Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK

Background A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. Methods This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. Findings Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0–75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4–97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8–80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3–4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. Interpretation ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials

Perfil imunohistoquímico das proteínas da família BCL-2 e evolução clínica do câncer de ovário : uma análise de pacientes do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre/Brasil (1996 a 2004)

Base teórica: Nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e no Norte da Europa o carcinoma de ovário é a principal causa de morte por câncer ginecológico. A maioria dos casos é diagnosticada em estágios avançados – III ou IV FIGO . A sobrevida em 5 anos neste grupo é de 30% das pacientes. O tratamento envolve cirurgia oncológica para citorredução tumoral e quimioterapia adjuvante, na maioria dos casos. A via do apoptose está envolvida no desenvolvimento tumoral e resistência ao tratamento. As proteínas da família Bcl2 são ativas na via apoptótica e sua atividade se divide em anti e próapoptose. Estudos em pacientes com câncer de ovário foram realizados nos EUA, Europa e Canadá e os resultados observados foram controversos com relação ao papel dessas proteínas no câncer de ovário. Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência de Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad e p53 em uma amostra de pacientes do HCPA. Estudar a possível correlação entre a expressão dessas proteínas e aspectos de desfecho clínico (resposta ao tratamento, sobrevida total e livre de doença). Pacientes e métodos: Foram avaliadas, retrospectivamente, 45 pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma epitelial de ovário, tratadas de forma padronizada no HCPA no período de 1996 a 2004. Tecido tumoral foi avaliado através da técnica de imunohistoquímica com relação à positividade para as proteínas Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad e p53. Resultados: A prevalência das proteínas encontrada nessa amostra de pacientes foi: Bcl2 49%, Bcl-xL 80%, Bax 98%, Bad 87% e p53 58%; apresentando similaridade, em geral , com a literatura mundial revisada. A expressão positiva da proteína p53 correlacionou-se com pior sobrevida livre de doença (16 versus 58 meses – p=0.04) na análise univariada. As demais proteínas não apresentaram correlações com resposta ao tratamento ou sobrevida, nesta amostra. Conclusão: O padrão de expressão das proteínas da família Bcl-2 e da proteína p53 encontrado nesta coorte foi similar ao descrito na literatura mundial disponível. A expressão positiva de p53 demonstrou correlação com menor sobrevida livre de doença na análise univariada, o que aponta para as investigações, já em andamento, acerca desta proteína, suas mutações e potencial alvo terapêutico. As proteínas da família Bcl-2 não se correlacionaram com resposta ao tratamento ou sobrevida nesta amostra e requerem investigações em estudos prospectivos, utilizando novas tecnologias de detecção.Background: In the USA, Europe and Canada epithelial ovarian cancer is the principal cause of death from gynecological cancer and most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease – Stages III or IV FIGO. The 5 years survival for these patients is around 30%. Treatment is based in laparoscopy to stage and debulk the tumor volume and most cases will need chemotherapic treatment, based on platinum compounds. Apoptosis route is involved in the tumor development and, probably in treatment resistance also. Bcl2 family proteins are active in the apoptosis route and its activity is divided in pro and anti-apoptosis pathways. Studies in ovarian cancer and Bcl2 proteins family activity were done in USA, Europe and Canada. However, the results remain controversial concerning the role of these proteins in ovarian cancer. Objective: Determine Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad and p53 prevalence in a sample of patients from HCPA. Evaluate a possible correlation between these proteins expression and the clinical response, as well as the survival. Methods and patients: Forty-five patients were retrospectively analyzed. They had epithelial ovarian carcinoma diagnosed and treated in a standardized way on HCPA, between the years 1996 to 2004. Tumor tissue samples were evaluated through immunohistochemical analysis to detect positive expression of the proteins Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad and p53. Results: The prevalence found for the studied proteins in this sample was: Bcl2 49%, Bcl-xL 80%, Bax 98%, Bad 87% and p53 58%; similar to the levels described in the literature. Positive expression of p53 correlated with worst disease free survival (16 versus 58 months – p=0.04) in the univariate analysis. The other proteins did not show correlation with treatment response or with survival in this sample. Conclusion: The expression pattern of Bcl-2 protein family and of the p53 protein in this cohort was similar to the one usually described in the literature. The positive expression of p53 was correlated with a smaller time of disease free survival in the univariate analysis. In fact, there are currently investigations about this protein and its mutations as a potential therapeutic goal. Bcl-2 family proteins did not correlate with response to treatment or survival in this sample. Prospective studies are required, as well as the use of new technologies, to know better the role of these proteins in ovarian cancer

Perfil imunohistoquímico das proteínas da família BCL-2 e evolução clínica do câncer de ovário : uma análise de pacientes do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre/Brasil (1996 a 2004)

Base teórica: Nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e no Norte da Europa o carcinoma de ovário é a principal causa de morte por câncer ginecológico. A maioria dos casos é diagnosticada em estágios avançados – III ou IV FIGO . A sobrevida em 5 anos neste grupo é de 30% das pacientes. O tratamento envolve cirurgia oncológica para citorredução tumoral e quimioterapia adjuvante, na maioria dos casos. A via do apoptose está envolvida no desenvolvimento tumoral e resistência ao tratamento. As proteínas da família Bcl2 são ativas na via apoptótica e sua atividade se divide em anti e próapoptose. Estudos em pacientes com câncer de ovário foram realizados nos EUA, Europa e Canadá e os resultados observados foram controversos com relação ao papel dessas proteínas no câncer de ovário. Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência de Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad e p53 em uma amostra de pacientes do HCPA. Estudar a possível correlação entre a expressão dessas proteínas e aspectos de desfecho clínico (resposta ao tratamento, sobrevida total e livre de doença). Pacientes e métodos: Foram avaliadas, retrospectivamente, 45 pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma epitelial de ovário, tratadas de forma padronizada no HCPA no período de 1996 a 2004. Tecido tumoral foi avaliado através da técnica de imunohistoquímica com relação à positividade para as proteínas Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad e p53. Resultados: A prevalência das proteínas encontrada nessa amostra de pacientes foi: Bcl2 49%, Bcl-xL 80%, Bax 98%, Bad 87% e p53 58%; apresentando similaridade, em geral , com a literatura mundial revisada. A expressão positiva da proteína p53 correlacionou-se com pior sobrevida livre de doença (16 versus 58 meses – p=0.04) na análise univariada. As demais proteínas não apresentaram correlações com resposta ao tratamento ou sobrevida, nesta amostra. Conclusão: O padrão de expressão das proteínas da família Bcl-2 e da proteína p53 encontrado nesta coorte foi similar ao descrito na literatura mundial disponível. A expressão positiva de p53 demonstrou correlação com menor sobrevida livre de doença na análise univariada, o que aponta para as investigações, já em andamento, acerca desta proteína, suas mutações e potencial alvo terapêutico. As proteínas da família Bcl-2 não se correlacionaram com resposta ao tratamento ou sobrevida nesta amostra e requerem investigações em estudos prospectivos, utilizando novas tecnologias de detecção.Background: In the USA, Europe and Canada epithelial ovarian cancer is the principal cause of death from gynecological cancer and most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease – Stages III or IV FIGO. The 5 years survival for these patients is around 30%. Treatment is based in laparoscopy to stage and debulk the tumor volume and most cases will need chemotherapic treatment, based on platinum compounds. Apoptosis route is involved in the tumor development and, probably in treatment resistance also. Bcl2 family proteins are active in the apoptosis route and its activity is divided in pro and anti-apoptosis pathways. Studies in ovarian cancer and Bcl2 proteins family activity were done in USA, Europe and Canada. However, the results remain controversial concerning the role of these proteins in ovarian cancer. Objective: Determine Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad and p53 prevalence in a sample of patients from HCPA. Evaluate a possible correlation between these proteins expression and the clinical response, as well as the survival. Methods and patients: Forty-five patients were retrospectively analyzed. They had epithelial ovarian carcinoma diagnosed and treated in a standardized way on HCPA, between the years 1996 to 2004. Tumor tissue samples were evaluated through immunohistochemical analysis to detect positive expression of the proteins Bcl2, Bcl-xL, Bax, Bad and p53. Results: The prevalence found for the studied proteins in this sample was: Bcl2 49%, Bcl-xL 80%, Bax 98%, Bad 87% and p53 58%; similar to the levels described in the literature. Positive expression of p53 correlated with worst disease free survival (16 versus 58 months – p=0.04) in the univariate analysis. The other proteins did not show correlation with treatment response or with survival in this sample. Conclusion: The expression pattern of Bcl-2 protein family and of the p53 protein in this cohort was similar to the one usually described in the literature. The positive expression of p53 was correlated with a smaller time of disease free survival in the univariate analysis. In fact, there are currently investigations about this protein and its mutations as a potential therapeutic goal. Bcl-2 family proteins did not correlate with response to treatment or survival in this sample. Prospective studies are required, as well as the use of new technologies, to know better the role of these proteins in ovarian cancer