Search

PurposeIn National Wilms Tumor Study 5 (NWTS-5), tumor-specific combined loss of heterozygosity of chromosomes 1p and 16q (LOH1p/16q) was associated with adverse outcomes in patients with favorable histology Wilms tumor. The AREN0533/AREN0532 studies assessed whether augmenting therapy improved event-free survival (EFS) for these patients. Patients with stage I/II disease received regimen DD4A (vincristine, dactinomycin and doxorubicin) but no radiation therapy. Patients with stage III/IV disease received regimen M (vincristine, dactinomycin, and doxorubicin alternating with cyclophosphamide and etoposide) and radiation therapy.MethodsPatients were enrolled through the AREN03B2 Biology study between October 2006 and October 2013; all underwent central review of pathology, surgical reports, and imaging. Tumors were evaluated for LOH1p/16q by microsatellite testing. EFS and overall survival were compared using the log-rank test between NWTS-5 and current studies.ResultsLOH1p/16q was detected in 49 of 1,147 evaluable patients with stage I/II disease (4.27%) enrolled in AREN03B2; 32 enrolled in AREN0532. LOH1p/16q was detected in 82 of 1,364 evaluable patients with stage III/IV disease (6.01%) in AREN03B2; 51 enrolled in AREN0533. Median follow-up for 83 eligible patients enrolled in AREN0532/0533 was 5.73 years (range, 2.84 to 9.63 years). The 4-year EFS for patients with stage I/II and stage III/IV disease with LOH1p/16 was 87.3% (95% CI, 75.1% to 99.5%) and 90.2% (95% CI, 81.8% to 98.6%), respectively. These results are improved compared with the NWTS-5 updated 4-year EFS of 68.8% for patients with stage I/II disease (P = .042), and 61.3% for patients with stage III/IV disease (P = .001), with trends toward improved 4-year overall survival. The most common grade 3 or higher nonhematologic toxicities with regimen M were febrile neutropenia (39.2%) and infections (21.6%).ConclusionAugmentation of therapy improved EFS for patients with favorable histology Wilms tumor and LOH1p/16q compared with the historical NWTS-5 comparison group, with an expected toxicity profile.

Purpose The National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) treatment of favorable histology Wilms tumor with lung metastases was vincristine/dactinomycin/doxorubicin (DD4A) and lung radiation therapy (RT). The AREN0533 study applied a new risk stratification and treatment strategy to improve event-free survival (EFS) while reducing exposure to lung RT. Methods Patients with favorable histology Wilms tumor and isolated lung metastases showing complete lung nodule response (CR) after 6 weeks of DD4A continued receiving chemotherapy without lung RT. Patients with incomplete response (IR) or loss of heterozygosity at chromosomes 1p/16q received lung RT and four cycles of cyclophosphamide/etoposide in addition to DD4A drugs (Regimen M). AREN0533 was designed to preserve a 4-year EFS of 85% for lung nodule CR and improve 4-year EFS from 75% to 85% for lung nodule IR. Results Among 292 assessable patients, 133 had CR and 159 had IR. For patients with CR, 4-year EFS and overall survival (OS) estimates were 79.5% (95% CI, 71.2% to 87.8%) and 96.1% (95% CI, 92.1% to 100%), respectively. Expected versus observed event rates were 15% and 20.2% ( P = .052), respectively. For patients with IR, 4-year EFS and OS estimates were 88.5% (95% CI, 81.8% to 95.3%) and 95.4% (95% CI, 90.9% to 99.8%), respectively. Expected versus observed event rates were 25% and 12.2% ( P < .001), respectively. Overall, 4-year EFS and OS were 85.4% (95% CI, 80.5% to 90.2%) and 95.6% (95% CI, 92.8% to 98.4%) compared with 72.5% (95% CI, 66.9% to 78.1%; P < .001) and 84.0% (95% CI, 79.4% to 88.6%; P < .001), respectively, in the predecessor NWTS-5 study. Conclusion Excellent OS was achieved after omission of primary lung RT in patients with lung nodule CR, although there were more events than expected. EFS was significantly improved, with excellent OS, in patients with lung nodule IR using four cycles of cyclophosphamide/etoposide in addition to DD4A drugs. The overall AREN0533 treatment strategy yielded EFS and OS estimates that were superior to previous studies.

Objective: To quantify the effect of handhold size (diameter) on the maximum breakaway strength between a hand and handhold for children.Background: Falls from playground equipment are a major cause of childhood injury and death. It is unclear if recommendations for handholds on playground equipment are too broad.Methods: Breakaway strength was defined as the maximum quasistatic force that can be exerted on a grasped object before the object is forcibly pulled from the grasp. Hand anthropometry, grip, and breakaway strengths were measured for 397 children between the ages of 6 and 11 years. Three cylindrical handhold diameters were tested.Results: Breakaway strength was significantly affected by handhold size, gender, and hand dominance. Significant covariate predictors for breakaway strength included grip strength, age, and hand breadth. Breakaway strength was reduced for the largest diameter (3.81 cm) for children of all ages.Conclusion: Handhold design factors significantly affect the breakaway strength of children.Application: The results can be used as a basis for design recommendations for hand rungs used by children to reliably support their bodyweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injury resulting in death and disability and alcohol-related problems are two major problems in West Virginia, yet few effective preventive strategies are available. A relatively simple and effective preventive strategy, appropriate for all health care providers, can help to alter excessive alcohol consumption and its resulting harm and consequences. Over the past five years, a series of alcohol intervention projects have been conducted in the Emergency Department at West Virginia University Hospital and other medical settings. Short motivational counseling sessions, which are referred to as screening and brief intervention (SBI), were tailored to each patient's needs. SBI is a secondary prevention strategy used to help persons identified with alcohol problems to decrease their drinking and reduce the harm caused by alcohol. To date, 90% of the nearly 8,000 eligible patients have consented to participate in these studies. Follow-up rates have ranged between 45% and 61%. This article describes the methodologies and results of our SBI studies and their relevance to West Virginia health care providers.