Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Persons Living with HIV.

This study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI) for persons living with HIV (PLWH). Of the 22 persons enrolled, 9 were lost before starting treatment, and one dropped out after starting BBTI. Acceptability was rated favorably by those completing the treatment (n = 12). The most common problems pertained to sleep hygiene: variable bedtimes and rise times, watching television, or consuming caffeine. Improvements on sleep outcomes at posttreatment were clinically and statistically significant on questionnaire and sleep diary outcomes. This study supports the overall feasibility of BBTI in PLWH, and the preliminary evidence supports further research on this treatment for PLWH who have insomnia, but dropouts indicate that some individuals may have difficulty initiating treatment.

Androgen receptor amplification is concordant between circulating tumor cells and biopsies from men undergoing treatment for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer.

Increased AR activity has been shown to be preserved in spatially distinct metastatic tumors from the same patient suggesting the requirement for lineage-specific dependencies for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Amplification of the AR gene is a common mechanism by which mCRPC increase AR activity. To determine whether AR amplification in circulating tumor cells (CTC) could complement metastatic tissue biopsies in men undergoing treatment for mCRPC, we developed a novel two-step assay to isolate CTCs and subsequently analyzed AR amplification status in CTCs and matched biopsy tissue from the same patient by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). AR gene status in CTCs showed strong concordance with AR gene status in matched tissue samples in 24 of 25 patients (Correlation: 96%; Kappa: 0.83; Sensitivity: 100%, Specificity: 83%). Our work demonstrates that AR amplification is conserved between CTCs and biopsies and that CTCs can serve as non-invasive surrogate to document AR amplification in mCRPC.

Agreement between self-reported knowledge and medical record data.

People living with HIV (PLWH) see their providers quarterly to go over their laboratory results and discuss problems with antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimens. Our purpose was to determine whether socially and economically marginalized PLWH were accurate in self-reporting their most recent CD4 count, viral load, and ART regimen, and whether demographic differences influenced self-reporting. We conducted a secondary data analysis based on results from (N = 200) PLWH. We found moderate agreement for CD4 count (k = .58), and viral load (k = .43), but only 43% were able to recall their ART regimens accurately. PLWH ≥ age 50 (k = .77) and those with health insurance coverage (k = .61) were more accurate to self-report CD4. Women were more accurate in reporting viral load than men (k = .53, p = .003 vs. k = .38). These findings suggest that PLWH need multiple modalities of education to relate CD4 counts, viral load, and ART regimens to their personal health understanding.

Targeting FSH in androgen-independent prostate cancer: abarelix for prostate cancer progressing after orchiectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist abarelix in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer progressing after orchiectomy and to measure its effect on serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). METHODS: Sixteen patients with prostate cancer progressing after orchiectomy received abarelix-depot 100 mg by intramuscular injection on days 1, 15, and 29 and then every 28 days for up to 24 weeks (52 weeks in patients who met the criteria for a prostate-specific antigen [PSA] response after 24 weeks). PSA response was the primary endpoint and was defined as a 50% reduction confirmed 4 weeks later. The time to progression and effect of therapy on serum FSH were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: No patient met the criteria for a PSA response. Five patients (31%, 95% confidence interval 11% to 58%) experienced confirmed reductions in the PSA level ranging from 9.3% to 31.8%. At the end of the six cycles of therapy, 6 patients remained stable without PSA progression or other signs of disease progression. The median time to progression was 12 weeks (95% confidence interval 6 to 18). The mean serum FSH concentration declined after 4 weeks of study treatment by nearly 90% from a baseline of 45.1 IU/L (95% confidence interval 34.0 to 56.2) and remained suppressed throughout the observation period. Treatment was well tolerated, with one grade 3 allergic reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with abarelix in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer after orchiectomy results in marked reduction in circulating FSH. None of the patients met the PSA response criteria; nonetheless, minor reductions in serum PSA were observed in 5 of 16 patients.

Polymorphisms of GSTT1 and related genes in head and neck cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferase T1 detoxifies some environmental carcinogens while activating others and is deleted in 15% to 38% of humans. We sought to determine whether GSTT1 genotype and genotypes of several related genes are associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). METHODS: Somatic genotypes for GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and CYP1A1 were determined in 283 individuals with HNSCC and 208 population-based controls. RESULTS: The OR for presence of GSTT1 was 1.6 (CI, 1.1-2.5, p = 0.03). HNSCC risk was not associated with GSTM1 null genotype, the presence of the GSTP1 Val/Val genotype, or the Val/Val homozygous genotype for CYP1A1. Stratified analysis revealed disparate ORs for women (OR, 3.0; CI, 1.5-6.3) and men (OR, 1.2; CI, 0.7-2.1) for the presence of GSTT1. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, the presence of GSTT1 gene was associated with a significant increase in the risk of HNSCC. This association was particularly robust in women.

Phase II study of abarelix depot for androgen independent prostate cancer progression during gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy.

PURPOSE: We determine the clinical efficacy of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) antagonist abarelix in patients with androgen independent prostate cancer, and measure its effect on serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with prostate cancer progression during Gn-RH agonist therapy received 100 mg. abarelix depot by intramuscular injection on days 1, 15 and 29, and then every 28 days for up to 24 weeks. Gn-RH agonist therapy was not continued. Patients who met criteria for prostate specific antigen (PSA) response after 24 weeks of therapy could receive treatment for up to 52 weeks. PSA response was the primary end point and was defined as a 50% decrease confirmed 4 weeks later. Secondary end points of this study were the effect of therapy on serum FSH and testosterone. RESULTS: No patient met the criteria for PSA response. At the end of the 6 cycles of therapy 2 patients remained stable without PSA progression or other signs of disease progression. Median time to progression was 8 weeks (95% CI 5.7-10.3). Mean serum FSH decreased by more than 50% from a baseline of 5.7 IU/l. (95% CI 4.2-7.1) and remained suppressed throughout the observation period. Mean serum testosterone did not change after 4 and 8 weeks of therapy and remained in the anorchid range. Treatment was well tolerated with no grade 3 or higher toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of androgen independent prostate cancer with abarelix decreases circulating FSH and maintains anorchid testosterone but does not result in clinical responses.