Citations

Abstract Introduction: AI-induced joint symptoms negatively impact drug adherence and quality of life. Based on observations that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory effects and that the mechanism of AI-induced joint symptoms may be partly due to inflammation, we hypothesized that women taking more n-3 PUFAs are less likely to develop AI-induced joint symptoms. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing n-3 PUFA vs placebo in postmenopausal breast cancer patients starting adjuvant AIs. Participants were randomized to n-3 supplements [2.58 g eicosapentaenoic acid + 1.74 g docosahexaenoic acid/day; Marine Nutriceuticals, Mt. Bethel, PA] vs matched placebo for 24 weeks (wks). Primary endpoints was feasibility; secondary outcomes were self-reported symptoms as assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory short form (BPI-SF), Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment, Breast & Endocrine Symptoms (FACTB-ES), and Stanford's Health Assessment and Disability Index (HAQ) at baseline prior to AI receipt, 12 and 24 wks. Compliance and toxicity were evaluated monthly. Serial peripheral blood n-3 PUFA levels and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFR2, IL-17) were drawn. MRI of hands/wrists was performed in selected patients using a 3 Tesla dedicated wrist coil at baseline and treatment end. Results: Forty-four women were enrolled and randomized to study drug; 42 received ≥1 cycle (4 wks) of treatment; 36 had ≥1 post treatment evaluation at wk 12 or 24. Median age was 59.5 (range 43-76); history of prior taxane (n=15, 34%). The two groups’ baseline characteristics were similar. Overall, 93% and 88% of patients took >80% of the placebo and n-3 PUFA doses, respectively. Baseline erythrocyte n-3 PUFA was similar for both groups (6.6% ± 1.6%, 7.2% ±1.9%, p=0.20), but higher in the n-3 PUFA arm by wk 24 (6.5%±1.0% vs 15.0%±3.3%, p<0.001). Most toxicities were grade 1; the n-3 PUFA arm had only 1 (2.5%) grade 3 toxicity (diarrhea). The n-3 PUFA arm reported lower mean BPI-SF scores after treatment [(-.0.28/ -0.25 at week 12/24); but not statistically significant compared to placebo (p=0.494 and 0.601)]. Based on BPI-SF, the n-3 PUFA arm reported less interference of pain symptoms compared to placebo at 12 weeks (-.72, p=0.08). This arm also had a decreased walking, activity and working (WAW) score on BPI-SF at 12 weeks (-.81 p=0.05), and reported significantly greater pain relief from medications at 12 (p=0.043) and 24 weeks (p=0.011). Both arms had similar baseline and wk 24 serum IL-6 levels; levels decreased from baseline to wk 24 in the n-3 PUFA arm (-0.54±0.25, p=0.048). There was a non-significant trend (p= 0.2) toward decreased wrist inflammation by MRI imaging at 24 wks in the n-3 PUFA arm. Conclusions: This is the first randomized pilot study to show that n-3 PUFA supplementation to prevent AI-induced joint symptoms is feasible and well tolerated. There is preliminary evidence that this intervention may help reduce the burden of AI-induced arthralgias. OSU Study #11022; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01478477. Grants from the National Cancer Institute (CA037447-26) to the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology supported this pilot study. Citation Format: Maryam B Lustberg, Tonya Orchard, Xueliang Pan, Raquel Reinbolt, Amanda Logan, Joanne Lester, Rachel M Layman, Erin Macrae, Ewa Mrozek, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Robert Wesolowski, Michael Berger, Michael Knopp, Charles Loprinzi, Charles L Shapiro, Lisa Yee. Prevention of aromatase Inhibitor (AI)-induced joint symptoms with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-03.

Abstract Recent studies have shown that associations between common genetic variation and gene expression in breast tumors provide insight into the functional mechanisms underlying breast cancer risk loci. However, the relationship between genetic variation, gene expression, and risk of triple negative (TN) breast cancer remains largely unexplored. We performed a genome-wide expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis of TN breast cancer using 668 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded TN tumors from the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Consortium (TNBCC) to identify novel genes relevant to TN breast cancer risk and to further explore the biology underlying known TN risk loci. Cis-eQTLs were defined as correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and expression of genes within 1Mb, and trans-eQTLs were defined as the remainder of all SNP-gene correlations. In a genome-wide analysis, we identified 68,012 cis-eQTLs, representing correlations between 42,193 SNPs and 2,092 genes that were significant at a 10% false discovery rate (FDR). We also identified 70 trans-eQTLs across two unique genes at the same FDR threshold. Five cis-eQTLs involved SNPs previously associated with TN breast cancer risk (p<5.0x10-5) in 3,700 TN cases and 4,700 controls from the TNBCC. Three of these, located on chromosomes 5p (cis-eQTL p=4.8x10-34; risk p=1.1x10-7), 7p (cis-eQTL p=6.1x10-10; risk p=1.3x10-7), and 17q (cis-eQTL p=1.8x10-15; risk p=2.9x10-7), have previously been reported in public databases of normal tissue. The remaining two TN breast cancer cis-eQTLs, located on chromosomes 8q (cis-eQTL p=6.3x10-6, risk p=8.3x10-6) and 14q (cis-eQTL p=3.1x10-6, risk p=1.2x10-5), have not been reported as eQTLs in other tissues. In addition, 12 of 25 known TN breast cancer risk loci (PEX14, MDM4, 2q31.1, ESR1, 11q13.1, 11q24.3, 12p13.1, PTHLH, NTN4, 12q24, 19p13.1, MLK1), contained at least one significant cis-eQTL. In summary, we have identified five cis-eQTLs that may identify novel risk loci for TN breast cancer. Citation Format: Kristen S. Purrington, Drakoulis Yannoukakos, Jane Carpenter, Heli Nevanlinna, Angela Cox, Gianluca Severi, Christine Ambrosone, Amanda Ewart Toland, Andrew K. Godwin, Hiltrud Brauch, Peter A. Fasching, Penelope Miron, Jenny Chang-Claude, Nicholas G. Martin, Grant W. Montgomery, Vessela Kristensen, Hoda Anton-Culver, Paul Goodfellow, Janet E. Olson, Hugues Sicotte, Naresh Prodduturi, Daniel W. Visscher, Jeanette E. Eckel-Passow, S. Keith Anderson, Seth Slettedahl, Curtis Olswold, Xianshu Wang, V. Shane Pankratz, Susan Slager, Wei Zheng, Arto Mannermaa, Ute Hamann, Diana M. Eccles, Celine M. Vachon, Fergus J. Couch. Expression quantitative trait locus analysis of triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3266. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3266

Background— A 2% to 5% background rate of rare SCN5A nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) among healthy individuals confounds clinical genetic testing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to enhance interpretation of SCN5A nsSNVs for clinical genetic testing using estimated predictive values derived from protein-topology and 7 in silico tools. Methods and Results— Seven in silico tools were used to assign pathogenic/benign status to nsSNVs from 2888 long-QT syndrome cases, 2111 Brugada syndrome cases, and 8975 controls. Estimated predictive values were determined for each tool across the entire SCN5A -encoded Na v 1.5 channel as well as for specific topographical regions. In addition, the in silico tools were assessed for their ability to correlate with cellular electrophysiology studies. In long-QT syndrome, transmembrane segments S3–S5+S6 and the DIII/DIV linker region were associated with high probability of pathogenicity. For Brugada syndrome, only the transmembrane spanning domains had a high probability of pathogenicity. Although individual tools distinguished case- and control-derived SCN5A nsSNVs, the composite use of multiple tools resulted in the greatest enhancement of interpretation. The use of the composite score allowed for enhanced interpretation for nsSNVs outside of the topological regions that intrinsically had a high probability of pathogenicity, as well as within the transmembrane spanning domains for Brugada syndrome nsSNVs. Conclusions— We have used a large case/control study to identify regions of Na v 1.5 associated with a high probability of pathogenicity. Although topology alone would leave the variants outside these identified regions in genetic purgatory, the synergistic use of multiple in silico tools may help promote or demote a variant’s pathogenic status.

AbstractCNSregeneration is a desirable goal for diseases of brain and spinal cord. Current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) aim to eliminate detrimental effects of the immune system, so far without reversing disability or affecting long‐term prognosis in patients. Approachable molecular targets that stimulateCNSrepair are not part of the clinical praxis or have not been identified yet. The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular target of the human monoclonal antibodyHIgM12.HIgM12 reverses motor deficits in chronically demyelinated mice, a model ofMS. Here, we identified polysialic acid (PSA) attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) as the antigen forHIgM12 by using differentNCAMknockout strains and throughPSAremoval from theNCAMprotein core. Antibody binding toCNStissue and primary cells, antibody‐mediated cell adhesion, and neurite outgrowth onHIgM12‐coated nitrocellulose was detected only in the presence ofPSAas assessed by western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, and histochemistry. We conclude thatHIgM12 mediates it'sin vivoandin vitroeffects through binding toPSAand has the potential to be an effective therapy forMSand neurodegenerative diseases.imageThe human antibody HIgM12 stimulates neurite outgrowthin vitroand promotes function in chronically demyelinated mice, a model of multiple sclerosis. The cellular antigen for HIgM12 was undetermined. Here, we identified polysialic acid attached to NCAM (neural cell adhesion molecule) as the cellular target for HIgM12. This includes glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐positive mouse astrocytes (GFAP, red; HIgM12, green; DAPI, blue) among other cell types of the central nervous system. These findings indicate a new strategy for the treatment of neuro‐motor disorders including multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Purpose: Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSV) represent a promising therapy for glioblastoma (GBM), but their clinical success has been limited. Early innate immune responses to viral infection reduce oHSV replication, tumor destruction, and efficacy. Here, we characterized the antiviral effects of macrophages and microglia on viral therapy for GBM. Experimental Design: Quantitative flow cytometry of mice with intracranial gliomas (±oHSV) was used to examine macrophage/microglia infiltration and activation. In vitro coculture assays of infected glioma cells with microglia/macrophages were used to test their impact on oHSV replication. Macrophages from TNFα-knockout mice and blocking antibodies were used to evaluate the biologic effects of TNFα on virus replication. TNFα blocking antibodies were used to evaluate the impact of TNFα on oHSV therapy in vivo. Results: Flow-cytometry analysis revealed a 7.9-fold increase in macrophage infiltration after virus treatment. Tumor-infiltrating macrophages/microglia were polarized toward a M1, proinflammatory phenotype, and they expressed high levels of CD86, MHCII, and Ly6C. Macrophages/microglia produced significant amounts of TNFα in response to infected glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Using TNFα-blocking antibodies and macrophages derived from TNFα-knockout mice, we discovered TNFα-induced apoptosis in infected tumor cells and inhibited virus replication. Finally, we demonstrated the transient blockade of TNFα from the tumor microenvironment with TNFα-blocking antibodies significantly enhanced virus replication and survival in GBM intracranial tumors. Conclusions: The results of these studies suggest that FDA approved TNFα inhibitors may significantly improve the efficacy of oncolytic virus therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(14); 3274–85. ©2015 AACR.

Purpose Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine plus docetaxel achieves objective response in 35% of patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS). This study aimed to determine whether the addition of bevacizumab to gemcitabine-docetaxel increases progression-free survival (PFS) in uLMS. Patients and Methods In this phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with chemotherapy-naive, metastatic, unresectable uLMS were randomly assigned to gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab or gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo. PFS, overall survival (OS), and objective response rates (ORRs) were compared to determine superiority. Target accrual was 130 patients to detect an increase in median PFS from 4 months (gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo) to 6.7 months (gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab). Treatment effects on PFS and OS were described by hazard ratios (HRs), median times to event, and 95% CIs. Results In all, 107 patients were accrued: gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo (n = 54) and gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab (n = 53). Accrual was stopped early for futility. No statistically significant differences in grade 3 to 4 toxicities were observed. Median PFS was 6.2 months for gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo versus 4.2 months for gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab (HR, 1.12; P = .58). Median OS was 26.9 months for gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo and 23.3 months for gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab (HR, 1.07; P = .81). Objective responses were observed in 17 (31.5%) of 54 patients randomly assigned to gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo and 19 (35.8%) of 53 patients randomly assigned to gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab. Mean duration of response was 8.6 months for gemcitabine-docetaxel plus placebo versus 8.8 months for gemcitabine-docetaxel plus bevacizumab. Conclusion The addition of bevacizumab to gemcitabine-docetaxel for first-line treatment of metastatic uLMS failed to improve PFS, OS, or ORR. Gemcitabine-docetaxel remains a standard first-line treatment for uLMS.