Tumoral cavitation in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with antiangiogenic therapy using bevacizumab

Rationale and objectives: To investigate the frequency and radiographic patterns of tumoral cavitation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with bevacizumab, and correlate the imaging findings with the pathology, clinical characteristics and outcome. Materials and methods: Seventy-two patients with NSCLC treated with bevacizumab therapy were identified retrospectively. Baseline and follow-up chest computed tomography scan were reviewed to identify tumoral cavitation and subsequent filling in of cavitation. Radiographic cavitation patterns were classified into 3 groups. The clinical and outcome data were correlated with cavity formation and patterns. Results: Out of 72 patients, 14 patients developed cavitation after the initiation of bevacizumab therapy (19%; median time to event, 1.5 months; range 1.0–24.8 months). Three radiographic patterns of tumoral cavitation were noted: (1) development of cavity within the dominant lung tumor (n = 8); (2) development of non-dominant cavitary nodules (n = 3); and (3) development of non-dominant cavitary nodules with adjacent interstitial abnormalities (n = 3). Eleven patients (79%) demonstrated subsequent filling in of cavitation (the time from the cavity formation to filling in; median 3.7 months; range 1.9–22.7 months). No significant difference was observed in the clinical characteristics, including smoking history, or in the survival between patients who developed cavitation and those who did not. Smoking history demonstrated a significant difference across 3 radiographic cavitation patterns (P = 0.006). Hemoptysis was noted in 1 patient with cavity formation and 4 patients without, with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Tumoral cavitation occurred in 19% in patients with NSCLC treated with bevacizumab and demonstrated 3 radiographic patterns. Subsequent filling in of cavitation was noted in the majority of cases

eHealth interventions for HIV prevention

The rapidly changing media landscape and proliferation of new technologies creates vast new opportunities for HIV prevention. The fast growth of the relatively new eHealth field is a testament to the excitement and promise of these new technologies. eHealth interventions in HIV prevention tested to date include computer- and Internet-based interventions; chat room interventions; text messaging interventions; and social media. The current article provides a brief review of these types of interventions in HIV prevention, including their unique advantages and evidence of efficacy. Implications for future research in the eHealth HIV prevention field are discussed

A Commonly Recognized Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Nef Epitope Presented to Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes of Indian-Origin Rhesus Monkeys by the Prevalent Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Allele Mamu-A*02

The ability to monitor vaccine-elicited CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)- and simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected rhesus monkeys has been limited by our knowledge of viral epitopes predictably presented to those lymphocytes by common rhesus monkey MHC class I alleles. We now define an SIV and SHIV Nef CTL epitope (YTSGPGIRY) that is presented to CD8(+) T lymphocytes by the common rhesus monkey MHC class I molecule Mamu-A*02. All seven infected Mamu-A*02(+) monkeys evaluated demonstrated this response, and peptide-stimulated interferon gamma Elispot assays indicated that the response represents a large proportion of the entire CD8(+) T-lymphocyte SIV- or SHIV-specific immune response of these animals. Knowledge of this epitope and MHC class I allele substantially increases the number of available rhesus monkeys that can be used for testing prototype HIV vaccines in this important animal model