Citations

Using DNA ligase‐catalyzed cyclization assays, the in vitro persistence length of DNA has been determined to be about 150 base pairs (bp). In living E. coli bacteria, where DNA loops regulate the lac operon, DNA looping appears to be much more probable than expected from in vitro data. Why? A possible explanation for this paradox is that DNA loops in bacteria are bridged by proteins, reducing the amount of required costly DNA bending. Current in vitro methods to measure DNA flexibility are tedious and artificial, in that they require DNA cyclization, not just DNA looping. No high‐throughput method has been described to measure DNA flexibility for loops involving bridging proteins of different sizes. We are developing a high‐throughput method to measure the probability of DNA looping when bridged by a fusion protein that includes PCV2 and micrococcal nuclease domains. A bead‐tethered 1000‐bp DNA molecule of a known sequence is conjugated to this fusion protein through the PCV2 domain, and looping allows self‐cleavage such that the distribution of cleavage sites revealed by next generation sequencing reflects the energetics of DNA looping. We hypothesize that this distribution will be affected as a function of bridging protein size. Measuring how the size of bridging proteins affects tight DNA loop probability enables improved understanding of genetic switches.

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic diarrhea affects about 5% of the population overall. Altered bile acid metabolism is a common but frequently undiagnosed cause. Methods We performed a systematic search of publication databases for studies of assessment and management of bile acid diarrhea (BAD). The certainty (quality) of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Patient population, intervention, comparator and outcome questions were developed through an iterative process and were voted on by a group of specialists. Results The certainty of evidence was generally rated as very low. Therefore, 16 of 17 recommendations are conditional. In patients with chronic diarrhea, consideration of risk factors (terminal ileal resection, cholecystectomy or abdominal radiotherapy), but not additional symptoms, was recommended for identification of patients with possible BAD. The group suggested testing using 75selenium homocholic acid taurine (where available) or 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, including patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, functional diarrhea and Crohn’s disease without inflammation. Testing was suggested over empiric bile acid sequestrant therapy (BAST). Once remediable causes are managed, the group suggested cholestyramine as initial therapy, with alternate BAST when tolerability is an issue. The group suggested against BAST for patients with extensive ileal Crohn’s disease or resection and suggested alternative antidiarrheal agents if BAST is not tolerated. Maintenance BAST should be given at the lowest effective dose, with a trial of intermittent, on-demand administration, concurrent medication review and reinvestigation for patients whose symptoms persist despite BAST. Conclusions Based on a systematic review, BAD should be considered for patients with chronic diarrhea. For patients with positive results from tests for BAD, a trial of BAST, initially with cholestyramine, is suggested.

Abstract Background: Older patients (pts) with AML unfit for intense induction chemotherapy have a poor prognosis with a 5 year survival of <10%. 225Ac-lintuzumab is composed of 225Ac linked to a humanized anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody. Data were previously presented on the initial 13 pts who received 2.0 µCi/kg/dose on Days 1 and 8 (ASH, 2017, Abstract 616). Although that dose resulted in a high response rate of 69%, there were 6 pts with Grade 4 thrombocytopenia lasting >6 weeks and 5 CRi patients did not reach an ANC of ≥ 500/µL. Therefore, the activity level was reduced to 1.5 µCi/kg/dose for further evaluation. Methods: This study enrolled older pts with untreated AML who were considered to be unfit for standard induction chemotherapy. Pts aged 60 to 74 years were required to have significant co-morbidities, while all pts ≥ 75 years were eligible. Other eligibility criteria included ECOG PS 0-2, CD33 expression on > 25% of blasts, and a peripheral blast count <200/µL within 10 days of the first dose to optimize targeting of bone marrow (BM) blasts. Hydroxyurea was used to lower peripheral blast counts. 1.5 µCi/kg of 225Ac-lin were administered IV on Days 1 and 8. G-CSF was given starting 10 days after the 2nd dose and spironolactone was given for up to 1 year to minimize the risk of radiation-induced nephrotoxicity. Pts were evaluated for the CD33 splicing polymorphism SNP rs12459419. Results: 18 pts were included in this prespecified Interim Analysis. An additional 9 pts were treated at this dose and will be included in an updated analysis at the ASH meeting. The median age of the 18 pts was 73.5 years (range 60-87) and median ECOG Performance Status was 1 (0 in 3 pts, 1 in 9 pts, & 6 in 2 pts). 11 pts had prior AHDs (6 MDS, 2 CMML, 2 NHL, 1 myelofibrosis), and 9 had prior treatment for AHDs. Of the pts with known cytogenetic and molecular genetic results, 1 had favorable-risk, 3 had intermediate-risk, and 5 had adverse-risk AML using NCCN guidelines. The median baseline BM blast % was 40.5% (range, 22-66%) with a median CD33 expression of 62% (range, 26-100%) of AML cells. Objective responses were seen in 4 pts (22%): 3 complete remissions with incomplete platelet count recovery (CRp) and 1 complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi). Among the responders with known cytogenetics, 1 pt had adverse genetics and 1 had Intermediate-risk genetics.Of the pts with remission, 3 had CT genotype for the CD33 splicing polymorphism SNP rs12459419 (including 2 CRp) and 1 had CC genotype. 3 of the responders are in follow up at Days 59, 169 and 266 without further treatment. Myelosuppression was seen in all pts including Grade 4 thrombocytopenia with marrow aplasia for > 6 weeks after the first dose in 4 pts. 1 pt with prior MDS had pancytopenia for > 4 months. The 3 pts with CRp achieved an ANC ≥ 1000/µL at Days 28, 38, and 40 from the first dose of 225Ac-lin. The pt with CRi did not reach an ANC of 500/µL. Non hematologic Grade ≥3 Treatment-Emergent adverse events (AEs) that were at least possibly related were 4 patients with febrile neutropenia, as well as 1 patient each with fungal pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, chest pain, sepsis, gastric hemorrhage, generalized muscle weakness, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and typhilitis. No pts had an infusion-related reaction requiring dose interruption. Veno-occlusive disease did not occur. The 30-day mortality rate was 16.7% (1 cardiac arrest and 2 with multi organ failure). Conclusions: Preliminary data from this Interim Analysis of 225Ac-lin monotherapy in older AML pts unfit for intensive therapy indicate a lower rate of myelosuppression at 1.5 µCi/kg/dose but also a lower response rate than was seen at 2.0 µCi/kg/dose. Although the study met the prespecified response criteria for continuing enrollment, it will be closed to further accrual in recognition that targeted radiation, like other therapies, will likely have the best outcomes when used in combination with other therapies in pts with active AML. An extensive development program in AML, MDS, and multiple myeloma is planned. One study will utilize 225Ac-lin in combination with salvage chemotherapy and another with venetoclax. 225Ac-lin will be used as a single agent for AML postremission therapy. In addition, 225Ac-lin will be used as targeted conditioning prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant in pts with MDS with a complex karyotype and as a conditioning agent prior to autologous transplant in MM. Table. Table. Disclosures Atallah: Jazz: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy. Orozco:Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Craig:Novartis: Research Funding; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Levy:Takeda (Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.): Consultancy. Finn:Ochsner Clinic Foundation: Employment. Perl:NewLink Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Arog: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Park:Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Shire: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Roboz:Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Aphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celltrion: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding; Aphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Orsenix: Consultancy; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Orsenix: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Celltrion: Consultancy. Tse:Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine: Employment; Jazz: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Mawad:Swedish Cancer Institute: Employment. Rizzieri:Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Teva: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Arog: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Berger:Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Jurcic:Astellas: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forma Therapeutics: Research Funding; Syros Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Research Funding.

Abstract Abstract 2617 Introduction: ABT-348 is a potent, novel, adenosine triphospate competitive inhibitor of Aurora A, B and C kinases. ABT-348 is also a potent inhibitor of all members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) families. ABT-348 has demonstrated strong antitumor activity in a variety of preclinical cancer cell line models, in vitro and in vivo, including leukemias as monotherapy and in combination with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, azacitidine. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study are to determine the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of orally and IV administered ABT-348 as monotherapy or in combination with azacitidine in patients (pts) with advanced hematologic malignancies. Secondary objectives include determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and exploration of biomarkers associated with ABT-348 activity. Methods: This phase 1 dose-escalation study of ABT-348 utilizes a modified continual reassessment method in pts with advanced hematologic malignancies: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia and myelodysplasia (MDS). Adult pts with histological or cytological confirmed disease, ECOG status 0–2, adequate hematological, renal and hepatic function and without significant hypertension or proteinuria are eligible. This study has four arms consisting of ABT-348 administered on a 28-day (D) cycle. Pts receive ABT-348 monotherapy once daily (QD, Arm A) or twice daily (BID; Arm B) on Days (D) 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle under fasting conditions. In Arm C, ABT-348 is given on the same schedule as Arm A in combination with azacitidine (75 mg/m2) administered IV or SC on Days 1 – 7 of each 28-day cycle. In Arm D, pts receive ABT-348 monotherapy on the same schedule as Arm A, but via IV administration. Samples are collected for PK and biomarker analyses. Pts are treated until progressive disease (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. Adverse event (AE) severity is graded using NCI-CTCAE v4.0. Results: 39 pts (median age, 66 y [45–86]) have enrolled (Arm A, n=32; Arm B, n=4; Arm C, n=3). Of these pts, 27 had AML, 11 had MDS and 1 had CML. Pts received a median of 4 prior therapies (range, 1 – 8). Best response to last prior therapy was: complete or partial response in 3 pts, stable disease in 11 pts, PD in 24, and not determined in 1. Dose escalation is shown in the table. The first dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade 3 pancreatitis was observed at 640 mg in Arm A. Due to this DLT, along with a second case of grade 3 pancreatitis, further enrollment in Arm A was held and Arms B and C were opened. A DLT of grade 4 acute kidney injury was seen at 440 mg in Arm C. ABT-348-related AEs in greater than 2 pts were proteinuria (23%), nausea (21%), diarrhea (18%), hypertension (13%), vomiting (10%) and fatigue (8%). Grade 3/4 ABT-348-related AEs were hypertension (13%), pancreatitis (5%), acute kidney injury (3%) and diarrhea (3%). One patient in Arm A achieved a CRi (640 mg). Five of 32 pts in Arm A were treated for ≥4 cycles, including 2 of 7 pts at ABT-348 doses ≥ 640 mg. Based on preliminary PK analyses, Cmax and AUC of ABT-348 were approximately dose proportional in the dose range studied (10–690 mg); co-administration of azacitidine had no apparent effect on ABT-348 PK. Evidence of dual aurora/VEGF receptor kinase inhibition has been demonstrated by induction of polyploidy and PlGF, respectively. 33 pts have discontinued and 6 remain on study. Conclusions: ABT-348 has demonstrated on-target biomarker and clinical activity in pts with advanced hematologic magnancies, and was well tolerated at doses below 640 mg in Arm A. PK appears to be dose-proportional. Dose escalation is ongoing in Arms B and C (with azacitidine); an IV formulation of ABT-348 will also be evaluated. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Clofarabine in AML. Tibes:Abbott: Research Funding. Chiu:Abbott: Employment, Owns stocks Other. Xiong:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stock Other. Qin:Abbott: Employment. Ansell:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stock Other. Albert:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stock Other. Tse:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stock Other. Oliver:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stock Other. Sajwani:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stocks and participated in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation and reviewing approving study documents related to ABT-348 programs. Other. McKee:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stocks Other. Ricker:Abbott: Employment, own Abbott stocks Other.

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Tse et al and Ma and Kotze paper. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14829 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14858.

SummaryBackgroundPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, progressive cholestatic biliary disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with no known cure.AimTo evaluate the effect of biological therapies on PSC progression in IBD patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of 88 cases (75 unique patients with 12 patients treated >1 biologics) of IBD (48 ulcerative colitis, 24 Crohn's disease and 3 indeterminate colitis) with concomitant PSC who received biological therapy (42 infliximab, 19 adalimumab, 27 vedolizumab) between June 2002 and October 2017. Hepatic biochemistries were compared using the paired t‐test (patients served as their own controls) ≤3 months before and 6‐8 and 12‐14 months after biological initiation. Radiographic information of biliary stenosis and liver fibrosis were obtained via abdominal ultrasound, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance elastography.ResultsUse of adalimumab was associated with a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) after 6‐8 months (P = 0.03; mean change −70 U/L, standard deviation [SD] 88 U/L) compared to vedolizumab (mean change +50 U/L, SD 142 U/L) or infliximab (mean change +37 U/L, SD 183 U/L) but the change was not significant after 12‐14 months (P = 0.24). No significant decreases were observed with AST, ALT, total or direct bilirubin, elastography score or radiographic imaging of biliary tree dilation/strictures with any biological therapy after 6‐8 or 12‐14 months.ConclusionsCurrent evidence suggests that biological therapies used for the treatment of IBD are not effective treatments for PSC. Further study is needed to elucidate any potential beneficial effect of adalimumab on PSC.