Crenolanib is active against models of drug-resistant FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia.

FLT3 kinase internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with poor clinical outcomes. Although initial responses to FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are observed in FLT3-ITD-positive patients, subsequent relapse often occurs upon acquisition of secondary FLT3 kinase domain (KD) mutations, primarily at residues D835 and F691. Using biochemical assays, we determined that crenolanib, a novel TKI, demonstrates type I properties and is active against FLT3 containing ITD and/or D835- or F691-activating mutations. Potent activity was observed in FLT3-ITD-positive AML cell lines. Crenolanib delayed the outgrowth of MV4-11 cells in a xenograft mouse model, whereas in combination with the type II TKI sorafenib, a significant decrease in leukemic burden (P < .001) and prolonged survival (P < .01) was observed compared with either type I or II TKI alone. Crenolanib was active against Ba/F3 cells harboring FLT3-ITD and secondary KD mutations and sorafenib-resistant MOLM-13 cells containing FLT3-ITD/D835Y both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, crenolanib inhibited drug-resistant AML primary blasts with FLT3-ITD and D835H/Y mutations. These preclinical data demonstrate that crenolanib is effective against FLT3-ITD containing secondary KD mutations, suggesting that crenolanib may be a useful therapeutic agent for TKI-naive and drug-resistant FLT3-ITD-positive AML.

Regulation of ENT1 expression and ENT1-dependent nucleoside transport by c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) are facilitative transporters broadly selective for pyrimidine and purine nucleosides and are essential for the modulation of nucleoside concentration and nucleoside analog availability. Resistance to nucleoside-derived drugs strongly correlates with a deficiency of ENT1 expression in several tumor cells. Thus, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms by which this transporter is modulated. Using a mouse myeloid leukemic cell line as a model, we investigated whether stress-activated kinases regulate ENT1 expression and function. JNK activation, but not p38 MAPK results in rapid loss of mENT1 function, mRNA expression and promoter activity. c-Jun but not the mutant c-Jun Ser63/73Ala, decreased mENT1 promoter activity. Moreover cJun bound to an AP-1 site identified at -1196 of the promoter, suggesting a specific role for this transcription factor in mENT1 regulation. We propose that activation of JNK-cJun pathway negatively regulates mENT1 and suggest that this mechanism might contribute to the development of nucleoside analog-derived drug resistance.

Bipolar disorder type 1 and schizophrenia are accompanied by decreased density of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons in the parahippocampal region.

GABAergic interneurons synchronize network activities and monitor information flow. Post-mortem studies have reported decreased densities of cortical interneurons in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD). The entorhinal cortex (EC) and the adjacent subicular regions are a hub for integration of hippocampal and cortical information, a process that is disrupted in SZ. Here we contrast and compare the density of interneuron populations in the caudal EC and subicular regions in BPD type I (BPD-I), SZ, and normal control (NC) subjects. Post-mortem human parahippocampal specimens of 13 BPD-I, 11 SZ and 17 NC subjects were used to examine the numerical density of parvalbumin-, somatostatin- or calbindin-positive interneurons. We observed a reduction in the numerical density of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons in the caudal EC and parasubiculum in BPD-I and SZ, but no change in the subiculum. Calbindin-positive interneuron densities were normal in all brain areas examined. The profile of decreased density was strikingly similar in BPD-I and SZ. Our results demonstrate a specific reduction of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons in the parahippocampal region in BPD-I and SZ, likely disrupting synchronization and integration of cortico-hippocampal circuits.

Lyn kinase-dependent regulation of miR181 and myeloid cell leukemia-1 expression: implications for drug resistance in myelogenous leukemia.

Imatinib, a BCR-Abl inhibitor, is a successful front-line treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Despite the success of imatinib, multiple mechanisms of resistance remain a problem, including overexpression of Lyn kinase (Lyn) and Bcl-2 family antiapoptotic proteins. Profiling micro-RNA (miRNA) expression in a model of Lyn-mediated imatinib-resistant CML (MYL-R) identified approximately 30 miRNAs whose expression differed >2-fold compared with drug-sensitive MYL cells. In particular, the expression of the miR181 family (a-d) was significantly reduced (∼11- to 25-fold) in MYL-R cells. Incubation of MYL-R cells with a Lyn inhibitor (dasatinib) or nucleofection with Lyn-targeting short interfering RNA increased miR181b and miR181d expression. A similar Lyn-dependent regulation of miR181b and miR181d was observed in imatinib-resistant K562 CML cells. Sequence analysis of potential targets for miR181 regulation predicted myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), a Bcl-2 family member whose expression is increased in MYL-R cells and drug-resistant leukemias. Inhibition of Lyn or rescue of miR181b expression reduced Mcl-1 expression in the MYL-R cells. To further investigate the mechanism of Mcl-1 repression by miR181, a luciferase reporter construct incorporating the Mcl-1 3'-untranslated region was tested. Overexpression of miR181b reduced luciferase activity, whereas these effects were ablated by the mutation of the seed region of the miR181 target site. Finally, stimulation of Lyn expression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) treatment in HL-60 cells, a cell model of acute myelogenous leukemia, decreased miR181b expression and increased Mcl-1 expression. In summary, our results suggest that Lyn-dependent regulation of miR181 is a novel mechanism of regulating Mcl-1 expression and cell survival.

Morphine in combination with metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists on schedule-controlled responding and thermal nociception.

The present study examined the interactive effects of morphine in combination with metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor antagonists on schedule-controlled responding and thermal nociception. Drug interaction data were examined with isobolographic and dose-addition analysis. Morphine, the mGlu1 receptor antagonist JNJ16259685 [(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano-[2,3-b]quinolin-7-yl)-(cis-4-methoxycyclohexyl)-methanone], the mGlu5 receptor antagonist MPEP [2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride], and the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 [(2S)-2-amino-2-[(1S,2S-2-carboxycycloprop-1-yl]-3-(xanth-9-yl) propanoic acid] all decreased rates of schedule-controlled responding. JNJ16259685/morphine, MPEP/morphine, and LY341495/morphine mixtures produced additive effects on this endpoint. Morphine also produced dose-dependent antinociception in the assay of thermal nociception, whereas JNJ16259685, MPEP, and LY341495 failed to produce an effect. In this assay, JNJ16259685 and LY341495 potentiated the antinociceptive effects of morphine, whereas MPEP/morphine mixtures produced additive effects. These results suggest that an mGlu1 and an mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist, but not an mGlu5 receptor antagonist, selectively enhance the antinociceptive effects of morphine. In addition, these data confirm that the behavioral effects of drug mixtures depend on the endpoint under study.

Sorafenib metabolism, transport, and enterohepatic recycling: physiologically based modeling and simulation in mice.

PURPOSE: This study used uncertainty and sensitivity analysis to evaluate a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of the complex mechanisms of sorafenib and its two main metabolites, sorafenib glucuronide and sorafenib N-oxide in mice. METHODS: A PBPK model for sorafenib and its two main metabolites was developed to explain disposition in mice. It included relevant influx (Oatp) and efflux (Abcc2 and Abcc3) transporters, hepatic metabolic enzymes (CYP3A4 and UGT1A9), and intestinal ß-glucuronidase. Parameterization of drug-specific processes was based on in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico data along with plasma and liver pharmacokinetic data from single and multiple transporter knockout mice. RESULTS: Uncertainty analysis demonstrated that the model structure and parameter values could explain the observed variability in the pharmacokinetic data. Global sensitivity analysis demonstrated the global effects of metabolizing enzymes on sorafenib and metabolite disposition and the local effects of transporters on their respective substrate exposures. In addition, through hypothesis testing, the model supported that the influx transporter Oatp is a weak substrate for sorafenib and a strong substrate for sorafenib glucuronide and that the efflux transporter Abcc2 is not the only transporter affected in the Abcc2 knockout mouse. CONCLUSIONS: Translation of the mouse model to humans for the purpose of explaining exceptionally high human pharmacokinetic variability and its relationship with exposure-dependent dose-limiting toxicities will require delineation of the importance of these processes on disposition.

Multikinase Inhibitors Induce Cutaneous Toxicity through OAT6-Mediated Uptake and MAP3K7-Driven Cell Death.

The use of multikinase inhibitors (MKI) in oncology, such as sorafenib, is associated with a cutaneous adverse event called hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), in which sites of pressure or friction become inflamed and painful, thus significantly impacting quality of life. The pathogenesis of MKI-induced HFSR is unknown, and the only available treatment options involve dose reduction or discontinuation of therapy, which have negative effects on primary disease management. To investigate the underlying mechanisms by which sorafenib promotes keratinocyte cytotoxicity and subsequent HFSR induction, we performed a transporter-directed RNAi screen in human epidermal keratinocytes and identified SLC22A20 (OAT6) as an uptake carrier of sorafenib. Further investigations into the intracellular mechanism of sorafenib activity through in situ kinome profiling identified the mitogen-activated protein kinase MAP3K7 (TAK1) as a target of sorafenib that induces cell death. Finally, we demonstrate that sorafenib induced keratinocyte injury in vivo and that this effect could be reversed by cotreatment with the OAT6 inhibitor probenecid. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel pathway that regulates the entry of some MKIs into keratinocytes and explains the basis underlying sorafenib-induced skin toxicity, with important implications for the therapeutic management of HFSR.

Contribution of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 to the disposition of sorafenib and sorafenib-glucuronide.

PURPOSE: Many tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) undergo extensive hepatic metabolism, but mechanisms of their hepatocellular uptake remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that liver uptake of TKIs is mediated by the solute carriers OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Transport of crizotinib, dasatinib, gefitinib, imatinib, nilotinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, and vemurafenib was studied in vitro using artificial membranes (PAMPA) and HEK293 cell lines stably transfected with OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or the ortholog mouse transporter, Oatp1b2. Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted with Oatp1b2-knockout mice and humanized OATP1B1- or OATP1B3-transgenic mice. RESULTS: All 10 TKIs were identified as substrates of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or both. Transport of sorafenib was investigated further, as its diffusion was particularly low in the PAMPA assay (<4%) than other TKIs that were transported by both OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Whereas Oatp1b2 deficiency in vivo had minimal influence on parent and active metabolite N-oxide drug exposure, plasma levels of the glucuronic acid metabolite of sorafenib (sorafenib-glucuronide) were increased more than 8-fold in Oatp1b2-knockout mice. This finding was unrelated to possible changes in intrinsic metabolic capacity for sorafenib-glucuronide formation in hepatic or intestinal microsomes ex vivo. Ensuing experiments revealed that sorafenib-glucuronide was itself a transported substrate of Oatp1b2 (17.5-fold vs. control), OATP1B1 (10.6-fold), and OATP1B3 (6.4-fold), and introduction of the human transporters in Oatp1b2-knockout mice provided partial restoration of function. CONCLUSIONS: These findings signify a unique role for OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 in the elimination of sorafenib-glucuronide and suggest a role for these transporters in the in vivo handling of glucuronic acid conjugates of drugs.

Emergence of polyclonal FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain mutations during sequential therapy with sorafenib and sunitinib in FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical activity of sequential therapy with sorafenib and sunitinib in FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-internal tandem duplication (ITD)-positive acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and monitor the emergence of secondary FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutations during treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Six children with relapsed/refractory AML were treated with sorafenib in combination with clofarabine and cytarabine, followed by single-agent sorafenib if not a candidate for transplantation. Sunitinib was initiated after sorafenib relapse. Bone marrow samples were obtained for assessment of FLT3 TKD mutations by deep amplicon sequencing. The phase of secondary mutations with ITD alleles was assessed by cloning and sequencing of FLT3 exons 14 through 20. Identified mutations were modeled in Ba/F3 cells, and the effect of kinase inhibitors on FLT3 signaling and cell viability was assessed. RESULTS: Four patients achieved complete remission, but 3 receiving maintenance therapy with sorafenib relapsed after 14 to 37 weeks. Sunitinib reduced circulating blasts in two patients and marrow blasts in one. Two patients did not respond to sorafenib combination therapy or sunitinib. FLT3 mutations at residues D835 and F691 were observed in sorafenib resistance samples on both ITD-positive and -negative alleles. Deep sequencing revealed low-level mutations and their evolution during sorafenib treatment. Sunitinib suppressed leukemic clones with D835H and F691L mutations, but not D835Y. Cells expressing sorafenib-resistant FLT3 mutations were sensitive to sunitinib in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib has activity in patients that are resistant to sorafenib and harbor secondary FLT3 TKD mutations. The use of sensitive methods to monitor FLT3 mutations during therapy may allow individualized treatment with the currently available kinase inhibitors.

Application of multiplexed kinase inhibitor beads to study kinome adaptations in drug-resistant leukemia.

Protein kinases play key roles in oncogenic signaling and are a major focus in the development of targeted cancer therapies. Imatinib, a BCR-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a successful front-line treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, resistance to imatinib may be acquired by BCR-Abl mutations or hyperactivation of Src family kinases such as Lyn. We have used multiplexed kinase inhibitor beads (MIBs) and quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) to compare kinase expression and activity in an imatinib-resistant (MYL-R) and -sensitive (MYL) cell model of CML. Using MIB/MS, expression and activity changes of over 150 kinases were quantitatively measured from various protein kinase families. Statistical analysis of experimental replicates assigned significance to 35 of these kinases, referred to as the MYL-R kinome profile. MIB/MS and immunoblotting confirmed the over-expression and activation of Lyn in MYL-R cells and identified additional kinases with increased (MEK, ERK, IKKα, PKCß, NEK9) or decreased (Abl, Kit, JNK, ATM, Yes) abundance or activity. Inhibiting Lyn with dasatinib or by shRNA-mediated knockdown reduced the phosphorylation of MEK and IKKα. Because MYL-R cells showed elevated NF-κB signaling relative to MYL cells, as demonstrated by increased IκBα and IL-6 mRNA expression, we tested the effects of an IKK inhibitor (BAY 65-1942). MIB/MS and immunoblotting revealed that BAY 65-1942 increased MEK/ERK signaling and that this increase was prevented by co-treatment with a MEK inhibitor (AZD6244). Furthermore, the combined inhibition of MEK and IKKα resulted in reduced IL-6 mRNA expression, synergistic loss of cell viability and increased apoptosis. Thus, MIB/MS analysis identified MEK and IKKα as important downstream targets of Lyn, suggesting that co-targeting these kinases may provide a unique strategy to inhibit Lyn-dependent imatinib-resistant CML. These results demonstrate the utility of MIB/MS as a tool to identify dysregulated kinases and to interrogate kinome dynamics as cells respond to targeted kinase inhibition.

Ontogeny and sorafenib metabolism.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of ontogeny in sorafenib metabolism to the equipotent active metabolite sorafenib N-oxide. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Steady-state pharmacokinetic studies of sorafenib and metabolites were conducted in 30 children and young adults (17 males; median age, 9.5 years) receiving sorafenib 150 mg/m(2) or 200 mg/m(2) twice daily. Sorafenib metabolism was evaluated in vitro at 10 µmol/L using a panel of purified human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Sorafenib metabolism and CYP3A4 expression was evaluated in 52 human liver samples from donors of ≤20 years old. The drug-drug interaction potential between sorafenib and azole antifungal agents was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: No age-related differences in sorafenib apparent oral clearance were observed. Mean sorafenib N-oxide metabolite ratio was 0.27 ± 0.14. In children of ≤10 years of age, boys had approximately 2-fold higher N-oxide ratios than girls (0.40 ± 0.15 vs. 0.22 ± 0.12, P = 0.026). Of the CYPs evaluated, sorafenib was exclusively metabolized to sorafenib N-oxide by CYP3A4. A trend for increased N-oxide formation in boys was observed in liver samples, which correlated with CYP3A4 mRNA expression. Posaconazole and voriconazole potently inhibited sorafenib N-oxide formation in vitro, and reduced sorafenib N-oxide formation in 3 children given sorafenib concurrent with azoles. CONCLUSION: We have identified several factors affecting interpatient variability in sorafenib metabolism to the active N-oxide metabolite including age, sex, and concurrent treatment with azole antifungals. This knowledge may provide important considerations for the clinical use of sorafenib in children and possibly other kinase inhibitors undergoing CYP3A4-mediated metabolism.

Hippocampal interneurons in bipolar disorder.

CONTEXT: Postmortem studies have reported decreased density and decreased gene expression of hippocampal interneurons in bipolar disorder, but neuroimaging studies of hippocampal volume and function have been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To assess hippocampal volume, neuron number, and interneurons in the same specimens of subjects with bipolar disorder and healthy control subjects. DESIGN: Whole human hippocampi of 14 subjects with bipolar disorder and 18 healthy control subjects were cut at 2.5-mm intervals and sections from each tissue block were either Nissl-stained or stained with antibodies against somatostatin or parvalbumin. Messenger RNA was extracted from fixed tissue and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed. SETTING: Basic research laboratories at Vanderbilt University and McLean Hospital. SAMPLES: Brain specimens from the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center at McLean Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Volume of pyramidal and nonpyramidal cell layers, overall neuron number and size, number of somatostatin- and parvalbumin-positive interneurons, and messenger RNA levels of somatostatin, parvalbumin, and glutamic acid decarboxylase 1. RESULTS: The 2 groups did not differ in the total number of hippocampal neurons, but the bipolar disorder group showed reduced volume of the nonpyramidal cell layers, reduced somal volume in cornu ammonis sector 2/3, reduced number of somatostatin- and parvalbumin-positive neurons, and reduced messenger RNA levels for somatostatin, parvalbumin, and glutamic acid decarboxylase 1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a specific alteration of hippocampal interneurons in bipolar disorder, likely resulting in hippocampal dysfunction.

Hippocampal interneurons are abnormal in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The cellular substrate of hippocampal dysfunction in schizophrenia remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that hippocampal interneurons are abnormal in schizophrenia, but that the total number of hippocampal neurons in the pyramidal cell layer is normal. METHODS: We collected whole hippocampal specimens of 13 subjects with schizophrenia and 20 matched healthy control subjects to study the number of all neurons, the somal volume of neurons, the number of somatostatin- and parvalbumin-positive interneurons and the messenger RNA levels of somatostatin, parvalbumin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 67. RESULTS: The total number of hippocampal neurons in the pyramidal cell layer was normal in schizophrenia, but the number of somatostatin- and parvalbumin-positive interneurons, and the level of somatostatin, parvalbumin and glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA expression were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides strong evidence for a specific defect of hippocampal interneurons in schizophrenia and has implications for emerging models of hippocampal dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Multicolor monitoring of dysregulated protein kinases in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The Bcr-Abl and Lyn protein tyrosine kinases have been separately linked to the emergence of imatinib resistance in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. We have developed fluorescent sensors for these kinases that are enzymatically and photophysically distinct, allowing us to simultaneously, yet separately, visualize the tyrosine kinase activities of both Abl and Lyn. Multicolor monitoring revealed that an imatinib-resistant cell line (MYL-R) displays a remarkable 13-fold enhancement in Lyn kinase activity relative to its imatinib-sensitive counterpart (MYL). By contrast, both cell lines display nearly identical Abl activities. The upregulation of Lyn kinase phosphotransferase activity in MYL-R cells is linked to an overexpression of the Lyn B isoform. Furthermore, MYL-R cells possess a 4-fold higher level of activated Lyn and 5-fold lower level of autoinhibited Lyn than MYL cells. Finally, studies with an activating SH2 ligand revealed that Lyn from imatinib-resistant MYL-R cells is primed and active, whereas Lyn from imatinib-sensitive cells is dependent upon phosphorylated SH2 ligands for activity.

Identification of a novel point mutation in ENT1 that confers resistance to Ara-C in human T cell leukemia CCRF-CEM cells.

The genetic basis for the Ara-C resistance of CCRF-CEM Ara-C/8C leukemia cells was investigated. DNA sequencing revealed that these cells expressed an equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) with a single missense mutation resulting in glycine to arginine replacement (G24R). To test the importance of this residue, additional G24 mutants were created and examined for [3H]-uridine and [3H]-Ara-C uptake. Both a G24E and G24A mutant showed reduced ENT1-dependent activity. An EGFP-tagged G24R ENT1 displayed plasma membrane localization even though it was unable to bind [3H]-NBMPR, an ENT1-specific inhibitor. These results define G24 as critical amino acid for ENT1 nucleoside uptake and suggest that mutations in TM1 may provide a mechanism for Ara-C resistance in CCRF-CEM Ara-C/8C cells.

Imatinib-resistant CML cells have low ENT activity but maintain sensitivity to gemcitabine.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenus leukemia (CML) is widely treated with imatinib mesylate (imatinib), a potent inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase. However, resistance to this compound remains a concern. Current treatment approaches include combinations of imatinib with nucleoside analogs such as gemcitabine, which requires equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) for uptake, to overcome this resistance. Here we report that imatinib treatment decreased ENT1-dependent activity and mRNA expression. Although, imatinib-resistant cells showed decreased levels of both ENT1 and ENT2 activity and expression, these cells remained sensitive to gemcitabine, suggesting that nucleoside analogs can be used as adjunctive therapy.