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- Marconi, Alessandro, et al.
(författare)
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ELT-HIRES, the high resolution spectrograph for the ELT : Phase A study and path to construction
- 2020
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Ingår i: Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VIII. - : SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering. - 9781510636828 - 9781510636811
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- HIRES is the high-resolution spectrograph of the European Extremely Large Telescope at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. It consists of three fibre-fed spectrographs providing a wavelength coverage of 0.4-1.8 µm (goal 0.35-2.4 µm) at a spectral resolution of 100,000. The fibre-feeding allows HIRES to have several, interchangeable observing modes including a SCAO module and a small diffraction-limited IFU in the NIR. Therefore, it will be able to operate both in seeing- and diffraction-limited modes. Its modularity will ensure that HIRES can be placed entirely on the Nasmyth platform, if enough mass and volume is available, or part on the Nasmyth and part in the Coud`e room. ELT-HIRES has a wide range of science cases spanning nearly all areas of research in astrophysics and even fundamental physics. Among the top science cases there are the detection of biosignatures from exoplanet atmospheres, finding the fingerprints of the first generation of stars (PopIII), tests on the stability of Nature’s fundamental couplings, and the direct detection of the cosmic acceleration. The HIRES consortium is composed of more than 30 institutes from 14 countries, forming a team of more than 200 scientists and engineers.
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| 2. |
- Casar Borota, Olivera, et al.
(författare)
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Corticotroph Aggressive Pituitary Tumors and Carcinomas Frequently Harbor ATRX Mutations
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 106:4, s. 1183-1194
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Aggressive pituitary tumors (APTs) are characterized by unusually rapid growth and lack of response to standard treatment. About 1% to 2% develop metastases being classified as pituitary carcinomas (PCs). For unknown reasons, the corticotroph tumors are overrepresented among APTs and PCs. Mutations in the alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) gene, regulating chromatin remodeling and telomere maintenance, have been implicated in the development of several cancer types, including neuroendocrine tumors. Objective: To study ATRX protein expression and mutational status of the ATRX gene in APTs and PCs. Design: We investigated ATRX protein expression by using immunohistochemistry in 30 APTs and 18 PCs, mostly of Pit-1 and T-Pit cell lineage. In tumors lacking ATRX immunolabeling, mutational status of the ATRX gene was explored. Results: Nine of the 48 tumors (19%) demonstrated lack of ATRX immunolabelling with a higher proportion in patients with PCs (5/18; 28%) than in those with APTs (4/30;13%). Lack of ATRX was most common in the corticotroph tumors, 7/22 (32%), versus tumors of the Pit-1 lineage, 2/24 (8%). Loss-of-function ATRX mutations were found in all 9 ATRX immunonegative cases: nonsense mutations (n = 4), frameshift deletions (n = 4), and large deletions affecting 22-28 of the 36 exons (n = 3). More than 1 ATRX gene defect was identified in 2 PCs. Conclusion: ATRX mutations occur in a subset of APTs and are more common in corticotroph tumors. The findings provide a rationale for performing ATRX immunohistochemistry to identify patients at risk of developing aggressive and potentially metastatic pituitary tumors.
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| 3. |
- Alping, P., et al.
(författare)
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Effectiveness of initial MS treatments in the COMBAT-MS trial : injectables, dimethyl fumarate, natalizumab and rituximab
- 2021
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Ingår i: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 27:Suppl. 2, s. 21-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Introduction: Direct comparisons across multiple disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are valuable in clinical decision making. COMBAT-MS (NCT03193866) is an observational drug trial capturing data on clinical relapses, lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and drug survival, at all Swedish university clinics.Objective: Compare the effectiveness of the most common initial MS therapies in Sweden.Methods: All first-ever MS treatments with injectables (INJ, interferon-β/glatiramer acetate), dimethyl fumarate (DMF), natalizumab (NTZ), and rituximab (RTX), started 2011-01-01 to 2020-12-14, were identified with prospectively recorded outcome data in the Swedish MS Register. Follow-up continued even if the therapy ended. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation and potential confounding was adjusted for using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting with baseline variables: age, sex, MS duration, geographical region, EDSS, and relapses. All comparisons are made against RTX.Results: We included 1936 first-ever therapy episodes: 856 INJ, 341 DMF, 270 NTZ, and 469 RTX. Baseline characteristics differed by DMT, with natalizumab having the youngest patients, shortest MS duration, and the most previous relapses.After adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) for first relapse vs RTX was for INJ 5.9 (95% confidence interval 3.7; 9.5), DMF 2.8 (1.7; 4.8), and NTZ 1.8 (1.0; 3.3). Similarly, the relative three-year lesion rate was for INJ 6.06 (3.75; 9.80), DMF 3.52 (2.01; 6.17), and NTZ 2.03 (1.14; 3.64). EDSS differences at three years were only marginally different: INJ 0.25 (0.06; 0.44), DMF 0.05 (-0.16; 0.26), and NTZ 0.00 (-0.23; 0.24). In contrast, HR for treatment discontinuation was marked: INJ 32.5 (19.0; 55.7), DMF 20.2 (11.5; 35.4), and NTZ 16.2 (8.9; 29.5).Conclusions: In treatment-naïve patients, RTX was associated with the lowest risk of relapses and MRI lesions, and by far the lowest probability of switching to a second therapy. In contrast, EDSS at 3 years was similar for RTX, DMF, and NTZ, and only slightly higher for INJ. The apparent difference in effectiveness between NTZ and RTX could possibly be explained by the vulnerable period after switching from NTZ, mainly due to JC virus positivity. These findings underscore the importance of tracking long-term outcomes from first DMT start, while considering subsequent therapy switches.
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| 8. |
- Ekström, E., et al.
(författare)
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A Swedish nationwide pharmaco-epidemiological study of the long-term safety and effectiveness of alemtuzumab (IMSE 3)
- 2021
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Ingår i: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 27:Suppl. 2, s. 616-617
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Alemtuzumab (ALZ) is a modulatory drug for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Post-marketing surveillance is important to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness in a real-world setting where ALZ was included into the Swedish post-market surveillance study “Immunomodulation and Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology Study 3” (IMSE 3) upon launch in Sweden (March 2014).Objective: To follow up the effectiveness and long-term safety of ALZ in a real-world setting.Methods: Swedish MS patients are registered in the nationwide Swedish Neuro Registry (NeuroReg).IMSE 3 includes patients starting ALZ treatment with annual clinical measures obtained from NeuroReg; Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), European Quality of Life – 5 Dimension Test (EQ-5D) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess changes in effectiveness.Results: 118 patients (59% female; 95% RRMS) have been included in IMSE 3 between March 2014 and April 2021. Mean age at treatment start was 34 years. At cut-off date 85 patients had been treated with ALZ with at least 48 months of follow-up. Mean values at baseline compared to 48 months showed significant improvements for MSSS and SDMT while EQ-5D, EDSS, MSIS-29 and VAS scores showed tendencies of improvement.The largest proportion of the entire cohort switched from natalizumab (39%) or were treatment naïve (14%) prior ALZ. The number of relapses per 1,000 patient years decreased from 441 before ALZ initiation to 84 during ALZ treatment (16% missing data). 36 adverse events (AEs) were reported to the Swedish Medical Products Agency. 23 were classified as serious and the most common AEs categories were infections and infestations and blood and lymphatic system disorders (23% respectively). For non-serious events endocrine disorders (43%) was the most common category. Two patients died during ALZ treatment, one of which was associated to ALZ treatment, and died in association with the first ALZ treatment cycle due to fulminant viral hepatitis.Conclusions: Patients treated with ALZ for at least 48 months improved or remained stable across all effectiveness measures. Continued follow-up is needed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of ALZ.
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| 9. |
- Ekström, E., et al.
(författare)
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Real-world longitudinal data of peginterferon beta-1a from the Swedish national post-marketing surveillance study (IMSE 6) - effectiveness and safety profile
- 2021
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Ingår i: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 27:Suppl. 2, s. 626-627
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a (PegIFN) was approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Europe 2014. Phase II and III studies have shown that PegIFN reduces relapse rate and disability progression. PegIFN were included in the Swedish “Immunomodulation and Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology Study” (IMSE 6) due to the importance of studying the long-term safety and effectiveness.Objectives: To follow-up the long-term safety and effectiveness of PegIFN in a real-world setting.Methods: Data was obtained from the Swedish Neuro Registry (NeuroReg). All clinical measures; Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), European Quality of Life - 5 Dimensions Test (EQ-5D), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were assessed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and drug survival using the Kaplan-Meier curve.Results: 393 patients (78% female; 86% RRMS) were included in IMSE 6 between June 2015 and April 2021. Mean age at treatment start was 42 years, mean treatment duration was 23 months. 25% were treatment naïve and 47% switched from other injectables prior PegIFN. The one- and two-year drug survival rate was 58% and 41% respectively, and 31% overall. In total, 271 patients discontinued their PegIFN treatment at some time point, mainly due to adverse events (51%) and lack of effect (26%). Most patients switched to rituximab (37%). During the entire treatment period 54% were relapse-free and 8% had only one relapse (36% missing data). In patients treated at least 24 months tendencies of improve-ments were seen for SDMT and EQ-5D. MSIS-PSYCH showed significantly worsened results (21.2 ± 18.6 to 24.3 ± 19.3, n=46). EDSS, MSSS, MSIS-PHYS and VAS scores remained stable. 25 adverse events (AEs) have been reported to Swedish Medical Product Agency (MPA). 6 of these were classified as serious where general disorders and administration site, and skin (33% respectively) were the most common categories. General disorders and administration site were also the most common for non-serious AEs (68%).Conclusions: NeuroReg proves to function well as a post-marketing drug surveillance platform. All clinical effectiveness measures, except MSIS-PHYS, remained stable in patients treated for at least 24 months in this nationwide population-based real-world study. Longer follow up is needed to address the long-term effectiveness.
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| 10. |
- Ekström, E., et al.
(författare)
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The long-term safety and effectiveness of natalizumab (IMSE 1) - Real-world data from a Swedish nationwide pharmaco-epidemiological study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 27:Suppl. 2, s. 618-619
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Natalizumab (NTZ) is a highly effective disease modulatory treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Post-marketing surveillance is important for evaluation of long-term safety and effectiveness in a real-world setting. The “Immunomodulation and Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology Study” (IMSE 1) was initiated upon NTZ launch in Sweden (August 2006).Objective: To follow-up the long-term effectiveness and safety of NTZ in a real-world setting.Methods: IMSE 1 includes patients starting NTZ treatment. Data is collected from the nationwide Swedish Neuroregistry. Adverse events (AEs), JC-virus status (JCV) and clinical effectiveness measures Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) are registered prospectively.Results: 3476 patients (75% female; 81% RRMS) were included from August 2006 until April 2021. Mean age at treatment start was 36 years and mean treatment duration was 51.3 months. 1190 patients were currently treated with NTZ at cut-off and 13% of these were JCV positive (JCV+) with a mean JCV index at 1.07 ± 0.97. 2470 patients (71%) discontinued their NTZ treatment at some time point where the main reason was JCV+ (40%). Most of these patients switched to rituximab (39%). The number of relapses per 1,000 patient years were reduced from 380 before treatment start to 73 during treatment (25% missing data). 61% were relapse-free and 12% had only one relapse during the entire treatment period. All clinical measures showed improvement in mean between baseline and 132 months. Improvements on MSSS, MSIS-29 and SDMT were statistically significant. 117 Serious AEs had been reported to the Swedish Medical Product Agency and included nine cases (2 fatal) of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Eight of these nine cases had been reported between year 2008 and 2012, and one in 2018. 17 patients died within 6 months of last NTZ infusion. The most common category for non-serious AEs was infections and infestations (21%). For serious AEs neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified were the most common (16%).Conclusions: NTZ is generally well tolerated with sustained effectiveness regarding clinical cognitive, physical and psychological measures.
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