Prediction of the Contribution Ratio of a Target Metabolic Enzyme to Clearance from Chemical Structure Information.

The contribution ratio of metabolic enzymes such as cytochrome P450 to in vivo clearance (fraction metabolized: fm) is a pharmacokinetic index that is particularly important for the quantitative evaluation of drug-drug interactions. Since obtaining experimental in vivo fm values is challenging, those derived from in vitro experiments have often been used alternatively. This study aimed to explore the possibility of constructing machine learning models for predicting in vivo fm using chemical structure information alone. We collected in vivo fm values and chemical structures of 319 compounds from a public database with careful manual curation and constructed predictive models using several machine learning methods. The results showed that in vivo fm values can be obtained from structural information alone with a performance comparable to that based on in vitro experimental values and that the prediction accuracy for the compounds involved in CYP induction or inhibition is significantly higher than that by using in vitro values. Our new approach to predicting in vivo fm values in the early stages of drug discovery should help improve the efficiency of the drug optimization process.

Phase I Study of Tremelimumab Monotherapy or in Combination With Durvalumab in Japanese Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Malignant Mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this phase I, open-label trial was to assess safety and tolerability of tremelimumab monotherapy and combination therapy with durvalumab in Japanese patients with advanced cancer. Tremelimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4 in clinical trials; durvalumab is a monoclonal antibody against PD-L1 for the treatment of bladder and lung cancer. METHODS: In part 1, tremelimumab 3 or 10 mg/kg was given every 4 weeks (Q4W) for 6 doses, and thereafter every 12 weeks until discontinuation (n = 8); subsequently tremelimumab 10 mg/kg Q4W for 6 doses/Q12W and thereafter until discontinuation was administered in 41 patients with malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). In part 2, tremelimumab 10 mg/kg (Q4W for 6 doses followed by Q12W for 3 doses) was given in combination with durvalumab 15 mg/kg (Q4W for 13 doses) in cohort 1 (n = 4). In cohort 2 (n = 6), tremelimumab 1 mg/kg (Q4W for 4 doses) was given in combination with durvalumab 20 mg/kg (Q4W for 4 doses followed by 10 mg/kg Q2W for 22 doses), while in cohort 3 (n = 6), fixed-dose tremelimumab 75 mg Q4W for 4 doses plus durvalumab 1500 mg Q4W for 13 doses was given. RESULTS: In part 1, no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) for tremelimumab 3 or 10 mg/kg (Q4W for 6 doses/Q12W thereafter until discontinuation) were observed. Six (75%) patients reported treatment-related adverse events (trAEs). In the MPM dose-expansion cohort, 38 (92.7%) patients reported trAEs. In part 2, one DLT (Grade 4 myasthenia gravis) was reported for tremelimumab 10 mg/kg (Q4W for 6 doses/Q12W for 3 doses) plus durvalumab 15 mg/kg (Q4W for 13 doses). One DLT (Grade 4 hyperglycemia) was reported for tremelimumab 75 mg (Q4W for 4 doses) plus durvalumab 1500 mg (Q4W for 13 doses). Fourteen (87.5%) patients reported trAEs. Tremelimumab demonstrated low immunogenicity; 1 (16.7%) patient developed antidrug antibodies. CONCLUSION: Tremelimumab 10 mg/kg (Q4W/Q12W), tremelimumab 1 mg/kg (Q4W) plus durvalumab 20 mg/kg (Q4W/10 mg/kg Q2W), and fixed-dose tremelimumab 75 mg (Q4W) plus durvalumab 1500 mg (Q4W) were safe and tolerable.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02141347 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02141347).

Real-world clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with radiotherapy plus cetuximab: a prospective observational study (JROSG12-2).

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy plus cetuximab (bioradiotherapy: BRT) is a standard option in the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN). Published data on its safety and efficacy in real-world settings is limited. Here, we conducted a prospective multi-institutional observational study to evaluate clinical outcomes of BRT in patients with LA-SCCHN. METHODS: We analyzed real-world data of all patients who underwent BRT from 2013 to 2016. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were 1-year locoregional PFS (LPFS), treatment completion rate (TCR), and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: A total of 171 patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up were analyzed. Median age was 67 (36-85) years, and 37 patients (21.6%) were aged 75 years or older. 1-year PFS and LPFS were 51.5 and 56.1%, respectively. N stage (p = 0.049) was significantly associated with PFS. TCR was 77.2%. Cetuximab was definitively discontinued in 30 patients (17.5%), in 15 cases due to severe mucositis. N stage, T stage, and comorbidity were significantly associated with TCR. Major AEs of grade 3 or higher were pharyngeal mucositis (48.5%), radiation dermatitis (45.6%), and oral mucositis (40.4%). Pneumonitis was observed in 12 patients (7.0%); 6 cases (3.5%) were grades 3-4 and 2 (1.2%) were grade 5. CONCLUSION: As a result of the large number of elderly patients in clinical practice,　toxicity reduced TCR. BRT-induced pneumonitis, which is sometimes fatal, was found to be more frequent than with chemotherapy plus cetuximab.

Phase II study of cetuximab plus S-1/cisplatin therapy in Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of first-line S-1 plus cisplatin in combination with cetuximab for Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer, including gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This open-label, single arm, multicenter, phase 2 trial was conducted to assess first-line cetuximab plus S-1 plus cisplatin for advanced gastric cancer. A total of 40 patients from 10 centers were enrolled. Cetuximab was administered weekly, with the initial infusion at 400 mg/m2 and then 250 mg/m2 each subsequent week. S-1 plus cisplatin chemotherapy was concomitantly conducted in a 5-week cycle: S-1 (40-60 mg, adjusted for body surface area) was given twice daily for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period, and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) was given on day 8 of each cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles. Treatment continued until the occurrence of radiographically confirmed progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was the best overall response. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and safety. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were evaluable. One patient (2.5%) had a complete response; 15 patients (37.5%) had a partial response. The observed overall response rate according to the independent review committee was 40.0% (95% confidence interval, 24.9-56.7; P = 0.7043 [one-sided null hypothesis: overall response rate ≤ 43%]); median PFS was 5.6 months (95% confidence intervals, 4.2-8.3). No adverse events leading to death were reported during the study, and no specific safety concerns were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the addition of cetuximab to S-1 plus cisplatin was well tolerated in patients with advanced gastric cancer but provided no additional clinical benefit in this study. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01388790.

Real-world clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in Japanese patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck treated with chemotherapy plus cetuximab: a prospective observation study (JROSG12-2).

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line treatment with chemotherapy plus cetuximab in real-world patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (RM-SCCHN) and to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). METHODS: This is a prospective observation study involving 20 oncology institutions in Japan. Patients with RM-SCCHN treated with a first-line therapy consisting of cetuximab plus any chemotherapy regimen between December 2013 and February 2017 were enrolled. The primary objective of the study was 1-year OS. Secondary objectives included response rate and adverse events. RESULTS: Of 120 patients recruited, 114 patients were analyzed. Median age was 64 years. Cetuximab in combination with platinum plus 5-FU (EXTREME regimen) was chosen in 86 patients (75.4%). The median OS was 12.4 months. A point estimate of the 1-year survival rate was 51.1%. Overall response rate was 26.3%. Grade 3 or worse adverse events included neutropenia (22.8%), hypokalemia (9.6%), acneiform rash (7.0%), pneumonitis (1.8%), and infusion-related reaction (0.9%). On multivariate analysis, regional lymph node metastasis, absence of intervention by dermatologists, lack of response to therapy, skin metastasis, and non-EXTREME regimen were identified as independent unfavorable prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: The combination of cetuximab plus chemotherapy was tolerable and efficacious in patients with RM-SCCHN in a real-world setting. Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors extracted from this study provide a reference of the current clinical practice as well as for the future development of novel therapy in RM-SCCHN.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis of esomeprazole in Japanese subjects with various CYP2C19 phenotypes.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, is a proton pump inhibitor which has been approved by over 125 countries, also known as NEXIUM® . Esomeprazole was developed to provide further improvement on efficacy for acid-related diseases with higher systemic bioavailability due to the less first-pass metabolism and lower plasma clearance. Esomeprazole is primarily metabolized by CYP2C19. Approximately <1% of Caucasians and 5%-10% of Asians have absent CYP2C19 enzyme activity. Although the influence of various CYP2C19 phenotypes on esomeprazole pharmacokinetics has been studied, this is the first report in the Japanese population where 27 low CYP2C19 metabolizers were included. METHODS: In this study, a population PK model describing the PK of esomeprazole was developed to understand the difference of CYP2C19 phenotypes on clearance in the Japanese population. The model quantitatively assessed the influence of CYP2C19 phenotype on esomeprazole PK in healthy Japanese male subjects after receiving repeated oral dosing. The inhibition mechanism of esomeprazole on CYP2C19 activity was also included in the model. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: CYP2C19 phenotype and dose were found as statistically significant covariates on esomeprazole clearance. The apparent clearance at 10-mg dose was 17.32, 9.77 and 7.37 (L/h) for homozygous extensive metabolizer, heterozygous extensive metabolizer and poor metabolizer subjects, respectively. And the apparent clearance decreased as dose increased. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The established population PK model well described the esomeprazole PK and model-predicted esomeprazole PK was in good agreement with external clinical data, suggesting the robustness and applicability of the current model for predicting esomeprazole PK.

Optimal designs for regional bridging studies using the Bayesian power prior method.

As described in the ICH E5 guidelines, a bridging study is an additional study executed in a new geographical region or subpopulation to link or "build a bridge" from global clinical trial outcomes to the new region. The regulatory and scientific goals of a bridging study is to evaluate potential subpopulation differences while minimizing duplication of studies and meeting unmet medical needs expeditiously. Use of historical data (borrowing) from global studies is an attractive approach to meet these conflicting goals. Here, we propose a practical and relevant approach to guide the optimal borrowing rate (percent of subjects in earlier studies) and the number of subjects in the new regional bridging study. We address the limitations in global/regional exchangeability through use of a Bayesian power prior method and then optimize bridging study design with a return on investment viewpoint. The method is demonstrated using clinical data from global and Japanese trials in dapagliflozin for type 2 diabetes.

Tolerability and efficacy of durvalumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.

Blockade of programmed cell death ligand-1 with durvalumab has shown efficacy and safety in large, international studies of patients with advanced solid tumors. A phase 1, non-randomized, open-label multicenter study was initiated to evaluate durvalumab in a Japanese population. The first part of this study used a standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design to determine the optimal dosing schedule of durvalumab. Primary objective was evaluation of safety and tolerability of durvalumab monotherapy. Secondary objectives were to evaluate maximum tolerated dose (MTD), immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy. Twenty-two patients (median age, 61.5 years; range, 41-76; 64% male) received durvalumab at doses of 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (q2w), 15 mg/kg q3w, or 20 mg/kg q4w. Twenty patients discontinued before completing 12 months of treatment as a result of progressive disease and two due to adverse events (AE). The most common treatment-related AE (trAE) were rash (18%) and pruritus (14%); two patients had grade ≥3 trAE including one patient each with hyponatremia and hypothyroidism. No patient experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) during the DLT evaluation period and the MTD was not identified. There were no AE leading to a fatal outcome during study treatment. Durvalumab showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics across the 1-20 mg/kg dose range; incidence of positive titers for antidrug antibodies was 9%. One patient with lung cancer had a partial response and disease control rate at 12 weeks was 36%. In conclusion, durvalumab at the doses and regimens evaluated was safe and well tolerated in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.

aCGH Analysis of Predictive Biomarkers for Response to Bevacizumab plus Oxaliplatin- or Irinotecan-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The randomized phase III study (WJOG4407G) showed equivalent efficacy between FOLFOX and FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab as the first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We studied whole genome copy number profiles using array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis of tumor tissue samples obtained in this study. The aim of this study was to identify gene copy number alterations that could aid in selecting either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab for patients with mCRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA was purified from 154 pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples (75 from the FOLFOX arm and 79 from the FOLFIRI arm) of 395 patients enrolled in the WJOG4407G trial and analyzed by aCGH. Genomic regions greater than 1.2-fold were regarded as copy number gain (CNG). RESULTS: Patient characteristics between the treatment arms were well balanced except for tumor laterality (left side; 64% in FOLFOX arm and 80% in FOLFIRI arm, p = .07). FOLFIRI showed a trend toward better response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than FOLFOX in the patients with CNG of chromosome 8q24.1 (Fisher's exact test, p = .134 for RR; interaction test, p = .102 for PFS and p = .003 for OS) and 8q24.2 (Fisher's exact test, p = .179 for RR; interaction test, p = .144 for PFS and p = .002 for OS). CONCLUSION: Chromosome 8q24.1-q24.2 may contain genes that could potentially serve as predictive markers for selecting either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab for treatment of patients with mCRC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Bevacizumab has been used as a standard first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in combination with either oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Until now, there has been no predictive marker to choose between the two combination chemotherapies. This array-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis revealed that the difference in therapeutic effect between the two combination chemotherapies is prominent in patients with mCRC with gene copy number gain in chromosome 8p24.1-p24.2. Such patients showed more favorable response and survival when treated with irinotecan-based combination chemotherapy. Overlapping genes commonly found in this region may be predictive biomarkers of the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy with bevacizumab.

Urinary glucose excretion after dapagliflozin treatment: An exposure-response modelling comparison between Japanese and non-Japanese patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To assess the dapagliflozin exposure-response relationship in Japanese and non-Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and investigate if a dose adjustment is required in Japanese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from two clinical studies were used to develop a non-linear mixed effects model describing the relationship between dapagliflozin exposure (area under the concentration curve) and response (24-hour urinary glucose excretion [UGE]) in Japanese and non-Japanese patients with T1DM. The effects of patient-level characteristics (covariates; identified using a stepwise procedure) on response was also assessed. Simulations were performed using median-normalized covariate values. RESULTS: Data from 84 patients were included. Average self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) at day 7, change from baseline in total insulin dose at day 7, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) all had a significant effect on 24-hours UGE, with SMBG being the most influential. Dapagliflozin systemic exposure for matching doses and baseline eGFR was similar between Japanese and non-Japanese patients; however, higher SMBG and a greater reduction in total insulin dose was observed in the Japanese population. When the significant covariates were included, the model fit the data well for both populations, and accurately predicted exposure-response in the Japanese and non-Japanese populations, in agreement with the observed data. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in dapagliflozin exposure-response in Japanese and non-Japanese patients with T1DM once differences in renal function, glycaemic control and insulin dose reductions between studies were considered. Therefore, no dose adjustment is recommended in Japanese patients with T1DM.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dapagliflozin in combination with insulin in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: To assess the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor that increases urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and its major metabolite, dapagliflozin-3-O-glucuronide (D3OG), in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c 7%-10%). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Japanese patients (18-65 years) with inadequately controlled T1D were randomized 1:1:1 to dapagliflozin 5 mg, 10 mg or placebo (n = 14 each) once daily for 7 days, with adjustable insulin. The PK/PD characteristics of dapagliflozin and D3OG were assessed on Day 7. Patients underwent follow-up evaluation on Days 8 and 14. Adverse events (AEs), hypoglycaemic episodes and events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were recorded over the treatment and follow-up periods. RESULTS: A total of 42 randomized patients received dapagliflozin or placebo. PK variables increased in a dose-dependent manner. D3OG was generated rapidly, with a median time to maximum plasma concentration of 2.0 hours (1.0-3.0). The dapagliflozin dose-UGE relationship was attenuated, with larger insulin dose reductions than anticipated. Mean percent (standard error) changes in total daily insulin dose from baseline to Day 7 were - 36.86% (3.32), -39.13% (2.68) and - 4.97% (5.28) for dapagliflozin 5 mg and 10 mg and for placebo, respectively. No DKA was reported. AEs were consistent with the established dapagliflozin safety profile. There was no increase in hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: The PK and safety profiles of dapagliflozin in Japanese patients with T1D were consistent with previous studies, but with an unanticipated attenuation of the PD dose-response measured as UGE.

Development of an anaesthetized-rat model of exercise hyperpnoea: an integrative model of respiratory control using an equilibrium diagram.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? The lack of useful small-animal models for studying exercise hyperpnoea makes it difficult to investigate the underlying mechanisms of exercise-induced ventilatory abnormalities in various disease states. What is the main finding and its importance? We developed an anaesthetized-rat model for studying exercise hyperpnoea, using a respiratory equilibrium diagram for quantitative characterization of the respiratory chemoreflex feedback system. This experimental model will provide an opportunity to clarify the major determinant mechanisms of exercise hyperpnoea, and will be useful for understanding the mechanisms responsible for abnormal ventilatory responses to exercise in disease models. ABSTRACT: Exercise-induced ventilatory abnormalities in various disease states seem to arise from pathological changes of respiratory regulation. Although experimental studies in small animals are essential to investigate the pathophysiological basis of various disease models, the lack of an integrated framework for quantitatively characterizing respiratory regulation during exercise prevents us from resolving these problems. The purpose of this study was to develop an anaesthetized-rat model for studying exercise hyperpnoea for quantitative characterization of the respiratory chemoreflex feedback system. In 24 anaesthetized rats, we induced muscle contraction by stimulating bilateral distal sciatic nerves at low and high voltage to mimic exercise. We recorded breath-by-breath respiratory gas analysis data and cardiorespiratory responses while running two protocols to characterize the controller and plant of the respiratory chemoreflex. The controller was characterized by determining the linear relationship between end-tidal CO2 pressure (P ETC O2) and minute ventilation (V̇E), and the plant by the hyperbolic relationship between V̇E and P ETC O2. During exercise, the controller curve shifted upward without change in controller gain, accompanying increased oxygen uptake. The hyperbolic plant curve shifted rightward and downward depending on exercise intensity as predicted by increased metabolism. Exercise intensity-dependent changes in operating points (V̇E and P ETC O2) were estimated by integrating the controller and plant curves in a respiratory equilibrium diagram. In conclusion, we developed an anaesthetized-rat model for studying exercise hyperpnoea, using systems analysis for quantitative characterization of the respiratory system. This novel experimental model will be useful for understanding the mechanisms responsible for abnormal ventilatory responses to exercise in disease models.

First-line chemotherapy with S-1 alone or S-1 plus cisplatin for elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer: a multicenter propensity score matched study.

BACKGROUND: Fluoropyrimidine and platinum combination is the standard treatment for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer (AGC). However, fluoropyrimidine monotherapy is commonly used for elderly patients with AGC because of its good tolerability. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, we collected clinical data of AGC patients aged 70 years or older, treated with S-1 alone or S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) as the first-line treatment between January 2009 and December 2011. Propensity score matched cohorts (PSMC) were used for reducing the confounding effects to compare efficacy and safety between the two treatment groups. Cox regression analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic factors. RESULTS: PSMC (n = 109 in each group) were selected from among 444 eligible patients (S-1 group, 210; SP group, 234); the S-1 group included more patients deemed unfit for intensive chemotherapy than the SP group (e.g., higher age, poorer PS, poor renal function). In the PSMC, patients' characteristics were comparable between groups, except the male ratio (S-1 group, 64.2%; SP group, 77.1%; p = 0.04). No significant differences were observed in either overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.93, p = 0.63] or progression-free survival (HR 1.09, p = 0.61). Severe adverse events (AEs) and hospitalization due to AEs were more frequent in the SP group than in the S-1 group (p < 0.001 each). CONCLUSION: Our findings do not support the survival benefit of SP over S-1 in elderly patients with AGC. We are now conducting a prospective comparative study to optimize treatment strategy and explore applicability of the geriatric assessment for these patients.

Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase CYP716A141 is a Unique ß-Amyrin C-16ß Oxidase Involved in Triterpenoid Saponin Biosynthesis in Platycodon grandiflorus.

The roots of Platycodon grandiflorus are widely used as a crude drug. The active components include a variety of triterpenoid saponins. Recent studies have revealed that Cyt P450 monooxygenases (P450s) function as triterpene oxidases in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in many plant species. However, there have been no reports regarding triterpene oxidases in P. grandiflorus. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of three different P. grandiflorus tissues (roots, leaves and petals) using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology. We cloned six P450 genes that were highly expressed in roots, and classified them as belonging to the CYP716A, CYP716D and CYP72A subfamilies. We heterologously expressed these P450s in an engineered yeast strain that produces ß-amyrin, one of the most common triterpenes in plants. Two of the CYP716A subfamily P450s catalyzed oxidation reactions of the ß-amyrin skeleton. One of these P450s, CYP716A140v2, catalyzed a three-step oxidation reaction at C-28 on ß-amyrin to produce oleanolic acid, a reaction performed by CYP716A subfamily P450s in a variety of plant species. The other P450, CYP716A141, catalyzed the hydroxylation of ß-amyrin at C-16ß. This reaction is unique among triterpene oxidases isolated to date. These results enhance our knowledge of functional variation among CYP716A subfamily enzymes involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis, and provide novel molecular tools for use in synthetic biology to produce triterpenoid saponins with pre-defined structures.

Inhibitory Effects of Juices Prepared from Individual Vegetables on CYP3A4 Activity in Recombinant CYP3A4 and LS180 Cells.

Human intestinal absorption and drug metabolism vary to a large extent among individuals. For example, CYP3A4 activity has large individual variation that cannot be attributed to only genetic differences. Various flavonoids in vegetables, such as kaempferol and quercetin, possess inhibitory effects, and some vegetable and fruit juices have also been found to inhibit CYP3A4 activity. Therefore, differences in daily intake of flavonoid-containing vegetables may induce individual variation in intestinal bioavailability. To identify a vegetable that strongly inhibits CYP3A4, we investigated the effects of juices, prepared from individual vegetables, on CYP3A4 activity using recombinant CYP3A4 and LS180 cells in this study. Nine vegetable juices (cabbage, Japanese radish, onion, tomato, eggplant, carrot, Chinese cabbage, green pepper, and lettuce), were prepared and recombinant CYP3A4 and LS180 cells were used for evaluation of CYP3A4 activity. Metabolism to 6ß-hydroxytestosterone by recombinant CYP3A4 was strongly inhibited by cabbage, onion, and green pepper juices, and cabbage and green pepper juices significantly inhibited CYP3A4 activity in a preincubation time-dependent manner. In addition, CYP3A4 activity in LS180 cells was significantly inhibited by cabbage and onion juices. In conclusion, this study showed that juices prepared from some individual vegetables could significantly inhibit CYP3A4 activity. Therefore, variation in the daily intake of vegetables such as cabbage and onion may be one of the factors responsible for individual differences in intestinal bioavailability.

Interepithelial signaling with nephric duct is required for the formation of overlying coelomic epithelial cell sheet.

In most organs of the body, epithelial tissues are supported by their own basement membrane and underlying stroma, the latter being regarded as a complex of amorphous cells, extracellular matrices, and soluble factors. We demonstrate here that an epithelial tube can serve as a component of stroma that supports the formation of epithelial cell sheet derived from a different origin. During development of the mesonephros in chicken embryos, the intermediate mesoderm (IMM), which contains the Wolffian duct (WD) and its associated tubules, is overlain by a sheet of epithelial cells derived from lateral plate (coelomic) mesoderm. We describe that in normal embryos, epitheliogenesis of IMM tubes and the adjacent coelomic cell sheet proceed in a coordinated manner. When the WD was surgically ablated, the overlying coelomic epithelium exhibited aberrant morphology accompanied by a punctated basement membrane. Furthermore, the WD-ablated coelomic epithelium became susceptible to latent external stress; electroporation of Rac1 resulted in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) within the coelomic epithelium. The distorted coelomic epithelium was rescued by implanting fibronectin-producing cells in place of the WD, suggesting that fibronectin provided by WD has an important role acting interepithelially. This notion was corroborated further by directly visualizing a translocation of EGFP-tagged fibronectin from fibronectin-producing to -receiving epithelia in vivo. Our findings provide a novel insight into interepithelial signaling that also might occur in adult tissues to protect against EMT and suggest a possible new target for anticancer therapeutic strategy.

Electroacupuncture most effectively elicits depressor and bradycardic responses at 1 Hz in humans.

PURPOSE: Acupuncture stimulation is known to act on the autonomic nervous system and elicits depressor and bradycardic effects. However, previous studies on humans did not conduct quantitative analyses on optimal acupuncture conditions such as the stimulation frequency and duration to achieve maximum depressor and bradycardic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of varying stimulation frequencies of electroacupuncture on time-dependent changes in blood pressure and heart rate in humans. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the study. An acupuncture needle was inserted at the Ximen acupoint (PC4 according to WHO nomenclature), located at the anterior aspect of the forearm. An electrical stimulation was delivered through the acupuncture needle at an intensity of 1 V, pulse width of 5 ms, and stimulation frequencies of 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 Hz in a random order. The duration of electroacupuncture was 6 min, during which blood pressure and heart rate responses were monitored. RESULTS: Group-averaged data indicated that 1-Hz electroacupuncture decreased blood pressure and heart rate. Blood pressure was significantly decreased from the prestimulation baseline value of 86.6 ± 2.9 to 81.4 ± 2.3 mmHg during 4-6 min of 1-Hz electroacupuncture (mean ± SE, P < 0.01). Heart rate was also significantly decreased (from 66.2 ± 2.0 to 62.7 ± 1.7 beats/min, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide fundamental evidence that bradycardiac and depressor responses are effectively produced by electrical acupuncture in humans.

A phase ib study of safety and pharmacokinetics of ramucirumab in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinomas.

LESSONS LEARNED: The pharmacokinetic results of this phase Ib study of ramucirumab combined with paclitaxel as second-line therapy in Japanese patients with metastatic gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma are in line with previous ramucirumab studies.This combination at the doses and schedule given did not result in any dose-limiting toxicities and appeared to be safe and well tolerated. BACKGROUND: This phase Ib study evaluated the tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ramucirumab, an anti-VEGFR-2 antibody, combined with paclitaxel as second-line therapy in Japanese patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma after first-line therapy with fluoropyrimidines and/or platinum. METHODS: Patients received ramucirumab 8 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 and paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Safety analyses included all patients (n = 6). RESULTS: No dose-limiting toxicities occurred in the first cycle. All patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE); 5 patients experienced grade ≥3 TEAEs. There were two deaths caused by disease progression. The best overall responses were stable disease (n = 5) and partial response (n = 1). Patients received ramucirumab and paclitaxel for a median of 12.5 weeks (range: 11.4-42.7 weeks) and 12.2 weeks (range: 11.0-41.0 weeks), respectively. Following a single dose of ramucirumab IV infusion 8 mg/kg, clearance was ∼0.017 L/hour, half-life (t1/2) was 138 to 225 hours, and steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was ∼3 L. CONCLUSION: The ramucirumab/paclitaxel combination appears to be well-tolerated in Japanese patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. These results are in line with previous ramucirumab pharmacokinetic studies as anticipated.

Manipulation of central blood volume and implications for respiratory control function.

The respiratory operating point (ventilatory or arterial PCO2 response) is determined by the intersection point between the controller and plant subsystem elements within the respiratory control system. However, to what extent changes in central blood volume (CBV) influence these two elements and the corresponding implications for the respiratory operating point remain unclear. To examine this, 17 apparently healthy male participants were exposed to water immersion (WI) or lower body negative pressure (LBNP) challenges to manipulate CBV and determine the corresponding changes. The respiratory controller was characterized by determining the linear relationship between end-tidal PCO2 (PetCO2 ) and minute ventilation (Ve) [Ve = S × (PetCO2 - B)], whereas the plant was determined by the hyperbolic relationship between Ve and PetCO2 (PetCO2 = A/Ve + C). Changes in Ve at the operating point were not observed under either WI or LBNP conditions despite altered PetCO2 (P < 0.01), indicating a moving respiratory operating point. An increase (WI) and a decrease (LBNP) in CBV were shown to reset the controller element (PetCO2 intercept B) rightward and leftward, respectively (P < 0.05), without any change in S, whereas the plant curve remained unaltered at the operating point. Collectively, these findings indicate that modification of the controller element rather than the plant element is the major factor that contributes toward an alteration of the respiratory operating point during CBV shifts.

Effects of acute hypoxia on cerebrovascular responses to carbon dioxide.

In normoxic conditions, a reduction in arterial carbon dioxide tension causes cerebral vasoconstriction, thereby reducing cerebral blood flow and modifying dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA). It is unclear to what extent these effects are altered by acute hypoxia and the associated hypoxic ventilatory response (respiratory chemoreflex). This study tested the hypothesis that acute hypoxia attenuates arterial CO2 tension-mediated regulation of cerebral blood flow to help maintain cerebral O2 homeostasis. Eight subjects performed three randomly assigned respiratory interventions following a resting baseline period, as follows: (1) normoxia (21% O2); (2) hypoxia (12% O2); and (3) hypoxia with wilful restraint of the respiratory chemoreflex. During each intervention, 0, 2.0, 3.5 or 5.0% CO2 was sequentially added (8 min stages) to inspired gas mixtures to assess changes in steady-state cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity and dCA. During normoxia, the addition of CO2 increased internal carotid artery blood flow and middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (MCA Vmean), while reducing dCA (change in phase = -0.73 ± 0.22 rad, P = 0.005). During acute hypoxia, internal carotid artery blood flow and MCA Vmean remained unchanged, but cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity (internal carotid artery, P = 0.003; MCA Vmean, P = 0.031) and CO2-mediated effects on dCA (P = 0.008) were attenuated. The effects of hypoxia were not further altered when the respiratory chemoreflex was restrained. These findings support the hypothesis that arterial CO2 tension-mediated effects on the cerebral vasculature are reduced during acute hypoxia. These effects could limit the degree of hypocapnic vasoconstriction and may help to regulate cerebral blood flow and cerebral O2 homeostasis during acute periods of hypoxia.