Novel pathogenic variants in an Indian cohort with epidermolysis bullosa: Expanding the genotypic spectrum

BackgroundEpidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genodermatosis characterized by skin fragility and blisters with variable severity. Patients with Dystrophic EB (DEB) or Junctional EB (JEB) mainly present to clinic due to greater functional impairment. Pathogenic sequence variations in COL7A1 are implicated in DEB.ObjectiveWe have tried to decipher the molecular spectrum and genotype phenotype correlation of 21 Indian patients with EB.MethodsNext generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to determine the pathogenic variants. Sanger sequencing was also done for validation of the variants in eleven individuals.ResultsPathogenic variants were detected in 20 individuals (diagnostic yield of 95%). Majority of them (90%) had sequence variation in COL7A1 while two had pathogenic variants in ITGB4 and KRT14 respectively. Out of the 18 patients confirmed to have DEB, 3 had Dominant DEB (DDEB) whereas 15 patients had Recessive DEB (RDEB). Amongst 23 sequence variations identified, 12 were found to be novel (3 were missense, 5 were premature termination codon variants while 4 were splice-site changes).ConclusionGenotype phenotype correlation was noted with milder manifestations in those with dominant inheritance types. Exact molecular diagnosis can be ascertained by NGS in majority of cases.     

Effects of probiotics on gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer: A protocol of randomized controlled trial

Background:Gastrointestinal complications and malnutrition are common problems that affect postoperative rehabilitation and survival of patients with esophageal cancer. Evidence has shown that probiotics have a positive effect on improving gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery, but there is a lack of prospective studies on this topic. We designed this prospective randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of probiotics on gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status in patients with postoperative esophageal cancer.Methods:This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our hospital. 192 patients will be randomly divided into probiotics group and the placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. After operation, probiotics and placebo will be given orally for 8 weeks. The indexes of nutritional status and incidence of digestive tract complications will be recorded and the data will be analyzed by SPSS 18.0 software.Discussion:This study will evaluate the effect of probiotics on gastrointestinal complications and nutritional status of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer. The results of this study will provide clinical basis for the use of probiotics in postoperative treatment of esophageal cancer.Trial registration:OSF Registration number: D DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QHW86     

Differences in Evidentiary Requirements Between European Medicines Agency and European Health Technology Assessment of Oncology Drugs—Can Alignment Be Enhanced?

ObjectivesNational health technology assessments (HTAs) across Europe show differences in evidentiary requirements from assessments by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), affecting time to patient access for drugs after marketing authorization. This article analyzes the differences between EMA and HTA bodies’ evidentiary requirements for oncology drugs and provides recommendations on potential further alignment to minimize and optimally manage the remaining differences.MethodsInterviews were performed with representatives and drug assessment experts from EMA and HTA bodies to identify evidentiary requirements for several subdomains and collect recommendations for potentially more efficiently addressing differences. A comparative analysis of acceptability of the evidence by EMA and the HTA bodies and for potential further alignment between both authorities was conducted.ResultsAcceptability of available evidence was higher for EMA than HTA bodies. HTA bodies and EMA were aligned on evidentiary requirements in most cases. The subdomains showing notable differences concerned the acceptance of limitation of the target population and extrapolation of target populations, progression-free survival and (other) surrogate endpoints as outcomes, cross-over designs, short trial duration, and clinical relevance of the effect size. Recommendations for reducing or optimally managing differences included joint early dialogues, joint relative effectiveness assessments, and the use of managed entry agreements.ConclusionsDifferences between assessments of EMA and HTA bodies were identified in important areas of evidentiary requirements. Increased alignment between EMA and HTA bodies is suggested and recommendations for realization are discussed.     

Survival and Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Stratified by Transplant Status 2007-2018: Retrospective Analysis from the Canadian Myeloma Research Group Database

BackgroundConsiderable progress has been made in therapeutic options for multiple myeloma (MM). Understanding the current landscape of MM treatment options and associated outcomes in the real world is important in providing key insights into clinical and knowledge gaps which could be targeted for further optimization.MethodsThe Canadian Myeloma Research Group Database (CMRG-DB) is a prospectively maintained disease-specific database with >7000 patients. The objective of this study was to describe the trends in the treatment landscape and outcomes including early mortality, time to next treatment, and overall survival (OS) in each line of treatment stratified by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) receipt among newly-diagnosed MM patients in Canada between 2007 and 2018.ResultsA total of 5154 patients were identified among which 3030 patients (58.8%) received an upfront ASCT and 2124 (41.2%) did not. At diagnosis, the median age was 64 years and 58.6% were males. Bortezomib and lenalidomide were most frequently used (>50%) in first and second-line treatment respectively among both the ASCT and non-ASCT cohort. The median OS was 122.0 months (95% Cl 115.0-135.0 months) and 54.3 months (95% CI 50.8-58.8 months) for the ASCT and non-ASCT cohort respectively with an incremental decrease in OS in each subsequent line of treatment.ConclusionWe present the largest study to date in the Canadian landscape showing the characteristics, therapy usage, and outcomes among MM patients. This information will be critical in benchmarking current outcomes and provide key insight into areas of unmet needs and gaps for improvement of MM patients nationally.     

胃癌雌激素受体表达及新一代抗受体药物在胃癌治疗中的探讨

目的　探讨胃癌雌激素受体 (ER)实际表达率 ,为临床使用新一代抗ER药物 (toremifene ,TOR)治疗胃癌提供临床病理依据。方法　用免疫组化法对 349例胃癌标本进行ER的检测 ,其中 2 99例用ABC(avidinbiotinperoxidasecomplex)法 ,5 0例用葡聚糖聚合物技术二步法进行检测。在检测ER的同时也检测 p5 3及PCNA的表达。结果　两种检测方法的ER阳性率分别为 2 .3% (7/ 2 99)及 0 % (0 / 5 0 ) ,p5 3阳性率 37.1% (111/ 2 99)及 4 6 %(2 3/ 5 0 ) ,PCNA 94 .3% (2 82 / 2 99)及 96 % (48/ 5 0 )。结论　胃癌细胞可表达ER但实际表达率很低 ,而且存在质和量的变化。tamoxifen (TAM )及TOR的抗胃癌效应需要进一步研究     

高脂血症患者血小板体积及有关参数的研究

本文报道242例高脂血症患者血小板(PLT)、平均血小板数(MPLT)及平均血小板体积(MPV)等参数的测定结果,其中高胆固醇并高甘油三酯患者,PLT、MPLT及巨大血小板比例(Macro-PLT)高于正常,MPV正常;而单纯高胆固醇或高甘油三酯患者,上述指标与正常人无显著性差异。提示高胆固醇并高甘油三酯患者,存在血小板生成动力学异常,其血小板的破坏增加,生成率加速、但处于一种高水平的动态平衡之中。这可能是高脂血症出现高凝状态的原因之一。同时表明此类患者使用抗血小板疗法具有一定的合理性和必要性。