospitals in Alabama from 2017 to 2019. Patients self-reported their SDM preference (Control Preferences Scale) and FT (Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity [COST] tool; 11-item scale, with lower scores indicating worse FT). Effect sizes were calculated using the proportion of variance explained (R²) or Cramer’s V. Differences in FT by SDM preference were estimated using mixed models clustered by site and treating medical oncologist.ResultsIn 95 women with MBC, 44% preferred SDM, 29% preferred provider-driven decision making, and 27% preferred patient-driven decision making. Patients preferring SDM were more often college educated (53% vs. 39%; V = 0.12) with an income greater than $40,000/y (55% vs. 43%; V = 0.18). Overall median COST was 22 (interquartile range, 16-29). After adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics, patients preferring patient-driven decision making trended toward worse FT (COST 17: 95% confidence interval, 12-22) compared to those preferring SDM (COST 19: 95% confidence interval, 15-23) and those preferring provider-driven decision making (COST 22: 95% confidence interval, 17-27).ConclusionPatients preferring more patient-driven decision making reported worse FT, although differences did not reach statistical significance. Further research is needed to understand this relationship.     

Adjuvant intraoperative post-dissectional tumor bed chemotherapy—A novel approach in treating midgut neuroendocrine tumors

Background

Midgut neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients are often diagnosed at an advanced stage with extensive mesenteric lymph node and liver metastasis. Even with skillful surgical dissection, macro and microscopic residual disease at the dissection site remains a possibility. We hypothesize these potential tumor residuals in mesenteric lymph node dissection beds can be eliminated safely by a local application of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). We describe a novel technique invented by the author to treat these micro and macro residuals.

Methods

Retrospectively, charts of 62 consecutive midgut NET patients with boggy mesenteric lymphadenopathy who underwent cytoreductive debulking surgeries from 1/2007 to 12/2009 were reviewed. A total of 32 patients received an intraoperative application of 5-FU saturated gelfoam strips secured into the mesenteric defect following the extensive lymphadenectomy. A total of 30 untreated patients served as a control.

Results

The 5-year survival after cytoreductive surgeries was 22/32 (68.8%) for the treated group, vs. 20/30 (66.7%) for the control. Six patients (6/32, 18.8%) among the study group required additional debulking surgeries, vs. 16 patients (16/30, 53.3%) in the control group. Upon reoperation, loco-regional recurrence was noted in 9 of the 16 patients (56.3%) in the control group, vs. only 2/6 (33.3%) of treated patients. Overall, local recurrence rate is 6.25% (2/32) in the treated group vs. 30% (9/30) in the control group. Post-op complication rates are similar in the two arms.

Conclusions

Intraoperative application of chemotherapy is a safe and effective adjuvant to reduce local recurrence and the need of reoperation by the tumoricidal or tumorstatic effects of 5-FU on any potential microscopic residual disease after extensive cytoreductive surgeries in advanced stage NET patients with mesenteric lymph node metastasis. It provides patients with sustained, slow releasing, high dose of 5-FU within the surgical bed with a negligible side effect profile. Further studies are required to evaluate its effect on long term survival.     

Randomised study of tegafur and oral leucovorin versus intravenous 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

This randomised, open-label trial compared oral tegafur (FT)/leucovorin (LV) with the intravenous bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/LV as first-line chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients were randomised to receive oral FT 750 mg/m2/day for 21 days and LV 15 mg/m2 every 8 h in cycles repeated every 28 days (n=114), or intravenous LV 20 mg/m2 followed by 5-FU 425 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 4 weeks for 2 cycles, and later every 5 weeks (n=123). Response rate was significantly higher in the FT/LV arm (27%, 95% CI 19-35) than in the 5-FU/LV arm (13%, 95% CI 7-19) (p<0.004). The median time to progression was 5.9 months (95% CI, 5.3-6.5; FT/LV arm) and 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.4-6.9; 5-FU/LV arm). Median overall survival was 12.4 months (95% CI, 10.3-14.5 months; FT/LV arm) and 12.2 months (95% CI, 8.9-15.7 months; 5-FU/LV arm) (p=n.s.; hazard ratio FT/LV:5-FU/LV=1.02). 5-FU/LV showed a higher incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia (4.1 vs. 0%). Non-hematological toxicities showed similar incidences in the two treatment arms. Oral FT/LV was more active than IV 5-FU/LV in terms of objective response rate with similar overall survival, and with a favorable toxicity profile. This makes FT/LV a valid alternative to the IV 5-FU schedule in CRC patients.