Higher Preimplantation Opioid Doses Associated With Long‐Term Spinal Cord Stimulation Failure in 211 Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

ObjectiveSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). We studied the effect of preimplantation opioid use on SCS outcome and the effect of SCS on opioid use during a two-year follow-up period.Materials and methodsThe study cohort included 211 consecutive FBSS patients who underwent an SCS trial from January 1997 to March 2014. Participants were divided into groups, which were as follows: 1) SCS trial only (n = 47), 2) successful SCS (implanted and in use throughout the two-year follow-up period, n = 131), and 3) unsuccessful SCS (implanted but later explanted or revised due to inadequate pain relief, n = 29). Patients who underwent explantation for other reasons (n = 4) were excluded. Opioid purchase data from January 1995 to March 2016 were retrieved from national registries.ResultsHigher preimplantation opioid doses associated with unsuccessful SCS (ROC: AUC = 0.66, p = 0.009), with 35 morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day as the optimal cutoff value. All opioids were discontinued in 23% of patients with successful SCS, but in none of the patients with unsuccessful SCS (p = 0.004). Strong opioids were discontinued in 39% of patients with successful SCS, but in none of the patients with unsuccessful SCS (p = 0.04). Mean opioid dose escalated from 18 ± 4 MME/day to 36 ± 6 MME/day with successful SCS and from 22 ± 8 MME/day to 82 ± 21 MME/day with unsuccessful SCS (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigher preimplantation opioid doses were associated with SCS failure, suggesting the need for opioid tapering before implantation. With continuous SCS therapy and no explantation or revision due to inadequate pain relief, 39% of FBSS patients discontinued strong opioids, and 23% discontinued all opioids. This indicates that SCS should be considered before detrimental dose escalation.     

Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of SCB01A,a Microtubule Inhibitor with Vascular Disrupting Activity,in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Lessons Learned

• SCB01A is a novel microtubule inhibitor with vascular disrupting activity.
• This first‐in‐human study demonstrated SCB01A safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity.
• SCB01A is safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced solid malignancies with manageable neurotoxicity.

BackgroundSCB01A, a novel microtubule inhibitor, has vascular disrupting activity.MethodsIn this phase I dose‐escalation and extension study, patients with advanced solid tumors were administered intravenous SCB01A infusions for 3 hours once every 21 days. Rapid titration and a 3 + 3 design escalated the dose from 2 mg/m² to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) based on dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT). SCB01A‐induced cellular neurotoxicity was evaluated in dorsal root ganglion cells. The primary endpoint was MTD. Safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and tumor response were secondary endpoints.ResultsTreatment‐related adverse events included anemia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy. DLTs included grade 4 elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in the 4 mg/m² cohort; grade 3 gastric hemorrhage in the 6.5 mg/m² cohort; grade 2 thromboembolic event in the 24 mg/m² cohort; and grade 3 peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, grade 3 elevated aspartate aminotransferase, and grade 3 hypertension in the 32 mg/m² cohort. The MTD was 24 mg/m², and average half‐life was ~2.5 hours. The area under the curve‐dose response relationship was linear. Nineteen subjects were stable after two cycles. The longest treatment lasted 24 cycles. SCB01A‐induced neurotoxicity was reversible in vitro.ConclusionThe MTD of SCB01A was 24 mg/m² every 21 days; it is safe and tolerable in patients with solid tumors.     

三阴性乳腺癌治疗的研究进展

三阴性乳腺癌（triple negative breast cancer，TNBC）是雌激素受体(estrogen receptor，ER)、孕激素受体（progesterone receptor，PR）及人类表皮生长因子受体（human epidermal growth factor-2,HER-2）均不表达的乳腺癌。按其功能特征可归纳为5类分子分型:以DNA修复缺陷或生长因子为途径的基底细胞样三阴性乳腺癌；以上皮-间充质转化和肿瘤干细胞为特征的间质样三阴性乳腺癌；免疫调节型三阴性乳腺癌；雄激素受体过表达的管腔／分泌型三阴性乳腺癌；HER-2富集型三阴性乳腺癌。三阴性乳腺癌恶性程度高且异型性较大，其治疗困难且预后较差，内分泌治疗及靶向治疗不敏感。目前很多学者对于三阴性乳腺癌的治疗各有研究，并有临床试验证实下述治疗有效。     

Glucose starvation induces resistance to metformin through the elevation of mitochondrial multidrug resistance protein 1

Metformin, a drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus, has shown therapeutic effects for various cancers. However, it had no beneficial effects on the survival rate of human malignant mesothelioma (HMM) patients. The present study was performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of metformin resistance in HMM cells. Glucose‐starved HMM cells had enhanced resistance to metformin, demonstrated by decreased apoptosis and autophagy and increased cell survival. These cells showed abnormalities in mitochondria, such as decreased ATP synthesis, morphological elongation, altered mitochondrial permeability transition pore and hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Intriguingly, Mdr1 was significantly upregulated in mitochondria but not in cell membrane. The upregulated mitochondrial Mdr1 was reversed by treatment with carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazone, an MMP depolarization inducer. Furthermore, apoptosis and autophagy were increased in multidrug resistance protein 1 knockout HMM cells cultured under glucose starvation with metformin treatment. The data suggest that mitochondrial Mdr1 plays a critical role in the chemoresistance to metformin in HMM cells, which could be a potential target for improving its therapeutic efficacy.     

A basal‐enriched microRNA is required for prostate tumorigenesis in a Pten knockout mouse model

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in prostate cancer development. However, it remains unclear how individual miRNAs contribute to the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. Here we show that a basal layer‐enriched miRNA is required for prostate tumorigenesis. We identify miR‐205 as the most highly expressed miRNA and enriched in the basal cells of the prostate. Although miR‐205 is not required for normal prostate development and homeostasis, genetic deletion of miR‐205 in a Pten null tumor model significantly compromises tumor progression and does not promote metastasis. In Pten null basal cells, loss of miR‐205 attenuates pAkt levels and promotes cellular senescence. Furthermore, although overexpression of miR‐205 in prostate cancer cells with luminal phenotypes inhibits cell growth in both human and mouse, miR‐205 has a minimal effect on the growth of a normal human prostate cell line. Taken together, we have provided genetic evidence for a requirement of miR‐205 in the progression of Pten null‐induced prostate cancer.     

Lymphoplasmacytic plaque in children: Case report and literature review

We report a case of benign lymphoplasmacytic plaque (LPP) in a child. These asymptomatic erythematous papulonodular lesions are an emerging clinicopathological entity. Herein, we describe a previously unreported site for LPP lesions, namely, the volar wrist and the distal ipsilateral palm.     

疏血通脉汤联合傍针刺对中风后肩手综合征患者肢体痉挛、血液流变学及活动能力的影响

目的:探讨疏血通脉汤联合傍针刺治疗中风后肩手综合征(shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke,SHSAS)的临床疗效,并观察其对患者上肢肢体痉挛程度、血液流变学以及上肢活动能力的影响。方法:110例痰瘀阻络型SHSAS患者按照随机数字表法分为对照组与联合组,每组55例。两组患者均给予神经内科常规药物和肢体功能康复训练治疗。对照组联合傍针刺法治疗,联合组在对照组治疗基础上给予疏血通脉汤。两组患者均以4周为1个疗程,治疗1个疗程。记录比较两组患者治疗前后上肢肢体痉挛程度(Ashworth)、上肢活动能力(FMA)、肩手综合征量表(shoulder hand syndrome scale,SHSS)、视觉模拟评分(visual simulation scoring,VAS)、中医证候评分,高切全血黏度、低切全血黏度、血浆黏度和血小板聚集率等血液流变学指标,并比较治疗效果。结果:联合组有效率为96.36%,对照组有效率为83.64%,两组患者有效率比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,联合组高切全血黏度、低切全血黏度、血浆黏度与血小板聚集率水平均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);联合组Ashworth评分低于对照组、上肢FMA评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);联合组SHSS评分和中医证候评分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);联合组VAS评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:疏血通脉汤联合傍针刺治疗SHSAS患者疗效显著,能有效改善患者血液流变学,缓解疼痛程度和上肢痉挛,提高上肢活动能力。