A rare missense mutation in CHRNA4 associates with smoking behavior and its consequences.

Using Icelandic whole-genome sequence data and an imputation approach we searched for rare sequence variants in CHRNA4 and tested them for association with nicotine dependence. We show that carriers of a rare missense variant (allele frequency=0.24%) within CHRNA4, encoding an R336C substitution, have greater risk of nicotine addiction than non-carriers as assessed by the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (P=1.2 × 10(-4)). The variant also confers risk of several serious smoking-related diseases previously shown to be associated with the D398N substitution in CHRNA5. We observed odds ratios (ORs) of 1.7-2.3 for lung cancer (LC; P=4.0 × 10(-4)), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; P=9.3 × 10(-4)), peripheral artery disease (PAD; P=0.090) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; P=0.12), and the variant associates strongly with the early-onset forms of LC (OR=4.49, P=2.2 × 10(-4)), COPD (OR=3.22, P=2.9 × 10(-4)), PAD (OR=3.47, P=9.2 × 10(-3)) and AAA (OR=6.44, P=6.3 × 10(-3)). Joint analysis of the four smoking-related diseases reveals significant association (P=6.8 × 10(-5)), particularly for early-onset cases (P=2.1 × 10(-7)). Our results are in agreement with functional studies showing that the human α4ß2 isoform of the channel containing R336C has less sensitivity for its agonists than the wild-type form following nicotine incubation.

Modulation of tumor eIF4E by antisense inhibition: A phase I/II translational clinical trial of ISIS 183750-an antisense oligonucleotide against eIF4E-in combination with irinotecan in solid tumors and irinotecan-refractory colorectal cancer.

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is a potent oncogene that is found to be dysregulated in 30% of human cancer, including colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC). ISIS 183750 is a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed to inhibit the production of the eIF4E protein. In preclinical studies we found that EIF4e ASOs reduced expression of EIF4e mRNA and inhibited proliferation of colorectal carcinoma cells. An additive antiproliferative effect was observed in combination with irinotecan. We then performed a clinical trial evaluating this combination in patients with refractory cancer. No dose-limiting toxicities were seen but based on pharmacokinetic data and tolerability the dose of irinotecan was reduced to 160 mg/m(2) biweekly. Efficacy was evaluated in 15 patients with irinotecan-refractory colorectal cancer. The median time of disease control was 22.1 weeks. After ISIS 183750 treatment, peripheral blood levels of eIF4E mRNA were decreased in 13 of 19 patients. Matched pre- and posttreatment tumor biopsies showed decreased eIF4E mRNA levels in five of nine patients. In tumor tissue, the intracellular and stromal presence of ISIS 183750 was detected by IHC in all biopsied patients. Although there were no objective responses stable disease was seen in seven of 15 (47%) patients who were progressing before study entry, six of whom were stable at the time of the week 16 CT scan. We were also able to confirm through mandatory pre- and posttherapy tumor biopsies penetration of the ASO into the site of metastasis.

Selumetinib with and without erlotinib in KRAS mutant and KRAS wild-type advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: KRAS mutations in NSCLC are associated with a lack of response to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Selumetinib (AZD6244; ARRY-142886) is an oral selective MEK kinase inhibitor of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients failing one to two prior regimens underwent KRAS profiling. KRAS wild-type patients were randomized to erlotinib (150 mg daily) or a combination of selumetinib (150 mg daily) with erlotinib (100 mg daily). KRAS mutant patients were randomized to selumetinib (75 mg b.i.d.) or the combination. The primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) for the KRAS wild-type cohort and objective response rate (ORR) for the KRAS mutant cohort. Biomarker studies of ERK phosphorylation and immune subsets were carried out. RESULTS: From March 2010 to May 2013, 89 patients were screened; 41 KRAS mutant and 38 KRAS wild-type patients were enrolled. Median PFS in the KRAS wild-type arm was 2.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-3.7] for erlotinib alone and 2.1 months (95% CI 1.8-5.1) for the combination. The ORR in the KRAS mutant group was 0% (95% CI 0.0% to 33.6%) for selumetinib alone and 10% (95% CI 2.1% to 26.3%) for the combination. Combination therapy resulted in increased toxicities, requiring dose reductions (56%) and discontinuation (8%). Programmed cell death-1 expression on regulatory T cells (Tregs), Tim-3 on CD8+ T cells and Th17 levels were associated with PFS and overall survival in patients receiving selumetinib. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to show improvement in ORR or PFS with combination therapy of selumetinib and erlotinib over monotherapy in KRAS mutant and KRAS wild-type advanced NSCLC. The association of immune subsets and immune checkpoint receptor expression with selumetinib may warrant further studies.

ANG1005 for breast cancer brain metastases: correlation between 18F-FLT-PET after first cycle and MRI in response assessment.

PURPOSE: Improved therapies and imaging modalities are needed for the treatment of breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM). ANG1005 is a drug conjugate consisting of paclitaxel covalently linked to Angiopep-2, designed to cross the blood-brain barrier. We conducted a biomarker substudy to evaluate 18F-FLT-PET for response assessment. METHODS: Ten patients with measurable BCBM received ANG1005 at a dose of 550 mg/m2 IV every 21 days. Before and after cycle 1, patients underwent PET imaging with 18F-FLT, a thymidine analog, retention of which reflects cellular proliferation, for comparison with gadolinium-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) in brain metastases detection and response assessment. A 20 % change in uptake after one cycle of ANG1005 was deemed significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two target and twenty non-target metastatic brain lesions were analyzed. The median tumor reduction by MRI after cycle 1 was -17.5 % (n = 10 patients, lower, upper quartiles: -25.5, -4.8 %) in target lesion size compared with baseline. Fifteen of twenty-nine target lesions (52 %) and 12/20 nontarget lesions (60 %) showed a ≥20 % decrease post-therapy in FLT-PET SUV change (odds ratio 0.71, 95 % CI: 0.19, 2.61). The median percentage change in SUVmax was -20.9 % (n = 29 lesions; lower, upper quartiles: -42.4, 2.0 %), and the median percentage change in SUV80 was also -20.9 % (n = 29; lower, upper quartiles: -49.0, 0.0 %). Two patients had confirmed partial responses by PET and MRI lasting 6 and 18 cycles, respectively. Seven patients had stable disease, receiving a median of six cycles. CONCLUSIONS: ANG1005 warrants further study in BCBM. Results demonstrated a moderately strong association between MRI and 18F-FLT-PET imaging.

The differences in short- and long-term varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G levels following varicella vaccination of healthcare workers measured by VZV fluorescent-antibody-to-membrane-antigen assay (FAMA), VZV time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay and a VZV purified glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) reporting no history of varicella frequently receive varicella vaccination (vOka) if they test varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) negative. In this study, the utilities of VZV-IgG time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (VZV-TRFIA) and a commercial VZV-IgG purified glycoprotein enzyme immunoassay (gpEIA) currently used in England for confirming VZV immunity have been compared to the fluorescent-antibody-to-membrane-antigen assay (FAMA). A total of 110 HCWs received two doses of vOka vaccine spaced 6 weeks apart and sera collected pre-vaccination (n = 100), at 6 weeks post-completion of vaccination (n = 86) and at 12-18 months follow-up (n = 73) were analysed. Pre-vaccination, by FAMA, 61·0% sera were VZV IgG negative, and compared to FAMA the sensitivities of VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA were 74·4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 57·9-87·0] and 46·2% (95% CI 30·1-62·8), respectively. Post-completion of vaccination the seroconversion rate by FAMA was 93·7% compared to rates of 95·8% and 70·8% determined by VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA, respectively. At 12-18 months follow-up seropositivity rates by FAMA, VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA were 78·1%, 74·0% and 47·9%, respectively. Compared to FAMA the sensitivities of VZV-TRFIA and gpEIA for measuring VZV IgG following vaccination were 96·4% (95% CI 91·7-98·8) and 74·6% (95% CI 66·5-81·6), respectively. Using both FAMA and VZV-TRFIA to identify healthy adult VZV susceptibles and measure seroconversion showed that vOka vaccination of HCWs is highly immunogenic.

Genotype-phenotype correlation of contiguous gene deletions of SLC6A8, BCAP31 and ABCD1.

The BCAP31 gene is located between SLC6A8, associated with X-linked creatine transporter deficiency, and ABCD1, associated with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. Recently, loss-of-function mutations in BCAP31 were reported in association with severe developmental delay, deafness and dystonia. We characterized the break points in eight patients with deletions of SLC6A8, BCAP31 and/or ABCD1 and studied the genotype-phenotype correlations. The phenotype in patients with contiguous gene deletions involving BCAP31 overlaps with the phenotype of isolated BCAP31 deficiency. Only deletions involving both BCAP31 and ABCD1 were associated with hepatic cholestasis and death before 1 year, which might be explained by a synergistic effect. Remarkably, a patient with an isolated deletion at the 3'-end of SLC6A8 had a similar severe phenotype as seen in BCAP31 deficiency but without deafness. This might be caused by the disturbance of a regulatory element between SLC6A8 and BCAP31.

Convergent lines of evidence support CAMKK2 as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene.

Genes that are differentially expressed between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls may have key roles in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We analyzed two large-scale genome-wide expression studies, which examined changes in gene expression in schizophrenia patients and their matched controls. We found calcium/calmodulin (CAM)-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2) is significantly downregulated in individuals with schizophrenia in both studies. To seek the potential genetic variants that may regulate the expression of CAMKK2, we investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within CAMKK2 and the expression level of CAMKK2. We found one SNP, rs1063843, which is located in intron 17 of CAMKK2, is strongly associated with the expression level of CAMKK2 in human brains (P=1.1 × 10(-6)) and lymphoblastoid cell lines (the lowest P=8.4 × 10(-6)). We further investigated the association between rs1063843 and schizophrenia in multiple independent populations (a total of 130 623 subjects) and found rs1063843 is significantly associated with schizophrenia (P=5.17 × 10(-5)). Interestingly, we found the T allele of rs1063843, which is associated with lower expression level of CAMKK2, has a higher frequency in individuals with schizophrenia in all of the tested samples, suggesting rs1063843 may be a causal variant. We also found that rs1063843 is associated with cognitive function and personality in humans. In addition, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed that CAMKK2 participates in a highly interconnected PPI network formed by top schizophrenia genes, which further supports the potential role of CAMKK2 in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Taken together, these converging lines of evidence strongly suggest that CAMKK2 may have pivotal roles in schizophrenia susceptibility.

Common variant at 16p11.2 conferring risk of psychosis.

Epidemiological and genetic data support the notion that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share genetic risk factors. In our previous genome-wide association study, meta-analysis and follow-up (totaling as many as 18 206 cases and 42 536 controls), we identified four loci showing genome-wide significant association with schizophrenia. Here we consider a mixed schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (psychosis) phenotype (addition of 7469 bipolar disorder cases, 1535 schizophrenia cases, 333 other psychosis cases, 808 unaffected family members and 46 160 controls). Combined analysis reveals a novel variant at 16p11.2 showing genome-wide significant association (rs4583255[T]; odds ratio=1.08; P=6.6 × 10(-11)). The new variant is located within a 593-kb region that substantially increases risk of psychosis when duplicated. In line with the association of the duplication with reduced body mass index (BMI), rs4583255[T] is also associated with lower BMI (P=0.0039 in the public GIANT consortium data set; P=0.00047 in 22 651 additional Icelanders).

Characterization of the symbiont Rickettsia in the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae).

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is an omnivorous insect used for biological control. Augmentative release and conservation of N. tenuis have been used for pest control in tomato crops. Intracellular bacterial symbionts of arthropods are common in nature and have diverse effects on their hosts; in some cases they can dramatically affect biological control. Fingerprinting methods showed that the symbiotic complex associated with N. tenuis includes Wolbachia and Rickettsia. Rickettsia of N. tenuis was further characterized by sequencing the 16S rRNA and gltA bacterial genes, measuring its amount in different developmental stages of the insect by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and localizing the bacteria in the insect's body by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The Rickettsia in N. tenuis exhibited 99 and 96% similarity of both sequenced genes to Rickettsia bellii and Rickettsia reported from Bemisia tabaci, respectively. The highest amount of Rickettsia was measured in the 5th instar and adult, and the symbionts could be detected in the host gut and ovaries. Although the role played by Rickettsia in the biology of N. tenuis is currently unknown, their high amount in the adults and localization in the gut suggest that they may have a nutritional role in this insect.

Pre-injury neuro-psychiatric medication use, alone or in combination with cardiac medications, may affect outcomes in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent review of older (≥45-years-old) patients admitted to our trauma center showed that more than one-third were using neuro-psychiatric medications (NPMs) prior to their injury-related admission. Previously published data suggests that use of NPMs may increase patients' risk and severity of injury. We sought to examine the impact of pre-injury NPM use on older trauma patients' morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective record review included medication regimen characteristics and NPM use (antidepressants-AD, antipsychotics-AP, anxiolytics-AA). Hospital morbidity, mortality, and 90-day survival were examined. Comparisons included regimens involving NPMs, further focusing on their interactions with various cardiac medications (beta blocker - BB; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker - ACE/ARB; calcium channel blocker - CCB). RESULTS: 712 patient records were reviewed (399 males, mean age 63.5 years, median ISS 8). 245 patients were taking at least 1 NPM: AD (158), AP (35), or AA (108) before injury. There was no effect of NPM monotherapy on hospital mortality. Patients taking ≥3 NPMs had significantly lower 90-day survival compared to patients taking ≤2 NPMs (81% for 3 or more NPMs, 95% for no NPMs, and 89% 1-2 NPMs, P < 0.01). Several AD-cardiac medication (CM) combinations were associated with increased mortality compared to monotherapy with either agent (BB-AD 14.7% mortality versus 7.0% for AD monotherapy or 4.8% BB monotherapy, P < 0.05). Combinations of ACE/ARB-AA were associated with increased mortality compared to ACE/ARB monotherapy (11.5% vs 4.9, P = 0.04). Finally, ACE/ARB-AD co-administration had higher mortality than ACE/ARB monotherapy (13.5% vs 4.9%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Large proportion of older trauma patients was using pre-injury NPMs. Several regimens involving NPMs and CMs were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Additionally, use of ≥3 NPMs was associated with lower 90-day survival.

Long-term belatacept exposure maintains efficacy and safety at 5 years: results from the long-term extension of the BENEFIT study.

The Belatacept Evaluation of Nephroprotection and Efficacy as First-line Immunosuppression Trial randomized patients receiving a living or standard criteria deceased donor kidney transplant to a more (MI) or less intensive (LI) regimen of belatacept or cyclosporine A (CsA). The 5-year results of the long-term extension (LTE) cohort are reported. A total of 456 (68.5% of intent-to-treat) patients entered the LTE at 36 months; 406 patients (89%) completed 60 months. Between Months 36 and 60, death occurred in 2%, 1% and 5% of belatacept MI, belatacept LI and CsA patients, respectively; graft loss occurred in 0% belatacept and 2% of CsA patients. Acute rejection between Months 36 and 60 was rare: zero belatacept MI, one belatacept LI and one CsA. Rates for infections and malignancies for Months 36-60 were generally similar across belatacept groups and CsA, respectively: fungal infections (14%, 15%, 12%), viral infections (21%, 18%, 16%) and malignancies (6%, 6%, 9%). No new posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder cases occurred after 36 months. Mean calculated GFR (MDRD, mL/min/1.73 m(2) ) at Month 60 was 74 for belatacept MI, 76 for belatacept LI and 53 for CsA. These results show that the renal function benefit and safety profile observed in belatacept-treated patients in the early posttransplant period was sustained through 5 years.

Second-line treatment in advanced pancreatic cancer: a comprehensive analysis of published clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no standard of care for the second-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. The aim of this analysis was to compare the different therapeutic approaches in this setting. METHODS: We carried out a systematic analysis of second-line studies in advanced pancreatic cancer that have progressed on or following gemcitabine and published or presented from 2000 to 2012. RESULTS: Forty-four clinical trials (t) were identified; of which 34 met the inclusion criteria treating an aggregate total of 1503 patients (n). Patients who received treatments (t: 33; n: 1269) had a median overall survival (OS) of 6 months compared with 2.8 months for patients who received best supportive care only (t: 2; n: 234) (P = 0.013). The gemcitabine and platinum-based combination (t: 5; n: 154) provided a median progression-free survival and OS of 4 and 6 months compared with 1.6 and 5.3 for the rest of the regimens (t: 29; n: 1349) (P = 0.059 and 0.10, respectively) and 2.9 and 5.7 for the combination of 5-fluorouracil and platinum agents (t: 12; n: 450) (P = 0.60 and 0.22, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Although not conclusive, these data showed that the advantage of second-line chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer is very limited and there is a need for more studies.

A phase I/II study of sepantronium bromide (YM155, survivin suppressor) with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: This phase I/II study examined the safety and efficacy of Sepantronium Bromide (S), a small-molecule selective survivin suppressant, administered in combination with carboplatin (C) and paclitaxel (P). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients were treated on study. Twenty-two patients received escalating doses of S (3.6-12 mg/m(2)) and 19 with untreated stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with the maximum tolerated dose of 10 mg/m(2) in combination with standard doses of C (AUC6) and P (200 mg/m(2)) for six cycles. S was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion (CIVI) over 72 h in 21-day treatment cycles. Study end points included safety and toxic effect, response rate, progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS), as well as exploratory pharmacodynamic correlates. RESULTS: Treatment with S was well tolerated, and toxic effects were mostly hematological in the phase II study. Two (11%) partial responses were observed with a median PFS of 5.7 months and median OS 16.1 months. Pharmacodynamic analysis did not demonstrate an association with response. CONCLUSION: The combination of S (10 mg/m(2)/day 72-h CIVI) administered with C and P every 3 weeks exhibited a favorable safety profile but failed to demonstrate an improvement in response rate in advanced NSCLC. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT01100931.

Replication and meta-analysis of common variants identifies a genome-wide significant locus in migraine.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Genetic factors contribute to the aetiology of the prevalent form of migraine without aura (MO) and migraine with typical aura (MTA). Due to the complex inheritance of MO and MTA, the genetic background is still not fully established. In a population-based genome-wide association study by Chasman et al. (Nat Genet 2011: 43: 695-698), three common variants were found to confer risk of migraine at a genome-wide significant level (P < 5 × 10(-8) ). We aimed to evaluate the top association single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the discovery set by Chasman et al. in a primarily clinic-based Danish and Icelandic cohort. METHODS: The top association SNPs were assessed in 2523 cases and 38,170 controls, and a meta-analysis was performed, combining the discovery set with all the follow-up studies. Finally the confirmed SNPs were assessed in a genotype-phenotype analysis. RESULTS: Two out of three SNPs that showed genome-wide significant associations in the previous study: rs10166942 (near TRPM8) and rs11172113 (in LRP1) were significantly associated with migraine in the present study. The meta-analysis confirmed the previous three genome-wide significant associated SNPs (rs2651899, rs10166942 and rs11172113) to confer risk of migraine. In addition, the C-allele of rs2078371 (near TSPAN-2) also reached genome-wide significance for association with migraine [OR = 1.14; CI = (1.09-1.20); P = 2.55 × 10(-8) ]. CONCLUSION: TSPAN-2 encodes an integral membrane protein involved in oligodendrogenesis. This new finding supports the plausible implication of neuroglia in the pathophysiology of MO and MTA.

Three-year outcomes from BENEFIT, a randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group study in adult kidney transplant recipients.

The clinical profile of belatacept in kidney transplant recipients was evaluated to determine if earlier results in the BENEFIT study were sustained at 3 years. BENEFIT is a randomized 3 year, phase III study in adults receiving a kidney transplant from a living or standard criteria deceased donor. Patients were randomized to a more (MI) or less intensive (LI) regimen of belatacept, or cyclosporine. 471/666 patients completed ≥3 years of therapy. A total of 92% (MI), 92% (LI), and 89% (cyclosporine) of patients survived with a functioning graft. The mean calculated GFR (cGFR) was ∼21 mL/min/1.73 m(2) higher in the belatacept groups versus cyclosporine at year 3. From month 3 to month 36, the mean cGFR increased in the belatacept groups by +1.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2) /year (MI) and +1.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2) /year (LI) versus a decline of -2.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2) /year (cyclosporine). One cyclosporine-treated patient experienced acute rejection between year 2 and year 3. There were no new safety signals and no new posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) cases after month 18. Belatacept-treated patients maintained a high rate of patient and graft survival that was comparable to cyclosporine-treated patients, despite an early increased occurrence of acute rejection and PTLD.

Expanding the range of ZNF804A variants conferring risk of psychosis.

A trio of genome-wide association studies recently reported sequence variants at three loci to be significantly associated with schizophrenia. No sequence polymorphism had been unequivocally (P<5 × 10(-8)) associated with schizophrenia earlier. However, one variant, rs1344706[T], had come very close. This polymorphism, located in an intron of ZNF804A, was reported to associate with schizophrenia with a P-value of 1.6 × 10(-7), and with psychosis (schizophrenia plus bipolar disorder) with a P-value of 1.0 × 10(-8). In this study, using 5164 schizophrenia cases and 20,709 controls, we replicated the association with schizophrenia (odds ratio OR = 1.08, P = 0.0029) and, by adding bipolar disorder patients, we also confirmed the association with psychosis (added N = 609, OR = 1.09, P = 0.00065). Furthermore, as it has been proposed that variants such as rs1344706[T]-common and with low relative risk-may also serve to identify regions harboring less common, higher-risk susceptibility alleles, we searched ZNF804A for large copy number variants (CNVs) in 4235 psychosis patients, 1173 patients with other psychiatric disorders and 39,481 controls. We identified two CNVs including at least part of ZNF804A in psychosis patients and no ZNF804A CNVs in controls (P = 0.013 for association with psychosis). In addition, we found a ZNF804A CNV in an anxiety patient (P = 0.0016 for association with the larger set of psychiatric disorders).

Copy number variations of chromosome 16p13.1 region associated with schizophrenia.

Deletions and reciprocal duplications of the chromosome 16p13.1 region have recently been reported in several cases of autism and mental retardation (MR). As genomic copy number variants found in these two disorders may also associate with schizophrenia, we examined 4345 schizophrenia patients and 35,079 controls from 8 European populations for duplications and deletions at the 16p13.1 locus, using microarray data. We found a threefold excess of duplications and deletions in schizophrenia cases compared with controls, with duplications present in 0.30% of cases versus 0.09% of controls (P=0.007) and deletions in 0.12 % of cases and 0.04% of controls (P>0.05). The region can be divided into three intervals defined by flanking low copy repeats. Duplications spanning intervals I and II showed the most significant (P = 0.00010) association with schizophrenia. The age of onset in duplication and deletion carriers among cases ranged from 12 to 35 years, and the majority were males with a family history of psychiatric disorders. In a single Icelandic family, a duplication spanning intervals I and II was present in two cases of schizophrenia, and individual cases of alcoholism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia. Candidate genes in the region include NTAN1 and NDE1. We conclude that duplications and perhaps also deletions of chromosome 16p13.1, previously reported to be associated with autism and MR, also confer risk of schizophrenia.

The ORION study: comparison of two sirolimus-based regimens versus tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil in renal allograft recipients.

Safety and efficacy of two sirolimus (SRL)-based regimens were compared with tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Renal transplantation recipients were randomized to Group 1 (SRL+TAC; week 13 TAC elimination [n = 152]), Group 2 (SRL + MMF [n = 152]) or Group 3 (TAC + MMF [n = 139]). Group 2, with higher-than-expected biopsy-confirmed acute rejections (BCARs), was sponsor-terminated; therefore, Group 2 two-year data were limited. At 1 and 2 years, respectively, graft (Group 1: 92.8%, 88.5%; Group 2: 90.6%, 89.9%; Group 3: 96.2%, 95.4%) and patient (Group 1: 97.3%, 94.4%; Group 2: 95.2%, 94.5%; Group 3: 97.0%, 97.0%) survival rates were similar. One- and 2-year BCAR incidence was: Group 1, 15.2%, 17.4%; Group 2, 31.3%, 32.8%; Group 3, 8.2%, 12.3% (Group 2 vs. 3, p < 0.001). Mean 1- and 2-year modified intent-to-treat glomerular filtration rates (mL/min) were similar. Primary reason for discontinuation was adverse events (Group 1, 34.2%; Group 2, 33.6%; Group 3, 22.3%; p < 0.05). In Groups 1 and 2, delayed wound healing and hyperlipidemia were more frequent. One-year post hoc analysis of new-onset diabetes posttransplantation was greater in TAC recipients (Groups 1 and 3 vs. 2, 17% vs. 6%; p = 0.004). Between-group malignancy rates were similar. The SRL-based regimens were not associated with improved outcomes for kidney transplantation patients.

Simian virus-40 large-T antigen binds p53 in human mesotheliomas.

We found that simian virus 40 (SV40) induces mesotheliomas in hamsters and that 60% of human mesotheliomas contain and express SV40 sequences, results now confirmed by others [ref. 3-5, and presentations by D. Griffiths & R. Weiss, F. Galateau-SallE, and H.I.P. at "Simian virus 40: A possible human polyoma virus," NIH workshop, 27-28 January 1997, Bethesda, MD (transcript available through SAG Corp., Washington, DC 20008)]. Mesothelioma, an aggressive malignancy resistant to therapy, originates from the serosal lining of the pleural, pericardial and peritoneal cavities. The incidence of mesothelioma continues to increase worldwide because of exposure to crocidolite asbestos. However, at least 20% of mesotheliomas in the United States are not associated with asbestos exposure, and only a minority of people exposed to high concentrations of asbestos develop mesothelioma. Thus, other carcinogens may induce mesothelioma in individuals not exposed to asbestos, and/or may render particular individuals more susceptible to the carcinogenic effect of asbestos. We investigated whether the expression of the SV40 large T-antigen (Tag) interferes with the normal expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53 in human mesotheliomas. We found that SV40 Tag retains its ability to bind and to inactivate p53, a cellular protein that when normally expressed plays an important role in suppressing tumor growth and in inducing sensitivity to therapy. Our findings do not establish a cause-and-effect relation, but indicate that the possibility that SV40 contributes to the development of human mesotheliomas should be carefully investigated.