Feasibility of quasi-random band model in evaluating atmospheric radiance

The use of the quasi-random band model in evaluating upwelling atmospheric radiation is investigated. The spectral transmittance and total band adsorptance are evaluated for selected molecular bands by using the line by line model, quasi-random band model, exponential sum fit method, and empirical correlations, and these are compared with the available experimental results. The atmospheric transmittance and upwelling radiance were calculated by using the line by line and quasi random band models and were compared with the results of an existing program called LOWTRAN. The results obtained by the exponential sum fit and empirical relations were not in good agreement with experimental results and their use cannot be justified for atmospheric studies. The line by line model was found to be the best model for atmospheric applications, but it is not practical because of high computational costs. The results of the quasi random band model compare well with the line by line and experimental results. The use of the quasi random band model is recommended for evaluation of the atmospheric radiation

A patient-reported outcomes analysis of lanreotide in the treatment of NETs patients with carcinoid syndrome : evidence from the ELECT trial

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis of patient-reported outcomes from the ELECT (Evaluation of Lanreotide Depot/Autogel Efficacy and Safety as a Carcinoid Syndrome Treatment) trial (NCT00774930) was to explore the effect of lanreotide on symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. Specifically, this post hoc analysis was designed to identify the most important patient-reported outcomes for patients in ELECT. Methods: The post hoc analysis of ELECT, a placebo-controlled study of lanreotide in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, evaluated patient-reported outcomes during the double-blind phase of the trial, specifically daily diarrhea and flushing symptoms, octreotide rescue use, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-GINET21 questionnaires at baseline and week 12. Principal component (PC) analysis was applied on baseline data to identify independent variable clusters and clinically meaningful summary measures that highly correlated to these PCs. From those, the minimum clinical important differences were derived so to perform a responder analysis. Results: The three largest PCs captured 42.9% of the variation among baseline variables. The C30 summary score (C30-SS), diarrhea burden, and flushing burden were highly correlated with PC1, PC2, and PC3, respectively. Lanreotide patients were more likely to experience an improvement on the C30-SS (risk ratio [RR] 2.42; P=0.023), diarrhea burden (RR 2.85; P=0.005), and flushing burden (RR 1.39; P=0.31) compared to placebo patients. Lanreotide-treated patients have a higher probability of being a responder on at least one of the three domains of C30-SS, diarrhea burden, or flushing burden compared to placebo patients (RR 1.48; P=0.06). Conclusion: The higher response rates in the diarrhea burden are consistent with the previously reported effects of lanreotide on octreotide rescue medication use, while the findings of a greater efficacy of lanreotide vs placebo in the quality-of-life domains represent a novel aspect in the benefits of lanreotide

Liposomal irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin in older patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer - A subgroup analysis of the pivotal NAPOLI-1 trial

Irinotecan liposomal; Pacients grans; Càncer de pàncreesIrinotecán liposomal; Pacientes mayores; Cáncer de páncreasLiposomal irinotecan; Older patients; Pancreatic cancerObjectives Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease predominantly affecting older patients. Characterization of outcomes in these patients may help optimise treatment decisions. The global, phase 3 NAPOLI-1 trial ( NCT01494506 ) demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit with liposomal irinotecan and 5-flurouracil/leucovorin (nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV) versus 5-FU/LV. This subgroup analysis explored impact of age on outcomes in NAPOLI-1 patients, and nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV efficacy and safety in older patients. Materials and Methods This exploratory, post-hoc analysis of the NAPOLI-1 trial included patients aged ≥eighteen years (no upper limit) with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma that had progressed on gemcitabine-based therapy. Patients were stratified by age (cut-offs at 65, 70, and 75 years); OS and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Of 417 randomized patients, 192 (46%), 110 (26%) and 43 (10%) were aged ≥65, ≥70 and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Mortality risk and risk of disease progression were similar in older and younger patients independent of treatment (HRs for median [m]OS/mPFS comparisons were 0.88/0.95 [ .25). Reduced mortality/morbidity risk with nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV in older subgroups was in line with the wider population. No additional toxicities with nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV were observed in older patients: 86% of patients ≥75 years versus 69% <75 years required a dose delay or reduction due to toxicities (43% versus 32% dose reductions). Discussion Results suggest that older patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma that progressed on prior gemcitabine-based treatment can benefit from second-line therapy, supporting nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV treatment in older patients.The NAPOLI-1 trial (ClinicalTrials.govidentifier: NCT01494506) was sponsored by Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA; Medical writing support was provided by Laura McMahon of Physicians World Europe GmbH, Mannheim, Germany, and funded by Shire International, Zug, Switzerland. Correction and publication costs were funded by Global Medical Affairs, Servier, Suresnes, France

Nomogram for predicting survival in patients treated with liposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil and leucovorin in metastatic pancreatic cancer

NAPOLI-1; Liposomal irinotecan; Survival outcomesNAPOLI-1; Irinotecan liposòmic; Resultats de supervivènciaNAPOLI-1; Irinotecan liposomal; Resultados de supervivenciaNAPOLI-1 (NCT01494506) was a phase III study of liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) previously treated with gemcitabine-based therapy. This post hoc analysis of NAPOLI-1 aimed to develop a predictive nomogram for overall survival (OS) at 6 and 12 months. Analyses were derived from all patients in NAPOLI-1 randomized to receive nal-IRI+5-FU/LV, nal-IRI monotherapy, or 5-FU/LV combination therapy. OS was associated with baseline factors using univariate and multivariable Cox analyses. A predictive nomogram was derived and validated using a concordance index and calibration plots. The univariate analyses identified 21 independent factors that contributed to OS, with eight factors significantly associated with OS. The Karnofsky Performance Score contributed the largest number of points (100), followed by presence of liver metastasis (98) and randomization to nal-IRI+5-FU/LV (96). The other baseline factors showing effects were albumin (g/dL), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (U/mL), disease stage at diagnosis, and body mass index (kg/m2). The nomogram was used to predict the 6- and 12-month survival probability. The mean absolute errors between the observed and predicted probabilities for OS at 3, 6, and 9 months were 0.07, 0.08, and 0.07, respectively. This nomogram, based on NAPOLI-1, provides additional insight to aid decision-making for patients with mPDAC after previous gemcitabine-based therapy.This study (NCT01494506) was supported by Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA. Analysis sponsored by Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, USA