Citations

Significance Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the third leading of cause of cancer death in the United States and is predicted to be the second one by 2030. The tumor microenvironment is a major source of soluble mediators that influence tumor progression and hinder the success of therapeutic strategies. Using a genetically engineered mouse model and human cell-based systems, we identify galectin-1 (Gal1) as a critical soluble factor capable of regulating tumor–stroma crosstalk promoting proliferation, angiogenesis, and modulation of inflammatory responses, resulting in enhanced tumor development and metastasis. Our data provide an integrated view of the role of Gal1 in the PDA microenvironment and reinforce the high therapeutic value of Gal1 inhibition in PDA treatment.

scikit-image is an image processing library that implements algorithms and utilities for use in research, education and industry applications. It is released under the liberal "Modified BSD" open source license, provides a well-documented API in the Python programming language, and is developed by an active, international team of collaborators. In this paper we highlight the advantages of open source to achieve the goals of the scikit-image library, and we showcase several real-world image processing applications that use scikit-image.

scikit-image is an image processing library that implements algorithms and utilities for use in research, education and industry applications. It is released under the liberal "Modified BSD" open source license, provides a well-documented API in the Python programming language, and is developed by an active, international team of collaborators. In this paper we highlight the advantages of open source to achieve the goals of the scikit-image library, and we showcase several real-world image processing applications that use scikit-image.

475 Background: The vascular disrupting agent (VDA) BNC105P shows synergy with everolimus in preclinical models. The DisrupTOR-1 trial included a phase I component exploring this combination and a randomized phase II component comparing everolimus with BNC105P (Arm A) to everolimus monotherapy (Arm B) (Pal et al. ESMO 2014). Methods: Pts with clear cell mRCC and 1-2 prior therapies (including ≥1 VEGF-TKI) were randomized in the phase II study component. In Arm A, patients received a 7 day lead-in dose of everolimus followed by dosing with BNC105P. Patients in Arm A had optional blood collections prior to administration of BNC105P and 3 hours after receiving BNC105P. A fluorescence-based assay was used to characterize a broad panel of analytes at each time point. Biomarkers were assessed in both a static and dynamic fashion. For the former, biomarkers were stratified by median value, and progression-free survival (PFS) was compared in resulting subgroups using the Kaplan-Meier method. For the latter, change in biomarker level before and after BNC105P infusion was stratified by median difference, and PFS was compared in resulting subgroups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 139 pts were randomized with 69 and 67 evaluable pts in Arms A and B, respectively. Dynamic biomarkers were assessed in a total of 44 patients who received everolimus with BNC105P. Increases in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and stem cell factor (SCF) were associated with improved PFS (p=0.0421 and p=0.0291, respectively). Decreases in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and serum amyloid protein (SAP) were associated with improved PFS (p=0.0184 and p=0.0063). With respect to static biomarkers, elevated baseline ferritin and lower baseline IL-8 were associated with improved PFS (p=0.0291 and p=0.0149, respectively). Conclusions: Several static and dynamic biomarkers in the DisrupTOR-1 trial were associated with PFS. A prospective biomarker-driven study examining everolimus with BNC105P selected by baseline IL-8 and ferritin is in development. Clinical trial information: NCT01034631.

ABSTRACTNeither breakpoints (BPs) nor epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) have been established forCandidaspp. with anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin when using the Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) broth dilution colorimetric method. In addition, reference caspofungin MICs have so far proven to be unreliable.Candidaspecies wild-type (WT) MIC distributions (for microorganisms in a species/drug combination with no detectable phenotypic resistance) were established for 6,007Candida albicans, 186C. dubliniensis, 3,188C. glabratacomplex, 119C. guilliermondii, 493C. krusei, 205C. lusitaniae, 3,136C. parapsilosiscomplex, and 1,016C. tropicalisisolates. SYO MIC data gathered from 38 laboratories in Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States were pooled to statistically define SYO ECVs. ECVs for anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin encompassing ≥97.5% of the statistically modeled population were, respectively, 0.12, 0.25, and 0.06 μg/ml forC. albicans, 0.12, 0.25, and 0.03 μg/ml forC. glabratacomplex, 4, 2, and 4 μg/ml forC. parapsilosiscomplex, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.06 μg/ml forC. tropicalis, 0.25, 1, and 0.25 μg/ml forC. krusei, 0.25, 1, and 0.12 μg/ml forC. lusitaniae, 4, 2, and 2 μg/ml forC. guilliermondii, and 0.25, 0.25, and 0.12 μg/ml forC. dubliniensis. Species-specific SYO ECVs for anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin correctly classified 72 (88.9%), 74 (91.4%), 76 (93.8%), respectively, of 81Candidaisolates with identifiedfksmutations. SYO ECVs may aid in detecting non-WT isolates with reduced susceptibility to anidulafungin, micafungin, and especially caspofungin, since testing the susceptibilities ofCandidaspp. to caspofungin by reference methodologies is not recommended.

Abstract Purpose: BNC105P inhibits tubulin polymerization, and preclinical studies suggest possible synergy with everolimus. In this phase I/II study, efficacy and safety of the combination were explored in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Experimental Design: A phase I study in patients with clear cell mRCC and any prior number of therapies was conducted using a classical 3 + 3 design to evaluate standard doses of everolimus with increasing doses of BNC105P. At the recommended phase II dose (RP2D), patients with clear cell mRCC and one to two prior therapies (including ≥ 1 VEGF-TKI) were randomized to BNC105P with everolimus (arm A) or everolimus alone (arm B). The primary endpoint of the study was 6-month progression-free survival (6MPFS). Secondary endpoints included response rate, PFS, overall survival, and exploratory biomarker analyses. Results: In the phase I study (N = 15), a dose of BNC105P at 16 mg/m2 with everolimus at 10 mg daily was identified as the RP2D. In the phase II study, 139 patients were randomized, with 69 and 67 evaluable patients in arms A and B, respectively. 6MPFS was similar in the treatment arms (arm A: 33.82% vs. arm B: 30.30%, P = 0.66) and no difference in median PFS was observed (arm A: 4.7 mos vs. arm B: 4.1 mos; P = 0.49). Changes in matrix metalloproteinase-9, stem cell factor, sex hormone-binding globulin, and serum amyloid A protein were associated with clinical outcome with BNC105P. Conclusions: Although the primary endpoint was not met in an unselected population, correlative studies suggest several biomarkers that warrant further prospective evaluation. Clin Cancer Res; 21(15); 3420–7. ©2015 AACR.

Abstract Despite some advances, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains generally refractory to current treatments. Desmoplastic stroma, a consistent hallmark of PDAC, has emerged as a major source of therapeutic resistance and thus potentially promising targets for improved treatment. The glycan-binding protein galectin-1 (Gal1) is highly expressed in PDAC stroma, but its roles there have not been studied. Here we report functions and molecular pathways of Gal1 that mediate its oncogenic properties in this setting. Genetic ablation of Gal1 in a mouse model of PDAC (EIa-myc mice) dampened tumor progression by inhibiting proliferation, angiogenesis, desmoplasic reaction and by stimulating a tumor-associated immune response, yielding a 20% increase in relative lifesplan. Cellular analyses in vitro and in vivo suggested these effects were mediated through the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, a crucial step for initiation of PDAC, was found to be regulated by Gal1. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Gal1 promoted Hedgehog pathway signaling in PDAC cells and stromal fibroblasts as well as in Ela-myc tumors. Taken together, our findings establish a function for Gal1 in tumor-stroma crosstalk in PDAC and provide a preclinical rationale for Gal1 targeting as a microenvironment-based therapeutic strategy. Cancer Res; 74(13); 3512–24. ©2014 AACR.

Purpose The trial objectives were to identify the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of first-line gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and to provide efficacy and safety data. Additional objectives were to evaluate positron emission tomography (PET) scan response, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), and CA19-9 levels in relation to efficacy. Subsequent preclinical studies investigated the changes involving the pancreatic stroma and drug uptake. Patients and Methods Patients with previously untreated advanced pancreatic cancer were treated with 100, 125, or 150 mg/m 2 nab-paclitaxel followed by gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m 2 on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. In the preclinical study, mice were implanted with human pancreatic cancers and treated with study agents. Results A total of 20, 44, and three patients received nab-paclitaxel at 100, 125, and 150 mg/m 2 , respectively. The MTD was 1,000 mg/m 2 of gemcitabine plus 125 mg/m 2 of nab-paclitaxel once a week for 3 weeks, every 28 days. Dose-limiting toxicities were sepsis and neutropenia. At the MTD, the response rate was 48%, with 12.2 median months of overall survival (OS) and 48% 1-year survival. Improved OS was observed in patients who had a complete metabolic response on [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET. Decreases in CA19-9 levels were correlated with increased response rate, progression-free survival, and OS. SPARC in the stroma, but not in the tumor, was correlated with improved survival. In mice with human pancreatic cancer xenografts, nab-paclitaxel alone and in combination with gemcitabine depleted the desmoplastic stroma. The intratumoral concentration of gemcitabine was increased by 2.8-fold in mice receiving nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus those receiving gemcitabine alone. Conclusion The regimen of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine has tolerable adverse effects with substantial antitumor activity, warranting phase III evaluation.

Background. The systemic vasculitides are syndromes characterized by inflammation and injury (necrosis or thrombosis) of blood vessels, resulting in clinical manifestations according to the affected vascular bed, but not classically in stocking-glove neuropathy.Objective. To describe a form of primary vasculitis affecting strictly peripheral nerves manifesting as stocking-glove neuropathy.Methods. Case series of 110 patients seen in three centers in Bogotá who presented with symptoms and signs of polyneuropathy and/or were identified with vasculitis affecting only the peripheral nerves, and who underwent sural nerve biopsy.Results. Six patients had a vasculitis affecting only the peripheral nerves diagnosed on sural nerve biopsy which demonstrated a mixed infiltrate of monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes especially in the small epineurial blood vessels. Over time, all had worsening of symptoms, with grip weakness and motor deficits in the hand and feet. Serologies and acute phase reactants were normal in all patients. Treatment response to immunosuppression was satisfactory in 5 patients; 1 patient had progressive neurologic damage.Conclusions. There is a distinct form of primary vasculitis of the peripheral nervous system characterized by distal sensory polyneuropathy with stocking-glove distribution with good prognosis, few and minor relapses and good response to treatment even after delayed diagnosis.