DNA Methylation at ATP11A cg11702988 Is a Biomarker of Lung Disease Severity in Cystic Fibrosis: A Longitudinal Study

International audienceCystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic genetic disease that mainly affects the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. No curative treatments are available, but the follow-up in specialized centers has greatly improved the patient life expectancy. Robust biomarkers are required to monitor the disease, guide treatments, stratify patients, and provide outcome measures in clinical trials. In the present study, we outline a strategy to select putative DNA methylation biomarkers of lung disease severity in cystic fibrosis patients. In the discovery step, we selected seven potential biomarkers using a genome-wide DNA methylation dataset that we generated in nasal epithelial samples from the MethylCF cohort. In the replication step, we assessed the same biomarkers using sputum cell samples from the MethylBiomark cohort. Of interest, DNA methylation at the cg11702988 site (ATP11A gene) positively correlated with lung function and BMI, and negatively correlated with lung disease severity, P. aeruginosa chronic infection, and the number of exacerbations. These results were replicated in prospective sputum samples collected at four time points within an 18-month period and longitudinally. To conclude, (i) we identified a DNA methylation biomarker that correlates with CF severity, (ii) we provided a method to easily assess this biomarker, and (iii) we carried out the first longitudinal analysis of DNA methylation in CF patients. This new epigenetic biomarker could be used to stratify CF patients in clinical trials

Amikacin Liposomal Inhalation Suspension in the Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Infection: A French Observational Experience

International audienceBackground Mycobacterium abscessus infections remain difficult to manage in both cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF patients and reported clinical outcomes are largely unsatisfactory. Clinical trial data are limited and no approved therapies are currently available for the management of M abscessus lung diseases. As an alternative, cohort studies may provide insightful information into the management of M abscessus pulmonary disease.Methods Based on a retrospective observational cohort study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of amikacin liposome inhaled suspension (ALIS) as an adjunct to a standard antibiotic regimen for M abscessus lung infection in both CF and non-CF patients. We also assessed the association of patient drug compliance with culture conversion and clinical outcomes.Results Twenty-six patients had long-term follow-up data available. Culture conversion was achieved in 54% (14/26) of the patients with no difference between CF and non-CF patients after an average treatment duration of 10 months. Patient treatment compliance was significantly better in the converter group compared to nonconverters with an odds ratio of 44.78 associated with good compared to poor patient compliance. Overall, 9 patients (35%) experienced an adverse event that led to treatment discontinuation.Conclusions ALIS appears beneficial in both CF and non-CF populations with M abscessus lung disease

An expert statment on clinical considerations before treating NTM lung infection

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