AMBLor: A prognostic and stratifying biomarker for adjuvant immunotherapy of AJCC stage II melanomas.

e22094 Background: The success of adjuvant therapy for patients with AJCC stage III melanomas coupled with the increased risk of mortality for patients with AJCC stage IIB compared to IIIA tumours has paved the way to adjuvant immunotherapy trials for patients with sentinel lymph node (SLNB) –ve AJCC stage II disease. However, the lack of biomarkers able to appropriately stratify high-risk tumour subsets limits patient recruitment. We have recently identified the combined immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of AMBRA1 and Loricrin (AMBLor) in the epidermis overlying non-ulcerated AJCC stage I melanomas as a robust prognostic biomarker and valuable pre SLNB test. Methods: Retrospective analysis of AMBLor was performed in three geographically distinct cohorts of AJCC stage II melanomas using a clinically validated automated IHC assay and semi quantitative binary scoring analysis to define high vs low risk subgroups. Results: Data revealed loss of AMBLor overlying non-ulcerated high risk AJCC stage IIA or B tumours correlated with a significant reduction in disease free survival (DFS) at 12 years to 55% compared to 89% for patients with AMBLor low risk tumours (P = 0.015; HR 4.83, 95% CI: 2.29-10.14). Sub-cohort multivariate analysis of 80 non ulcerated stage IIB tumours also revealed reduced DFS at 12 years to 68% in AMBLor high-risk compared to 83% in AMBLor low-risk tumour subsets, with an assay sensitivity of 97% and a negative predictive value of 90%. Furthermore, sub-cohort analysis of SLNB –ve AJCC stage IIA or B tumours additionally identified 5 genuinely low risk cases in which DFS at 10 years was 100% compared to only 36% in 37 patients in which AMBLor was lost. Conclusions: Collectively these data indicate AMBLor as a novel prognostic biomarker for patients with non-ulcerated AJCC stage II melanomas as well as companion/stratifying biomarker for adjuvant immunotherapy, the use of which will increase clinician confidence for patient recruitment as well as reduce patient morbidity.

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Multidimensional dynamic healthcare personnel (HCP)-centric model from a low-income and middle-income country to support and protect COVID-19 warriors: a large prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043837 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e043837

Author(s):

Usha Dutta ◽

Anurag Sachan ◽

Madhumita Premkumar ◽

Tulika Gupta ◽

Swapnajeet Sahoo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Low Income ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Low Risk ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Risk Zone ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Medium Risk ◽

Risk Zones

ObjectivesHealthcare personnel (HCP) are at an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection especially in resource-restricted healthcare settings, and return to homes unfit for self-isolation, making them apprehensive about COVID-19 duty and transmission risk to their families. We aimed at implementing a novel multidimensional HCP-centric evidence-based, dynamic policy with the objectives to reduce risk of HCP infection, ensure welfare and safety of the HCP and to improve willingness to accept and return to duty.SettingOur tertiary care university hospital, with 12 600 HCP, was divided into high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk zones. In the high-risk and medium-risk zones, we organised training, logistic support, postduty HCP welfare and collected feedback, and sent them home after they tested negative for COVID-19. We supervised use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and kept communication paperless.ParticipantsWe recruited willing low-risk HCP, aged <50 years, with no comorbidities to work in COVID-19 zones. Social distancing, hand hygiene and universal masking were advocated in the low-risk zone.ResultsBetween 31 March and 20 July 2020, we clinically screened 5553 outpatients, of whom 3012 (54.2%) were COVID-19 suspects managed in the medium-risk zone. Among them, 346 (11.4%) tested COVID-19 positive (57.2% male) and were managed in the high-risk zone with 19 (5.4%) deaths. One (0.08%) of the 1224 HCP in high-risk zone, 6 (0.62%) of 960 HCP in medium-risk zone and 23 (0.18%) of the 12 600 HCP in the low-risk zone tested positive at the end of shift. All the 30 COVID-19-positive HCP have since recovered. This HCP-centric policy resulted in low transmission rates (<1%), ensured satisfaction with training (92%), PPE (90.8%), medical and psychosocial support (79%) and improved acceptance of COVID-19 duty with 54.7% volunteering for re-deployment.ConclusionA multidimensional HCP-centric policy was effective in ensuring safety, satisfaction and welfare of HCP in a resource-poor setting and resulted in a willing workforce to fight the pandemic.

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Polygenic risk scores predict diabetic complications and their response to therapy

10.1101/19010785 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

J. Tremblay ◽

M. Haloui ◽

F. Harvey ◽

R. Tahir ◽

F.-C. Marois-Blanchet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Prediction Model ◽

Risk Group ◽

Intensive Therapy ◽

Cardiovascular Death ◽

Response To Therapy ◽

Low Risk ◽

Number Needed To Treat ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractType 2 diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular and renal complications, but early risk prediction can lead to timely intervention and better outcomes. Through summary statistics of meta-analyses of published genome-wide association studies performed in over 1.2 million of individuals, we combined 9 PRS gathering genomic variants associated to cardiovascular and renal diseases and their key risk factors into one logistic regression model, to predict micro- and macrovascular endpoints of diabetes. Its clinical utility in predicting complications of diabetes was tested in 4098 participants with diabetes of the ADVANCE trial followed during a period of 10 years and replicated it in three independent non-trial cohorts. The prediction model adjusted for ethnicity, sex, age at onset and diabetes duration, identified the top 30% of ADVANCE participants at 3.1-fold increased risk of major micro- and macrovascular events (p=6.3×10−21 and p=9.6×10−31, respectively) and at 4.4-fold (p=6.8×10−33) increased risk of cardiovascular death compared to the remainder of T2D subjects. While in ADVANCE overall, combined intensive therapy of blood pressure and glycaemia decreased cardiovascular mortality by 24%, the prediction model identified a high-risk group in whom this therapy decreased mortality by 47%, and a low risk group in whom the therapy had no discernable effect. Patients with high PRS had the greatest absolute risk reduction with a number needed to treat of 12 to prevent one cardiovascular death over 5 years. This novel polygenic prediction model identified people with diabetes at low and high risk of complications and improved targeting those at greater benefit from intensive therapy while avoiding unnecessary intensification in low-risk subjects.

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“Don’t Eat Me” Signals of Neuroblastoma by CD47 for Immune Escape: A Novel Prognostic Biomarker

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2251538 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (25) ◽

pp. 1538

Author(s):

Safiye Aktas ◽

Ayse Pinar Ercetin Ozdemir ◽

Efe Ozgur Serinan ◽

Zekiye Altun ◽

Nur Olgun

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Immune Escape ◽

Prognostic Biomarker ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Genetic Alterations ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Low Risk ◽

P Value ◽

Mycn Amplification

Recent studies have shown that cancer cells can deceive phagocytosing macrophage cells through the CD47 protein which gives the message “don’t eat me” or “don’t kill me” to immune components. The efficacy of anti-CD47 treatment approach was shown in cancers such as, non-small cell lung cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. The studies on the immunobiology of neuroblastoma has increased as monoclonal antibody based immunotherapy has shown to be effective in high-risk patients such as anti disialoganglioside. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of CD47 protein expression among neuroblastoma patients with different risk groups and genetic alterations. This study included paraffin-embedded tumor tissues of 66 neuroblastoma patients (28 girls, 38 boys) with an age range of 0.5 to 108 months with a mean value of 24.9 (±23.5). According to risk classifications 21 were at low risk (31, 8%), 24 were at intermediate risk (36, 4%) and 19 were at high-risk (28, 8%) groups. These samples were evaluated for MYCN amplification, 1p36 LOH, 11q23 deletion and 17q25 gain by real-time PCR. In addition, CD47 expression status (positive or negative) was detected by immunohistochemical analysis. All data was analyzed with Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney U non-parametric tests within SPSS program, version 22.0. p value lower than 0, 5 was found statistically significant. According to the results, patients at low risk did not express CD47, while patients at high-risk group were mostly expressing CD47 (p = 0.049). MYCN amplification positive patients were expressing CD47 protein (p = 0.046). Patients without 17q25 gain were found to be expressing CD47 protein (p = 0.006). In addition, CD47 expression was increasing as age was getting higher in terms of months (p = 0.018). The findings of this study suggest that positive expression pattern of CD47 may be a poor prognostic biomarker especially in high risk 17q gain negative neuroblastoma patients.

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Cervicovaginal Levels of Lactoferrin, Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor, and RANTES and the Effects of Coexisting Vaginoses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Seronegative Women with a High Risk of Heterosexual Acquisition of HIV Infection

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00386-06 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 1102-1107 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Richard M. Novak ◽

Betty A. Donoval ◽

Parrie J. Graham ◽

Lucy A. Boksa ◽

Gregory Spear ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

High Risk ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Protease Inhibitor ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor ◽

Low Risk ◽

High Risk Women ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT Innate immune factors in mucosal secretions may influence human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission. This study examined the levels of three such factors, genital tract lactoferrin [Lf], secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor [SLPI], and RANTES, in women at risk for acquiring HIV infection, as well as cofactors that may be associated with their presence. Women at high risk for HIV infection meeting established criteria (n = 62) and low-risk controls (n = 33) underwent cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), and the CVL fluid samples were assayed for Lf and SLPI. Subsets of 26 and 10 samples, respectively, were assayed for RANTES. Coexisting sexually transmitted infections and vaginoses were also assessed, and detailed behavioral information was collected. Lf levels were higher in high-risk (mean, 204 ng/ml) versus low-risk (mean, 160 ng/ml, P = 0.007) women, but SLPI levels did not differ, and RANTES levels were higher in only the highest-risk subset. Lf was positively associated only with the presence of leukocytes in the CVL fluid (P < 0.0001). SLPI levels were lower in women with bacterial vaginosis [BV] than in those without BV (P = 0.04). Treatment of BV reduced RANTES levels (P = 0.05). The influence, if any, of these three cofactors on HIV transmission in women cannot be determined from this study. The higher Lf concentrations observed in high-risk women were strongly associated with the presence of leukocytes, suggesting a leukocyte source and consistent with greater genital tract inflammation in the high-risk group. Reduced SLPI levels during BV infection are consistent with an increased risk of HIV infection, which has been associated with BV. However, the increased RANTES levels in a higher-risk subset of high-risk women were reduced after BV treatment.

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Risk results from screening for a high cardiovascular disease risk by means of traditional risk factor measurement or coronary artery calcium scoring in the ROBINSCA trial

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2959 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

C Van Der Aalst ◽

S.J.A.M Denissen ◽

M Vonder ◽

J.-W.C Gratema ◽

H.J Adriaansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

High Risk ◽

Risk Score ◽

Coronary Artery Calcium ◽

Preventive Treatment ◽

Low Risk ◽

Funding Source ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Aims Screening for a high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk followed by preventive treatment can potentially reduce coronary heart disease (CHD)-related morbidity and mortality. ROBINSCA (Risk Or Benefit IN Screening for CArdiovascular disease) is a population-based randomized controlled screening trial that investigates the effectiveness of CVD screening in asymptomatic participants using the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) model or Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring. This study describes the distributions in risk and treatment in the ROBINSCA trial. Methods and results Individuals at expected elevated CVD risk were randomized (1:1:1) into the control arm (n=14,519; usual care); screening arm A (n=14,478; SCORE, 10-year fatal and non-fatal risk); or screening arm B (n=14,450; CAC scoring). Preventive treatment was largely advised according to current Dutch guidelines. Risk and treatment differences between the screening arms were analysed. 12,185 participants (84.2%) in arm A and 12,950 (89.6%) in arm B were screened. 48.7% were women, and median age was 62 (InterQuartile Range 10) years. SCORE screening identified 45.1% at low risk (SCORE<10%), 26.5% at intermediate risk (SCORE 10–20%), and 28.4% at high risk (SCORE≥20%). According to CAC screening, 76.0% were at low risk (Agatston<100), 15.1% at high risk (Agatston 100–399), and 8.9% at very high risk (Agatston≥400). CAC scoring significantly reduced the number of individuals indicated for preventive treatment compared to SCORE (relative reduction women: 37.2%; men: 28.8%). Conclusion We showed that compared to risk stratification based on SCORE, CAC scoring classified significantly fewer men and women at increased risk, and less preventive treatment was indicated. ROBINSCA flowchart Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Advanced Research Grant

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Low-Density Lipoprotein Subfractionation: What Is the Role of the Lab When Reporting Discrepant Results?

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqaa137.015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S8-S9

Author(s):

Nicholas E Larkey ◽

Leslie J Donato ◽

Allan S Jaffe ◽

Jeffrey W Meeusen

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery ◽

High Risk ◽

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Low Risk ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

Low Density ◽

Small Dense Ldl ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Plasma concentrations of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are directly associated with risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Multisociety guidelines define LDL-C>160mg/dL as a risk factor for CAD and LDL-C>190mg/dL as an indication for lipid lowering medication, regardless of other clinical factors. Subfractionation of LDL according to size (LDL-s) enables differentiation between two LDL phenotypes: large-buoyant LDL and small-dense LDL. The small-dense LDL phenotype reportedly conveys increased risk for CAD. Major societies do not recommend LDL subfractions be used for clinical decision making and most payers do not cover LDL subfraction testing. Despite these restrictions, LDL subfraction is routinely requested by clinicians. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measures LDL-C and LDL-s. Following inquiries regarding interpretation of conflicting LDL-C and LDL-s results, we investigated associations between LDL-C and LDL-s measured by NMR in order to determine how often they provide contradicting or additive information. Verification of NMR LDL-C accuracy was confirmed by ÃŸ-quantification in a subset of patient samples (n=250). The average bias was -4.5mg/dL and the correlation coefficient was 0.92. High-risk was defined as LDL-C>160mg/dL or LDL-s<20.5 nm (small-dense LDL); and low-risk was defined as LDL-C<70mg/dL or LDL-s>20.5nm (large-buoyant LDL). In 26,710 clinical NMR analyses, the median LDL-C was 94.0mg/dL (range:5-436mg/dL) with median LDL-s of 20.8 nm (range:19.4–23.0nm). LDL-s moderately correlated with LDL-C (Ï#129;=0.51;p<0.01). Small-dense-LDL was identified in only 18% (407/2,191) of patients with elevated LDL-C (>160mg/dL) and was more common (73.2% of 6,093) in patients with low LDL-C (<70mg/dL;p<0.001). Associations with CAD were investigated among patients without cholesterol-lowering medication treatment referred for angiography (n=356). CAD (defined as stenosis >50% in one or more coronary artery) was diagnosed in 14% (1/7) of subjects with low LDL-C (<70mg/dL) compared to 59% (47/80) of subjects with elevated LDL-C (p=0.01). When stratifying by LDL-s, CAD was diagnosed in 50% (57/115) of subjects with small-dense LDL compared to 43% (104/241) of subjects with large-buoyant LDL (p=0.2). Small-dense LDL was identified in only 33% (26/80) of cases with elevated LDL-C. Limiting to subjects with elevated LDL-C, CAD was diagnosed in 50% (13/26) of subjects with concordant (high-risk) small-dense LDL compared to 61% (33/54) of subjects with discordant (low-risk) large-buoyant LDL (LDL-s>20.5nm) (p=0.3). Our data confirm that LDL-s subfraction measured by NMR is reported discordantly in most cases when LDL-C is unequivocally high or low. Furthermore, CAD diagnosis was significantly associated with LDL-C, but not with LDL-s. Our data also show that in discrepant samples, elevated LDL-C correlates better with disease state compared to LDL-s. Therefore, LDL-s should not be used to justify treatment decisions in patients with elevated LDL-C. Laboratories should consider carefully whether or not to report LDL-s when it is known that misleading and discordant values will be reported in a majority of cases.

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Identifying High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer Patients: A Three-MicroRNA-Based Score as a Prognostic Biomarker

Clinical Colorectal Cancer ◽

10.1016/j.clcc.2016.04.008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. e175-e182 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Oriol Caritg ◽

Alfons Navarro ◽

Isabel Moreno ◽

Francisco Martínez-Rodenas ◽

Anna Cordeiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

High Risk ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Prognostic Biomarker ◽

Stage Ii ◽

Stage Ii Colon Cancer

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Pharmacokinetics of Cyclophosphamide Metabolites Influence Outcome in Patients with β-Thalassemia Major Undergoing Allogeneic HSCT

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1941.1941 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 1941-1941

Author(s):

Poonkuzhali Balasubramanian ◽

Salamun Desire ◽

John C Panetta ◽

Kavitha M Lakshmi ◽

Ezhilpavai Mohanan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Clinical Outcome ◽

Dose Adjustment ◽

Thalassemia Major ◽

Low Risk ◽

Class Iii ◽

Liver Size ◽

Metabolic Pattern ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Abstract 1941 Busulfan in combination with cyclophosphamide (Cy) is the commonly used conditioning regimen for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for various hematological diseases. Cy, a prodrug, undergoes hepatic biotransformation to 4-hydroxy cyclophosphamide (4-HCy) and subsequently to its active metabolite, phosphoramide mustard (PM) and carboxyethyl PM (CEPM), a nontoxic oxidation product of HCY/aldophosphamide. Though toxic complications like hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) and hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) have been associated with metabolites of Cy such as acrolein and CEPM, respectively, there is no data correlating pharmacokinetics (PK) of Cy, HCy or CEPM with toxicity and outcome of HSCT for ß thalassemia major. Aim of the present study was to evaluate Cy, 4-HCy and CEPM PK and the influence of these PK parameters on clinical outcome in patients with ß thalassemia major undergoing HSCT. Between January 2001 to June 2009, out of the 168 HSCT for thalassemia major conditioned with Bu/Cy regimen (including 8 second transplants), 90 patients for whom PK samples were collected were included in this study. Cy was administered at 50 mg/kg/day for 4 days (days −5 to −2) following 4 days of busulfan (days −9 to −6). Peripheral blood samples were collected during Cy infusion at various time interval and plasma samples were stored for Cy, HCy and CEPM PK analysis. Levels of Cy and 4-HCy were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, and CEPM, by a modified LCMSMS method. The population PK estimates were determined using non-linear mixed effects modeling analysis performed with Monolix (version 3.1, www.monolix.org). Specifically, a compartmental model which included two compartments each for Cy, HCy and CEPM was used to describe the data. Clinical outcome endpoints including graft rejection, event free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), transplant related mortality (TRM), SOS, and HC were evaluated using standard criteria. The influence of Cy and metabolite PK on clinical outcome endpoints were compared using logistic regression analysis. Age range of the patients was 2 to 24 years. Four patients belonged to Lucarelli risk class I, 49 class II and 37 class III. Based on risk stratification that we have defined using liver size and age (high risk: age >7 years and liver size >5cm; and the rest as low risk; Mathews et al, 2007), 39 were in low risk, 40 intermediate and 11 were high risk. Overall incidence of OS, EFS, rejection, TRM, SOS, HC in this cohort was 77, 70, 14, 10, 18 and 31% respectively. It should be noted that this does not completely represent the outcome of HSCT in thalassemia during this period, as only patients with available Cy PK analysis were included for analysis. The high risk patients had significantly reduced OS (RR 2.59; p=0.04), EFS (RR 2.23; p=0.058), increased risk of TRM (RR: 3.56; p=0.03) and HC (RR: 3.19; p=0.036) compared to others, while this was not significantly different with respect to Lucarelli class except for increased incidence of HC in Lucarelli class III patients (RR: 2.6; p=0.04). Upon univariate analysis, there was significantly increased Cy AUC (1887 ng*h/ml; range: 679–8546; vs. 1544, range: 662–4434; p= 0.028) in patients who developed HC compared to those who did not. There was significantly decreased HCy AUC (median 5.172 ug*L/h, range: 0.795–6.457; vs. 6.224; 2.536–12.003 p=0.007) in patients who died compared to those who are alive; similar but more significant association was seen with EFS as well. There was decreased CEPM Cl/F in those who rejected the grafts (0.013 vs. 0.028 L/h/Kg; p=0.016), while it was significantly increased in patients who developed SOS (median 0.029; vs. 0.013, range: L/h/Kg; p=0.05). Upon forward stepwise multivariate analysis including all the Cy and metabolite PK parameters, only HCy AUC significantly influenced EFS and OS in these patients. We show here for the first time that Cy and metabolite PK influences HSCT outcome in a uniform cohort of patients with thalassemia major. However, due to the complex metabolic pattern of Cy, and the association of metabolite PK instead of the levels of the parent compound with outcome, the possibility of targeted dose adjustment of Cy to improve HSCT outcome may be more challenging than targeted dose adjustment of other drugs used in HSCT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Do Unexpected and Cryptic FISH Lesions Of Chromosomally Normal MDS Patients Have Any Prognostic Relevance?

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.1549.1549 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 1549-1549

Author(s):

Paolo Bernasconi ◽

Irene Dambruoso ◽

Marina Boni ◽

Paola Maria Cavigliano ◽

Ilaria Giardini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Disease Progression ◽

Low Risk ◽

Disease Stage ◽

Intermediate Risk ◽

Disease Evolution ◽

Prognostic Relevance ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Very High ◽

Disease Specific

Abstract Conventional cytogenetic (CC) still remains a mandatory step in the routine diagnostic work-up of every MDS patient (pt), is one of the major determinant of disease outcome and guides potential treatment decisions. However, CC is not informative in about 50% of chromosomally normal (CN) pts and provides limited information in those with very rare defects even if the revised IPSS cytogenetic categories have tried to overcome this drawback. More sensitive techniques (aCGH, SNP-a and NGS), still used in the research setting only, suggest that CN pts may instead contain novel unexpected chromosomal lesions which prognosis is still undefined. Thus, the principal goal of our study was to establish whether FISH with disease specific probes (i.e. for chromosomal regions most commonly affected in MDS) along with non-disease specific probes (i.e. for regions which alteration in MDS has been demonstrated by aCGH only) may effectively unmask clonal cryptic defects. Other aims were to establish the nature of these defects, to identify the potentially targeted genes and to estimate their possible prognostic relevance. The one-hundred twenty-seven consecutive CN MDS pts of the present study came to our observation in the period January 2003-December 2012. They were forty-nine females and seventy-eight males, median age 66 years (range 24-88). Twenty-one pts were diagnosed as RARS, 29 as RA, one as CRMDS, one as U-MDS, 25 as RCMD, 26 as RAEB-1 and 24 as RAEB-2. On CC 122 pts presented a normal karyotype and five no mitotic figures. Considering the revised IPSS score, 62 pts were considered very low-risk, 32 low-risk, 23 intermediate risk, 8 high-risk and 2 very high-risk. Median follow-up was 22 months (range 1-90). At the time of the study nine pts have died. FISH probes were chosen based on the frequency of their involvement in MDS and their Mb position determined using UCSC genome browser on Human Mar. 2003 assembly. They were obtained from BACPAC Resources Center at C.H.O.R.I. (Oakland, USA), labelled and applied as previously described. These probes were: RP11-912D8 (19q13.2); RP11-196P12 (17q11.2); RP11-269C4 (14q12); RP11-351O1 (10q21.3); RP11-144G6 (10q11.2); RP11-122A11 (7q34); RP11-951K18 (5q13.1); RP11-101K5 (4p14); RP11-544H14 (2q33). i-FISH cut-off values were fixed at 10%. Thirty-one pts (24.4%) presented at least a single defect, always represented by deletions or gains of chromosomal material. Among them 8 pts (25.8%) presented at least two defects. Bands most commonly targeted by deletions/amplifications were 19q13.2 (61.3%), 14q12 (32.2%), 17q11.2 (16.1%), 5q13.1 (12.9%), 7q34 (12.9%), 4p14 (9.6%). Deletions of bands 10q11.2, 10q21.3 and 2p33 were more rare. As the RMD-1 gene, involved in DNA double strand breaks and homologous recombination, maps at band 19q13.2, the most commonly deleted chromosomal area, additional molecular tests are being developed to analyse this gene. An abnormal FISH pattern was observed in 2/21 (9.5%) RARS, in 7/29 (24.1%) RA, in 5/25 (20.0%) RCMD, in 8/26 (30.6%) RAEB-1 and in 9/24 (37.5%) RAEB-2. Considering IPSS, an abnormal FISH pattern was revealed in 7/62 (11.3%) very low-risk, in 8/32 (25%) low-risk, in 10/23 (43.4%) intermediate risk, in 5/8 (62.5%) high-risk and in 1/2 very high-risk patients. Disease evolution occurred in a total of 34 pts (3 RARS, 7 RA, 5 CRMD, 11 RAEB-1 and 8 RAEB-2), 16 (one RARS, 3 RA, 2 CRMD, 6 RAEB-1 and 4 RAEB-2) with an abnormal FISH pattern. All the 8 patients with at least two chromosomal deletions experienced disease progression. In conclusion, i) FISH reveals novel unexpected karyotype defects, most commonly deletions pinpointing genes involved in DNA repair, in about 24.4% of CN MDS; ii) band 19q13.2 deletion is the most common defect, frequently associated with disease evolution; ii) an abnormal FISH pattern is correlated with an advanced disease stage and an intermediate/high revised IPSS score; iii) >two lesions are associated with an increased risk of disease progression. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Overuse of DVT Prophylaxis in Medical Inpatients

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.5563.5563 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 5563-5563 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jing Deng ◽

Lisa Thomas ◽

Huijing Li ◽

Elvin Varughesekutty ◽

Qi Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

High Risk ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Medical Center ◽

Low Risk ◽

Risk Of Bleeding ◽

Dvt Prophylaxis ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Medical Inpatients ◽

Nonsurgical Patients

Abstract Introduction: Unfractionated heparin (UFH), or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), is commonly used with mechanical prophylaxis as an anticoagulant to reduce the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, overuse of these prophylaxes can increase the risk of bleeding, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and associated medical cost. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of DVT prophylaxis among hospitalized nonsurgical patients in a community medical center. To evaluate the use of the prophylaxes as described above, the investigators collected data on medical inpatients and addressed how to avoid overuse. Method: A retrospective inpatient chart review of 100 general internal medicine patients analyzed data using Padua Prediction Score as the risk estimate for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). High risk for VTE was defined by a cumulative score >=4 and low risk was a score <4. Only patients at increased risk for DVT but not at high risk for bleeding qualified for heparin treatment. Results: A total of 100 patients were surveyed. 54/100 (54%) patients had low risk of DVT with score < 4, and of those 29/54 (53.7%) patients received DVT prophylaxis with SCDs and/or heparin, and 17/54 (31.5%) patients were treated with heparin. All 46 patients with score >= 4 were treated with DVT prophylaxis of which 10 patients were only treated with heparin and 36 patients were given both mechanical and chemical prophylaxis. Collectively, 53.7% of the patients received treatment with DVT prophylaxis (p < 0.001, Chi-Square test). Discussion: In hospital settings, physicians want to avoid DVT or PE so they tend to consider patients as being at moderate risk for DVT without using any method of DVT risk assessment. This leads to unnecessary overuse of DVT prophylaxis on patients and may increase the risk of bleeding and injury. Conclusion: Our data suggests that there DVT prophylaxis including UFH and LMWH was over prescribed among patients with who had marginal risk for DVT in hospitalized nonsurgical patients in a community medical center. Clinical implications: To avoid the overuse of DVT prophylaxis, physicians need to follow guidelines. Education and inclusion of the guidelines in EHRs of information on VTE risk assessment for hospitalized medical patients upon admission may reduce unneeded DVT prophylaxis and the risk of bleeding and costs associated with additional care needs. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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