ABSTRACT: Differentially expressed genes in window trials are influenced by the wound healing process: lessons learned from a pilot study with Anastrozole
Project description:Introduction: Peri-operative window trials, using molecular biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for treatment response, offer investigators a uniqueopportunity to obtain intact tumor samples at 2 different time-points and thus evaluate potential biomarkers over a short period of time. Here we report results of a pilot trial designed to determine if treatment-mediated changes in gene expression can be detected after a 10-day exposure to anastrozole in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer compared to untreated controls. Methods: Paired tumor samples (biopsy and surgical) were obtained from 26 postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer. Patients were assigned anastrozole (1mg/dy) for 10 days immediately prior to surgery (13 cases) or no treatment (13 controls). 502 cancer-related genes were examined by the DASL FFPE-based cDNA array (moderated t-test, p ≤ .005). Surrogate biomarkers reflecting changes in gene expression were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) (Wilcoxon rank-based test, p < .05). Results: Sufficient RNA was available from 19 paired samples (8 controls, 11 cases). There was no difference in age, tumor size, grade, or baseline biomarker expression between groups. Within each group, 18 genes, reflecting roles in proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis showed differential expression over time from biopsy to surgery (p < 0.005). Dysregulation of estrogen-related genes was present only in the treated group. Comparison between groups identified 5 genes that were significantly dysregulated between controls and treated cases (BAG1/ING1/ERBB4/IFNGR1/TFDP1). Reduction in Ki-67 index was observed in 7 (54%) treated cases in 1 (7.7%) control patient. Conclusions: Short-term (10-day) exposure to anastrozole resulted in significant dysregulation of 18 out of 502 cancer-related genes, and Ki-67 was reduced in 54% of cases. However, the local effects of wound healing may represent a confounding factor in the interpretation of peri-operative window trials as exposed by the changes in gene expression and the increased Ki-67 index in the control group. Overall design: Prospective, paired tumor samples (biopsy and surgical) were obtained from 26 postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer. Patients were assigned anastrozole (1mg/dy) for 10 days immediately prior to surgery (13 cases) or no treatment (13 controls). 502 cancer-related genes were examined by the DASL FFPE-based cDNA array. Sufficient RNA for gene expression analysis was obtained from 19/26 (73%) FFPE paired (biopsy and surgery) samples (8 controls, 11 anastrozole-treated patients
Project description:Introduction: Peri-operative window trials, using molecular biomarkers as surrogate endpoints for treatment response, offer investigators a uniqueopportunity to obtain intact tumor samples at 2 different time-points and thus evaluate potential biomarkers over a short period of time. Here we report results of a pilot trial designed to determine if treatment-mediated changes in gene expression can be detected after a 10-day exposure to anastrozole in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer compared to untreated controls. Methods: Paired tumor samples (biopsy and surgical) were obtained from 26 postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer. Patients were assigned anastrozole (1mg/dy) for 10 days immediately prior to surgery (13 cases) or no treatment (13 controls). 502 cancer-related genes were examined by the DASL FFPE-based cDNA array (moderated t-test, p ≤ .005). Surrogate biomarkers reflecting changes in gene expression were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) (Wilcoxon rank-based test, p < .05). Results: Sufficient RNA was available from 19 paired samples (8 controls, 11 cases). There was no difference in age, tumor size, grade, or baseline biomarker expression between groups. Within each group, 18 genes, reflecting roles in proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis showed differential expression over time from biopsy to surgery (p < 0.005). Dysregulation of estrogen-related genes was present only in the treated group. Comparison between groups identified 5 genes that were significantly dysregulated between controls and treated cases (BAG1/ING1/ERBB4/IFNGR1/TFDP1). Reduction in Ki-67 index was observed in 7 (54%) treated cases in 1 (7.7%) control patient. Conclusions: Short-term (10-day) exposure to anastrozole resulted in significant dysregulation of 18 out of 502 cancer-related genes, and Ki-67 was reduced in 54% of cases. However, the local effects of wound healing may represent a confounding factor in the interpretation of peri-operative window trials as exposed by the changes in gene expression and the increased Ki-67 index in the control group. Prospective, paired tumor samples (biopsy and surgical) were obtained from 26 postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer. Patients were assigned anastrozole (1mg/dy) for 10 days immediately prior to surgery (13 cases) or no treatment (13 controls). 502 cancer-related genes were examined by the DASL FFPE-based cDNA array. Sufficient RNA for gene expression analysis was obtained from 19/26 (73%) FFPE paired (biopsy and surgery) samples (8 controls, 11 anastrozole-treated patients
Project description:Healing of cutaneous wounds is a complex and well-coordinated process requiring cooperation among multiple cells from different lineages and delicately orchestrated signaling transduction of a diversity of growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix (ECM) at the wound site. Most skin wound healing in adults is imperfect, characterized by scar formation which results in significant functional and psychological sequelae. Thus, the reconstruction of the damaged skin to its original state is of concern to doctors and scientists. Beyond the traditional treatments such as corticosteroid injection and radiation therapy, several growth factors or cytokines-based anti-scarring products are being or have been tested in clinical trials to optimize skin wound healing. Unfortunately, all have been unsatisfactory to date. Currently, accumulating evidence suggests that the ECM not only functions as the structural component of the tissue but also actively modulates signal transduction and regulates cellular behaviors, and thus, ECM should be considered as an alternative target for wound management pharmacotherapy. Of particular interest are small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), a group of the ECM, which exist in a wide range of connecting tissues, including the skin. This manuscript summarizes the most current knowledge of SLRPs regarding their spatial-temporal expression in the skin, as well as lessons learned from the genetically modified animal models simulating human skin pathologies. In this review, particular focus is given on the diverse roles of SLRP in skin wound healing, such as anti-inflammation, pro-angiogenesis, pro-migration, pro-contraction, and orchestrate transforming growth factor (TGF)? signal transduction, since cumulative investigations have indicated their therapeutic potential on reducing scar formation in cutaneous wounds. By conducting this review, we intend to gain insight into the potential application of SLRPs in cutaneous wound healing management which may pave the way for the development of a new generation of pharmaceuticals to benefit the patients suffering from skin wounds and their sequelae.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Clinical trials management can be studied using project management theory. The CYCLE pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to determine the feasibility of a future rehabilitation trial of early in-bed cycling in the intensive care unit (ICU). In-bed cycling is a novel intervention, not typically available in ICUs. Implementation of this intervention requires personnel with specialized clinical expertise caring for critically ill patients and use of the in-bed cycle. Our objective was to describe the implementation and conduct of our pilot RCT using a project management approach. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed activities, timelines, and personnel involved in the trial. We organized activities into four project management phases: initiation, planning, execution, and monitoring and controlling. Data sources included Methods Centre documents used for trial coordination and conduct, and the trial data set. We report descriptive statistics as counts and proportions and also medians and quartiles, and we summarize the lessons learned. RESULTS:Seven ICUs in Canada participated in the trial. Time from research ethics board and contracts submission to first enrolment was a median (first quartile, third quartile) of 185 (146, 209) and 162 (114, 181) days, respectively. We trained 128 personnel on the CYCLE pilot RCT protocol, and 80 (63%) completed trial-related activities. Four sites required additional training after start-up due to staff turnover and leaves of absence. Over 15 months, we screened 864 patients: 256 were eligible and 66 were enrolled. Despite an 85% consent rate, 74% (190/256) of eligible patients were not randomized, largely (80% [152/190]) due to physiotherapist availability. Thirteen percent of recruitment weeks were lost due to physiotherapist staffing shortages. We highlight five key lessons learned: (1) prepare and anticipate site needs; (2) communicate regularly; (3) proactively analyse and act on process measure data; (4) develop contingency plans; (5) express appreciation to participating sites. CONCLUSIONS:Our analysis highlights the scope of relevant activities, rigorous training and monitoring, number and types of required personnel, and time required to conduct a multicentre ICU rehabilitation intervention trial. Our lessons learned can help others interested in implementing complex intervention trials, such as rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02377830 . Registered prospectively on 4 March 2015.
Project description:PURPOSE:Incorporating a patient's genotype into the clinical decision-making process is one approach to precision medicine. The University of Florida (UF) Health Precision Medicine Program is a pharmacist-led multidisciplinary effort that has led the clinical implementation of six gene-drug(s) pairs to date. This study focuses on the challenges encountered and lessons learned with implementing pharmacogenetic testing for three of these: CYP2D6-opioids, CYP2D6/CYP2C19-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and CYP2C19-proton pump inhibitors within six pragmatic clinical trials at UF Health and partners. METHODS:We compared common measures collected within each of the pharmacogenetic implementations as well as solicited feedback from stakeholders to identify challenges, successes, and lessons learned. RESULTS:We identified several challenges related to trial design and implementation, and learned valuable lessons. Most notably, case discussions are effective for prescriber education, prescribers need clear concise guidance on genotype-based actions, having genotype results available at the time of the patient-prescriber encounter helps optimize the ability to act on them, children prefer noninvasive sample collection, and study participants are willing to answer patient-reported outcomes questionnaires if they are not overly burdensome, among others. CONCLUSION:The lessons learned from implementing three gene-drug pairs in ambulatory care settings will help shape future pharmacogenetic clinical trials and clinical implementations.
Project description:<h4>Background</h4>Patients and healthcare stakeholders are increasingly becoming engaged in the planning and conduct of biomedical research. However, limited research characterizes this process or its impact.<h4>Objective</h4>We aimed to characterize patient and stakeholder engagement in the 50 Pilot Projects funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and identify early contributions and lessons learned.<h4>Design</h4>A self-report instrument was completed by researchers between 6 and 12 months following project initiation.<h4>Participants</h4>Forty-seven principal investigators or their designees (94 % response rate) participated in the study. MAIN MEASURES Self-report of types of stakeholders engaged, stages and levels of engagement, facilitators and barriers to engagement, lessons learned, and contributions from engagement were measured.<h4>Key results</h4>Most (83 %) reported engaging more than one stakeholder in their project. Among those, the most commonly reported groups were patients (90 %), clinicians (87 %), health system representatives (44 %), caregivers (41 %), and advocacy organizations (41 %). Stakeholders were commonly involved in topic solicitation, question development, study design, and data collection. Many projects engaged stakeholders in data analysis, results interpretation, and dissemination. Commonly reported contributions included changes to project methods, outcomes or goals; improvement of measurement tools; and interpretation of qualitative data. Investigators often identified communication and shared leadership strategies as "critically important" facilitators (53 and 44 % respectively); lack of stakeholder time was the most commonly reported challenge (46 %). Most challenges were only partially resolved. Early lessons learned included the importance of continuous and genuine partnerships, strategic selection of stakeholders, and accommodation of stakeholders' practical needs.<h4>Conclusions</h4>PCORI Pilot Projects investigators report engaging a variety of stakeholders across many stages of research, with specific changes to their research attributed to engagement. This study identifies early lessons and barriers that should be addressed to facilitate engagement. While this research suggests potential impact of stakeholder engagement, systematic characterization and evaluation of engagement at multiple stages of research is needed to build the evidence base.
Project description:In this probe, at first we examined the best route and dosage of arginine administration on wound healing in an excisional wound model in rats. Next, we intend to assess the impact of photobiomodulation (PBM) and arginine, individually and together, on the wound healing. In the pilot study, an excisional wound was made in each of 24 rats. There were 4 groups. Group 1 was the control group. In groups 2 and 3, wounds were topically treated with arginine ointments (ARG.) 2% and 5%, respectively. In group 4, arginine was injected (ARG. INJ.,i.p.). In the main phase, in 24 new rats, an excisional wound was made. There were 4 groups: group 5 served as the control. Wounds in group 6 were topically treated with ARG 2%. Wounds in group 7 were subjected to PBM. Wounds in group 8 were treated with PBM+ARG. 2%. On day 15, wound area measurement, wound strength, and stereological examination were performed. In the pilot study, we found that the ARG 2% ointment significantly decreased wound area than ARG. 5%, ARG. INJ. and control groups, and significantly increased wound strength compared to the control and ARG.5% groups. In the main phase, a significant decrease of wound area in all treatment regimens was induced. PBM?+?ARG. 2% and PBM treatment regimens significantly improved wound strength and almost all stereological parameters, compared to the control and ARG. 2% groups. PBM?+?ARG. 2% induced anti-inflammatory and angiogenic activities, and hastened the wound healing process in an excisional wound model in rats.
Project description:Advances in diagnostics and targeted therapies during the past decade have changed how oncology is viewed. "Stratified medicine" has emerged from the accumulated evidence garnered from matching targeted therapies with tumor molecular aberrations. Concomitantly, current knowledge derived from large-scale, massively parallel sequencing technologies and global research initiatives such as the international 1000 Genomes Project, the Cancer Genome Atlas, the International Cancer Genome Consortium, and publicly available catalogs such as the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer and Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer have illuminated the utility of understanding the molecular basis of cancer through genome analysis. In addition, multiple collaborative efforts are widening the possibility of universally personalizing cancer care. Although several key challenges of personalized cancer medicine (PCM) need to be addressed, some pilot studies are transforming the way we analyze tumor tissue molecular aberrations, design clinical trials, and measure treatment efficacy. Taken together, these pilot studies are paving the way for clinical trials that are designed to empirically test the concept of PCM. In this paper, we describe lessons learned from the first pilot initiatives of PCM and how this knowledge is being used to design novel clinical trials.
Project description:A lack of oxygen is classically described as a major cause of impaired wound healing in diabetic patients. Even if the role of oxygen in the wound healing process is well recognized, measurement of oxygen levels in a wound remains challenging. The purpose of the present study was to assess the value of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry to monitor pO2 in wounds during the healing process in diabetic mouse models. Kinetics of wound closure were carried out in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated and db/db mice. The pO2 was followed repeatedly during the healing process by 1 GHz EPR spectroscopy with lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc) crystals used as oxygen sensor in two different wound models: a full-thickness excisional skin wound and a pedicled skin flap. Wound closure kinetics were dramatically slower in 12-week-old db/db compared to control (db/+) mice, whereas kinetics were not statistically different in STZ-treated compared to control mice. At the center of excisional wounds, measurements were highly influenced by atmospheric oxygen early in the healing process. In pedicled flaps, hypoxia was observed early after wounding. While reoxygenation occurred over time in db/+ mice, hypoxia was prolonged in the diabetic db/db model. This observation was consistent with impaired healing and microangiopathies observed using intravital microscopy. In conclusion, EPR oximetry using LiPc crystals as the oxygen sensor is an appropriate technique to follow wound oxygenation in acute and chronic wounds, in normal and diabetic animals. Nevertheless, the technique is limited for measurements in pedicled skin flaps and cannot be applied to excisional wounds in which diffusion of atmospheric oxygen significantly affects the measurements.
Project description:Although the initial promise of cardiac cell-based therapy was based on the concept that stem cells engraft into diseased tissue and differentiate into beating cardiomyocytes, it is now clear that successful cell-based tissue repair involves a more complex orchestration of cellular and molecular events. Many lessons about successful tissue repair can be gleaned from the results of early-stage clinical trials. This body of work shows that cell-based therapy (with various cell sources and delivery methods) effectively prevents and reverses the remodeling process, the sine qua non of the myocardial injury reaction and anatomic substrate for subsequent clinical events. The potentially favorable remodeling responses to cell therapy have prompted a search for mechanisms of action beyond cell repopulation and guided future clinical trial design by providing more clear focus on pathophysiological endpoints signifying favorable responses to cell-based therapy. Perhaps the most important mechanistic insight is that endogenous stem/precursor cells have the potential to participate in tissue healing. With regard to the phenotype of cellular response, it is clear that parameters of remodeling, such as infarct size and ventricular dimensions, should be directly measured, thereby necessitating the use of sophisticated imaging modalities, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or multidetector computed tomography. These new insights offer an optimistic outlook on the state of cell-based therapeutics for cardiac disease and suggest that pivotal clinical trials are warranted. Here, we review lessons learned from clinical trials and evaluate the choice and assessment of endpoints to best predict efficacy of cell therapy.