Treatment Sequence Research Articles

Risk stratification in gastric cancer lung metastasis: Utilizing an overall survival nomogram and comparing it with previous staging.

Gastric cancer (GC) is prevalent and aggressive, especially when patients have distant lung metastases, which often places patients into advanced stages. By identifying prognostic variables for lung metastasis in GC patients, it may be possible to construct a good prediction model for both overall survival (OS) and the cumulative incidence prediction (CIP) plot of the tumour. To investigate the predictors of GC with lung metastasis (GCLM) to produce nomograms for OS and generate CIP by using cancer-specific survival (CSS) data. Data from January 2000 to December 2020 involving 1652 patients with GCLM were obtained from the Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program database. The major observational endpoint was OS; hence, patients were separated into training and validation groups. Correlation analysis determined various connections. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses validated the independent predictive factors. Nomogram distinction and calibration were performed with the time-dependent area under the curve (AUC) and calibration curves. To evaluate the accuracy and clinical usefulness of the nomograms, decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed. The clinical utility of the novel prognostic model was compared to that of the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system by utilizing Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI) and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI). Finally, the OS prognostic model and Cox-AJCC risk stratification model modified for the AJCC system were compared. For the purpose of creating the OS nomogram, a CIP plot based on CSS was generated. Cox multivariate regression analysis identified eleven significant prognostic factors (P < 0.05) related to liver metastasis, bone metastasis, primary site, surgery, regional surgery, treatment sequence, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, positive lymph node count, N staging, and time from diagnosis to treatment. It was clear from the DCA (net benefit > 0), time-dependent ROC curve (training/validation set AUC > 0.7), and calibration curve (reliability slope closer to 45 degrees) results that the OS nomogram demonstrated a high level of predictive efficiency. The OS prediction model (New Model AUC = 0.83) also performed much better than the old Cox-AJCC model (AUC difference between the new model and the old model greater than 0) in terms of risk stratification (P < 0.0001) and verification using the IDI and NRI. The OS nomogram for GCLM successfully predicts 1- and 3-year OS. Moreover, this approach can help to appropriately classify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups, thereby guiding treatment.

Research progress on influencing factors affecting the efficacy of moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis.

The article summarizes the relevant factors to the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis, including the origin and storage time of moxa leaves, the time of moxibustion, the numbers of moxa cone, and the temperature when moxibustion is operated. Artemisia mugwort in Qichun county stored for over 3 years is the best regarding its property； and it is recommended for about 40 min in suspended moxibustion； and the heat-sensitive moxibustion is determined when the sensation of moxibustion disappears； and in terms of moxibustion techniques and the numbers of moxa cone, two moxa cones are optimal in warm needling, but the highly applicable duration of moxibustion needs to be confirmed through more high-quality studies. There are few studies on the other influencing factors, such as the specific operation of suspended moxibustion, the angle of knee flexion, treatment sequence, light and smoking factors, moxibustion method and disease staging and type； and the studies are limited in the comparison in terms of the middle-term and long-term efficacy, the comparison of the efficacy among different syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine in patients and the comparison among various frequencies and sessions of treatment. In future, more high-quality clinical trials should be designed to complete the evidence-based regimens and optimize clinical operations.

Craft Brewery Wastewater Treatment in a Scalable Microbial Fuel Cell Stack

Craft breweries release wastewater into the environment, posing serious environmental concerns. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an attractive technology that has been used in industrial wastewater treatment. This study used a scalable system of nine MFCs (stacked) to treat 150 L of craft brewery wastewater (CBW). The CBW had 1831 ± 85 mg COD (chemical oxygen demand) L−1. The hydraulic retention time was 5 days, with a COD removal percentage of 93 ± 1.8%. The total internal resistance of the stack was 204.8 ± 5.2 Ω at 26 ± 2 °C without the use of a metal catalyst; the reduction of oxygen was the limiting process. Finally, the sequence of treatments applied with this proposed system demonstrated its self-sustainability, which could be a viable option for the real-life conditions of this kind of wastewater. Further research is needed.

A multi-center interventional study to assess pharmacokinetics, effectiveness, and tolerability of prolonged-release tacrolimus after pediatric kidney transplantation: study protocol for a prospective, open-label, randomized, two-phase, two-sequence, single dose, crossover, phase III b trial.

Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), is currently the first-line immunosuppressive agent in kidney transplantation. The therapeutic index of tacrolimus is narrow due to due to the substantial impact of minor variations in drug concentration or exposure on clinical outcomes (i.e., nephrotoxicity), and it has a highly variable intra- and inter-individual bioavailability. Non-adherence to immunosuppressants is associated with rejection after kidney transplantation, which is the main cause of long-term graft loss. Once-daily formulations have been shown to significantly improve adherence compared to twice-daily dosing. Envarsus®, the once-daily prolonged-release formulation of tacrolimus, offers the same therapeutic efficacy as the conventional twice-daily immediate-release tacrolimus formulation (Prograf®) with improved bioavailability, a more consistent pharmacokinetic profile, and a reduced peak to trough, which may reduce CNI-related toxicity. Envarsus® has been approved as an immunosuppressive therapy in adults following kidney or liver transplantation but has not yet been approved in children. The objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy, and tolerability of Envarsus® in children and adolescents aged ≥ 8 and ≤ 18 years to assess its potential role as an additional option for immunosuppressive therapy in children after kidney transplantation. The study is designed as a randomized, prospective crossover trial. Each patient undergoes two treatment sequences: sequence 1 includes 4 weeks of Envarsus® and sequence 2 includes 4 weeks of Prograf®. Patients are randomized to either group A (sequence 1, followed by sequence 2) or group B (sequence 2, followed by sequence 1). The primary objective is to assess equivalency between total exposure (of tacrolimus area under the curve concentration (AUC0-24)), immediate-release tacrolimus (Prograf®) therapy, and prolonged-release tacrolimus (Envarsus®) using a daily dose conversion factor of 0.7 for prolonged- versus immediate-release tacrolimus. Secondary objectives are the assessment of pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, adherence, gut microbiome analyses, adverse events (including tacrolimus toxicity and biopsy-proven rejections), biopsy-proven rejections, difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and occurrence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). This study will test the hypothesis that once-daily prolonged-release tacrolimus (Envarsus®) is bioequivalent to twice-daily intermediate-release tacrolimus after pediatric kidney transplantation and may reduce toxicity and facilitate medication adherence. This novel concept may optimize immunosuppressive therapy for more stable graft function and increased graft survival by avoiding T-cell mediated and/or antibody-mediated rejection due to improved adherence. In addition, the study will provide data on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics of prolonged-release tacrolimus in children and adolescents. EUDRA-CT 2019-003710-13 and ClinicalTrial.gov, identifier NCT06057545.

Management of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: rays of hope.

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer death across the world. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the most frequent type of lung cancer and is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Stage III NSCLC, which encompasses 30% of cases, refers to a state between localized and metastatic disease, and is associated with poor prognosis. As highlighted in this review, stage III represents a heterogenous group, whose complex management includes multimodal treatment, discussed below, and requires discussion in multidisciplinary teams. The goal of this approach is a maximalist attitude in these patients with locally advanced and non-metastatic disease. However, many issues remain under debate including the optimal sequences of treatment between different treatment modalities, patient selection particularly for surgery, the duration of perioperative treatments and the identification of biomarkers to determine which patients might benefit of specific treatment like immunotherapy and targeted therapies. This review describes the current landscape of management of stage III NSCLC, discussing the critical issue of resectability, and highlighting the recent advancements in the field, particularly the incorporation of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies in this setting.

Sequence of Epinephrine and Advanced Airway Placement After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

While epinephrine and advanced airway management (AAM) (supraglottic airway insertion and endotracheal intubation) are commonly used for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), the optimal sequence of these interventions remains unclear. To evaluate the association of the sequence of epinephrine administration and AAM with patient outcomes after OHCA. This cohort study analyzed the nationwide, population-based OHCA registry in Japan and included adults (aged ≥18 years) with OHCA for whom emergency medical services personnel administered epinephrine and/or placed an advanced airway between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019. The data analysis was performed between October 1, 2022, and May 12, 2023. The sequence of intravenous epinephrine administration and AAM. The primary outcome was 1-month survival. Secondary outcomes were 1-month survival with favorable functional status and prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. To control imbalances in measured patient demographics, cardiac arrest characteristics, and bystander and prehospital interventions, propensity scores and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed for shockable and nonshockable initial rhythm subcohorts. Of 259 237 eligible patients (median [IQR] age, 79 [69-86] years), 152 289 (58.7%) were male. A total of 21 592 patients (8.3%) had an initial shockable rhythm, and 237 645 (91.7%) had an initial nonshockable rhythm. Using IPTW, all covariates between the epinephrine-first and AAM-first groups were well balanced, with all standardized mean differences less than 0.100. After IPTW, the epinephrine-first group had a higher likelihood of 1-month survival for both shockable (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% CI, 1.09-1.30) and nonshockable (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.37) rhythms compared with the AAM-first group. For the secondary outcomes, the epinephrine-first group experienced an increased likelihood of favorable functional status and prehospital return of spontaneous circulation for both shockable and nonshockable rhythms compared with the AAM-first group. These findings suggest that for patients with OHCA, administration of epinephrine before placement of an advanced airway may be the optimal treatment sequence for improved patient outcomes.

Quantitative systems pharmacology modeling of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer for translational efficacy evaluation and combination assessment across therapeutic modalities

HER2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is highly aggressive and a major threat to human health. Despite the significant improvement in patients’ prognosis given the drug development efforts during the past several decades, many clinical questions still remain to be addressed such as efficacy when combining different therapeutic modalities, best treatment sequences, interindividual variability as well as resistance and potential coping strategies. To better answer these questions, we developed a mechanistic quantitative systems pharmacology model of the pathophysiology of HER2+ mBC that was extensively calibrated and validated against multiscale data to quantitatively predict and characterize the signal transduction and preclinical tumor growth kinetics under different therapeutic interventions. Focusing on the second-line treatment for HER2+ mBC, e.g., antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), small molecule inhibitors/TKI and chemotherapy, the model accurately predicted the efficacy of various drug combinations and dosing regimens at the in vitro and in vivo levels. Sensitivity analyses and subsequent heterogeneous phenotype simulations revealed important insights into the design of new drug combinations to effectively overcome various resistance scenarios in HER2+ mBC treatments. In addition, the model predicted a better efficacy of the new TKI plus ADC combination which can potentially reduce drug dosage and toxicity, while it also shed light on the optimal treatment ordering of ADC versus TKI plus capecitabine regimens, and these findings were validated by new in vivo experiments. Our model is the first that mechanistically integrates multiple key drug modalities in HER2+ mBC research and it can serve as a high-throughput computational platform to guide future model-informed drug development and clinical translation.

Inflammation-related molecular signatures involved in the anticancer activities of brigatinib as well as the prognosis of EML4-ALK lung adenocarcinoma patient.

Although ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) have shown remarkable benefits in EML4-ALK positive NSCLC patients compared to conventional chemotherapy, the optimal sequence of ALK-TKIs treatment remains unclear due to the emergence of primary and acquired resistance and the lack of potential prognostic biomarkers. In this study, we systematically explored the validity of sequential ALK inhibitors (alectinib, lorlatinib, crizotinib, ceritinib and brigatinib) for a heavy-treated patient with EML4-ALK fusion via developing an in vitro and in vivo drug testing system based on patient-derived models. Based on the patient-derived models and clinical responses of the patient, we found that crizotinib might inhibit proliferation of EML4-ALK positive tumors resistant to alectinib and lorlatinib. In addition, NSCLC patients harboring the G1269A mutation, which was identified in alectinib, lorlatinib and crizotinib-resistant NSCLC, showed responsiveness to brigatinib and ceritinib. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that brigatinib suppressed the activation of multiple inflammatory signaling pathways, potentially contributing to its anti-tumor activity. Moreover, we constructed a prognostic model based on the expression of IL6, CXCL1, and CXCL5, providing novel perspectives for predicting prognosis in EML4-ALK positive NSCLC patients. In summary, our results delineate clinical responses of sequential ALK-TKIs treatments and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the superior effects of brigatinib in patients harboring ALKG1269A mutation and resistant towards alectinib, lorlatinib and crizotinib. The molecular signatures model based on the combination of IL6, CXCL1 and CXCL5 has the potential to predict prognosis of EML4-ALK positive NSCLC patients.

Substantial decrease of PFAS with anion exchange resin treatment – A clinical cross-over trial

BackgroundPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are heat and stain resisting chemicals. They are persistent, bioaccumulating and spread ubiquitously. Many hotspots where humans are exposed to high levels of PFAS have been reported. A few small observational studies in humans suggest that treatment with an Anion Exchange Resin (AER) decreases serum PFAS. This first clinical controlled crossover study aimed to assess whether AER decreases perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in highly exposed adults. MethodsAn open label 1:1 randomized treatment sequence crossover study with allocation to oral AER (cholestyramine 4 g three times daily) or observation for 12 weeks was conducted among citizens from a PFAS hotspot. Main inclusion criteria was serum PFOS > 21 ng/mL. Primary endpoint was change in serum PFOS levels between treatment and observational period. ResultsIn total, 45 participants were included with a mean age of 50 years (SD 13). Serum PFOS baseline median was 191 ng/mL (IQR: 129–229) and decreased with a mean of 115 ng/mL (95 % CI: 89–140) on treatment, and 4.3 ng/mL in observation period corresponding to a decrease of 60 % (95 % CI: 53–67; p < 0.0001). PFHxS, PFOA, PFNA and PFDA decreased during treatment between 15 and 44 %. No serious adverse events were reported. ConclusionsOral treatment with AER significantly lowered serum PFOS concentrations suggesting a possible treatment for enhancing elimination of PFOS in highly exposed adults.

Molecular-guided therapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory childhood cancers: a Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium trial

BackgroundChildren with relapsed central nervous system (CNS tumors), neuroblastoma, sarcomas, and other rare solid tumors face poor outcomes. This prospective clinical trial examined the feasibility of combining genomic and transcriptomic profiling of tumor samples with a molecular tumor board (MTB) approach to make real‑time treatment decisions for children with relapsed/refractory solid tumors.MethodsSubjects were divided into three strata: stratum 1—relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma; stratum 2—relapsed/refractory CNS tumors; and stratum 3—relapsed/refractory rare solid tumors. Tumor samples were sent for tumor/normal whole-exome (WES) and tumor whole-transcriptome (WTS) sequencing, and the genomic data were used in a multi-institutional MTB to make real‑time treatment decisions. The MTB recommended plan allowed for a combination of up to 4 agents. Feasibility was measured by time to completion of genomic sequencing, MTB review and initiation of treatment. Response was assessed after every two cycles using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Patient clinical benefit was calculated by the sum of the CR, PR, SD, and NED subjects divided by the sum of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), no evidence of disease (NED), and progressive disease (PD) subjects. Grade 3 and higher related and unexpected adverse events (AEs) were tabulated for safety evaluation.ResultsA total of 186 eligible patients were enrolled with 144 evaluable for safety and 124 evaluable for response. The average number of days from biopsy to initiation of the MTB-recommended combination therapy was 38 days. Patient benefit was exhibited in 65% of all subjects, 67% of neuroblastoma subjects, 73% of CNS tumor subjects, and 60% of rare tumor subjects. There was little associated toxicity above that expected for the MGT drugs used during this trial, suggestive of the safety of utilizing this method of selecting combination targeted therapy.ConclusionsThis trial demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a comprehensive sequencing model to guide personalized therapy for patients with any relapsed/refractory solid malignancy. Personalized therapy was well tolerated, and the clinical benefit rate of 65% in these heavily pretreated populations suggests that this treatment strategy could be an effective option for relapsed and refractory pediatric cancers.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02162732. Prospectively registered on June 11, 2014.

Safety and effectiveness of the radium-223-taxane treatment sequence in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in a global observational study (REASSURE).

Radium-223 and taxane chemotherapy each improve survival of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Whether the radium-223-taxane sequence could extend survival without cumulative toxicity was explored. The global, prospective, observational REASSURE study (NCT02141438) assessed real-world safety and effectiveness of radium-223 in patients with mCRPC. Using data from the prespecified second interim analysis (data cutoff, March 20, 2019), hematologic events and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in patients who were chemotherapy-naive at radium-223 initiation and subsequently received taxane chemotherapy starting ≤90days ("immediate") or >90days ("delayed") after the last radium-223 dose. Following radium-223 therapy, 182 patients received docetaxel (172 [95%]) and/or cabazitaxel (44 [24%]); 34 patients (19%) received both. Seventy-three patients (40%) received immediate chemotherapy and 109 patients (60%) received delayed chemotherapy. Median time from last radium-223 dose to first taxane cycle was 3.6months (range, 0.3-28.4). Median duration of first taxane was 3.7months (range, 0-22.0). Fourteen patients (10 in the immediate and four in the delayed subgroup) had grade 3/4 hematologic events during taxane chemotherapy, including neutropenia in two patients in the delayed subgroup and thrombocytopenia in one patient in each subgroup. Median OS was 24.3months from radium-223 initiation and 11.8months from start of taxane therapy. In real-world clinical practice settings, a heterogeneous population of patients who received sequential radium-223-taxane therapy had a low incidence of hematologic events, with a median survival of 1year from taxane initiation. Thus, taxane chemotherapy is a feasible option for those who progress after radium-223. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02141438. Radium-223 and chemotherapy are treatment options for metastatic prostate cancer, which increase survival but may affect production of blood cells as a side effect. We wanted to know what would happen if patients received chemotherapy after radium-223. Among the 182 men treated with radium-223 who went on to receive chemotherapy, only two men had severe side effects affecting white blood cell production (neutropenia) during chemotherapy. On average, the 182 men lived for 2years after starting radium-223 and 1year after starting chemotherapy. In conclusion, patients may benefit from chemotherapy after radium-223 treatment without increasing the risk of side effects.

Associations between pancreatectomy type, treatment sequence and textbook oncologic outcomes in patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BackgroundPrior studies have shown that achievement of textbook oncologic outcomes (TOO) after pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with better survival outcomes. However, the associations between TOO, procedure type, and treatment sequence has not been examined. MethodsPatients with resected PDAC were identified within the National Cancer Database (2010–2018). We analyzed rates of TOO (defined as no 30-day readmission, no 90-day mortality, no prolonged length of stay, negative surgical margins, receipt of multi-agent chemotherapy, and nodal yield ≥12) stratified by procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy vs. distal pancreatectomy vs. total pancreatectomy) and treatment sequence (up-front surgery vs. neoadjuvant therapy). ResultsA total of 20,155 patients were identified. Patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy were less likely to have TOO compared to pancreatoduodenectomy (12.6% vs. 17.5%; OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.68–0.88). There was no difference in TOO between patients who underwent total pancreatectomy compared to pancreatoduodenectomy (16.4% vs. 17.5%; OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.84–1.11). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a 5-fold increase in the odds of TOO (OR=5.07, 95% CI: 4.35–5.91). TOO was associated with improved OS regardless of surgical procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy: median OS: 33.7 vs. 20.5mo; HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.65–0.73; distal pancreatectomy: median OS: 35.8 vs. 23.9mo; HR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.64–0.84; total pancreatectomy: median OS: 30.1 vs. 19.9mo; HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.61–0.79). ConclusionsThe rate of TOO was lower for distal pancreatectomy as compared to pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy. Neoadjuvant therapy was associated with higher likelihood of TOO. Regardless of pancreatectomy type, TOO was associated with improved OS.

Transformation of G1-G2 neuroendocrine tumors to neuroendocrine carcinomas following peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

We observed that some patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET) who received peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with Lutetium-177 (177Lu) DOTATATE developed rapid disease progression with biopsy-proven histologic transformation to neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), an outcome that has not been previously described. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective review of all patients with well-differentiated G1-G2 NET who received at least one cycle of PRRT with (177Lu) DOTATATE at our center from January 2019 to December 2020. Among 152 patients, we identified 7 patients whose NET transformed to NEC. Median time from start of PRRT to transformation was 8.2 months (range: 2.6-14.4 months). All patients whose tumors underwent transformation had pancreatic tail as the primary site and had prior chemotherapy with temozolomide. No differences in the incidence of transformation were observed according to gender, race, original tumor grade, or number of prior therapies. Six patients received treatment with platinum and etoposide after transformation with two patients having partial response as best response. All patients with transformation died from progressive disease with median overall survival (OS) after transformation of 3.3 months (95% CI 2.1-4.4). Molecular testing of transformed NEC identified mutation(s) in TP53 and/or ATM in all cases. Transformation of NET to NEC following PRRT is associated with aggressive course and dismal prognosis. Patients with pancreatic tail as the primary site who had prior therapy with temozolomide may be at a higher risk. Further investigation is necessary to determine the best treatment sequence in this patient population.

Effect of Hemodialysis with Medium Cut-Off versus High-Flux Membranes on Endothelial Function of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is considered a marker of vascular complications, especially in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Inflammation and the uremic state contribute to ED in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Recently, the medium cut-off (MCO) dialysis membrane has been proposed to efficiently remove inflammatory cytokines and large, middle-sized uremic toxins, with the potential effect to improve endothelial function. This study aimed to compare the effect of dialysis with MCO or high-flux membranes on the endothelial function of patients on chronic HD. Methods: A prospective, randomized, crossover study in which 32 patients with ESKD were dialyzed for 12 weeks with each membrane, including a 4-week washout period between treatments. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using brachial artery ultrasound at weeks 1, 12, 16, and 28. Results: The population consisted of 59% men, 52.7 ± 13.4 years, 16% non-black, on HD for 8.8 (4.1–15.1) years, and 72% with arteriovenous fistula. Hypertension was the most common etiology of chronic kidney disease, and 34% of patients had previous cardiovascular disease. Patients were grouped, regardless of treatment sequence, into MCO or high-flux groups, since no carryover (p = 0.634) or sequence (p = 0.998) effects were observed in the FMD assessment. The ANOVA model with repeated measures showed no effects of treatment (p = 0.426), time (p = 0.972), or interaction (p = 0.413) in the comparison of FMD between the MCO and high-flux groups. Conclusion: Dialysis performed with MCO, or high-flux membranes, had no influence on endothelial function in patients undergoing HD. However, a trend towards increased FMD was observed with the use of the MCO membrane.

Real-world (rw) treatment patterns, sequencing, and outcomes in patients (pts) with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) receiving avelumab first-line maintenance (1LM) in the US.

605 Background: Avelumab 1LM is recommended in international guidelines for pts with la/mUC and disease control after 1L platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC). This study describes the treatment landscape after FDA approval of avelumab in June 2020 by examining pt characteristics, treatment patterns and sequencing, and rw outcomes in pts treated with avelumab 1LM. Methods: This noninterventional retrospective study identified pts with la/mUC who received avelumab 1LM in the US using data from Flatiron Health’s electronic health record database. Pts aged ≥18 y with ≥2 visits on/after Jan 1, 2011, diagnosed with la/mUC from Jan 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2022, treated with 1L PBC followed by avelumab 1LM on/after Jul 1, 2020, ≤90 d after 1L PBC discontinuation, and with no disease progression ≤14 wk after 1L PBC were included. Treatment patterns in 1LM, second line (2L), and third line (3L) were assessed. Clinical outcomes, including rw progression-free survival (rwPFS), rw overall survival (rwOS), time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), and time to next treatment (TTNT) from 1LM or 2L initiation, were assessed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: 214 avelumab 1LM-treated pts met eligibility criteria. Median age was 70 y; most pts were male (77%), White (66%), and had an ECOG of 0-1 (77%). Median follow-up from 1LM was 8.7 mo. Of 96 (45%) pts who received 2L treatment post avelumab 1LM, enfortumab vedotin (EV) monotherapy (55%) was most common, followed by carboplatin-based therapy (11%). Of 40 (42%) pts who received 3L treatment, EV monotherapy was most common (25%), followed by sacituzumab govitecan (20%). Median PFS and OS from start of avelumab 1LM was 5.1 (95% CI 4.1-7.0) and 23.8 (95% CI 18.2-NE) mo. Median TTNT from avelumab 1LM initiation was 7.0 (95% CI 5.6-8.6) mo. Of pts who received 2L EV, median rwPFS and rwOS from 2L initiation were 4.9 (95% CI 3.9-8.8) and 11.2 (95% CI 6.8-NE) mo. Further rw outcomes are presented in the Table. Conclusions: Clinical outcomes in this study are aligned with those of the JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial (NCT02603432), further supporting avelumab 1LM as a standard of care. With each additional line of therapy, substantial treatment attrition and less favorable clinical outcomes were observed. This study provides insights into the sequencing of treatments and management of pts with la/mUC after disease progression with avelumab 1LM in this rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape. The use of more effective upfront therapies may decrease the attrition rates. [Table: see text]

Effects of the combination of phenolic-resin impregnation and heat treatment on physical, mechanical and decay resistance of Taxodium hybrid “Zhongshanshan” wood

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cooperative modification treatments and treatment sequencing on the properties of treated fast-growing wood. Two integrated treatment methods including, impregnation with Phenol-Formaldehyde resin followed by heat treatment (PF-HT), and heat treatment antecedent to impregnation with Phenol-Formaldehyde resin (HT-PF) were applied on Taxodium hybrid “Zhongshanshan” wood. Comprehensive characterization was undertaken, investigating micro-morphology, chemical structure, mechanical properties, shrinkage and expansion properties, and decay resistance before and after treatment. Results indicated that the weight percentage gain (WPG) of the HT-PF wood exceeded that of the PF-HT wood, and the WPG of the former displayed an ascending tendency with increasing heating temperature, reaching a final difference of 10%. For instance, the modulus of elasticity of the HT-PF wood was 18% higher than that of the PF-HT wood in the bending test at a temperature of 215°C. Throughout the dynamic water adsorption test, both the hydrated water percentage and the dissolved water percentage of PF-HT wood were lower than those of PF-HT wood. After 3 months of exposure to brown-rot fungi, both HT-PF wood and PF-HT wood achieved a high level of decay resistance.

Real-world treatment (Tx) sequences and time to discontinuation (rwTTD) in the first-line (1L) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) setting.

55 Background: There is limited real-world data on tx sequencing in metastatic prostate cancer. Additionally, while guidelines support adding novel hormonal agents (NHA) to androgen deprivation tx (ADT) for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, use is limited because of clinical and/or pt-driven factors. We evaluated tx patterns, rwTTD, and time-to-chemotherapy (rwTTC) for 1L mCRPC pts, including Black/African Americans (BAA) treated predominantly in a community oncology setting. Additionally, we analyzed systemic treatments prior to 1L mCRPC as well as progression to 2L mCRPC. Methods: This retrospective study included pts with mCRPC from the nationwide Flatiron Health EHR-derived, deidentified database who initiated 1L tx between 1/2013 and 1/2023. Study end was 4/2023. Tx patterns were described by time period (TP) of 1L initiation: TP1 - 01/2013–12/2017 and TP2 - 01/2018–01/2023; Kaplan-Meier analyses were conducted for rwTTD/TTC and a Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the association between pt characteristics and rwTTD/TTC for 1L mCRPC. Subgroup analyses were performed for BAAs. Results: Of the 8915 1L-tx pts (median age 74 yrs), 871 (10%) were BAA (median age 70 yrs) and 5870 (66%) were NHA-naïve at 1L mCRPC. Overall, the percent of pts who were NHA-naïve decreased from 2018 (72%) to 2023 (39%) and a similar trend was observed for BAA (74% [2018] to 25% [2023]). 1L NHA use in mCRPC increased from TP1 to TP2 (overall: 70% to 80%; BAA: 73% to 83%), primarily driven by enzalutamide (Enz) (overall: 30% to 39%; BAA: 33% to 38%) and decrease in chemotherapy (overall: 16% to 12%; BAA: 17% to 13%). The top 3 1L mCRPC regimens for the overall population and BAA were abiraterone (Abi) (35%; 38%), Enz (32%; 33%), and docetaxel (10%; 11%). Among pts who progressed to 2L mCRPC, the most common sequences for patients tx with Abi or Enz for 1L mCRPC were ADT monotherapy in the prior line of tx and a switch to Abi (19%) or Enz (24%) upon progression from 1L to 2L. 1L rwTTD for the overall cohort is in the Table. Age ≥80 years, ECOG PS ≥1, socioeconomic status = 5 (highest), and median time ≤39.8 months from initial dx to mCRPC were associated with a higher hazard of discontinuation (all p ≤0.05). Conclusions: Overall, most pts received their first NHA in 1L mCRPC; NHA use increased and chemotherapy use decreased from TP1 to TP2. There was heterogeneity in tx sequences in patients treated with an NHA in 1L mCRPC; some pts were rechallenged with a different NHA in 2L despite lack of robust prospective data to support use. Overall, 1L rwTTD was short with a small numerical increase in TP2. Factors contributing to discontinuation, such as treatment resistance, need to be better understood to further improve real-world outcomes. [Table: see text]

Real-world treatment patterns in patients with BRCA 1/2-positive (BRCA+) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) initiating first-line (1L) therapy.

52 Background: Patients with BRCA+ mCRPC have an aggressive disease course. Recently, they have been shown to be responsive to treatment with poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, such as niraparib, olaparib, and rucaparib, used in combination with abiraterone acetate and prednisone or prednisolone, or as monotherapy. This study aimed to describe real-world treatment patterns and outcomes among patients with BRCA+ mCRPC. Methods: De-identified electronic health records from the Flatiron Health – Foundation Medicine Inc. (FMI) Metastatic PC Clinico-Genomic Database (01/01/2011 – 06/30/2022) were used to select BRCA+ mCRPC patients initiating 1L therapy on or after 01/01/2019 or monotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients were classified as recipients of ADT monotherapy if they used ADT at mCRPC diagnosis and did not initiate any subsequent advanced PC therapy. Distribution, line of therapy (LOT) sequences, and reasons for censoring were described in 1L, and among patients who advanced to second-line (2L) therapy. Flatiron Health and FMI did not participate in data analyses. Results: A total of 98 treated patients with BRCA+ mCRPC were included (mean age 72 years, 58% White, 15% Black, 55% Medicare-insured), 19 of whom received ADT monotherapy (mean age 70 years, 53% White, 26% Black, 47% Medicare-insured). The top five treatment regimens for mCRPC were ADT monotherapy (19%), enzalutamide (ENZ; 14%), olaparib (OLA; 13%), abiraterone acetate (AA; 11%), and docetaxel (DOC; 10%), with 14% of patients receiving ≥1 medication. The main reasons for censoring in patients with ADT monotherapy were death (52.6%), loss to follow-up (26.3%), and end of data availability (21.1%). Among the 79 patients treated with other than ADT monotherapy in 1L, 43.0% (n=34) did not advance to 2L, of which 35.3% were lost to follow-up, 29.4% died (median time-to-death: 2.25 months), 29.4% were censored at the end of data availability, and 5.9% initiated a clinical trial drug. The most prescribed 2L therapies were DOC (22.2%), OLA (20.0%), AA (13.3%), and ENZ (11.1%). In those who advanced to 2L (n=45), the most common 1L → 2L treatment sequences were OLA → DOC (11.1%), ENZ → DOC (6.7%), AA → ENZ (6.7%), and AA → OLA (6.7%). In patients receiving 2L, 51.1% (n=23) did not advance to third-line therapy, of which 34.8% died, 34.8% were lost to follow-up, 26.1% were censored at the end of data availability, and 4.3% initiated a clinical trial drug. Conclusions: Among treated patients with BRCA+ mCRPC, ADT monotherapy, ENZ, OLA, AA, and DOC were most commonly used. The majority of ADT monotherapy patients died, while a substantial proportion of patients initiating 1L therapy died or initiated a clinical trial drug and did not advance to 2L, suggesting unmet need for more effective 1L treatment for patients with BRCA+ mCRPC.

The Effects of Singing Activities on Children’s Memory, Learning Motivation, and Creativity in an Indonesian Kindergarten for Preschoolers

Objective: This study aims to ensure that singing activities in preschool children can affect children's memory, motivate them to learn, and enhance creativity. The idea is, when a child sings, the child is in a happy state, so the brain releases the hormones dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. These hormones are interrelated, for example, when endorfins bind receptors in the central nervous system, dopamine (the hormone of pleasure) is released. These hormones are produced in the hypothalamus and produce the glands that control the hormones in the brain so that one feels satisfied and happy. As a result of the pleasure experienced by the child, the child will be easy to understand the lessons or material given by the teacher, so the child's memory or intelligence will improve. Creativity will also increase as a result of singing activities. Building creativity means sharpening the mind, and it also means increasing the sensitivity of infiltration in the child. The child is sensitive to the tone, melody, rhythm, lyrics, growing a curiosity because of the singing stimulation given.&#x0D; &#x0D; Method: Method: This study uses a quantitative experimental approach with pre-experimental characteristics of the type One Group PreTest Post-Test Design. Pre-experienced research is a method to find the influence of a treatment on a group with not too many respondents, using one group without a comparative group, with a pre-test, treatment, and post-test sequence, so that the results of the treatment are clear and accurate as compared to before the treatment. The study was conducted at Northern Jakarta Methodist School with a total of 21 children from 5-6 years of age. The research procedure comprises three stages, namely the planning stage, the implementation stage, and the assessment and analysis stage.&#x0D; &#x0D; Result: As for the calculations (using the Paired Sample T-Test) pre-test and posttest variables memory power, learning motivation, and creativity, the three showed significance values of 0,000 or &lt; 0.05. This indicates that there are differences in pre-test and post-test data on the three variables. It can be said that, singing activity affects the memory, learning motivation, and creativity of the child. N-gain of the three variables equally showed a value of 0.5. Singing activity is said to have an impact on improving the memory, learning motivation, and creativity of children. A child's singing activity can stimulate the brain to absorb information. There is a repetition of the words to the theme song helps the child to remember the given material. Not only that, the kids also looked happy and enthusiastic during the singing activity. Children also participated more actively during the post-test in answering questions and commenting. The joy of a child when performing a singing activity also affects his or her creativity. Singing gives a child positive emotions so it keeps the child undepressed and unrestricted, making the child confident especially in presenting ideas according to his imagination.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that singing activity affects the memory, learning motivation, and creativity of children in Methodist kindergarten. This is due to differences in pre-test and post-test results that show an average increase of n-gain 0.5 (moderate increase) on each variable. Singing activity can be said to be an influential learning strategy in improving children's memory, learning motivation, and creativity.

Metastatic colorectal cancer—Modern treatment strategies and sequences

Metastatic colorectal cancer—Modern treatment strategies and sequences