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Background First‐line platinum‐based therapy for advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the anal canal (SCCA) implies a risk of substantial side effects, and data on second‐line treatment options are limited. Paclitaxel and Capecitabine are a well‐known regimen with a moderate toxicity profile, but its efficacy has not been evaluated. Methods We conducted a retrospective study using Danish Hospital Registers of patients treated with Paclitaxel and Capecitabine for inoperable, recurrent, or advanced metastatic SCCA in Denmark, between January 2000 and July 2018. Results A total of 52 patients met the eligibility criteria. Median age was 60.7 years (range 42–83). Efficacy was observed, with an overall response rate in patients receiving first‐line (N = 28) and second‐line (N = 23) Paclitaxel and Capecitabine of 39.3% (2 with complete responses) and 17.4%, respectively. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 4.5 months (95% CI 3.3–5.9) and 3.8 months (95% CI 2.4–5.5) with OS of 6.7 months (95% CI 5.9–8.5) and 5.9 months (95% CI 3.9–14), respectively. Performance status ≥2 and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio ≥4 were significantly associated with a short PFS. Conclusion This study recognizes Paclitaxel and Capecitabine as a potential regimen for advanced SCCA, when recommended first‐line therapy is not feasible or as a potential second‐line treatment after failure of platinum‐based chemotherapy., Paclitaxel and Capecitabine is recognized for advanced anal cancer when recommended first‐line therapy is not feasible or as second‐line treatment after failure of platinum‐based chemotherapy.

Objective Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication causing both fetal and maternal distress. Proteinuria is a diagnostic criterion frequently determined by albuminuria. We determined the protein excretion pattern of additional proteins, immunoglobulin G, transferrin, α1-microglobulin and β2-microglobulin, in urine samples collected prospectively during pre-eclamptic and healthy pregnancies. Design A prospective cohort study of 1,631 consecutive pregnant women. Setting A Danish regional hospital. Sample Thirty-two women with pre-eclampsia and 185 healthy control women were identified from the cohort. Urine samples were obtained from the 18th week until delivery and divided into six gestational intervals. Methods Protein analyses of urine immunoglobulin G, transferrin, α1-microglobulin and β2-microglobulin were done with a sandwich ELISA method. Main outcome measures Urine levels of specific proteins during pre-eclamptic and healthy pregnancies. Results Immunoglobulin G and transferrin were significantly increased in pre-eclampsia after the 30th week of pregnancy. α(1)-Microglobulin and β(2)-microglobulin were differently excreted and found to be higher after the 36(th) week of pregnancy in pre-eclampsia, but only α1-microglobulin increased significantly. Conclusions Immunoglobulin G, transferrin, α1- and β2-microglobulin excretion patterns indicate initial glomerular damage followed by altered tubular handling of proteins.

Objective. To evaluate differences in plasma cytokine levels longitudinally in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. An increased inflammatory response has long been associated with pre-eclampsia, both early and late in the pre-eclamptic pregnancy. Design. Blood samples were collected longitudinally during pregnancy from a cohort of 1 631 pregnant women. Thirty-two women with pre-eclampsia and 67 normotensive pregnant women were identified from the cohort. Setting. A Danish regional hospital. Samples. Samples were collected from the 18th week of pregnancy until delivery and divided into the following four gestational intervals: 36th week. Methods. Simultaneous measurement of all nine cytokines was done using a capture bead system. Main Outcome Measures. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor during pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. Results. Pre-eclampsia was associated with increased tumor necrosis factor-α between the 26th and 29th week (p=0.0421) and increased IL-6 after the 36th week (p=0.0044). The other cytokines measured were comparable in the two groups. Conclusions. This large prospective collection of blood samples was undertaken to determine inflammatory status during pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. Our results support a tendency towards increased inflammation in pre-eclampsia, but the measured cytokines are not eligible for prediction, monitoring or diagnosing pre-eclampsia.

Udgivelsesdato: 2007-null BACKGROUND: Alternatively activated macrophages expressing the CD163 and CD206 surface receptors are the dominant immune-cell type found in the placenta. The placental number and distribution of macrophages is altered in pre-eclampsia, and the generalised inflammatory reaction associated with pre-eclampsia might lead to shedding of soluble CD163 into the circulation. METHODS: Serum samples from 18 women with pre-eclampsia and 90 normal pregnancies were obtained from a longitudinal study of 955 pregnant women at Randers County Hospital, Denmark. sCD163 and Neopterin were measured by ELISA on samples collected in weeks 18, 28, 32, and 38 of pregnancy. RESULTS: sCD163 levels in pregnancy (2-3 mg/l) were similar to previously measured levels in non-pregnant women, and did not increase from week 18 to 38. There was a tendency towards higher sCD163 in week 38 in pre-eclamptic women compared to healthy women. Neopterin increased throughout pregnancy in both healthy (from median 5.4 to 6.7 nmol/l, p