bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurotrophins in the brain of C57BL/6-Plautm1.1BugThisPlauGFDhu/GFDhu mice with B16/F10 melanoma growing with comorbid pathology.
Authors: Frantsiyants Elena M. , Kaplieva Irina V. , Bandovkina Valeria A. , Surikova Ekaterina I. , Neskubina Irina V. , Trepitaki Lidia K. , Cheryarina Natalia D. , Nemashkalova Ludmila A. , Lesovaya Natalia S. , Przhedetskiy Yuriy V. , Przhedetskaya Viktoria Yu. , Pozdnyakova Viktoria V. , Zakharova Natalia A. , Khokhlova Olga , Kit Oleg I. , Shikhlyarova Alla I. , Zhukova Galina V. 
Published: June 2021

e21557 Background: 10% of cancer patients have comorbidities accompanied by chronic pain. Neurotrophins and fibrinolytic system are involved in carcinogenesis and pain pathogenesis. The purpose of the study was to measure levels of neurotrophins in white matter of the brain of urokinase-deficient (uPA–) mice with B16/F10 melanoma growing in presence of chronic neuropathic pain (CNP). Methods: The study included female mice С57ВL/6 (normal genome uPA+, n = 40) and C57BL/6-Plautm1.1BugThisPlauGFDhu/GFDhu (urokinase gene-knockout uPA–, n = 28) with B16/F10 melanoma (M) implanted subcutaneously 2 weeks after bilateral sciatic nerve ligation (CNP model). Intact mice (I) were controls. Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF, nerve growth factor NGF-β and neurotrophins 3 and 4 (NT3, NT4) were measured by ELISA in white matter of the brain after 3 weeks of tumor growth in presence of CNP. Results: Tumor volume in (uPA–) females by week 3 of carcinogenesis was 0.04 cm3, which was 70 times smaller than in (uPA+) females. Tumor volume in (uPA–) females with CNP was 5.76 cm3, which was 144 times larger than in (uPA–) females without CNP, and in (uPA+) females – 2.5 cm3. The brain of I (uPA–) showed higher levels of NT3 (by 1.3 times, p < 0.05), NT4 (by 2.6 times) and NGF-β (by 1.9 times, p < 0.05) and lower BDNF (by 1.7 times, p < 0.05), compared to I (uPA+). Both strains of mice with M or CNP demonstrated decreased levels of NGF-β, more pronounced in animals with a combination of these factors. (uPA–) females with CNP+M showed a decrease of NT3 and BDNF by 2 times, with NGF-β 2.2 times higher than in (uPA+) mice. Conclusions: The study revealed underlying differences in levels of neurotrophins in the brain of (uPA–) females which could contribute to the creation of conditions for the inhibition of tumor growth. Changes in the levels of NGF-β in mice with melanoma or CNP were nonspecific. Changes in the BDNF, NT3 and NGF-β balance in the brain of (uPA–) mice may be part of the mechanism of greater stimulation of melanoma growth under the influence of CNP.
Circulating tumor DNA mutation as a prognostic marker in melanoma with brain metastasis.
Authors: Behera Tapas Ranjan , Song Jung Min , Eicher Donald Matthew , Gastman Brian , Farkas Daniel H. , Funchain Pauline 
Published: June 2021

e21560 Background: Prognosis in melanoma with brain metastasis is poor with a median survival of four months and a one-year survival rate of 10–20%. There is an unmet need for surveillance methods that can supplement imaging at regular intervals. Serial analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may aid surveillance and prognostication. A PCR-based, “specimen in/result out” testing device was employed to detect BRAF variants in plasma-derived ctDNA to evaluate the utility of rapid biomarker detection in the management of melanoma with brain metastasis. Methods: Serial blood samples from patients diagnosed with BRAF mutation-positive metastatic melanoma were collected at regular intervals. We employed a real-time PCR-based automated mutation detection system (Idylla; Biocartis, Belgium) to interrogate the plasma samples. The ctDNA mutation detection trend was analyzed relative to disease progression. Results: 39 patients with BRAF mutation positive melanoma were enrolled. 29 patients were treated in the metastatic setting, 10 in the adjuvant setting. 18 of the 29 patients with metastatic disease (62%) had brain metastases. Circulating BRAF mutation was detected in 17 of the 29 (59%) patients with metastatic disease, and was not detected in any patients treated adjuvantly. In the group with metastatic disease, this circulating biomarker changed from undetectable to detectable in eight (28%) and detectable to undetectable in three (10%). No change in circulating mutation status occurred in 18 (62%). In the eight patients who had an initial negative test that later became positive, seven (87%) had brain metastases. In three patients, ctDNA mutation detection occurred before the diagnosis of brain metastases on imaging, with a median lead time of five weeks (range, 3-12 weeks). In one patient with de novo metastatic disease admitted to the ICU, tissue was unavailable for BRAF testing but plasma was found to be positive for ctDNA BRAF detection. BRAF/MEK targeted therapy resulted in a sustained objective response. Five of six (83%) patients that had persistent ctDNA positivity had brain metastases. Among patients with brain metastases, median overall survival (mOS) of patients demonstrating >50% test positivity was numerically longer than those with <50% positivity (mOS 12.3 vs 53.5 months; p = 0.133). Conclusions: Plasma-based, rapid ctDNA testing may be useful as an aid in detecting progression and gauging prognosis in patients with melanoma treated in the metastatic setting. The dynamics of ctDNA test positivity may indicate a need for more urgent imaging, particularly of the brain. Blood-based, semi-automated ctDNA detection may serve as an attractive adjunct to scheduled imaging surveillance in melanoma.
Antimetastatic effect of organotin compounds on the model of melanoma B16 in the experiment.
Authors: Dodokhova Margarita Avdeevna , Kotieva Inga Movlievna , Shpakovsky Dmitriy Borisovich , Safronenko Andrej Vladimirovich , Komarova Ekaterina Fedorovna , Alkhuseyn-Kulyaginova Margarita Stefanovna , Milaeva Elena Rudolfovna , Shtil Alexander Albertovich 
Published: June 2021

e21564 Background: Melanoma is an extremely malignant tumor. The unfavorable prognosis in the treatment of patients is mainly due to aggressive metastasis of the tumor in various ways: hematogenic, lymphogenic and lymphohematogenic. Metastatic melanoma cells are relatively drug - resistant. Despite some successes in the treatment of melanoma, the search for new antimetastatic substances remains an urgent task of experimental pharmacology and oncology. Organotin compounds were studied by us as promising candidates for antimetastatic agents. Methods: The study was conducted on experimental C57BL/6 mice (n =72, each cohort contained 12 mice) with B16 melanoma (subcutaneous transplantation) to determine the intensity of metastasis in the presence of the cytotoxic organotin compound dimethyltin bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylthiolate) [1-3] (Me3). All manipulations were carried out in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes (ETS 123). Female mice (8 weeks of age, weighing 21-22 g) were administered intraperitoneal 1% aqueous gelatin solution of organotin Me3 daily for 5 days. The total doses in the first series of the experiment were 150, 250, 375 mg/kg (I, II, III cohorts and IV control group), which allowed us to choose the most effective dose of Me3. After that, in the second series of experiments, the metastasis inhibition index was evaluated in group V (total dose 375 mg/kg) and control group VI. The animals were euthanized on the 18th day after the tumor was inoculated. Results: It was shown that when administered intraperitoneal to mice, Me3 did not inhibit the growth of B16 melanoma in any of the groups. The results showed that the average life expectancy of animals in the experimental group III with the introduction of Me3 at a dose of 375 mg/kg significantly increased and amounted to 30.1±2.5 days, in control mice of group IV-21.8±2.6 days. In the second series of the experiment, after 18 days, the index of metastasis inhibition was almost twice lower (54%) in group V than in the control group (VI). Conclusions: It is concluded that the overall result of this study clearly demonstrates that the organotin compound dimethyltin bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylthiolate) (Me3) is an effective antimetastatic agent in transplanted experimental mouse melanoma B16 at a total dose of 375 mg/kg.
Is CTLA4 targeting the Achilles’ heel of Merkel cell carcinoma?
Authors: Wu Richard Cheng Han , Kendra Kari Lynn , Blakaj Dukagjin , Shah Hiral A. , Jeter Joanne M. , Verschraegen Claire F. 
Published: June 2021

e21567 Background: Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a cutaneous malignancy with neuroendocrine differentiation, linked to infection with polyomavirus (MCPyV) in 80% of cases. PD1 inhibitors have recently been approved for this indication with ORR, 33-56%; CR, 11-24%; PFS, about 17 months; OS, about 12 months. Nivolumab was tested in the neoadjuvant setting with similar responses with pathological CR, 47%. Methods: Adjuvant pilot study (NCT03798639) with two immunotherapy regimens administered for one year to patients with completely resected MCC at high risk of recurrence (primary lesion of 2 cm or greater, positive or close margins ( < 2 cm), perineural or lymphovascular invasion, mitotic index ≥ 20 mitotic figures per mm2, lymph node involvement (stage pIIIA or pIIIB) with or without extracapsular extension, or completely resected stage IV disease). Arm 1, nivolumab 480 mg q 4 wks and radiation therapy (RT) 50-60 Gy in 25-30 fractions, per standard of care. Arm 2, nivolumab 240 mg q 2 wks and ipilimumab 1 mg/kg q 6 wks. Primary objective was feasibility and completion of treatment in this population. Safety profile (CTCAE v5.0) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after 18 months were secondary endpoints. Patients were randomly allocated 1:1. Results: Ten patients were screened from January 2019 until April 2020, when COVID put the study on hold and the sponsor discontinued the free drug supply. Seven were enrolled. Four were allocated to Arm 1 and three to Arm 2. Patient characteristics in Table. All patients have completed treatment and are in follow-up. Arm 1: all four patients completed radiation therapy and immunotherapy with no dose modifications or delays. Arm 2: one patient had nivolumab delayed 2 weeks for cellulitis, and another missed the last four last doses of nivolumab for cholecystitis and pancreatitis requiring surgery, unrelated to the immunotherapy. Adverse events (AE) were as expected. Arm1 caused more grade 2 and 3 AEs then Arm2 (no grade 3). One patient each discontinued treatment, in Arm 1 for progression and Arm 2 for immunotoxicity (temporal arteritis grade 2). One recurrence was observed in Arm 1 and none in Arm 2. Conclusions: The number of patients expected to recur at 1 year is 20%. Our observed data is insufficient to establish efficacy. However with no patient recurring in the ipilimumab arm after 18 months of follow-up and lower observed side effects, we would favor this regimen for the next trial. Clinical trial information: NCT03798639. [Table: see text]
FDG-PET/CT response and outcome of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for clinical stage III melanoma.
Authors: De Barros E. Silva Milton Jose , Liz Caio Dabbous , Teixeira Marcos Rezende , Rinck José Augusto , Tavares Monique Celeste , Garcia Daniel , Lima Joao Paulo S. N. , Lobo Matheus , Pinto Clovis , Cavicchioli Marcelo , Lima Eduardo , Bertolli Eduardo , Molina Andre , Gollob Kenneth , Figueiredo Amanda , Duprat Joao 
Published: June 2021

e21569 Background: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy with nivolumab 3mg/kg and ipilimumab 1mg/kg for two cycles(N3+I1) or anti-PD1 for 3-8 weeks for clinical stage III melanoma have shown rates of pCR/near-pCR about 60% or 30%, respectively. The prognosis of this group seems to be excellent so far. On the other hand, patients classified as pathological non-response have a worse outcome and early identification of this group may allow us to tailor treatment before surgery. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with clinical stage III melanoma treated with neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade who did baseline and pre-operative FDG-PET/CT. The total number of FGD avid lesions and the percentual difference between the maximum SUV per lesion was calculated. The pathological results were correlated to FGD-PET/CT findings. Results: Between January 2019 and January 2021, nine patients with clinical stage III melanoma were identified. Six patients received Nivolumab 3m/kg and Ipilimumab 1mg/kg for two cycles and 3 received anti-PD1 for 60 days. Baseline FDG-PET/CT showed just one avid lesion in 7 patients, 2 avid lesions in one patient and 3 avid lesions in one patient. All known lesions identified by CT scan were also captured by FGD-PET/CT. After the neoadjuvant treatment, 4 patients achieved pCR/near-pCR. All of them were treated with N3+I1. Two of them had metabolic complete response (including the one with 3 PET- avid lesions) and 2 had reduction on FDG concentration (-31% and – 76%). Three patients had absence of response: 100% of viable tumor cells (VTC), all of them with increase in FDG concentration (+12% to + 307%) and appearance of a new lesion in one case. Two out of them were treated with anti-PD1. One patient had partial response (40% of VTC). Interestingly, this patient developed sarcoidosis-like reaction with increase of SUV in the index lesion (+68%) and appearance of mediastinal lymph-nodes. One patient, who had two lesions, presented a mixed response: complete response in one and 90% of VTC in the other. FDG-PET/CT was able to detect both responses (metabolic complete response and increase of FGD concentration of 17%, respectively). Conclusions: Reduction in FGD-PET/CT concentration with no appearance of new lesion(s) is associated with significant pathological response. An increase of SUV or appearance of new lesion(s) should be carefully interpreted.
Joint application of a new rotavirus group from reoviridae family and PD-1 inhibitor on the growth of melanoma В16/F10.
Authors: Kolpakov Sergey A. , Kolpakova Elena P. , Zlatnik Elena Yu. , Shulgina Oksana G. , Triandafilidi Elena I. , Bykadorova Oksana V. 
Published: June 2021

e21573 Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the possible synergism of strains of a new rotavirus group (Reoviridae family) and PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (P) on the growth of murine transplantable melanoma В16/F10. Methods: The study was performed using a strains 228 and 100 of a new group of rotaviruses (working title «group K», RVK) ( http://jbks.ru/archive/issue-10/article-6 ). RVK is a live attenuated and apathogenic strain growing on the PEKC culture (pig embryo kidney cells) with 5·109 viral particles/mL. Melanoma B16/F10 was transplanted subcutaneously (2x106 living tumor cells/mL) to 40 female mice C57/Bl6. RVK strains (0.3 ml of a virus-containing fluid) were injected intramuscularly once a week during 5 weeks before tumor transplantation and P was administrated intramuscularly (0,04 µg once a week during the life span of the mice) after formation of the visible tumor. The 1 experimental group received RVK 228+P, the 2 – RVK 100+P, the 3 – only P, the 4 group was tumor-bearing control; n was 10 in each group. Results: 1 week after melanoma transplantation tumor was visible and palpable in all the mice except those of the 1 group; 10 days after transplantation tumor size was 0.028±0.0046 cm3 in the 1 group, 0.14±0.055 in the 2 group, 0.24±0.05 in the 3 group, 0.21±0.042 in the control group. A week later these parameters were 0.6±0.24, 0.99±0.3, 1.3±0.25, и 2.1±0.3 сm3 respectively, i.e. in all the experimental groups they were decreased vs control (р < 0.05). 3 weeks after transplantation the melanoma size became equal in the 3 and 4 groups (2.0±0.38 и 2.43±0.38 сm3 respectively) while in mice of the 1 group it remained decreased (1.17±0.26 сm3; р < 0.05). 1 month after transplantation the minimal tumor size was observed in mice of the 2 group (1.9±0.6 cm3), in the 1 group it was 2.6±0.17 сm3. By this time only 1 mouse survived in control group while 5 mice survived in the 3 and 1 groups, 6 mice in the 2 group. So in both of the groups vaccinated with RVK before P tumor burden was less than in controls and in mice with only P. The life span of all the experimental groups was similar and significantly higher than in controls. Conclusions: Application of RVK strains №228 and №100 in vaccination mode enhanced the antitumor effect of PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab on B16/F10 growth; this defines a solid rationale for their joint use. Strain 228 demonstrates the result in early and strain 100 – in later term of tumor growth.
Impact of the azoximer bromide concomitant therapy on patient outcomes in patients with melanoma.
Authors: Shendaleva Natalya , Novik Aleksei Viktorovich , Zozulya Anton , Nekhaeva Tatyana Leonidovna , Semenova Anna , Teletaeva Gulfiya Midhatovna , Latipova Dilorom Khamidovna , Semiglazova Tatiana , Protsenko Svetlana , Baldueva Irina Alexandrovna 
Published: June 2021

e21574 Background: Immunomodulators are used in the treatment of patients with melanoma. However, their role as anticancer therapeutic agents requires further investigation. Azoximer bromide (AB) is a well-tolerated immunomodulator that has been used in cases of melanoma. We investigated the impact of AB when used concomitantly with other melanoma treatment modalities on the overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Methods: We reviewed per protocol, a single-center real practice database that included 1,391 patients. Forty-two patients had received AB as a concomitant therapeutic agent. Concomitant medications included immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, vaccines, targeted therapy and surgery alone in the adjuvant or metastatic setting. We built Cox proportional-hazards models for OS and TTP stratified by stage in SPSS v19. All known prognostic factors (LDH, TNM stage and sub-stage, mutations, sex, age, therapy by type, and by immunologic action) were included in the model along with AB therapy. Known factors were separated from unknown (AB therapy) by different variable blocks. A step forward method was used for model construction. Results: Significant (p < 0.05) factors to emerge in the OS model were LDH (Hazards ration [HR]: 1.458 for high LDH), sub-stage (HR: 1.718 for M1b-d sub-stage), BRAF mutation (HR: 0.698 if present), current therapy type (HR: 0.501 for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), HR: 0.656 for targeted therapy (TT), HR: 1.275 for systemic immunotherapy, HR: 0.825 per added method for complex treatment, HR: 0.605 for surgery), previous treatment (HR: 0.778 for ICI, HR: 1.207 for single-agent chemotherapy, HR 1.176 for targeted or local treatment, HR: 1.315 for combination chemotherapy, HR: 2.039 for immunosuppressive factors reduction methods), male sex (HR: 1.204) and AB therapy (HR: 0.475). Significant factors in the TTP model were LDH (HR: 1.348 for high LDH), sub-stage (HR: 1.434 for B-D sub-stage), current therapy type (HR: 0.432 for (ICI), HR: 0.541 for TT, HR: 0.692 per added method for complex therapy HR: 0.705 for surgery), previous therapy (HR: 0.789 for ICI), male sex (HR: 1.167) and AB therapy (HR: 0.478). Conclusions: The addition of AB to standard therapy in melanoma appears to be an independent favorable prognostic factor. Prospective, randomized, clinical trials are needed to investigate these findings further.
The clinicopathological and survival analysis of urological mucosal melanoma: A single-center retrospective observational study.
Authors: Tang Bixia , Yan Xieqiao , Chi Zhihong , Li Siming , Cui Chuanliang , Lian Bin , Si Lu , Mao Lili , Wang Xuan , Bai Xue , Zhou Li , Duan Rong , Xu Huayan , Li Caili , Guo Jun , Sheng Xinan 
Published: June 2021

e21588 Background: Primary mucosal melanoma arising in the urinary tract is rare and poorly characterized. Methods: The records of patients with urological mucosal melanoma who presented to the department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma of Peking University Cancer Hospital between September, 2004 and April, 2019 were reviewed. Available clinicopathological and molecular characteristics were summarized, including pathological parameters, gene mutation, primary surgical intervention, systemic treatment and clinical course. The rates of local recurrence rate, loco-regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were assessed. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM Staging System for bladder cancer/renal pelvis and ureter cancer/urethral carcinoma (8th ed., 2017) were adopted for staging. Results: Fifty-eight patients were involved in the study with a median age of 62.5 years (range: 32-82). The anatomic sites of the primary urological mucosal melanomas were from the urethra (89.7%), bladder (6.9%), ureter (0%) and kidney (0%), and the left (4.4%) were from multiple loci. At initial diagnosis, 75.9% (n=44) were stage I/II disease, 1.7% (n=1) stage III, and 22.4% (n=13) stage IV. There was 3.4% incidence of CKIT mutation and 1.7% of BRAF mutation. After median follow-up of 22.6 mo, 31.4% (16/51) relapsed locally after organ-preserved surgery. 21.6% (11/51) and 39.2% (20/51) developed metastases to reginal lymph nodes and distance, respectively. The median relapse free survival and median overall survival were 12.2 (95%CI: 7.9-16.4) mo and 33.9 (95%CI: 19.2-48.6) mo, respectively. Univariate Cox analysis showed that TNM stage and systemic adjuvant therapy were the prognostic factors of OS, while no association was found with Breslow thickness, miotic rate, ulceration and gender. Conclusions: Urological mucosal melanoma predominantly arises from lower urinary tract with rare BRAF and CKIT mutation. AJCC TNM Staging System for urothelial carcinoma is proved practical for urothelial melanoma, which should be validated in larger population. Future research is required to identify adjuvant treatment approaches to improve disease outcomes.