Citations

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and highly infiltrative brain tumor with poor prognosis. Radiation therapy induces DNA damage, and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways modulate resistance to radiation therapy. Inhibiting DDR pathways by targeting ATM, a key enzyme involved in the repair of DNA double strand breaks, leads to radiosensitization and enhances cytotoxicity. Clinical translation of radiosensitizers for GBM may be influenced by a lack of effective drug delivery across the blood brain barrier (BBB). The purpose of this study is to determine the key preclinical pharmacokinetic parameters and mechanisms that influence the CNS delivery of WSD0628, a novel ATM inhibitor. In vitro clonogenic survival assays using U251 GBM cells indicate that WSD0628 shows significant radiosensitization, with a >70% decrease in surviving colonies in the presence of 10nM or higher drug concentrations in combination with 2.5 to 10 Gy radiation as compared to radiation alone. We evaluated the systemic pharmacokinetics and CNS distribution of WSD0628 in FVB wild-type mice and FVB mice lacking Pgp and Bcrp (Mdr1a/b−/−Bcrp1−/−, triple knockout) after a 1, 5, 10 mg/kg intravenous (IV) or oral (PO) dose. Clearance decreased with increase in dose and a greater than dose proportional increase in exposure was observed. WSD0628 is rapidly absorbed and is bioavailable after oral administration. Tissue distribution coefficients were determined as the ratio of exposure in tissue to plasma (Kp = AUCtissue/AUCplasma). Kp,brain was 0.22 ± 0.05, and Kp, spinal cord was 0.30 ± 0.09 in the wild-type mice. For wild-type mice, Kp,uu,brain was 0.20 ± 0.05 and Kp,uu,spinal cord was 0.26 ± 0.08, determined by correcting for binding to CNS tissues and plasma. The brain distribution of WSD0628 was only modestly increased (1.4 times) in the triple knockout mice with Kp,brain of 0.32 ± 0.06 and Kp,spinal cord of 0.41 ± 0.08. Organ distribution of WSD0628 at steady-state was studied after intraperitoneal implantation of Alzet osmotic pumps primed to release WSD0628 at 7.5 ug/hr for 25 hours. Tissue distribution coefficients, determined by organ-to-plasma steady-state concentration ratios, were highest for liver and kidneys, followed by heart, lungs and CNS. Survival studies conducted in mice bearing orthotopic GBM patient derived xenografts show a significant improvement in survival in mice receiving a combination of WSD0628 and radiation as compared to radiation alone. In conclusion, WSD0628 is a robust radiosensitizer and has moderate brain penetration that is not limited by the efflux transporters Pgp and Bcrp. Based on preliminary efficacy studies in mice, WSD0628 shows potential for treatment of GBM tumors. Evaluations are underway to determine tumor free concentrations and quantification of corresponding biomarkers. Combining this knowledge of PK of WSD0628 with the dynamics of the targeted biological pathway will inform a PK-PD-efficacy model and predict effective dosage regimens for future preclinical and clinical trials. Citation Format: Sneha Rathi, Ann Mladek, Zhiyi Xue, Ju-Hee Oh, Wenjuan Zhang, Wenqiu Zhang, Jiayan Le, Jann S. Sarkaria, William F. Elmquist. Systemic and CNS distributional pharmacokinetics of WSD0628, a novel radiosensitizer: Implications for the treatment of brain tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr B028.

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and infiltrative primary malignant brain tumor. Current standard-of-care for newly diagnosed GBM patients includes maximal safe surgical resection, followed by concurrent radiation with temozolomide (TMZ), and adjuvant TMZ chemotherapy. However, despite aggressive treatments, GBM patients have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 14.6 months and a 5-year survival rate of 6.8%. The p53 protein is a critical tumor suppressor in the cell cycle. The expression level of p53 is tightly controlled by its negative regulator, murine double minute 2 (MDM2). Amplification of the MDM2 gene, found in 14 % of GBMs, can inactivate p53, leading to loss of tumor suppressor functions. Therefore, we are investigating a potent MDM2 antagonist – BI-907828 in GBM to restore the p53 tumor suppressor function by inhibiting the p53/MDM2 interactions. We aim to evaluate the PK/PD of BI-907828 and demonstrate a new translational paradigm to rethink the “Delivery – Potency – Efficacy” relationship in drug discovery and development for central nervous system (CNS) tumors. BI-907828 was evaluated for cytotoxicity and the inhibition effect to MDM2-p53 pathway. Systemic PK and transport mechanisms controlling CNS distribution were evaluated in wild-type and transgenic mice that lack of efflux transporters P-gp and BCRP. BI-907828 unbound fractions in cell media, mouse and human specimens were determined by using rapid equilibrium dialysis to evaluate “active” concentrations. Efficacy measures, including survival and free drug distribution in tumor were assessed in mouse orthotopic GBM xenografts. BI-907828 exhibited potent inhibition of MDM2-p53 pathway and promoted cell death in GBM TP53 wild-type cells. MDM2-amplified cells are highly sensitive to BI-907828, with an effective unbound concentration of 0.1 nM. The CNS distribution of BI-907828 is limited by BBB efflux mediated by P-gp, resulting in a brain free partition coefficient Kp,uu of 0.002. Despite this seemingly “poor” BBB penetration, weekly administration of 10 mg/kg BI-907828 significantly extended median survival of orthotopic GBM108 xenografts to 218 days compared to 28 days with vehicle treatment (P < 0.0001). These studies show that efficacy of BI-907828 in orthotopic models is related to high potency even though its CNS distribution is severely limited by BBB efflux. In another words, in this case, this little drug distribution to brain is “enough” for extending survival of orthotopic GBM108 xenografts. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of drug “Delivery – Potency – Efficacy” relationship is warranted in drug discovery development, especially for treatment of CNS tumors. Citation Format: Wenjuan Zhang, Rachael Vaubel, Juhee Oh, Ann Mlade, Surabhi Talele, Wenqiu Zhang, Katie Waller, Danielle Burgenske, Jann Sarkaria, William Elmquist. How much is enough? BI-907828: a MDM2-p53 antagonist with limited BBB penetration but potent efficacy in glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr B025.

Abstract Important challenges in developing drugs that target central nervous system (CNS) tumors include overcoming barriers for CNS delivery and reducing systemic side effects. Alisertib, an aurora A kinase inhibitor, has been examined for treatment of several CNS tumors in preclinical and clinical studies. In this study, we investigated the distribution of alisertib into the CNS, the site of efficacy for brain tumors, and into the bone marrow, the site of dose-limiting toxicity leading to myelosuppression. Mechanisms influencing site-specific distribution, such as active transport mediated by the efflux proteins, p-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp), were examined. Alisertib exposure to the brain in wild-type mice was less than 1% of that in the plasma and was evenly distributed throughout various brain regions and the spinal cord. Studies using transporter knockout mice and pharmacological inhibition show that alisertib CNS distribution is influenced by P-gp, but not Bcrp. Conversely, upon systemic administration, alisertib distribution to the bone marrow occurred rapidly, was not significantly limited by efflux transporters, and reached higher concentrations than in the CNS. This study demonstrates that, given an equivalent distributional driving force exposure in plasma, the exposure of alisertib in the brain is significantly less than that in the bone marrow, suggesting that targeted delivery may be necessary to guarantee therapeutic efficacy with minimal risk for adverse events. Therefore, these data suggest that, to improve the therapeutic index when using alisertib for brain tumors, a localized regional delivery, such as convection-enhanced delivery, may be warranted. Citation Format: Juhee Oh, Erica A. Power, Wenjuan Zhang, David J. Daniels, William F. Elmquist. Murine CNS and bone marrow distribution of the aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib: Pharmacokinetics and exposure at the sites of efficacy and toxicity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A033.

Abstract Background Filgotinib (FIL), an oral, once-daily, Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, was approved for Ulcerative Colitis (UC) treatment after the phase 2b/3 SELECTION trial (NCT02914522). In SELECTION, a greater proportion of FIL200 mg (FIL200)-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved comprehensive disease control (CDC), a stringent multi-component endpoint. We examined the long-term outcomes of achieving CDC in patients continuing on FIL200 in the ongoing long-term extension (LTE) study SELECTIONLTE (NCT02914535). Methods This interim analysis included adult patients with UC who completed SELECTION and received ≤144 weeks of FIL200 in the LTE (up to data cut-off 24/02/22). CDC (biomarker remission, endoscopic improvement, IBDQ remission and partial Mayo Clinic Score [pMCS] remission achieved concurrently) was assessed at SELECTION week 58 (LTE baseline [BL]). Mean pMCS and IBDQ score, use of corticosteroids (CS) and incidence of TEAEs and serious TEAEs in the LTE were compared between SELECTION CDC achievers and non-achievers. A mixed model for repeated measures was fitted on pMCS and IBDQ score, with CDC achiever status, study visit and the interaction between CDC achiever status and study visit as fixed effects; p values were nominal. Results We analysed 148 patients (CDC achievers, n=41; CDC non-achievers, n=107). Mean pMCS was stable in CDC achievers (0.44, LTE BL; 0.50, LTE week 144) and decreased in CDC non-achievers (1.49, LTE BL; 0.77, LTE week 144; Figure). Mean IBDQ score was stable in CDC achievers (204.05, LTE BL; 197.21, LTE week 144) and increased in CDC non-achievers (181.55, LTE BL; 196.37, LTE week 144; Figure). There was a significant beneficial effect of achieving CDC on pMCS and IBDQ score overall (pMCS: fixed effect estimate: −0.5542, p=0.0025; IBDQ score: fixed effect estimate: 13.1585, p=0.0042). There was a significant interaction between achieving CDC and study visit for IBDQ score (p=0.0183), with the benefit of achieving CDC lessening by week 144. Generally, a lower proportion of CDC achievers used CS than non-achievers; 2.4–7.3% of CDC achievers used CS vs 1.9–15.9% of CDC non-achievers. Incidence of TEAEs and serious TEAEs were stable over time and similar between CDC achievers and non-achievers. Conclusion Follow-up for ~3 years showed high levels of long-term benefit with continued FIL200 treatment. Achieving comprehensive disease control at the end of the randomized trial with FIL200 was associated with long-term efficacy, improved HRQoL and low overall use of CS. This may demonstrate the value of filgotinib-induced achievement of CDC in UC disease course. The safety profile of FIL200 was consistent between CDC achievers and non-achievers, suggesting an acceptable long-term benefit–risk profile.

Pyloric interventions are surgical procedures employed to increase the gastric emptying rate in gastroparesis patients. In this study, we use an in silico model to investigate the consequences of pyloric intervention on gastric flow and emptying for two phenotypes of gastroparesis: antral hypomotility and decreased gastric tone. The transpyloric pressure gradient predicted by the in silico model, based on viscous fluid flow equations, is compared against in vivo measurements. Both phenotypes exhibit a similar pre-procedural emptying rate reduction, but after pyloric surgery, antral hypomotility case with preserved gastric tone shows significant improvements in emptying rates, up to 131%, accompanied by bile reflux from the duodenum into the stomach. Conversely, severely reduced gastric tone cases exhibited a post-procedural reduction in the net emptying rate due to the relatively larger bile reflux. In cases with a combination of antral hypomotility and reduced gastric tone, post-procedural improvements were observed only when both conditions were mild. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of the relative increase in pyloric orifice diameter in determining post-operative emptying rates. The study suggests a possible explanation for the selective response of patients toward these procedures and underscores the potential of in silico modelling to generate valuable insights to inform gastric surgery.

AbstractBackgroundApproximately 10‐25% of amnestic early‐onset dementia are negative for amyloid (Early‐onset non‐Alzheimer’s Disease, EOnonAD). EOnonAD is a heterogenous group with various etiologies. In order to better understand the traits of EOnonAD, we clustered amnestic EOnonAD individuals according to cognitive patterns.MethodCognitive data of 62 EOnonAD individuals from the Longitudinal Early‐onset AD study (LEADS) were Z‐normalized to 91 intact individuals after adjusting for age, sex, and education. This led to domain‐averaged composite Z‐scores for memory, language, speed/attention, visuospatial, and executive function. Cluster analysis using the Ward method on the residuals for the five composites was performed. We used Scree plot using the pseudo T‐squared to determine the optimal number of clusters. We compared demographics, imaging biomarkers (amyloid and tau PET SUVR, hippocampal volume), plasma (pTau231, Aß40, Aß42, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neurofilament light chain (NfL)), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (Aß42/40, NfL, Neurogranin, Visinin‐like protein, YKL‐40, and Synaptosome Associated Protein 25) across the clusters after adjusting for age, sex, and education. We compared gray matter density of each EOnonAD cluster to controls (n = 84) using voxel‐wise multiple linear regressions in SPM12, adjusting for age, sex, education, and intracranial volume.ResultScree plot using the pseudo‐T‐squared suggested three clusters. Cluster 1 (38/62, 61.3%) was characterized by having the mildest cognitive impairment in all domains. Cluster 2 (19/62, 30.6%) was characterized by more severe memory and language impairment. Cluster 3 (5/62, 8.1%) was characterized by more severe impairment in speed/attention, visuospatial, and executive function (Table 1). Cluster 3 showed significantly higher NfL for both plasma (Cluster 1 vs 3, p<0.001; Cluster 2 vs 3, p < 0.004) and CSF (Cluster 1 vs 3, p = 0.001). Other biomarkers did not show significant difference (Table 1). Only Cluster 3 showed significant atrophy in the bilateral fronto‐parietal areas at p<0.01, uncorrected (Figure 1).ConclusionWe identified heterogeneity in cognitive patterns among amnestic EOnonAD individuals. Cluster 1 had mildest cognitive impairment; Cluster 2 had predominant impairment in memory and language; and Cluster 3 had predominant impairment in speed/attention, visuospatial, and executive function, with significant fronto‐parietal atrophy and high NfL indicating active neurodegeneration.

Introduction: Left ventricular diastolic function and filling pressure (FP) can be assessed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Recently, a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled ECG has proven to be effective in identifying increased FP determined by echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function. Aims: We aimed to compare a prognostic value of AI-ECG determination of FP compared to echocardiography and catheterization. Methods: This study included 4,213 patients who had a transthoracic echocardiogram and ECG within 30 days before hemodynamic cardiac catheterization. Increased FP was defined as pulmonary artery wedge pressure >15 mmHg by catheterization and grade 2 or 3 diastolic dysfunction by echocardiography based on diastolic function guidelines. Increased FP by ECG was identified using previously developed AI-ECG. AI-ECG performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating curve. We assessed the risk of all-cause mortality using Kaplan-Meier estimate and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models. Results: AI-ECG had AUCs of 0.8 and 0.7 for predicting increased FP determined by echocardiography and catheterization, respectively. Death was observed in 2,776 (34%) patients over a median follow-up of 7.7 years (IQR 7.1, 8.3). Survival of patients with normal and increased FP by AI-ECG, Echocardiography, and catheterization are shown in Figure 1a. Concordant diagnoses of normal and increased FP by AI-ECG and catheterization or echocardiography had the highest and lowest survival rates, respectively. When FP by AI-ECG was discordant, survival was better predicted by AI-ECG compared to echocardiography and catheterization (Figure 1b). Conclusion: AI-ECG for FP has a potential to discriminate prognosis further compared to FP determined by echocardiography or catheterization.

ImportanceYoung women with breast cancer who have germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 face unique challenges regarding fertility. Previous studies demonstrating the feasibility and safety of pregnancy in breast cancer survivors included limited data regarding BRCA carriers.ObjectiveTo investigate cumulative incidence of pregnancy and disease-free survival in young women who are BRCA carriers.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsInternational, multicenter, hospital-based, retrospective cohort study conducted at 78 participating centers worldwide. The study included female participants diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at age 40 years or younger between January 2000 and December 2020 carrying germline pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. Last delivery was October 7, 2022; last follow-up was February 20, 2023.ExposurePregnancy after breast cancer.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrimary end points were cumulative incidence of pregnancy after breast cancer and disease-free survival. Secondary end points were breast cancer–specific survival, overall survival, pregnancy, and fetal and obstetric outcomes.ResultsOf 4732 BRCA carriers included, 659 had at least 1 pregnancy after breast cancer and 4073 did not. Median age at diagnosis in the overall cohort was 35 years (IQR, 31-38 years). Cumulative incidence of pregnancy at 10 years was 22% (95% CI, 21%-24%), with a median time from breast cancer diagnosis to conception of 3.5 years (IQR, 2.2-5.3 years). Among the 659 patients who had a pregnancy, 45 (6.9%) and 63 (9.7%) had an induced abortion or a miscarriage, respectively. Of the 517 patients (79.7%) with a completed pregnancy, 406 (91.0%) delivered at term (≥37 weeks) and 54 (10.4%) had twins. Among the 470 infants born with known information on pregnancy complications, 4 (0.9%) had documented congenital anomalies. Median follow-up was 7.8 years (IQR, 4.5-12.6 years). No significant difference in disease-free survival was observed between patients with or without a pregnancy after breast cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.81-1.20). Patients who had a pregnancy had significantly better breast cancer–specific survival and overall survival.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this global study, 1 in 5 young BRCA carriers conceived within 10 years after breast cancer diagnosis. Pregnancy following breast cancer in BRCA carriers was not associated with decreased disease-free survival.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03673306

Background: BMT CTN 1506/MORPHO was a randomized study of the FLT3 inhibitor gilteritinib versus placebo as post-transplant (HCT) maintenance therapy for patients (pts) with FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients with FLT3-ITD AML in first remission underwent HCT and then were randomized, in double-blind fashion, to either gilteritinib or placebo for 24 months. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival (RFS), and a pre-specified secondary endpoint was the effect of measurable residual disease (MRD) on survival as detected by a highly sensitive assay for FLT3-ITD mutations. In the primary analysis, while RFS was higher for pts randomized to gilteritinib, the difference did not reach the pre-determined threshold for significance (HR: 0.679; 95% CI: 0.459, 1.005; 2-sided p-value: 0.0518). However, in the secondary analysis, the 50.6% of pts who had MRD detectable pre- or post-HCT had significantly higher RFS with gilteritinib (HR of relapse or death=0.515, 95% CI: 0.316, 0.838, p = 0.0065). In this post-hoc analysis, we examined 1) the impact on RFS of different levels of FLT3-ITD variant allele frequency (VAF) pre-randomization (immediately before or after HCT but prior to randomization to gilteritinib or placebo); 2) the impact of the presence of multiple mutations detected as MRD pre-HCT; and 3) the eradication of FLT3-ITD clones detected post-HCT during follow up on gilteritinib or placebo. Methods: First-pull marrow aspirates were collected from pts at two time points pre-randomization (pre-HCT and between 30-90 days post-HCT), as well as at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-randomization. For MRD detection (performed at Invivoscribe; San Diego, CA), 700 ng input DNA was amplified by polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) using 25 cycles and primers flanking exons 14 and 15 of FLT3, followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of the amplicons. Variant allele frequency (VAF) was calculated as FLT3 mutant reads/total FLT3 reads. For pts with multiple FLT3-ITD mutations, the VAF used in analysis was the sum of the VAFs for each FLT3-ITD variant. The lower limit of blank (LOB) of the assay is estimated to be 1 x 10 -6 VAF. For terminology, VAF &gt; 1 x 10 -6 and &lt; 1 x 10 -5 is referred to as MRD6, VAF &gt; 1 x 10 -5 and &lt; 1 x 10 -4 is MRD5, VAF &gt; 1 x 10 -4 or greater is MRD4, and MRD0 equals no detectable MRD. Results: MRD was evaluated in 350/356 (98.3%) pts pre-HCT and 347/356 (97.5%) pts post-HCT. MRD was detected in 46% of pts pre-HCT and 19.9% prior to randomization, including 4.5% who did not have detectable MRD pre-HCT. The variant allele frequency (VAF) of detectable MRD ranged from a low of 1.09 x 10 -6 to a high of 3.0 x 10 -1. More than a single mutation was detected in 51 pts pre-HCT. Most of these 51 pts had 2 clones, but the total ranged from 2-9. The presence of more than one mutation detected as MRD immediately pre-HCT was associated with worse RFS compared with all other pts (MRD-positive with only one clone and MRD-negative), irrespective of treatment arm (Figure 1A; HR=2.428, 95% CI: 1.555, 3.792, P &lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference in age, mutation length, VAF, or karyotype between pts with more than one mutation and those with single mutations. However, if the VAFs of pts with multiple FLT3-ITD mutations were summed and treated as a single value, then the median VAF for pts with multiple mutations was higher than for those with single mutations (2.14 x 10 -4 vs. 3.12 x 10 -5). The VAF (including the summed VAFs of pts with multiple mutations) at multiple levels correlated very closely with RFS after HCT. To illustrate this quantitative effect of peri-HCT FLT3-ITD VAF on RFS, Kaplan-Meier analysis of pts on the placebo arm grouped by MRD level is displayed in Figure 1B. In the 71 pts with MRD detectable post-HCT, the MRD was eradicated in 69% of pts on gilteritinib versus 44% of pts on placebo. Conclusions Pts with multiple FLT3-ITD mutations have a worse prognosis, which may simply be a reflection of increased disease burden (VAF). The quantity of FLT3-ITD MRD appears to highly correlate with outcome. Gilteritinib appears to augment the effect of HCT, as evidenced by increased eradication of MRD post-HCT. These data illustrate the potential utility of the PCR-NGS FLT3-ITD MRD assay in the management of pts with FLT3-ITD AML.

We describes the development of a poly-lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticle-based system for conjugation of targeting peptides to PLGA nanoparticles and delivery of the therapeutic gene SOX9 to damaged astrocytes in a mouse stroke model.