Citations

Akt is a downstream target of B cell receptor signaling and is a central regulator of CLL cell survival. We aim to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Akt inhibitor MK‐2206 in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) in relapsed and/or refractory CLL in a phase I/II study. A standard phase I design was used with cohorts of three plus three patients to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of MK‐2206 in combination with BR in relapsed CLL. Single‐agent MK‐2206 (weekly dosed) was administered one‐week in advance before BR on cycle 1 and subsequently was given with BR at the same time for cycle 2‐6. Phase II employed the MTD of MK‐2206 with BR to evaluate safety and efficacy of this study combination. Thirteen relapsed/refractory CLL were treated for maximal 6‐cycle of therapy. The maximum tolerated dose of MK‐2206 was 90 mg by mouth once weekly. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (46%), febrile neutropenia (23%), rash (15%), diarrhea (15%), and thrombocytopenia (15%). Overall response rate was 92% with a median progression free survival and treatment free survival of 16 and 24 months, respectively. Five patients (38%) achieved complete remission or complete remission with incomplete count recovery, two of whom were MRD negative. The efficacy and tolerability of this combination indicates that Akt inhibition combined with chemoimmunotherapy is a promising novel treatment combination in CLL and deserves further prospective clinical trial.

SummaryCD49d is a surface integrin that is expressed on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells, and strongly correlates with more aggressive disease. Given its association with cell‐cell adhesion and leucocyte trafficking, we hypothesized that patients with high CD49d expression would experience a clinical course dominated by lymphadenopathy. CD49d expression was measured by flow cytometry and considered positive if expressed by ≥30% of CLL cells. The study included 797 newly diagnosed CLL/small lymphocytic leukaemia patients; 279 (35%) were CD49d positive. CD49d‐positive patients were more likely to present with lymphadenopathy (P < 0·001); a finding that persisted after adjusting for fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and IGHV mutation status [odds ratio (OR) 2·51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·64–3·83; P < 0·001]. Among CLL Rai 0 patients, CD49d positivity was associated with shorter time to development of lymphadenopathy (3·2 years vs not reached, P < 0·01). This association was maintained after adjusting for either FISH [hazard ratio (HR) 2·18; 95% CI 1·25–3·81; P = 0·006) or IGHV status (HR 2·02; 95% CI 1·11–3·69; P = 0·02) individually, but was attenuated when adjusting by both (HR 1·72; 95% CI 0·88–3·38; P = 0·11).These data demonstrate that CD49d‐positive CLL patients experience a disease course dominated by lymphadenopathy. These findings could have implications for therapy selection and disease monitoring.

Osteolytic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, are characterized by diminished bone quality and increased fracture risk. The therapeutic challenge remains to maintain bone homeostasis with a balance between osteoclast-mediated resorption and osteoblast-mediated formation. Osteoclasts are formed by the fusion of monocyte/macrophage-derived precursors. Here we report, to our knowledge for the first time, that receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) expression in osteoclast precursors and its protein regulation are crucial for osteoclast differentiation, activity, and coupled bone formation. In mice, monocyte/macrophage–specific knockdown of RIP140 (mϕRIP140KD) resulted in a cancellous osteopenic phenotype with significantly increased bone resorption and reduced bone formation. Osteoclast precursors isolated from mϕRIP140KD mice had significantly increased differentiation potential. Furthermore, conditioned media from mϕRIP140KD primary osteoclast cultures significantly suppressed osteoblast differentiation. This suppressive activity was effectively and rapidly terminated by specific Syk-stimulated RIP140 protein degradation. Mechanistic analysis revealed that RIP140 functions primarily by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation through forming a transcription-suppressor complex with testicular receptor 4 (TR4) to repress osteoclastogenic genes. These data reveal that monocyte/macrophage RIP140/TR4 complexes may serve as a critical transcription regulatory complex maintaining homeostasis of osteoclast differentiation, activity, and coupling with osteoblast formation. Accordingly, we propose a potentially novel therapeutic strategy, specifically targeting osteoclast precursor RIP140 protein in osteolytic bone diseases.

Background: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress has been demonstrated to induce afterdepolarizations and triggered activities in isolated myocytes, but the underlying mechanisms remain not fully understood. We aimed to explore whether protein kinase C (PKC) activation plays an important role in oxidative stress-induced afterdepolarizations. Methods: Action potentials and ion currents of isolated rabbit cardiomyocytes were recorded using the patch clamp technique. H2O2 (1 mM) was perfused to induce oxidative stress and the specific classical PKC inhibitor, Gö 6983 (1 μM), was applied to test the involvement of PKC. Results: H2O2 perfusion prolonged the action potential duration and induced afterdepolarizations. Pretreatment with Gö 6983 prevented the emergence of H2O2-induced afterdepolarizations. Additional application of Gö 6983 with H2O2 effectively suppressed H2O2-induced afterdepolarizations. H2O2 increased the late sodium current (INa,L) (n = 7, p < 0.01) and the L-type calcium current (ICa,L) (n = 5, p < 0.01), which were significantly reversed by Gö 6983 (p < 0.01). H2O2 also increased the transient outward potassium current (Ito) (n = 6, p < 0.05). However, Gö 6983 showed little effect on H2O2-induced enhancement of Ito. Conclusions: H2O2 induced afterdepolarizations via the activation of PKC and the enhancement of ICa,L and INa,L. These results provide evidence of a link between oxidative stress, PKC activation and afterdepolarizations.

AbstractBackgroundVascularized lymph node (VLN) transfer for lymphedema treatment has shown promising results. Optimal donor and recipient sites remain a matter of debate. We describe the technique and outcomes of a laparoscopically harvested extended gastroepiploic VLN flap with two levels of inset.Patients and MethodsBetween 2014 and 2015, four‐patients with upper limb breast cancer‐related lymphedema and three‐patients with lower limb pelvic cancer‐related lymphedema who underwent VLN transfers were included. After harvest, the gastroepiploic VLN flap was divided into two halves that were separately inset at the level of elbow and wrist (upper limb) or knee and ankle (lower limb). The mean patient age was 53.1 years (range, 42–65 years).ResultsThe average flap size after division was 6.3 cm in length (range, 5–7 cm) and 3.4 cm in width (range, 3–4 cm). The mean pedicle length was 3.2 cm (range, 2.5–4 cm). All flaps survived completely. No donor or recepient site complication was noted. At a mean follow‐up of 9.7 months (range, 8–11 months), the mean circumference reduction rate was 43.7 ± 2.5% along the entire limb (P < 0.05). No episode of infection was noted postoperatively.ConclusionsDouble gastroepiploic VLN transfers to middle and distal limb are a safe approach with very promising results. This technique may be used to improve clinical outcomes by enhancing the lymphatic drainage of the entire affected limb in a uniform fashion. In addition, the laparoscopic harvest can provide decreased donor site morbidity with a faster recovery.

685 Background: RAS/BRAF mutations constitutively activate the MAPK pathway in colorectal cancer, and may promote resistance to CRT. We propose that trametinib, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, in combination with 5FU CRT for patients with LARC will improve outcome. Methods: Phase I study with standard 3+3 design in patients with Stage II/III rectal cancer with 3 dose levels of trametinib: 0.5, 1, and 2mg daily with 5FU 225mg/m2/day and 50.4 Gy. Trametinib was given over a 5-day lead-in and continued through the course of CRT. Patients undergo surgery 6-10 weeks after the completion of CRT. An expansion cohort at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with 12 patients is ongoing. Tumor tissue is collected prior to therapy, at day 4/5 of trametinib, and at surgery. The primary endpoint is to determine the MTD of trametinib with CRT. Results: 15 patients (10 males, 5 females) have been enrolled and 14 patients are evaluable for toxicities to date. Median age is 53 years (range 35-74). Patients have completed enrollment to all dose levels, with 1 dose-limiting toxicity of diarrhea attributed to 5FU CRT. No grade 4/5 toxicities, and toxicities are shown in the table. Generalized skin rash led to trametinib discontinuation after 2 weeks of therapy for 1 patient, and was held 3 days for 2 patients. At the trametinib dose level of 2mg, 3 out of 7 (43%) patients had a pathological complete response and the average neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score is 8.1. Tumor RAS/BRAF mutation status is determined. Analysis of tumor tissue shows dose-dependent decrease in phosphorylated-ERK1/2 with increasing doses of trametinib. Conclusions: Initial evaluation shows that the combination of trametinib with 5FU CRT is tolerable and effective, and warrants further investigation in LARC. Clinical trial information: NCT01740648. [Table: see text]

677 Background: Napabucasin a first-in-class cancer stemness inhibitor in clinical development, suppresses cancer stemness by targeting Stat3-driven gene transcription. Preclinically, potent and broad-spectrum anti-cancer activity was observed in vitro and in vivo, alone and in combination with other agents. In a phase 1 study, napabucasin monotherapy was well tolerated with encouraging signs of anti-tumor activity at the RP2D of 500 mg BID. Methods: The current open-label, multi-center study includes phase II expansion in pts with refractory, K- Raswt mCRC to confirm safety and anti-tumor activity of napabucasin administered orally at 480mg BID in combination with panitumumab (6mg/kg bi-weekly). Results: 72 pts were enrolled, 48 pts were evaluable by RECIST of which 7 (15%) and 41 (85%) had 2 or >3 prior treatment lines, respectively. Of the 48 evaluable pts, 64.6% (31/48) were previously treated with an anti-EGFR agent. No new adverse events (AEs) were observed and most common AEs included grade 1/2 diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. Among 48 pts enrolled who received RECIST evaluation, Disease Control Rate (DCR) was observed in 25 pts (52.1%) of which 3 pts achieved PR (6%) and 22 pts achieved SD (45%). Among 31 pts previously treated with anti-EGFR therapy, DCR was observed in 15 pts (48%) compared with DCR of 59% observed in 10 out of 17 anti-EGFR naïve pts receiving a scan. Conclusions: This phase II study confirmed that napabucasin can be safely combined with panitumumab at full dose and shows encouraging anti-tumor activity in pts with K- Ras wt mCRC, regardless of prior anti-EGFR exposure, suggesting that napabucasin may sensitize pts to repeat anti-EGFR therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT01776307. [Table: see text]

AbstractRobust optimization of intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT) takes uncertainties into account during spot weight optimization and leads to dose distributions that are resilient to uncertainties. Previous studies demonstrated benefits of linear programming (LP) for IMPT in terms of delivery efficiency by considerably reducing the number of spots required for the same quality of plans. However, a reduction in the number of spots may lead to loss of robustness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance in terms of plan quality and robustness of two robust optimization approaches using LP and nonlinear programming (NLP) models. The so‐called “worst case dose” and “minmax” robust optimization approaches and conventional planning target volume (PTV)‐based optimization approach were applied to designing IMPT plans for five patients: two with prostate cancer, one with skull‐based cancer, and two with head and neck cancer. For each approach, both LP and NLP models were used. Thus, for each case, six sets of IMPT plans were generated and assessed: LP‐PTV‐based, NLP‐PTV‐based, LP‐worst case dose, NLP‐worst case dose, LP‐minmax, and NLP‐minmax. The four robust optimization methods behaved differently from patient to patient, and no method emerged as superior to the others in terms of nominal plan quality and robustness against uncertainties. The plans generated using LP‐based robust optimization were more robust regarding patient setup and range uncertainties than were those generated using NLP‐based robust optimization for the prostate cancer patients. However, the robustness of plans generated using NLP‐based methods was superior for the skull‐based and head and neck cancer patients. Overall, LP‐based methods were suitable for the less challenging cancer cases in which all uncertainty scenarios were able to satisfy tight dose constraints, while NLP performed better in more difficult cases in which most uncertainty scenarios were hard to meet tight dose limits. For robust optimization, the worst case dose approach was less sensitive to uncertainties than was the minmax approach for the prostate and skull‐based cancer patients, whereas the minmax approach was superior for the head and neck cancer patients. The robustness of the IMPT plans was remarkably better after robust optimization than after PTV‐based optimization, and the NLP‐PTV‐based optimization outperformed the LP‐PTV‐based optimization regarding robustness of clinical target volume coverage. In addition, plans generated using LP‐based methods had notably fewer scanning spots than did those generated using NLP‐based methods.