Response-Adaptive Surgical Timing in neoadjuvant immunotherapy demonstrates enhanced pathologic treatment response in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: We evaluated whether IDO-inhibitor BMS986205 (IDOi) + PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab enhanced T-cell activity and augmented immune-mediated antitumor responses in untreated, resectable HNSCC. We employed response-adaptive surgical timing to identify responders to immunotherapy and enhance their response.

Patients And Methods: Patients with HNSCC were 3:1 randomized to receive nivolumab with or without BMS986205 PO daily (NCT03854032).

Genomics-driven derivatization of the bioactive fungal sesterterpenoid variecolin: Creation of an unnatural analogue with improved anticancer properties.

A biosynthetic gene cluster for the bioactive fungal sesterterpenoids variecolin () and variecolactone () was identified in ATCC 16872. Heterologous production of and was achieved in by expressing the sesterterpene synthase VrcA and the cytochrome P450 VrcB. Intriguingly, the replacement of VrcB with homologous P450s from other fungal terpenoid pathways yielded three new variecolin analogues (-).

Coordination of Ru(II)-Arene Fragments to Dipyridophenazine Ligands Leads to the Modulation of Their In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity.

Despite extensive research on the anticancer properties of Ru complexes with dipyrido[3,2-:2',3'-]phenazine (dppz) ligands, their in vivo efficacy is rarely investigated. Aiming to understand whether the coordination of certain half-sandwich Ru(II)-arene fragments might improve the therapeutic potential of dppz ligands, we prepared a series of Ru(II)-arene complexes with the general formula [(η-arene)Ru(dppz-R)Cl]PF, where the arene fragment was benzene, toluene, or -cymene and R was -NO, -Me, or -COOMe. All compounds were fully characterized by H and C NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution ESI mass-spectrometry, and their purity was verified by elemental analysis.

Case Report: Multiple Causes of Cardiac Death After the First Infusion of Atezolizumab: Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Findings.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are promising agents for anticancer therapy. But despite their high efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors, there is still a problem with immune-related adverse events, especially cardiovascular complications with a very high mortality rate. Myocarditis or ischemic heart disease progression is not the only possible cause of cardiovascular death in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors.

Myocardial PD-L1 Expression in Patients With Ischemic and Non-ischemic Heart Failure.

Immune checkpoints inhibitors are promising and wide-spread agents in anti-cancer therapy. However, despite their efficacy, these agents could cause cardiotoxicity, a rare but life-threatening event. In addition, there are still no well-described predictive factors for the development of immune-related adverse events and information on high risk groups.

Interfering with Metabolic Profile of Triple-Negative Breast Cancers Using Rationally Designed Metformin Prodrugs.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, characterized by an aberrant metabolic phenotype with high metastatic capacity, resulting in poor patient prognoses and low survival rates. We designed a series of novel Au cyclometalated prodrugs of energy-disrupting Type II antidiabetic drugs namely, metformin and phenformin. Prodrug activation and release of the metformin ligand was achieved by tuning the cyclometalated Au fragment.

Impact of Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure Device Use on Post-Discharge Hospitalizations: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Patients with COPD or Chronic Bronchitis Using the Aerobika and Acapella Devices.

Purpose: Managing and preventing disease exacerbations are key goals of COPD care. Oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) devices have been shown to improve clinical outcomes when added to COPD standard of care. This retrospective database study compared real-world resource use and disease exacerbation among patients with COPD or chronic bronchitis prescribed either of two commonly used OPEP devices.

A Functional Respiratory Imaging Approach to the Effect of an Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure Device in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are prone to suffer from chronic bronchitis, which ultimately affects their quality of life and overall prognosis. Oscillating positive expiratory pressure (oPEP) devices are designed to aid in the mucus clearance by generating positive pressure pulses in the airways. The main aim of this study was to analyze the impact of a specific oPEP device - Aerobika - on top of standard of care medication in COPD patients' lung dynamics and drug deposition.

A Real-World Evidence Study Assessing the Impact of Adding the Aerobika Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure Device to Standard of Care Upon Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs in Post-Operative Patients.

Introduction: The aim of this real-world study was to measure the benefit of the Aerobika oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device when added to standard of care (defined as incentive spirometry [IS]) for post-operative patients.

Methods: Adults aged ≥ 18 years who were hospitalized for cardiac, thoracic or upper abdominal surgery between 1 September 2013 and 30 April 2017 were identified from IQVIA's Hospital Charge Detail Master (CDM) database; the index date was the date of the first hospitalization for surgery. The control cohort (IS) included patients who had ≥ 1 CDM record within 12 months prior to the index date and ≥ 1 record after discharge, evidence of IS use during index hospitalization and no evidence of use of a PEP or OPEP device at any time during the study period.

A Retrospective Study of the Effectiveness of the AeroChamber Plus Flow-Vu Antistatic Valved Holding Chamber for Asthma Control.

Introduction: Electrostatic charge in valved holding chambers (VHCs) may lead to inconsistent metered-dose inhaler (MDI) asthma drug delivery. We compared the AeroChamber Plus Flow Vu Antistatic Valved Holding Chamber (ACFV AVHC) with non-antistatic control VHCs in terms of asthma exacerbations, resource use, and cost in an asthma population.

Methods: Patients included in an adjudicated claims database with ACFV AVHC or non-antistatic VHC (control VHC) use between 1/2010 and 8/2015 (index) who were treated with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or a combination of an ICS and a long-acting β2 agonist MDI within 60 days before or after the index date, were diagnosed with asthma, and had ≥12 months of pre- and ≥30 days of post-index health plan enrollment were included.