Search

Introduction: The reported prevalence of ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK) rearrangement in NSCLC ranges from 2% to 7%. The primary standard diagnostic method is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Recently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) has also proved to be a reproducible and sensitive technique. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has also been advocated, and most recently, the advent of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) for ALK and other fusions has become possible. This study compares anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) evaluation with all four techniques in resected NSCLC from the large European Thoracic Oncology Platform Lungscape cohort. Methods: A total of 96 cases from the European Thoracic Oncology Platform Lungscape iBiobank, with any ALK immunoreactivity were examined by FISH, central RT-PCR, and NGS. An H-score higher than 120 defines IHC positivity. RNA was extracted from the same formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. For RT-PCR, primers covered the most frequent ALK translocations. For NGS, the Oncomine Solid Tumour Fusion Transcript Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) was used. The concordance was assessed using the Cohen κ coefficient (two-sided α ≤ 5%). Results: NGS provided results for 77 of the 95 cases tested (81.1%), whereas RT-PCR provided results for 77 of 96 (80.2%). Concordance occurred in 55 cases of the 60 cases tested with all four methods (43 ALK negative and 12 ALK positive). Using ALK copositivity for IHC and FISH as the criterion standard, we derived a sensitivity for RT-PCR/NGS of 70.0%/85.0%, with a specificity of 87.1%/79.0%. When either RT-PCR or NGS was combined with IHC, the sensitivity remained the same, whereas the specificity increased to 88.7% and 83.9% respectively. Conclusion: NGS evaluation with the Oncomine Solid Tumour Fusion transcript kit and RT-PCR proved to have high sensitivity and specificity, advocating their use in routine practice. For maximal sensitivity and specificity, ALK status should be assessed by using two techniques and a third one in discordant cases. We therefore propose a customizable testing algorithm. These findings significantly influence existing testing paradigms and have clear clinical and economic impact. © 2017 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é uma síndrome decorrente da falta de insulina e/ou da incapacidade da insulina de exercer adequadamente seus efeitos, devido à redução da sensibilidade dos tecidos a este hormônio. O Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (DM2), atinge entre 80 a 90% da população diabética, sendo que cerca de 7,6% dos indivíduos com idade entre 30 e 69 anos são portadores de DM, aumentando para 20% nos pacientes com idade superior a 70 anos. Além da obesidade, o aumento da mortalidade nos pacientes com DM2 está relacionado à agregação de vários fatores de risco, como hipertensão arterial sistêmica, dislipidemia e ausência de informações do paciente em relação à sua patologia. O tratamento do DM baseia-se no aumento da atividade física, suspensão do fumo, hábitos alimentares corretos e, se necessário, uso de insulina e antidiabéticos orais. Esse trabalho realizou um levantamento farmacoepidemiológico com 130 pacientes portadores de DM atendidos pela UBS São José em Ribeirão Preto, SP. Foram avaliadas as 130 prescrições medicamentosas indicadas aos usuários, com relação aos fármacos prescritos, bem como as doses e o tipo de DM de cada paciente. Os pacientes diagnosticados com DM2 utilizaram para o tratamento quatro esquemas terapêuticos distintos: monoterapia com glibenclamida (38,5%), monoterapia com metformina (24,6%), metformina associada com glibenclamida (19,2%) e metformina associada com insulina (5,4%). Dos usuários, 12,3% eram portadores de DM1 e utilizaram apenas insulina. Concluiu-se que a prescrição racional e o seguimento farmacoterapêutico podem diminuir a incidência de comorbidades e melhorar a adesão dos pacientes portadores de DM. Palavras-chave: Prescrição de medicamento, serviço de saúde, diabetes mellitus.

Culturally sensitive nutrition counseling strategies may help the rural Appalachian population overcome barriers to good nutrition to prevent and manage chronic diseases. To investigate dietary obstacles and counseling strategies considerate of the specific framework of the rural population, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 36 practitioners (registered dietitians and dietetic interns) and 15 rural patients. Participants also completed follow-up questionnaires about the same topics (n=61). Interviews were transcribed, analyzed using concept coding and grouping, and categorized by themes (NVIVO Qualitative Analysis Software, QSR International, Version 10, 2013). Questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests to compare perspectives of practitioners and patients (SPSS Statistics, IBM, Version 20, 2012). Strategy subthemes were categorized into four broader themes from the previously established Rural Nutrition Care Model, including Access & Resources (Budgeting, Planning, Resources), Sociocultural Influences (Whole-Family Approach, Simple Messages, Building Rapport and Relationships, Avoiding Assumptions & Judgment), Traditional Foods (Gardening, How to Cook), and Health Behaviors (Small Changes, Prevention). Questionnaire results indicated differing views of the rural nutrition context. The compilation of data provided valuable insights about the success of various culturally sensitive nutrition counseling strategies for the rural population.