Insecticide-Treated Plastic Sheeting for Emergency Malaria Prevention and Shelter among Displaced Populations: An Observational Cohort Study in a Refugee Setting in Sierra Leone

Abstract. A double-blind phase III malaria prevention trial was conducted in two refugee camps using pre-manufactured insecticide-treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) or untreated polyethylene sheeting (UPS) randomly deployed to defined sectors of each camp. In Largo camp the ITPS or UPS was attached to inner walls and ceilings of shelters, whereas in Tobanda the ITPS or UPS was used to line only the ceiling and roof. In Largo the Plasmodium falciparum incidence rate in children up to 3 years of age who were cleared of parasites and monitored for 8 months was 163/100 person-years under UPS and 63 under ITPS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.33-0.47). In Tobanda incidence was 157/100 person-years under UPS and 134 under ITPS (AOR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75-0.95). Protective efficacy was 61% under fully lined ITPS and 15% under roof lined ITPS. Anemia rates improved under ITPS in both camps. This novel tool proved to be a convenient, safe, and long-lasting method of malaria control when used as a full shelter lining in an emergency setting.     

Human papillomavirus DNA detection and histological findings in women referred for atypical glandular cells or adenocarcinoma in situ in their Pap smears

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection and histological diagnosis in women referred for atypical glandular cells (AGC) or adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) at Pap smear. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 146 women referred for AGC (124), AGC with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (15), or AIS (7) were tested for HPV DNA using Hybrid Capture II (HC II). All women underwent colposcopic examination, and cervical biopsy was performed for 95 patients. Fifty-one women referred due to AGC with normal colposcopy and normal second Pap smear were scheduled for control visits every 4 months. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 38%. HPV DNA was detected in 93% of the women with HSIL associated with AGC and in 71% of women with AIS Pap smear, being significantly higher when compared with the prevalence (29%) in women with AGC alone. Forty-five women (30.8%) had clinically significant histological lesions (CIN 2 or worse). High-risk HPV DNA was detected in only 16% of the women without significant abnormalities in biopsy, in contrast to 96% of those who had CIN 2 or CIN 3 and 75% of women with AIS. Eighty-five percent of women with invasive cervical carcinoma (squamous or adenocarcinoma) tested positive for HPV DNA. HPV DNA detection was significantly associated with histological diagnosis of CIN 2 or worse, with an odds ratio (OR) = 51.8 (95% CI 14.3-199.9). CONCLUSION: HPV DNA detection was strongly associated with the severity of cervical lesion (CIN 2 or worse) in women referred for AGC or AIS in their Pap smear. These data implicate the use of HPV testing in triage of women with AGC Pap smears.     

GSTP1 and ABCB1 Polymorphisms Predicting Toxicities and Clinical Management on Carboplatin and Paclitaxel‐Based Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

Variation in drug disposition genes might contribute to susceptibility to toxicities and interindividual differences in clinical management on chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This study was designed to explore the association of GST and ABCB1 genetic variation with hematologic and neurologic toxicity, changes in chemotherapy, and disease prognosis in Brazilian women with EOC. A total of 112 women with a confirmed histological diagnosis of EOC treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel were enrolled (2014–2019). The samples were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes. GSTP1 (c.313A>G/rs1695) and ABCB1 (c.1236C>T/rs1128503; c.3435C>T/rs1045642; c.2677G>T>A/rs2032582) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by real‐time PCR. Subjects with the GSTP1 c.313A>G had reduced risk of anemia (odds ratio (OR): 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04–0.69, P = 0.01, dominant model) and for thrombocytopenia (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12–0.64, P < 0.01; OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.03–0.85, P = 0.03, either dominant or recessive model), respectively. The GSTP1 c.313A>G AG genotype was associated with a lower risk of dose delay (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13–0.90, P = 0.03). The ABCB1 c.1236C>T was associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.82, P = 0.03), whereas ABCB1 c.3435C>T had increased risk of grade 2 and 3 neurotoxicity (OR: 3.61, 95% CI: 1.08–121.01, P = 0.03) in recessive model (CC + CT vs. TT). This study suggests that GSTP1 c.313A>G, ABCB1 c.1236C>T, and c.3435C>T SNP detection is a potential predictor of hematological toxicity and neurotoxicity and could help predict the clinical management of women with EOC.

Study Highlights

• WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC?

Variation in drug disposition genes encoding drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters might contribute to susceptibility to toxicities and interindividual differences in clinical management such as the need to delay, reduce, or discontinue treatment.

• WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS?

We studied the association of GST and ABCB1 genetic variation with hematologic and neurologic toxicity, clinical management, and disease prognosis in Brazilian women with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) who undergo carboplatin and paclitaxel‐based chemotherapy.

• WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE?

GSTP1 c.313A>G is a potential predictor of anemia and thrombocytopenia and associated with a lower risk of dose delay during chemotherapy. In addition, ABCB1 c.1236C>T and c.3435C>T is associated with a higher risk of thrombocytopenia and neurotoxicity.

• HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE?

The polymorphism detection could be a strategy to careful monitoring of patients at increased risk of toxicity and appropriate supportive therapy could decrease the need for changes in treatment, thus improving the likelihood of a beneficial treatment response in women with EOC.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common cause of gynecological cancer death, largely due to the advanced stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. ¹ Standard first‐line treatment is cytoreductive surgery and subsequent chemotherapy using a combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and residual tumor resection. ² Despite a high response rate to chemotherapy, ~ 70% of the women have a relapse within the subsequent 3 years. ³ Platinum and taxane‐based chemotherapy are often associated with severe hematological toxicities, such as anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. ⁴ In addition, neuropathy is a dose‐limiting side effect of paclitaxel. ⁵ , ⁶ Interindividual differences in carboplatin and paclitaxel toxicity may be associated with polymorphisms in genes encoding drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters, including GSTs and ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters like ABCB1. ⁴ , ⁷ , ⁸ , ⁹ The GSTs are a family of phase II enzymes involved in detoxification of xenobiotics by conjugation reactions between glutathione and endogenous and exogenous electrophilic compounds, such as chemotherapeutic drugs, including the platinum agents. The GST family consists of several gene subfamilies of which GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 are the most relevant for drug metabolism. ¹⁰ , ¹¹ Functional GSTM1 and GSTT1 enzymes are directly related with the presence of the intact genes, because the absence of activity is the result of a 15 kb and 54 kb deletions that span the entire GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes (GSTM1‐null and GSTT1‐null genotypes), respectively. Consequently, individuals homozygous for the GSTM1 or GSTT1‐null allele have a complete absence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 activity, whereas individuals with two copies of the GSTM1 or GSTT1 genes have reference protein levels. ¹² , ¹³ There is some evidence that these deletion genotypes may play a role in toxicity, response to treatment, and survival in some cancers, ¹⁴ , ¹⁵ , ¹⁶ including cancer of the ovary. ⁸ In contrast to the commonly studied GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes, the GSTP1 c.313A>G (rs1695) is an exonic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that causes an amino acid substitution and results in an isoleucine to valine (Ile > Val) change at codon 105 of the enzyme. The highest level of GSTP1 activity is seen in individuals with the AA genotype (Ile/Ile) and is associated with increased toxicity in different carcinomas, but there are discordant results regarding the effect of GSTP1 c.313A>G on treatment outcomes. ⁹ , ¹⁷ , ¹⁸ , ¹⁹ , ²⁰ Polymorphisms in ABCB1 or multidrug resistance 1 may affect the function of P‐glycoprotein, a critical transporter for efflux of paclitaxel from cells. ²¹ , ²² Three SNPs in the coding region of ABCB1 (c.1236C>T, rs1128503; c.3435C>T, rs1045642; and c.2677G>T>A, rs2032582) have been extensively studied. ²³ , ²⁴ These common ABCB1 SNPs have been associated with toxicity during carboplatin and paclitaxel‐based chemotherapy, including increased risk of anemia in carriers of the c.1236C>T SNP, a more pronounced neutrophil decrease in patients carrying the c.3435C>T and c.2677G>T>A SNPs and increased risk of peripheral neuropathy associated with the c.3435C>T SNP. ¹⁸ , ²⁵ , ²⁶ Similar to studies of GST polymorphisms, the associations of ABCB1 genetic variation with treatment outcomes is inconsistent across studies. ²⁷ , ²⁸ Patients developing severe toxicities often require dose reduction, dose delay, or treatment interruption that require clinical interventions and may affect the disease prognosis. ⁴ However, no study has been found so far focus on regarding the utility of polymorphisms in the management of chemotherapy and toxicities for ovarian cancer. The current study was designed to examine the association of GST and ABCB1 genetic variants with hematologic and neurologic toxicities, clinical management on chemotherapy, and disease prognosis in Brazilian women with EOC.     

Factors associated with HPV persistence after treatment for high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) persistence after high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) removal may be associated with residual lesions or risk of disease recurrence. Knowledge regarding the factors associated with HPV persistence following CIN treatment is still limited. The main purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess the association between characteristics of the patients and their cervical lesions with high-risk HPV-type persistence, detected by commercially available Hybrid Capture II (HC II), after CIN 2 and 3 treatment with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). STUDY DESIGN: For this cohort study, a total of 94 women submitted to LLETZ between March 2001 and September 2002 were included. Only women with at least one follow-up visit at 6 or 12 months and confirmed CIN 2 or 3 in the cone specimen were considered. In each visit women answered to a questionnaire and undertook Pap smear and HC II specimens collection. McNemar's, chi-square and Fisher tests were used for univariate analysis. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used for multivariate analysis. All calculations were performed within 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Histological evaluation showed 12 (13%) women with CIN, 2 and 82 (87%) with CIN 3 and conization margins were compromised in 27 (29%) cases. Eighty-seven (92%) women showed positive HC II tests prior to LLETZ. Of women initially HPV negative, none had a positive HC II during follow-up. The proportion of positive HPV tests was reduced from 92% to 20%(P < 0.01) at the first visit and to 22% (P < 0.01) at the second visit after LLETZ. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking and age above 35 years (irrespective of margin status) were strongly associated with positive HPV during follow-up. CONCLUSION: HPV persistence following LLETZ was associated with smoking and with the interaction between age and conization margins.     

Diagnosis and treatment of obstructive jaundice of non-neoplastic origin]

The results of surgical treatment of 853 patients with obstructive jaundice of non-tumor genesis and initial bilirubin level in the blood of 100 mumol and higher are analysed. Individualization of therapeutic-tactical approach with the use of preoperative diagnosis of the level of obstruction of the bile ducts and severity of the state of a patient, and as well their preoperative decompression with the use of endoscopic methods permit to accomplish a number of measures aimed at reduction of the incidence of purulent-necrotic complications and lethality, improve the long-term results of treatment of the patients with obstructive jaundice.     

Long-term outcomes of concomitant cisplatin plus radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in patients with stage IIIB squamous cervical cancer: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThe present analysis determined the disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) at up to 14 years of follow-up in women who participated in our previous phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial, in which women with stage IIIB squamous cervical cancer received either cisplatin plus RT or RT alone for treatment. The first study showed that the addition of cisplatin to RT offered a significant benefit in DFS, but not in OS.MethodsThe present analysis examined DFS and OS in 146 women from the original cohort (72 patients in the CRT arm and 74 patients in the RT-only arm) with follow-up of up to 14 years.ResultsLonger term follow-up showed that treatment with CRT offers a significant benefit in DFS and OS compared with treatment with RT only. Patients who received RT alone had significantly worse OS (HR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.09–3.24) and DFS (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.07–3.08) compared with patients who received CRT. The multivariate analyses also showed that the patients with baseline Karnofsky performance status (KPS) <90% showed significantly worse OS (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.78–5.43), as did those with hemoglobin <10 mg/dL (HR, 4.32; 95% CI, 2.23–8.36). Patients with baseline KPS < 90% showed significantly worse DFS (HR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.60–5.01), as did those with hemoglobin <10 mg/dL (HR, 4.16; 95% CI, 2.17–7.95).ConclusionsFor stage IIIB cervical cancer, treatment with CRT offers a significant benefit in DFS and OS compared with treatment with RT only.     

Drug addiction is not an independent risk factor for oncogenic human papillomavirus infections or high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: case-control study nested within the Latin American Screening study cohort

Drug abuse (addiction) has been listed among the risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, but no case-control studies exist to rule out sexual behaviour and other potential confounders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of drug addiction as an independent predictor of HR-HPV infections and (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) CIN2+ in an age-matched case-control (1:4) study nested within the prospective Latin American Screening (LAMS) study cohort. All 109 women in the LAMS cohort (n=12,114) reporting drug abuse/addiction were matched with four controls (n = 436) of non-abusers strictly by age. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the co-variates of drug abuse, and the whole series (n=545) was analysed for predictors of HR-HPV and CIN2+ using univariate and multivariate regression models. Oncogenic HPV infections were significantly (P=0.019) more prevalent among abusers (37.7%) than in controls (21.9%), but there was no difference in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (P=0.180) or CIN2+ lesions (P=0.201). In multivariate conditional logistic regression, number of lifetime sexual partners (P=0.0001), ever smokers (P=0.0001), non-use of OCs (P=0.013), ever having sexually transmitted diseases (STD) (P=0.041) and no previous Pap smear (P=0.027) were independent co-variates of drug addiction. Drug abuse was not an independent risk factor of high-risk (HR)-HPV infection, which was significantly predicted by (1) age below 30 years (P=0.045), (2) more than five lifetime sexual partners (P=0.046) and (3) being current smoker (P=0.0001). In multivariate model, only HR-HPV infection was an independent risk factor of CIN2+ (P=0.031), with adjusted OR=11.33 (95% CI 1.25-102.50). These data indicate that drug addiction is not an independent risk factor of either HR-HPV infections or CIN2+, but the increased prevalence of HR-HPV infections is explained by the high-risk sexual behaviour and smoking habits of these women.     

Aided visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and HPV detection as optional screening tools for cervical cancer and its precursor lesions

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To assess the contribution of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and Hybrid Capture II (HCII) as adjunct methods to the Pap test in detecting cervical neoplasia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with 809 women who consecutively attended gynecological consultations at Campinas University, Brazil, from January 2002 to July 2003. Pap test, HCII, VIA, and colposcopy were offered to all patients. Performance of tests (alone or in combination) in detecting histologically confirmed lesions was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients with CIN, 69% had CIN1, 26% CIN2 or CIN3 and one patient had invasive carcinoma. VIA had the best performance in detecting CIN, yielding 72% sensitivity and 91% specificity. Considering only CIN2 or worse as significant lesions, HCII had the best sensitivity (73%), while the Pap test was the most specific (93%). Combining the three exams, 92% of the CIN1 or worse were detected. When CIN1 was excluded from the analysis, Pap smear plus HCII delivered 82% sensitivity and 79% specificity. However, this combination yielded a very low (5%) PPV. CONCLUSION: VIA and HCII contributed to the screening of cervical neoplasia in a group of Brazilian women, but the cost-effectiveness of conjoint screening modalities is still debatable.     

Low efficacy of the combination artesunate plus amodiaquine for uncomplicated falciparum malaria among children under 5 years in Kailahun, Sierra Leone

OBJECTIVE: In 2004, Sierra Leone adopted artesunate plus amodiaquine as first-line antimalarial treatment. We evaluated the efficacy of this combination in Kailahun, where a previous study had shown 70.2% efficacy of amodiaquine in monotherapy. METHODS: Method and outcome classification of the study complied with WHO guidelines. Children 6-59 months with uncomplicated malaria were followed-up for 28 days. PCR genotyping was used to distinguish recrudescence from reinfection. Reinfections were reclassified as cured. RESULTS: Of 172 children who were referred to the study clinic, 126 satisfied inclusion criteria and were enrolled. No early treatment failures were reported. The day 14, efficacy was 98.2% (95% CI: 93.8-99.8). Of 65 recurrent parasitaemias analysed by PCR, 17 were recrudescences. The PCR-adjusted day 28 efficacy was 84.5% (95% CI: 76.4-90.7). All true failures occurred in the last 8 days of follow-up. Of 110 children who completed the 28-day follow-up, 54 (49.1%) experienced a novel infection. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of this combination was disappointing. The high reinfection rate suggested little prophylactic effect. In Kailahun a more efficacious combination might be necessary in the future. The efficacy of AS + AQ needs to be monitored in Kailahun and in the other regions of Sierra Leone.     

Increased detection of clue cells in smears from cervical intraepithelial lesions with reduced expression of COX-2

The relation between the detection of clue cells in cervical smears of women with CIN and the expression of COX-2 in these lesions were determined. Samples from 228 women, treated due to CIN and who underwent cervical conization, were obtained. Hybrid Capture II and Pap smear samples were collected immediately before performing conization. Pathological diagnoses were 11 (5%) normal cervix, 35 (15%) CIN1, 31 (14%) CIN2, and 151 (66%) CIN3. COX-2 immunoreactivity grading on the pathological specimens was based on the German ImmunoReactive score. In cervical smears, 20 fields (40x) were examined, each of them with a minimum count of 10 epithelial cells. When 20% or more of clue cells were detected the sample was considered positive for clue cells. The prevalence of clue cells was similar across histological strata (P = 0.42). Although the expression of COX-2 did not differ in lesions with varying severities (P = 0.24), there was a negative association between the expression of COX-2 and the presence of clue cells in Pap smear (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.9): only 12% of women with moderate and strong expression of COX-2 had clue cells in their smears, contrasted to 22% of those with negative and weak expression of COX-2. HPV infection was associated in a borderline manner to the expression of COX-2 (P = 0.04; OR = 2.3 95% CI = 1.0-5.4). The reduced expression of COX-2 in CIN specimens may suggest that clue cells interfere with the inflammatory component of the carcinogenic process that lead to CIN.