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Purpose: Trastuzumab, a humanized anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (anti-HER2) antibody delivered intravenously, has revolutionized the treatment of patients with breast cancer overexpressing HER2 protein. Recently, a newer subcutaneous formulation was shown to have comparable efficacy to the initial intravenous trastuzumab. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of subcutaneous trastuzumab on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients diagnosed with early or metastatic HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Methods: Patients were provided with the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30) and the BR-23 questionnaires. The scoring of questionnaires and patient’s sociodemographic and clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded and analyzed by descriptive and correlation statistics employing t test and 2-way analysis of variance. Results: A total of 163 patients agreed to participate in the study. About 90 of 163 patients (55.21%) received subcutaneous trastuzumab and 21 patients intravenous trastuzumab (12.88%). A control group of 52 HER2+ patients received chemotherapy without trastuzumab (31.90%). Patients receiving subcutaneous trastuzumab were older and of more advanced disease stage compared with those receiving chemotherapy (58.5 vs 51 years, 39.8% vs 28.8% advanced disease). In univariate analysis, subcutaneous trastuzumab was associated with less nausea and vomiting (P =.002) but worse cognitive function (P =.013) and dyspnea (P =.042). Patients who have received >8 cycles of subcutaneous trastuzumab reported less diarrhea (P =.049) and systemic therapy side effects (P =.015). Multivariate analysis showed that patients without comorbidity receiving subcutaneous trastuzumab had less treatment side effects, less upset by hair loss, and higher emotional functioning. Of note, mastectomy and subcutaneous trastuzumab were associated with improved role functioning (P =.021). In metastatic disease, no negative impact of subcutaneous trastuzumab on HRQoL was found. Conclusions: The administration of subcutaneous trastuzumab improved certain symptoms and did not adversely affect most of the assessed functional scales. Particularly, in the metastatic setting, subcutaneous trastuzumab had no negative impact on HRQoL. © The Author(s) 2018.

Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) often suffer from comorbid depression. P11 (S100A10), a member of the S100 family of proteins, is expressed widely throughout the body and is involved in major depressive disorder and antidepressant response. Central p11 levels are reduced in postmortem tissue from depressed individuals; however, p11 has not yet been investigated in PD patients with depression or those without depression. We investigated p11 levels in postmortem PD brains and assessed whether peripheral p11 levels correlate with disease severity. Substantia nigra, putamen, and cortical p11 protein levels were assessed in postmortem brain samples from PD patients and matched controls. In a different set of postmortem brains, p11 mRNA expression was measured in dopaminergic cells from the substantia nigra. Both p11 protein and mRNA levels were decreased in PD patients. Peripheral p11 protein levels were investigated in distinct leukocyte populations from PD patients with depression and those without depression. Monocyte, natural killer (NK) cell, and cytotoxic T-cell p11 levels were positively associated with the severity of PD, and NK cell p11 levels were positively associated with depression scores. Given that inflammation plays a role in both PD and depression, it is intriguing that peripheral p11 levels are altered in immune cells in both conditions. Our data provide insight into the pathological alterations occurring centrally and peripherally in PD. Moreover, if replicated in other cohorts, p11 could be an easily accessible biomarker for monitoring the severity of PD, especially in the context of comorbid depression.

Beneficial invertebrate activity (13 groups) was assessed in five crop types on a split-plot experimental system in northern England using pitfall trapping and suction sampling in May-October 2005. Very significant differences were detected in activity between crop type, and in the preference of groups for individual crops. Within crop types, differences in fertiliser and crop protection approaches appeared to significantly affect activity, with preferences for either organic or conventional management differing between groups. In general, inorganic fertiliser application had more effect on activity than pesticide, herbicide and fungicide use.