Upskilling haematological services for WGS and germline assessments through a regional skin biopsy training programme

NHS England Genomics introduced whole genome sequencing (WGS) with standard-of- care (SoC) genetic testing for haemato-oncology patients who meet eligibility criteria, including patients with acute leukaemia across all ages, and exhausted SoC testing. Alongside, the role of germline mutations in haematological cancers is becoming increasingly recognised. DNA samples are required from the malignant cells (somatic sample) via a bone marrow aspirate, and from non-malignant cells (germline sample) for comparator analysis. Skin biopsy is considered the gold-standard tissue to provide a source of fibroblast DNA for germline analysis. Performing skin punch biopsies is not within the traditional skillset for haematology teams and upskilling is necessary to deliver WGS/germline testing safely, independently and sustainably. A teaching programme was designed and piloted by the dermatology and haematology teams in Sheffield and delivered throughout the NHS trusts in North East & Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub. The training programme consisted of a 90-min session, slides, video and practical biopsy on pork belly or synthetic skin, designed to teach up to six students at one time. To disseminate best practice, the standard operating procedure and patient information used routinely in Sheffield were shared, to be adapted for local service delivery. From January 2021 to December 2022, 136 haematology staff from 11 hospitals, including 34 consultants, 41 registrars, 34 nurses and 8 physician associates, across the NEY GLH region completed the skin biopsy training programme. Feedback from the course was outstanding, with consistently high scores in all categories. Practical components of the course were especially valued;98.6% (71/72) trainees scored the practical element of the programme a top score of 5 out of 5, highlighting that despite the challenges of delivering face-to- face teaching due to COVID-19, teaching of practical skills was highly valued;training in this way could not have been replicated virtually. Costs of the programme have been approximately 16 000, including consultant input and teaching/educational materials. Recent support has been provided by a separately funded Genomic Nurse Practitioner (GNP), with succession planning for the GNP to take over leadership from the consultant dermatologist. Plans are in place to use the remaining budget to disseminate the programme nationally. Our training programme has shown that skin biopsy can be formally embedded into training for haematology consultants, trainees, nursing team, and physician associates. Delivery of training can be effective and affordable across regional GLHs with appropriate leadership and inter-speciality coordination, and ultimately sustainable with specialist nursing staff, including GNPs.

Reducing your risk cancer-focused health events to meaningfully engage the medically underserved and diminish future cancer disparities

Lack of access to cancer prevention education, early screening, and timely treatment, particularly in low socioeconomic, underserved communities, are cited as substantial barriers to improving survivorship. Outreach educational efforts with on-site screenings offered in partnership with community groups are known to be valuable in encouraging community members' uptake of healthy behaviors and adherence to screening recommendation. To create more engaging events, a community-academic partnership, We Engage 4 Health (WE4H), co-created 11 unique 4-panel comic-style stories designed to be read aloud together as attendees visit each event table. These colorful stories are shared on boards that stand on each table and are offered in both English and Spanish at this time. Many tables also have an accompanying hands-on activity. Together, they lead to meaningful "low stakes" discussions which support understanding of seemingly complex health information. Story topics include the cause of cancer (Cells Gone Wrong), cancer risk factors (Reducing Your Risk), the role of primary care in cancer screening (Primary Care for Prevention), the purpose of research (short Research Ready) and details about specific cancer types (Combatting Colon Cancer, Blocking Breast Cancer, Looking for Lung Cancer, Silencing Skin Cancer, Hindering HPV, and Professional Prostate Protection) and COVID-19 (Take Your Best Shot FAQs). A health passport is used to facilitate table visitation and survey collection at each table enables meaningful evaluation of the event as well as provides the community hosts and their partners baseline cancer data to inform future programing. In 2022, WE4H and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center partnered with three different communities to co-host pilot events that served over 100 adult residents. Community, research interns and university students volunteered to work the tables at the event and received training prior. Post event surveys and discussions indicated that community partners appreciated the different take on a health fair event. Most volunteers indicated that they would enjoy volunteering again. Attendees indicated that they liked the graphic-style story format used and most preferred it to text and text with graphics approaches. Taken together, the data indicates that Reducing Your Risk events are useful in meaningfully engaging hard to reach, at risk attendees. Additional in-person and virtual events are being planned for 2023 as an approach to reach the medically underserved throughout our region.

To the tumor and beyond: Tales of a holistic miRNA delivery vehicle

Like the challenges and skepticism that faced the antibody therapeutics field over a decade ago, RNA therapeutics is facing the same. And, like the antibody therapeutics field, we are beginning to realize the clinical impact of RNA therapeutics amiss these challenges. This is most clearly highlighted with the recent approval of mRNA vaccines to prevent against SARS-CoV-2 and the first FDA approved RNAi drugs targeted to the liver. Unfortunately, RNA-based drugs targeted to cancer cells is lagging behind, even with countless years of work that has revealed the power of using RNAi for treating oncological diseases. Lack of success in this space is attributed to inability to deliver RNAi safely and effectively. A successful delivery agent requires multiple features. First, the agent must deliver the RNA specifically to the intended cells. Second, the agent must have a large therapeutic window, meaning that toxicity, if observed, should occur at doses that are orders of magnitude higher than the therapeutic dose. Third, if delivery of the RNA is by way of a specific ligand and receptor pair, as is the case herein, the RNA must successfully escape the endosome. Simply swelling the endosome is not enough if noncovalent interactions between the ligand and the receptor cannot be disrupted. Fourth, the RNA should include appropriate stabilizing modifications to increase intracellular half-life that will reduce dosing and cost. Through hard work and dedication in this space, we have come up with an inclusive, easily synthesized, intramolecular molecule that achieves all of these essential features. Moreover, the ligand used to achieve successful delivery is also being evaluated for imaging tumors localized in the central nervous system. Here, the challenges we face, the hurdles we have overcome, and the barriers that still remain to achieve success in revealing the clinical potential of miRNA as anti-cancer therapeutics will be presented.

Pulmonary influenza infection promotes the awakening of dormant metastatic breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and the second cancer-causing death in females. Although remission rates are high if detected early, survival rates drop substantially when breast cancer becomes metastatic. The most common sites of metastatic breast cancer are bone, liver and lung. Respiratory viral infections inflict illnesses on countless people. The latest pandemic caused by the respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2, has infected more than 600 million worldwide, with documented COVID-related death upward of 1 million in the United States alone. Respiratory viral infections result in increased inflammation with immune cell influx and expansion to facilitate viral clearance. Prior studies have shown that inflammation, including through neutrophils, can contribute to dormant cancer cells reawakening and outgrowth. Moreover, inhibition of IL6 has been shown to decrease breast cancer lung metastasis in mouse models. However, how respiratory viral infections contribute to breast cancer lung metastasis remains to be unraveled. Using MMTV/PyMT and MMTV/NEU mouse models of breast cancer lung metastasis and influenza A virus as a model respiratory virus, we demonstrated that acute influenza infection and the accompanying inflammation and immune cell influx awakens and dramatically increased proliferation and expansion of dormant disseminated cancer cells (DCC) in the lungs. Acute influenza infection leads to immune influx and expansion, including neutrophils and macrophages, with increased proportion of MHCII+ macrophages in early time points, and a sustained decrease in CD206+ macrophages starting 6 days post-infection until 28 days after the initial infection. Additionally, we observed a sustained accumulation of CD4+ T cells around expanding tumor cells for as long as 28 days after the infection. Notably, neutrophil depletion or IL6 knockout reversed the flu-induced dormant cell expansion in the lung. Finally, awakened DCC exhibited downregulation of vimentin immunoreactivity, suggesting a role for phenotypic plasticity in DCC outgrowth following viral infection. In conclusion, we show that respiratory viral infections awaken and increase proliferation of dormant breast cancer cells in the lung, and that depletion of neutrophils or blocking IL6 reverses influenza-induced dormant cell awakening and proliferation.

Extracellular Events Involved in Cancer Cell-Cell Fusion.

Fusion among different cell populations represents a rare process that is mediated by both intrinsic and extracellular events. Cellular hybrid formation is relayed by orchestrating tightly regulated signaling pathways that can involve both normal and neoplastic cells. Certain important cell merger processes are often required during distinct organismal and tissue development, including placenta and skeletal muscle. In a neoplastic environment, however, cancer cell fusion can generate new cancer hybrid cells. Following survival during a subsequent post-hybrid selection process (PHSP), the new cancer hybrid cells express different tumorigenic properties. These can include elevated proliferative capacity, increased metastatic potential, resistance to certain therapeutic compounds, and formation of cancer stem-like cells, all of which characterize significantly enhanced tumor plasticity. However, many parts within this multi-step cascade are still poorly understood. Aside from intrinsic factors, cell fusion is particularly affected by extracellular conditions, including an inflammatory microenvironment, viruses, pH and ionic stress, hypoxia, and exosome signaling. Accordingly, the present review article will primarily highlight the influence of extracellular events that contribute to cell fusion in normal and tumorigenic tissues.

Glioblastoma Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2: Analysis of Cancer Stem Cells and Immune Tumor Microenvironment on Human Brain, Patient-Derived Tumors, and Organoid Models

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest primary brain tumor, characterized by chemoradiation resistance and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus, produces a significant proinflammatory response and a spectrum of clinical presentations after central nervous system infection. METHOD(S): Patient-derived GBM tissue, primary cell lines, and organoids were analyzed with immunohistochemistry and pixel-line intensity quantification. Data from tumor-bulk and single-cell transcriptomics served to describe the cell-specific expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptors in GBM and its association with the immune TME phenotype. Normal brain and iPSC-derived organoids served as controls. RESULT(S): We demonstrate that patient-derivedGBMtissue and cell cultures express SARS-CoV2 entry factors such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, and NRP1. NRP1 expression was higher in GBM than in normal brains (p<0.05), where it plays a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. NRP1 was expressed in a cell-type and phenotype-specific manner and correlated with TME infiltration of immunosuppressive cells: M2 macrophages (r = 0.229), regulatory T cells (r = 0.459), NK cells (r = -0.346), and endothelial cells (r = 0.288) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that leukocyte migration and chemotaxis are among the top 5 biological functions mediated by NRP1 (p < 0.05). We found our GBM organoids recapitulate tumoral expression of SARSCoV- 2 entry factors, which varies based on distance from surface as surrogate of TME oxygenation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION(S): GBM cancer cells and immune TME cells express SARS-CoV-2 entry factors. Glioblastoma organoids recapitulate this expression and allow for currently undergoing studies analyzing the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in GBM. Our findings suggest that SARSCoV- 2 could potentially target GBM, opening the door to future studies evaluating SARS-CoV-2-driven immune modulation.

Study on Molecular Docking of 'Nucleocapsid (N) Protein of Sars-Cov-2' and 'Mcf-7'

The process of eliminating viral infection and massive control from spreading furthermore by any variants may lead to a pandemic in the near future. On the other aspect, the impact of eradicating by the initial stage to prevent, treat carcinoma to decline the affected and death rate to maximum amount by Molecular Docking. The quickest and easiest method to search out the potential drugs is by analyzing the ligand-protein interactions compared to the traditional ways. Drugs of antivirals and anti-cancer drugs are given for treating viral infections and cancers. Massive kinds of viruses affect humans with several diseases, from self-curable diseases to acute mortal diseases. In cancer, the diseases are known by the cells within humans;multiplication occurs and forming the tumors of malignant cells with the flexibility to be a pathological process. Herbal medicines are known to play enormous role by giving initial priority. Various plant species are being employed to cure or prevent viral infections and cancers. Molecular docking provides a fast understanding of the ligand's exploration of conformations, poses among drug targets' binding sites, and predicts the binding affinity of protein-ligand. Its main approach is to spot top-ranked conformations on compounds and means of docking to the active site of target of interest. Intake of naturally suggested fruits and vegetables leads to the goal of decreasing the death rate, and the count of females who are liable to breast cancers.Copyright All © 2023 are reserved by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Indian Traditional Plant Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.): A Review

Hyssopus officinalis is a traditional medicinal plant that belongs to the family Lamiaceae, which has been used for centuries for various purposes like carminative, expectorant, and cough reliever. It has been used for the treatment of numerous diseases in patients such as ulcers, asthma, jaundice, leprosy, dropsy, bronchitis, COPD, diabetes, AIDS, bacterial and fungal infections as an herbal remedy due to its fewer side effects and is more efficacies than other traditional medicine. Major classes of chemical compounds found in H. officinalis essential oil are bicyclic monoter-penes, monoterpenoids, acyclic monoterpenes, phenolic monoterpenoids, monocyclic monoterpenes, monocyclic sesquiterpenes, tricyclic sesquiterpenes, bicyclic sesquiterpenes, tricyclic sesquiterpe-noids, straight chain saturated hydrocarbons. Some of the major chemical constituents present in the H. officinalis are beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, 1, 8-cineole, apigenin, diosmin, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, cis-pinocamphone, trans-pinocamphone, iso-pinocamphone, pinocarvone, which are responsible for its various pharmacological activity. Various studies have been performed on the pharmacological activity of its extract, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-leishmanial, anthelmintic, anti-protozoal, and anti-anxiety. Recently, it is used as an anticancer agent and has been demonstrated by studying its cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on breast cancer and colon cancer cells. It is used as a potent antibacterial and antifungal agent being studied on the antibiotic-resistant bacterial and fungal strains recently, which can be further useful in developing herbal medicine against AMR. It is an excellent natural antioxidant due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, and H. officinalis is used in various food industries as a source of natural antioxidants, which has minimum side effects as compared to artificial antioxi-dants. Furthermore, the pharmacological activity of these individual chemical constituents in H. officinalis extract still needs to be investigated for identifying the effectiveness of this plant in the natural treatment of various diseases. This review aims to collect various data regarding the traditional herbal plant hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), including its photochemistry, chemical structures of the phyto-constituents and pharmacological profile, along with all the pharmacological models. This plant has significant importance in the health industry, so further studies are required on its effective usage against various emerging health problems, including COVID-19, cancer, diabetes, AMR.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

The Multifaceted Role of Glutathione S-Transferases in Health and Disease.

In humans, the cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) family of proteins is encoded by 16 genes presented in seven different classes. GSTs exhibit remarkable structural similarity with some overlapping functionalities. As a primary function, GSTs play a putative role in Phase II metabolism by protecting living cells against a wide variety of toxic molecules by conjugating them with the tripeptide glutathione. This conjugation reaction is extended to forming redox sensitive post-translational modifications on proteins: S-glutathionylation. Apart from these catalytic functions, specific GSTs are involved in the regulation of stress-induced signaling pathways that govern cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recently, studies on the effects of GST genetic polymorphisms on COVID-19 disease development revealed that the individuals with higher numbers of risk-associated genotypes showed higher risk of COVID-19 prevalence and severity. Furthermore, overexpression of GSTs in many tumors is frequently associated with drug resistance phenotypes. These functional properties make these proteins promising targets for therapeutics, and a number of GST inhibitors have progressed in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

mRNA anti-cancer vaccine research gains momentum

Ongoing research into the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for the treatment of cancer has been expediated by the coronavirus pandemic because similar technology was used in the development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. So how close are we now to the widespread clinical use of mRNA anti-cancer vaccines?.Copyright © 2023 Wiley Interface Ltd.

5th ECOP, European Conference of Oncology Pharmacy

The proceedings contain 130 papers. The topics discussed include: frequency of measuring body weight in (sub)populations of patients with cancer treated with chemotherapy;simple approach to enhance green tea epigallocatechin gallate stability in aqueous solutions and it bioavailability: experimental and theoretical approaches;incidence of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and associated risk factors: single-center experience;impact of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic on cancer treatment in the Calabria Region, Italy;Palbociclib associated neutropenia in clinical practice;successful introduction of a point mutation into the genome of a primary colon cancer cell line using CRISPR base editing technology;incidence of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and associated risk factors: single-center experience;real world data of alk-inhibitors in patients with advanced or metastic non-small cell lung cancer;pembrolizumab in non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review of real life data in Spain;gynecomastia in a male after imatinib treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia;and results after discontinuation of pembrolizumab in metastatic melanoma or lung cancer patients: real-word experience.

The Role of Aquatic Plants in Natural Products and Drug Discovery

Background: Phytochemicals and their derivatives/analogues represent over 50% of the current medicines worldwide in clinical use. Despite a significant contribution to the total bioactive natural plant products, aquatic plants are underestimated, and several species are extinct and in the endangered list. Objective(s): The aim of this review article is to draw the attention of common people and scientists toward a few important contributions of the aquatic plants to natural product chemistry and drug discovery by highlighting the chemical and pharmaceutical aspects of the same. Method(s): The presented data were collected and selected from the literature obtained by an online search for the ethnomedicinal properties, biological activities and bioactive chemical constituents of aquatic plants using Google Scholar, PubMed and Scifinder chemical abstract service. Result(s): The selected literature data revealed that the extract and compounds isolated from several aquatic plants possess significant biological/pharmaceutical properties. For example, the alpha-asarone (24) and asiatic acid (33) isolated from Acorus calamus and Centella asiatica, respectively, exhibited significant neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. The cripowellin A (59), cripowellin C (60), cripowellin B (61) and cripowellin D (62), isolated from Crinum erubescens, exhibited potent antiplasmodial and antiproliferative activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) in nanomolar range (11-260 nM). Several other alkaloids from different Crinum species have also shown anticancer properties against different cancer cell lines with IC50 value <5 microM. Alkaloids and resin glycosides, isolated from different Ipomoea species, have displayed significant psychotropic, psychotomimetic, anticancer, and antibacterial activities with IC50 value <5 microM. Conclusion(s): The aquatic plants play a significant role in the discovery of bioactive natural products. Although several biological activities and bioactive compounds have been reported from these plants, further assessment and scientific validation of most of their traditional usages still need to be done. There are several other similar species that are underestimated and not much explored. Many aquatic plants, such as Ipomoea carnea Jacq., Juncus lomatophyllus Spreng., Commelina benghalensis Linn, Gunnera perpensa L., Scirpus maritimus L. and Mentha longifolia (L.) L., may be considered for further evaluation. In addition to these, one should not undermine the potential of Crinum macowanii for COVID-19 pathogenesis, as its chemical constituent lycorine has shown significant SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory potential (EC50, 0.3 muM;SI >129). Furthermore, most rural communities are still using the wetland resources for their cultural, medicinal, economic, domestic, and agricultural needs. Hence, the conservation of aquatic plants and wetlands is an issue of great concern.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Antiviral Molecular Targets of Essential Oils against SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review

Essential oils are potential therapeutics for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in which some of the volatile compounds of essential oils have been well known for their broad antiviral activities. These therapeutic candidates have been shown to regulate the excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which underlies the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19. We aimed to identify molecular targets of essential oils in disrupting the cell entry and replication of SARS-CoV-2, hence being active as antivirals. Literature searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, Scillit, and CaPlus/SciFinder (7 December 2022) with a truncated title implying the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of essential oil. Data were collected from the eligible studies and described narratively. Quality appraisal was performed on the included studies. A total of eight studies were included in this review;four of which used enzyme inhibition assay, one—pseudo-SARS-CoV-2 culture;two—whole SARS-CoV-2 culture;and one—ACE2-expressing cancer cells. Essential oils may prevent the SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting its receptors on the cells (ACE2 and TMPRSS2). Menthol, 1,8-cineole, and camphor are among the volatile compounds which serve as potential ACE2 blockers. β-caryophyllene may selectively target the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and inhibit viral entry. Other interactions with SARS-CoV-2 proteases and RdRp are observed based on molecular docking. In conclusion, essential oils could target proteins related to the SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication. Further studies with improved and uniform study designs should be carried out to optimize essential oils as COVID-19 therapies. © 2023 by the authors.

Spotting the Needle Amongst the Haystack - When Asthma Isn't Asthma

Introduction/Background: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), previously known as Churg-Strauss Syndrome, is a rare, small to medium vessel ANCA associated vasculitis. Hallmarks of EGPA include asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, and peripheral neuropathy. EGPA is characterized by a prodrome of asthma and allergic rhinitis, followed by peripheral blood hyper-eosinophilia and accumulation of extravascular eosinophils, and finally systemic vasculitis. Extrapulmonary involvement is common, sometimes with fatal outcomes. The onset of EPGA is typically between 25-50 years;however, EGPA also occurs during childhood and has a significant morbidity and mortality. Description/Method: Our patient presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of lethargy, wheeze and left sided neck swelling. After testing COVID-19 positive eight months prior to this, she developed wheezy episodes and was subsequently diagnosed with asthma which was managed with bronchodilators as required. She was reviewed by an allergist who confirmed a dust mite allergy and prescribed Montelukast. She remained well during the summer months however during winter she had 3 distinctive episodes of wheeze and cough which were managed by antibiotics and prednisolone. In the emergency department, an echocardiogram was performed which showed a cardiac tamponade. She was transferred to CICU where she had a pericardial drain inserted. The fluid was abundant with inflammatory cells. Multiple investigations were performed as follows: Hb: 135g/L, wbc: 20.30 x 10 9/L, Eosinophils: 12.77 x 10 9/L, CRP: 51 mg/L, ESR: 75 mm/hr, LDH: 1188 IU/L, IgE: 8000 UI/ml, ANA, ANCA: negative. CT chest showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy and patchy bilateral infiltrate and cardiac MRI showed myopericarditis and LV fibrosis. BMA showed no malignant cells and sinusitis was confirmed by CT. On examination, she was underweight. Her nasal mucosa looked inflamed. Otherwise systemic examination was unremarkable. In the context of poor ejection fraction (20%) with LV fibrosis, urgent MDT was arranged and concluded that our working diagnosis was EGPA. The decision was made to start IV methylprednisolone 10mg/kg/day for 3 days and Ivermectin. That night our patient had a VF arrest which required a single shock conversion 4J/kg. There was 7-minute downtime. Treatment was escalated to include cyclophosphamide, rituximab and plasmapheresis. The patient made a remarkable recovery, extubated and transferred to a normal ward. Her eosinophils count and inflammatory markers improved dramatically following treatment. However, she developed severe neuropathic left leg pain and NCS confirmed peripheral neuropathy Discussion/Results: EGPA is a very rare disease and diagnosis can be challenging especially with the absence of histopathology diagnosis. Early empirical treatment especially in a very ill child in intensive care unit can save lives and divert the progress of the disease. This patient has fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria to diagnose EGPA including asthma, eosinophil count > 10% of upper normal, peripheral neuropathy, pulmonary infiltrates on CT thorax and paranasal sinuses abnormalities. Cardiac biopsy of the fibrotic mass may be a useful tool for diagnosis;however, this invasive procedure may expose this patient with high risk of fatal arrhythmias. Since other causes of eosinophilia were ruled out including parasitic infections, lymphoproliferative disorders, and rare primary immunodeficiency syndromes (hyper-IgE syndrome due to STAT3 or DOCK8 deficiency and Omenn syndrome) and the patient responded well to treatment, the diagnosis of EGPA was supported. Key learning points/Conclusion: Asthma not responding to bronchodilator could be another diagnosis Eosinophilia should be interpreted with caution. Defer the need for histopathology diagnosis in critically ill children Cardiac involvement is a life-threatening marker Early diagnosis prevents life threatening complications.

Rare case of post-COVID transverse myelitis

Case Report: Acute transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare inflammatory disease that typically presents asweakness, sensory alterations, and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Among the causes of TM are infections, paraneoplastic syndromes, or autoimmune conditions of CNS. Postinfectious TM can develop secondary to a viral or bacterial infection. SARS-CoV-2 is a recently discovered viral illness, and sequelae due to COVID-19 infection are still being studied. There is scarce literature relating the two conditions, and it is imperative to raise awareness. A 72-year-old man with hypertension and GERD, completely independent in ADL, was brought to the ED with sudden onset of bilateral lower extremity weakness. He reported symptoms started with difficulty climbing stairs that rapidly progressed to inability to ambulate independently and were associated with bilateral thigh soreness. Nine days prior, he developed fever and generalized malaise, and two days later, SARS-CoV-2 PCR and Ag tests were positive. He received azithromycin, Paxlovid, and dexamethasone as treatment. Upon evaluation, the patient was afebrile and hemodynamically stable. Neurological examination was remarkable for spasticity and hyperreflexia at bilateral lower limbs, clonus, preserved motor strength with adequate sensation to soft touch, and intact vibration and proprioception in all extremities. Cranial nerves were intact. These findings were consistent with an upper motor neuron lesion. On imaging, the Head CT scan was unremarkable. Thoracic/Lumbar Spine MRI was significant for distal thoracic and conus areas with central homogeneous brightness compatible with nonspecific myelitis. Laboratories showed leukocytosis without neutrophilia or bandemia, thrombocytosis, and elevated CRP. HIV and RPR tests were negative. A lumbar puncture for CSF analysiswas remarkable for mild monocytic pleocytosis (7 cell/muL), an increased level of total proteins (56 mg/dL), and normal glucose (57 mg/dL). CSF culture and gram stain were negative. CSF cytology yielded few lymphocytes and few monocytes and was negative for malignant cells. The meningoencephalitis panel was negative. Based on these findings, a clinical diagnosis of postinfectious myelitis secondary to COVID-19was made. The patient was treated with intravenous Methylprednisolone 1 g daily for five days. On follow-up, lower extremity weakness resolved completely, and he resumed his daily physical activities. Patients with COVID-19 infection can present with neurologic manifestations such as headache, myalgias, dizziness, dysgeusia, and anosmia. This case hopes to raise awareness of less commonly known neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection and how the early recognition of symptoms can help expedite the diagnosis and treatment of the condition to avoid long-term sequelae. [Figure presented] Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

Tsukamurella and mycobacterium tuberculosis pneumonia co-infection

Case Report: Tsukamurella species are aerobic, partially acid fast saprophytes commonly isolated from soil and water. They are opportunistic pathogens known to infect multiple organs and can contribute to significant pathologies such as bacteremia, peritonitis, and respiratory tract infections. Moreover, Tsukamurella shares certain characteristic properties to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Actinomyces species, including the acid fast stain, which can contribute to misdiagnosis of patients. A 68 year old female patient presented to the ED for shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss for 6 months. The patient's past medical history includes pulmonary fibrosis, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease with stent, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and M. tuberculosis infection when she was 3 years old in Finland. On admission, labs revealed thrombocytosis (reactive 555 000/microL), leukocytosis (14 450/microL), and microcytic anemia (9.4 microg/dl). Moreover, C reactive protein was elevated and procalcitonin was normal (0.06 microg/l);a COVID-19 PCR was negative. An X-ray revealed severe patchy and interstitial infiltrates throughout both lungs with parenchymal scarring and pleural thickening in the periphery of the left mid-lung zone with multifocal pneumonia. Blood and sputum cultures were performed under the impression of pneumonia, and treatment with azithromycin and ceftriaxone was started. A M. tuberculosis infection was suspected due to a positive AFS. Further chest CT suggested multifocal pneumonia within the left lung in addition to apparent cavitary lesions versus bulla, a chronic interstitial lung disease with traction bronchiectasis, calcified right lower lung nodule, and calcified hilar lymph nodes suggesting a history of granulomatosis diseases. A bronchoscopy with Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. The initial sputum specimen direct smear showed acid-fast stain positive with Actinomyces growth, and Penicillin G was added to the treatment. Samples were sent to the state department lab, and biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation negative for malignant cells. One month later, the patient's sputum culture showed Tsukamurella for High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, a rifampicin sensible M. tuberculosis complex by NAA was also positive six weeks later. The patient was started on a complete TB regimen and continued in the outpatient pulmonology clinic with the addition of levofloxacin for three months and rifampicin substituted for rifabutin. As demonstrated in the case above, a Tsukamurella infection can present similarly to a Mycobacterium infection. Patients may be misdiagnosed or potentially be co-infected. Our patient was further tested and appropriately treated for Tsukamurella after further extensive diagnostic screenings. Due to a high rate of missed cases, it is important to keep Tsukamurella infection on the differential diagnosis as the patient presentation may initially appear to be a Mycobacterium or other pulmonary infection. Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

Similarity-Principle-Based Machine Learning Method for Clinical Trials and Beyond

With recent success in supervised learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can play a vital role in precision medicine. Deep learning neural networks have been used in drug discovery when larger data is available. However, applications of machine learning in clinical trials with small sample size (around a few hundreds) are limited. We propose a Similarity-Principle-Based Machine Learning (SBML) method, which is applicable for small and large sample size problems. In SBML, the attribute-scaling factors are introduced to objectively determine the relative importance of each attribute (predictor). The gradient method is used in learning (training), that is, updating the attribute-scaling factors. We evaluate SBML when the sample size is small and investigate the effects of tuning parameters. Simulations show that SBML achieves better predictions in terms of mean squared errors for various complicated nonlinear situations than full linear models, optimal and ridge regressions, mixed effect models, support vector machine and decision tree methods. Copyright © 2022 American Statistical Association.

Single-chirality of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) through chromatography and its potential biological applications

The separation of highly pure single-chirality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is challenging and also in demand due to their intrinsic physical, optical, and electronic properties. The use of single-chirality and their performance characteristics makes them a selective candidate for multifunctional applications and opens a new front in nanotube development. It has previously been reported that SWCNTs can be separated in various ways by employing direct control and post-synthesis approaches. Herein, we review the separation of single-chiralities of SWCNTs on account of simplicity and time/cost effectiveness by using gel chromatography. The most recent progress in the controlled synthesis of SWCNTs is comprehensively reviewed in terms of selective-diameter, single-chirality, and specific geometric shape. The method to achieve the single-chirality of SWCNTs is also highlighted. Besides addressing COVID-19 characteristics, epidemiology, and pathology, we also review the most recent developments in nano-biosensors for the rapid and early detection of COVID-19. Furthermore, the photothermal/bioimaging response of single-chirality is reviewed in order to enhance the cytotoxicity of drugs against cancer cells over simple carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The single-chirality allows for precise imaging (due to efficient absorption and emission) of tumors/blood vessels up to ~10-fold higher by injecting a low dose. We hope this review stimulates further study on single-chirality controlled SWCNTs for practical applications. Copyright © 2023 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Durvalumab (D) +/- tremelimumab (T) + chemotherapy (CT) in 1L metastatic (m) NSCLC: Overall survival (OS) update from POSEIDON after median follow-up (mFU) of approximately 4 years (y)

Background: In the Phase 3 POSEIDON study, 1L T+D+CT demonstrated statistically significant improvements in PFS and OS (OS HR 0.77;95% CI 0.65-0.92;p=0.0030;mFU 34.9 mo in censored pts) vs CT alone in pts with mNSCLC. D+CT showed a statistically significant improvement in PFS and a positive trend for OS improvement vs CT that did not reach significance (OS HR 0.86;95% CI 0.72-1.02;p=0.0758). Here we report an updated exploratory analysis of OS, and histology and mutational status subgroups, after a mFU of ~4 y. Method(s): Pts with EGFR/ALK wild-type mNSCLC were randomised 1:1:1 to 1L D (until progression) +/- limited-course T (up to 5 doses) + platinum-based CT (up to 4 cycles);or CT (up to 6 cycles). Alpha-controlled endpoints were PFS and OS for D+CT vs CT and T+D+CT vs CT. Pt tumours were molecularly characterised via sequencing of tissue and/or ctDNA samples. Result(s): At an updated data cutoff (DCO) of 11 Mar 2022 (mFU 46.5 mo in censored pts), T+D+CT continued to show OS benefit vs CT (HR 0.75;95% CI 0.63-0.88) with an estimated 25.0% of pts alive at 3 y vs 13.6% (Table). D+CT continued to numerically improve OS vs CT (HR 0.84;95% CI 0.71-0.99;3 y OS 20.7%). Consistent with results at the earlier DCO, OS benefit appeared more pronounced with T+D+CT vs CT in pts with non-squamous (than squamous;data will be presented) histology. A trend for OS benefit with T+D+CT vs CT continued to be observed in non-squamous subgroups with mutations (m) in STK11 (Table), KEAP1 or KRAS (data will be presented). No new safety signals were identified based on collection of serious AEs during long-term FU. [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): The results of this exploratory analysis from POSEIDON, after mFU of ~4 y, demonstrate the durable long-term OS benefit of adding a limited course of T to D and 4 cycles of CT. These data support the use of this regimen as a 1L treatment option for pts with mNSCLC, including harder-to-treat mutational subgroups such as STK11m, KEAP1m or KRASm. Clinical trial identification: NCT03164616 (release date: 23 May 2017). Editorial acknowledgement: Medical writing support for the development of this , under the direction of the authors, was provided by James Holland, PhD, of Ashfield MedComms (Macclesfield, UK), an Inizio company, and was funded by AstraZeneca. Legal entity responsible for the study: AstraZeneca PLC. Funding(s): AstraZeneca. Disclosure: B.C. Cho: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: KANAPH Therapeutic Inc, Brigebio therapeutics, Cyrus therapeutics, Guardant Health, Oscotec Inc;Financial Interests, Personal, Member of the Board of Directors: Interpark Bio Convergence Corp., J INTS BIO;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: TheraCanVac Inc, Gencurix Inc, Bridgebio therapeutics, KANAPH Therapeutic Inc, Cyrus therapeutics, Interpark Bio Convergence Corp, J INTS BIO;Financial Interests, Personal, Royalties: Champions Oncology;Financial Interests, Personal, Research Grant: Novartis, Bayer, AstraZeneca, MOGAM Institute, Dong-A ST, Champions Oncology, Janssen, Yuhan, Ono, Dizal Pharma, MSD, AbbVie, Medpacto, GIInnovation, Eli Lilly, Blueprint medicines, Interpark Bio Convergence Corp;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role, Consulting: Novartis, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, BMS, Ono, Yuhan, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Takeda, MSD, Janssen, Medpacto, Blueprint medicines;Financial Interests, Personal, Other: DAAN Biotherapeutics. J.A. Alatorre Alexander: Financial Interests, Personal, Speaker's Bureau: BMS, Roche, AstraZeneca, MSD, Boehringer Ingelheim, Takeda, Eli Lilly, Janssen;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: BMS, Roche, AstraZeneca, MSD, Boehringer Ingelheim, Takeda, Eli Lilly, Janssen. S. Lucien Geater: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Pfizer;Financial Interests, Institutional, Principal Investigator: AstraZeneca, Roche, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Pfizer. K. Sang-We: Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Boehringer Ingelheim;Financial I terests, Personal, Research Grant: Yuhan;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Norvatis, Lilly, Takeda, Therapex, and Yuhan. M. Hussein: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AbbVie, Aptitude Health, AstraZeneca, Biopahrama, BMS, Exelixis, Mirati Therapeutics, Cardinal Health, Coherus Biosciences, Athenex, Karyopharm Therapeutics, IntegraConnect, Oncocyte. C.T. Yang: Financial Interests, Personal, Principal Investigator: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, MSD, Merck, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Hanso Pharma, Roche, Ono, BMS, Chugai. L.H. Araujo: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: MSD, Roche, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Takeda, Lillly, Janssen, Amgen, Novartis, BMS, Sanofi;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Roche, MSD, Takeda, AstraZeneca, Sanofi. H. Saito: Financial Interests, Personal, Speaker's Bureau: AstraZeneca, ONO Pharmaceutical;Financial Interests, Personal, Principal Investigator: AstraZeneca, Chugai Pharmaceutical ONO Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb. N. Reinmuth: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Merck, Pfizer, and Takeda;Financial Interests, Personal, Speaker's Bureau: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi Sankyo, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Merck, Pfizer, and Takeda;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, MSD, Merck, Pfizer, and Takeda;Financial Interests, Personal, Other: Symphogen: Data Safety Monitoring Board. Z. Lai, H. Mann, X. Shi: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: AstraZeneca. S. Peters: Financial Interests, Institutional, Advisory Board: Vaccibody, Takeda, Seattle Genetics, Sanofi, Roche/Genentech, Regeneron, Phosplatin Therapeutics, PharmaMar, Pfizer, Novartis, Mirati, Merck Serono, MSD, Janssen, Incyte, Illumina, IQVIA, GlaxoSmithKline, Gilhead, Genzyme, Foundation Medicine, F-Star, Eli Lilly, Debiopharm, Daiichi Sankyo, Boehringer Ingelheim, Blueprint Medicines, Biocartis, Bio Invent, BeiGene, Bayer, BMS, AstraZeneca, Arcus, Amgen, AbbVie, iTheos, Novocure;Financial Interests, Institutional, In ited Speaker: Takeda, Sanofi, Roche/Genentech, RTP, Pfizer, PRIME, PER, Novartis, Medscape, MSD, Imedex, Illumina, Fishawack, Eli Lilly, Ecancer, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, BMS, OncologyEducation, RMEI, Mirati;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Associate Editor Annals of Oncology: Elsevier;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, MERMAID-1: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, MERMAID-2, POSEIDON, MYSTIC: AstraZeneca;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, Clinical Trial Steering committee CheckMate 743, CheckMate 73L, CheckMate 331 and 451: BMS;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, RELATIVITY 095: BMS;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, BGB-A317-A1217-301/AdvanTIG-301: BeiGene;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, Clinical Trial Chair ZEAL-1: GSK;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, Clinical Trial steering Committee PEARLS, MK-7684A: MSD;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, Clinical Trial Steering Committee SAPPHIRE: Mirati;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, LAGOON: Pharma Mar;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, phase 1/2 trials: Phosplatin Therapeutics;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, Clinical Trial Chair Skyscraper-01;chair ALEX;steering committee BFAST;steering committee BEAT-Meso;steering committee ImPower-030, IMforte: Roche/Genentech;Financial Interests, Institutional, Invited Speaker, Phase 2 Inupadenant with chemo: iTeos;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Officer, ESMO President 2020-2022: ESMO;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Officer, Council Me ber & Scientific Committee Chair: ETOP/IBCSG Partners;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Officer, Vice-President Lung Group: SAKK;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Involved in Swiss politics: Swiss Political Activities;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Officer, President and Council Member: Ballet Bejart Lausanne Foundation;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Principal Investigator, Involved in academic trials: ETOP / EORTC / SAKK;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member: Association of Swiss Physicians FMH (CH), IASLC, ASCO, AACR;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, ESMO President: ESMO;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member, Vice-President Lung Group: SAKK;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role, Vice -President: SAMO;Non-Financial Interests, Personal, Member, Association of Swiss interns and residents: ASMAC/VSAO. E.B. Garon: Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: ABL Bio, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Gilead, GSK, Merck, Natera, Novartis, Personalis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Shionogi, Xilio Therapeutics;Financial Interests, Personal, Research Grant: ABL Bio, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dynavax Technologies, EMD Serono, Genentech, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Eli Lilly, Merck, Mirati Therapeutics, Neon Therapeutics, Novartis. T.S.K. Mok: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: ACEA Pharma, Alpha Biopharma Co., Ltd., Amgen, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca (before 1/1/19), BeiGene, BI, BMS, Daiichi Sankyo, Daz Group, Fishawack Facilitate Ltd., InMed Medical Communication, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Jiahui Holdings Co. Limi, Novartis, OrigiMed Co. Ltd., P. Permanyer SL, PeerVoice, Physicians' Education Resource, Pfizer, PrIME Oncology, Research to Practice, RochePharmaceuticals/Diagnostics/Foundation One, Sanofi-Aventis, Shanghai BeBirds Translation & Consulting Co., Ltd., T;Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: AbbVie Inc., ACEA Pharma, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Berry Oncology, Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb Company, C4 Therapeutics, Inc, Covidien LP, CStone Pharmaceuticals, Curio Science, D3 Bio Ltd., Hengrui Therapeutics Inc., HutchMed, Ignyta, Inc., Incyte Corporation, Inivata, IQVIA, Janssen, Lily, Loxo-Oncology Inc., Lunit, Inc., Mer k Serono, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., MiRXES Group, Novartis, OrigiMed, Pfizer, Puma Biotechnolo;Financial Interests, Personal, Member of the Board of Directors: AstraZeneca PLC, HutchMed;Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Full-Time);Financial Interests, Personal, Stocks/Shares: Aurora Tele-Oncology Ltd., HutchMed, Act Genomics-Sanomics Group, Loxo-oncology, Virtus Medical Group and Lunit USA, Inc;Non-Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: AstraZeneca, BMS, G1 Therapeutics, MSD, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, SFJ, Takeda, XCovery;Financial Interests, Personal, Leadership Role: Lunit USA, Inc., ACT Genomics-Sanomics Group, Aurora;Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Independent contractor: AbbVie Inc., ACEA Pharma, Alpha Biopharma Co., Ltd., Amgen, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca (before 1/1/19), BeiGene, Berry Oncology, BI, Blueprint Medicines Corporation, BMS, C4 Therapeutics, Inc, CStone Pharmaceuticals, Curio Science, Daiichi Sa, Loxo-Oncology, Merck Serono, MSD, Mirati Therapeutics Inc., MoreHealth, Novartis, OrigiMed, Pfizer, Puma Biotechnology Inc., Qiming Development (HK) Ltd., Roche Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi-Aventis, SFJ Pharmaceutical Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceuticals HK Ltd., Vert, Guardant Health, Hengrui Therapeutics Inc., HutchMed, Ignyta, Inc., Incyte Corporation, Inivata, IQVIA, Janssen, Lilly, Lunit USA, Inc., Loxo-Oncology, Lucence Health Inc., Medscape LLC/ WebMD, Merck Serono, MSD, Mirati Therapeutics Inc., MiRXES, MoreHea. M.L. Johnson: Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: AbbVie;Acerta;Adaptimmune;Amgen;Apexigen;Arcus B osciences;Array BioPharma;Artios Pharma;AstraZeneca;Atreca, BeiGene;BerGenBio;BioAtla;Boehringer Ingelheim, Calithera Biosciences;Checkpoint Therapeutics;Corvus Pharmaceuticals;Curis;CytomX, Daiichi Sanyo;Dracen Pharmaceuticals;Dynavax, Eli Lilly, Elicio Therapeutics, EMD Serono, Erasca, Exelixis, Fate Therapeutics, Genentech/Roche, Genmab, Genocea Biosciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Gritstone Oncology, Guardant Health, Harpoon, Helsinn Healthcare SA, Hengrui Therapeutics, Hutchison MediPharma, IDEAYA Biosciences, IGM Biosciences, Immunocore, Incyte, Janssen, Jounce Therapeutics, Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, Loxo Oncology, Lycera, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Merck, Merus, Mirati Therapeutics, NeoImmuneTech, Neovia Oncology, Novartis, Numab Therapeutics, Nuvalent, OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, PMV Pharmaceuticals, RasCal Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Relay Therapeutics, Revolution Medicines, Ribon Therapeutics, Rubius Therapeutics, Sanofi, Seven and Eight Biopharmaceuticals/Birdie Pharmaceuticals, Shattuck Labs, Silicon Therapeutics, Stem CentRx, Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Tarveda, TCR2 Therapeutics, Tempest Therapeutics, Tizona Therapeutics, Tmunity Therapeutics, Turning Point Therapeutics, University of Michigan, Vyriad, WindMIL, Y-mAbs Therapeutics;Financial Interests, Institutional, Advisory Role: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Axelia Oncology, Black Diamond, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Calithera Biosciences, Checkpoint Therapeutics, CytomX Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, EcoR1, Editas Medicine, Eisai, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, G1 Therapeutics, Genentech/Roche, Genmab, Genocea Biosciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Gritstone Oncology, IDEAYA Biosciences, iTeos, Janssen, Merck, Mirati Therapeutics, Novartis, Oncorus, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Revolution Medicines, Ribon Therapeutics, Sanofi, Turning Point Therapeutics, WindMIL. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2022

Increased CD62P platelet expression in deceased Covid-19 patients

Background: There is an association between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and coagulation abnormalities. Platelet monitoring is important for COVID-19 because abnormalities can occur in terms of quantity and quality. Impaired function of platelets can occur at the activation or aggregation stages. An increase in CD62P is associated with a 1.7-fold increased risk of venous thrombosis. In the event of thrombosis, platelet activation causes interactions between fibrinogen and GP IIb/IIIa molecules which will form intracellular bonds between platelets, causing platelet aggregation. This suggests the role of CD62P as a major marker of platelet activation and may mediate cancer cell adhesion, inflammation, and thrombosis Aims: This study aims to determine the description of platelet function as reflected in CD62P platelet expression in COVID-19 patients Methods: This study is a prospective study that take place from November 2020 to September 2021 at RSUP Dr. Sardjito, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The subjects involved were adult patients aged over 18 years, men and women with confirmed COVID-19 through PCR swab results. Patients with leukemia, history of coagulation disease, and immunodeficiency were excluded from this study. Flowcytometry analysis using FACS Canto was used to measure CD62P expression on platelets. Antibody used was anti human monoclonal CD41 PE and CD62P FITC antibody. The CD62P examination was carried out on the first day of treatment. Patients were grouped according to the severity of COVID-19 as severe and non-severe. Mann Whitney test was used to compare CD62P platelet expression percentage between groups. Result(s): The CD62P platelet expression on day 1 of the deceased subjects were higher compared to the survived subjects (46.77% vs 43.38%;p = 0.04). On day 1, the severe subjects have a higher mean CD62P platelet expression compared to non-severe subjects (47.88 % vs 39.75%). Conclusion(s): CD62P platelet expression in deceased COVID-19 subjects is higher compared to survived subjects. (Figure Presented).