Burn wounds result from exposure to hot liquids, chemicals, fire, electric discharge or radiation. Wound severity ranges from first-degree injury, which is superficial, to fourth-degree injury, which exposes bone, tendons and muscles. Rapid assessment of burn depth and accurate wound management in the outpatient setting is critical to prevent injury progression into deeper layers of the dermis. Injury progression is of particular pertinence to second-degree burns, which are the most common form of thermal burn. As our understanding of wound healing advances, treatment options and technologies for second-degree burn management also evolve. Polymeric hydrogels are a class of burn wound dressings that adhere to tissue, absorb wound exudate, protect from the environment, can be transparent facilitating serial wound evaluation and, in some cases, enable facile removal for dressing changes. This review briefly describes the burn level classification and common, commercially available dressings used to treat second-degree burns, and then focuses on new polymeric hydrogel burn dressings under preclinical development analyzing their design, structure and performance. The review presents the follow key learning points: (1) introduction to the integument system and the wound-healing process; (2) classification of burns according to severity and clinical appearance; (3) available dressings currently used for second-degree burns; (4) introduction to hydrogels and their preparation and characterization techniques; and (5) pre-clinical hydrogel burn wound dressings currently being developed.

Arthrofibrosis, or rigid contracture of major articular joints, is a significant morbidity of many neurodegenerative disorders. The pathogenesis depends on the mechanism and severity of the precipitating neuromuscular disorder. Most neuromuscular disorders, whether spastic or hypotonic, culminate in decreased joint range of motion. Limited range of motion precipitates a cascade of pathophysiological changes in the muscle-tendon unit, the joint capsule, and the articular cartilage. Resulting joint contractures limit functional mobility, posing both physical and psychosocial burdens to patients, economic burdens on the healthcare system, and lost productivity to society. This article reviews the pathophysiology of arthrofibrosis in the setting of neuromuscular disorders. We describe current non-surgical and surgical interventions for treating arthrofibrosis of commonly affected joints. In addition, we preview several promising modalities under development to ameliorate arthrofibrosis non-surgically and discuss limitations in the field of arthrofibrosis secondary to neuromuscular disorders.

227 Background: A.A has been approved for the treatment of mCRPC before and after docetaxel. The standard regime consists on daily A.A. 1.000 mg in a fasting state along with prednisone 10mg q.d. However, data from pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in patients (pts) and healthy volunteers has revealed a significant food-effect with up to 7-10 folder increase in area under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) when A.A is given with food, specially with fat content, [Chi KN, J Clin Pharmacol 2015]. Methods: ABIFOOD is a phase I, randomized trial to evaluate the short and long-term effect of diet on the PKs of A.A. in pts with mCRPC who have progressed to docetaxel. Eligible pts include men ≥ 18 years old with mCRPC, ECOG performance status (PS) < 2 and an adequate organ function. Pts are randomly assigned to receive 4-weekly cycles of 250 mg A.A with standard meal (Arm A), 250 mg A.A with high-fat meal (Arm B) or 1000 mg A.A in fasting conditions (Arm C). PK analyses are conducted at week 1 (W1) and cycle 5. Results: Fifteen pts (5, 3 and 7 in arms A, B and C respectively) have been included and 6 are still on treatment. Median age is 72, 97% have ECOG-PS 1. Gleason Score is > 8 in 6 (40%) pts.Geometric mean abiraterone [AUC (ng.h/ml) (IQR)] at W1 did not significantly differ between treatment arms [arm A: 404.68 (368.4 - 488.2), arm B: 372 (334.6 - 440.5) arm C: 656.51 (387.8 – 1144.5) p 0.15]. PK data did not influence activity or toxicity. Progression free survival was 8.50, 6.33 and 4.86 months in Arms A, B and C respectively (p 0.53). One patient in arm A is still on treatment after 17 cycles. Conclusions: The administration of lower doses of A.A with food [regardless the fat content], might achieve comparable plasma levels to standard dosing with no detriment in efficacy or toxicity parameters. The study is actively recruiting and data on additional pts and long term PK parameters will be presented. Clinical trial information: EudraCt number: 2012-003226-25.

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