Objective: Bevacizumab has been shown to be effective in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma in combination with chemotherapy compared with historic controls but not in randomized trials. Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated for recurrent glioblastoma with bevacizumab vs a control group of patients, comparing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two groups, and performed subgroup analysis based on age and performance status. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) based on age was examined using DNA microarray analysis. We also evaluated the impact of bevacizumab on quality of life.

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Purpose New therapies for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) have generated interest in screening newborns for these conditions. We present performance validation data on a digital microfluidic platform that performs multiplex enzymatic assays for Pompe, Fabry, Hunter, Gaucher, and Hurler diseases. Methods We developed an investigational disposable digital microfluidic cartridge that uses a single dried blood spot (DBS) punch for performing a 5-plex fluorometric enzymatic assay on up to 44 DBS samples. Precision and linearity of the assays were determined by analyzing quality control DBS samples; clinical performance was determined by analyzing 600 presumed normal and known affected samples (12 for Pompe, 7 for Fabry and 10 each for Hunter, Gaucher and Hurler). Results Overall coefficient of variation (CV) values between cartridges, days, instruments, and operators ranged from 2 to 21%; linearity correlation coefficients were ≥ 0.98 for all assays. The multiplex enzymatic assay performed from a single DBS punch was able to discriminate presumed normal from known affected samples for 5 LSDs. Conclusions Digital microfluidic technology shows potential for rapid, high-throughput screening for 5 LSDs in a newborn screening laboratory environment. Sample preparation to enzymatic activity on each cartridge is less than 3 hours.

BACKGROUND:Newborn screening for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) has been gaining considerable interest owing to the availability of enzyme replacement therapies. We present a digital microfluidic platform to perform rapid, multiplexed enzymatic analysis of acid ␣-glucosidase (GAA) and acid ␣-galactosidase to screen for Pompe and Fabry disorders. The results were compared with those obtained using standard fluorometric methods.