ICOS agonism by JTX-2011 (vopratelimab) requires initial T cell priming and Fc cross-linking for optimal T cell activation and anti-tumor immunity in preclinical models.

Immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors, such as antibodies targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, have demonstrated the potential of harnessing the immune system to treat cancer. However, despite encouraging results particularly with respect to survival, only a minority of patients benefit from these therapies. In clinical studies aimed at understanding changes in the immune system following immunotherapy treatment, ICOS (Inducible T cell CO-Stimulator) was shown to be significantly up-regulated on CD4+ T cells and this was associated with clinical activity, indicating that ICOS stimulatory activity may be beneficial in the treatment of solid tumors. In this report, we describe the generation of specific, species cross-reactive, agonist antibodies to ICOS, including the humanized clinical candidate, JTX-2011 (vopratelimab). Preclinical studies suggest that the ICOS stimulating antibodies require Fc receptor cross-linking for optimal agonistic activity. Notably, the ICOS antibodies do not exhibit superagonist properties but rather require T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated upregulation of ICOS for agonist activity. Treatment with the ICOS antibodies results in robust anti-tumor benefit and long-term protection in preclinical syngeneic mouse tumor models. Additional benefit is observed when the ICOS antibodies are administered in combination with anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies. Based on the preclinical data, JTX-2011 is currently being developed in the clinical setting for the treatment of solid tumors.

Hospital admissions from residential aged care facilities to a major public hospital in South Australia (1999-2005).

AIM: To describe admissions patterns of residential aged care facility (RACF) residents admitted to a major public hospital. DESIGN, SETTING: Retrospective longitudinal study linking hospital admissions and the Department of Health and Ageing RACF provider data from July 1999 to June 2005. PARTICIPANTS: All permanent residents of aged care facilities in South Australia admitted to a single public hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Description of primary diagnoses and trends. RESULTS: There were 3310 admissions from 147 RACFs across South Australia. The most frequent primary diagnoses were fractured femur/pelvis, pneumonia and ischaemic heart disease. Two diagnoses increased significantly with an 11% annual increase for infections and a 5% increase for femur fractures. CONCLUSION: Admissions from RACFs to a major South Australian public hospital are increasing primarily because of admissions for femur fractures and infections in high care. These conditions could be targeted for interventions to reduce hospital admissions.

Allied, scientific and complementary health professionals: a new model for Australian allied health.

There is no standard or agreed definition of "allied health" nationally or internationally. This paper reviews existing definitions of allied health, and considers aspects of allied health services and service delivery in order to produce a new model of allied health that will be flexible in a changing health service delivery workforce. We propose a comprehensive model of allied, scientific and complementary (ASC) health professionals. This model recognises tasks, training, organisation, health sectors and professional regulation. It incorporates traditional and new services which are congruent with allied health foci, allegiances, responsibilities and directions. Use of this model will allow individual organisations to describe their ASC health workforce, and plan for recruitment, staff training and remuneration.

Connecting hospital and community care: the acceptability of a regional data linkage scheme.

Lack of information on an individual's premorbid needs and services in place can impede the transition from community to acute care. We report on a trial of an electronic data linking system between Flinders Medical Centre and Metropolitan Domiciliary Care. A sample of 82 medical, nursing and allied-health staff across the organisations completed questionnaires concerning their level of satisfaction with the trialled system. Results supported the effectiveness of an electronic data linking system across the hospital-community interface. This system was effective in reducing labour costs, increasing organisational communication and devising appropriate discharge plans. Community staff indicated they were better informed about their client's medical and disability status and were able to play an active role in their client's treatment. This study provides more support to the implementation of a patient electronic data linking system focussed on older patients, with wider benefits including the reduction of unnecessarily long admission times and decreased demand on hospital beds.