Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Trial predictions vs. trial simulations in Model-based Drug Development: integrating uncertainties to evaluate the predictive probability of success.

In a Model-Based Drug Development strategy, the first objective is to design studies such that the most reliable model estimates are obtained, in order to optimize the design of future studies and to take decisions based on predictions. The objectives of the work is to present from a theoretical and practical point of view how to perform trial predictions, as opposed to trial simulations, by integrating the uncertainty of the parameters. The difference between prediction and simulation is important in early development when limited data or prior information are available. Indeed ignoring the uncertainty of parameter estimates can lead to wrong decisions. First, will be provided methodology, derived from Bayesian statistics, to perform trial predictions from the parameter estimates and their uncertainty, when obtained with conventional frequentist population methods. Second, a practical implementation in R will be shown. This generalized prediction shell can cope with any kind of structural population models: Ordinary Differential Equation, single & multiple doses, infusion, etc... The proposed shell is also flexible to allow the testing of various scenarios and study designs, and therefore evaluate the predictive probability of success of different protocols. When joint models for efficacy and safety are established, the Prediction-based Clinical Utility Index (p-CUI) and its distribution can directly be obtained for more riskless decision making. Examples will be shown to highlight in early phases the differences existing between trial prediction and trial simulation. This approach is required to permit Model-Based Drug Development strategy, and impact successfully decision in early clinical phases

Enterocolitis necrotizante en el Hospital General de Medellín

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y prospectivo en el Hospital General de Medellín, en pacientes menores de un año con diagnóstico de Enterocolitis Necrotizante, en un periodo de 2 años y medio (Enero 1985- Junio 1987}. Se encontró una incidencia del 1,27% del total de niños nacidos vivos, con una mortalidad del 32,5%. Durante el último año se realizaron coprocultivos a 30 pacientes, obteniéndose un 26,6% positivo para E. Coli Entero patógeno; 3,3% positivo para Clostridium Perfringens, Clostridium Difficile y Klebsiella, respectivamente. Los hallazgos clínicos mas frecuentes, fueron: Distensión Abdominal, Retención Gástrica, diarrea y vómito. Los hallazgos radiológicos más frecuentes fueron: Distensión de Asas intestinales, Neumatosis y Edema de pared intestinal

CCR2+ monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) inhibit collagen degradation and promote lung fibrosis by producing transforming growth factor-β1.

Monocytes infiltrating scar tissue are predominantly viewed as progenitor cells. Here, we show that tissue CCR2+ monocytes have specific immunosuppressive and profibrotic functions. CCR2+ monocytic cells are acutely recruited to the lung before the onset of silica-induced fibrosis in mice. These tissue monocytes are defined as monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) because they significantly suppress T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. M-MDSCs collected from silica-treated mice also express transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, which stimulates lung fibroblasts to release tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, an inhibitor of metalloproteinase collagenolytic activity. By using LysMCreCCR2loxP/loxP mice, we show that limiting CCR2+ M-MDSC accumulation reduces the pulmonary contents of TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and collagen after silica treatment. M-MDSCs do not differentiate into lung macrophages, granulocytes or fibrocytes during pulmonary fibrogenesis. Collectively, our data indicate that M-MDSCs contribute to lung fibrosis by specifically promoting a non-degrading collagen microenvironment. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Author Correction: Early endosome autoantigen 1 regulates IL-1β release upon caspase-1 activation independently of gasdermin D membrane permeabilization

International audienceBackground: Inflammasome-activated IL-1β plays a major role in lung neutrophilic inflammation induced by inhaled silica. However, the exact mechanisms that contribute to the initial production of precursor IL-1β (pro-IL-1β) are still unclear. Here, we assessed the implication of alarmins (IL-1α, IL-33 and HMGB1) in the lung response to silica particles and found that IL-1α is a master cytokine that regulates IL-1β expression. Methods: Pro-and mature IL-1β as well as alarmins were assessed by ELISA, Western Blot or qRT-PCR in macrophage cultures and in mouse lung following nano-and micrometric silica exposure. Implication of these immune mediators in the establishment of lung inflammatory responses to silica was investigated in knockout mice or after antibody blockade by evaluating pulmonary neutrophil counts, CXCR2 expression and degree of histological injury. Results: We found that the early release of IL-1α and IL-33, but not HMGB1 in alveolar space preceded the lung expression of pro-IL-1β and neutrophilic inflammation in silica-treated mice. In vitro, the production of pro-IL-1β by alveolar macrophages was significantly induced by recombinant IL-1α but not by IL-33. Neutralization or deletion of IL-1α reduced IL-1β production and neutrophil accumulation after silica in mice. Finally, IL-1α released by J774 macrophages after in vitro exposure to a range of micro-and nanoparticles of silica was correlated with the degree of lung inflammation induced in vivo by these particles. Conclusions: We demonstrated that in response to silica exposure, IL-1α is rapidly released from pre-existing stocks in alveolar macrophages and promotes subsequent lung inflammation through the stimulation of IL-1β production. Moreover, we demonstrated that in vitro IL-1α release from macrophages can be used to predict the acute inflammogenic activity of silica micro-and nanoparticles