DNA Sequencing of Small Bowel Adenocarcinomas Identifies Targetable Recurrent Mutations in the ERBB2 Signaling Pathway.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the genetic alterations characteristic of small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA). Our purpose was to identify targetable alterations and develop experimental models of this disease.Experimental Design: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was completed on 17 SBA patient samples and targeted-exome sequencing (TES) on 27 samples to confirm relevant driver mutations. Two SBA models with ERBB2 kinase activating mutations were tested for sensitivity to anti-ERBB2 agents in vivo and in vitro. Biochemical changes were measured by reverse-phase protein arrays. RESULTS: WES identified somatic mutations in 4 canonical pathways (WNT, ERBB2, STAT3, and chromatin remodeling), which were validated in the TES cohort. Although APC mutations were present in only 23% of samples, additional WNT-related alterations were seen in 12%. ERBB2 mutations and amplifications were present in 23% of samples. Patients with alterations in the ERBB2 signaling cascade (64%) demonstrated worse clinical outcomes (median survival 70.3 months vs. 109 months; log-rank HR = 2.4, P = 0.03). Two ERBB2-mutated (V842I and Y803H) cell lines were generated from SBA patient samples. Both demonstrated high sensitivity to ERBB2 inhibitor dacomitinib (IC50 < 2.5 nmol/L). In xenografts derived from these samples, treatment with dacomitinib reduced tumor growth by 39% and 59%, respectively, whereas it had no effect in an SBA wild-type ERBB2 model. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro and in vivo models of SBA developed here provide a valuable resource for understanding targetable mutations in this disease. Our findings support clinical efforts to target activating ERBB2 mutations in patients with SBA that harbor these alterations.

Activation of persons living with HIV for treatment, the great study.

BACKGROUND: Patient empowerment represents a potent tool for addressing racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health care, particularly for chronic conditions such as HIV infection that require active patient engagement. This multimodal intervention, developed in concert with HIV patients and clinicians, aims to provide HIV patients with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and tools to become more activated patients. METHODS/DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial of a multimodal intervention designed to activate persons living with HIV. The intervention includes four components: 1) use of a web-enabled hand-held device (Apple iPod Touch) loaded with a Personal Health Record (ePHR) customized for HIV patients; 2) six 90-minute group-based training sessions in use of the device, internet and the ePHR; 3) a pre-visit coaching session; and 4) clinician education regarding how they can support activated patients. Outcome measures include pre- post changes in patient activation measure score (primary outcome), eHealth literacy, patient involvement in decision-making and care, medication adherence, preventive care, and HIV Viral Load. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that participants receiving the intervention will show greater improvement in empowerment and the intervention will reduce disparities in study outcomes. Disparities in these measures will be smaller than those in the usual care group. Findings have implications for activating persons living with HIV and for other marginalized groups living with chronic illness. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02165735, 6/13/2014.

Preliminary whole-exome sequencing reveals mutations that imply common tumorigenicity pathways in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 patients.

BACKGROUND: Whole-exome sequencing studies have not established definitive somatic mutation patterns among patients with sporadic hyperparathyroidism (HPT). No sequencing has evaluated multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)-related HPT. We sought to perform whole-exome sequencing in HPT patients to identify somatic mutations and associated biological pathways and tumorigenic networks. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on blood and tissue from HPT patients (MEN1 and sporadic) and somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified. Stop-gain and stop-loss SNVs were analyzed with Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was also assessed. RESULTS: Sequencing was performed on 4 MEN1 and 10 sporadic cases. Eighteen stop-gain/stop-loss SNV mutations were identified in 3 MEN1 patients. One complex network was identified on IPA: Cellular function and maintenance, tumor morphology, and cardiovascular disease (IPA score = 49). A nonsynonymous SNV of TP53 (lysine-to-glutamic acid change at codon 81) identified in a MEN1 patient was suggested to be a driver mutation (Cancer-specific High-throughput Annotation of Somatic Mutations; P = .002). All MEN1 and 3/10 sporadic specimens demonstrated LOH of chromosome 11. CONCLUSION: Whole-exome sequencing revealed somatic mutations in MEN1 associated with a single tumorigenic network, whereas sporadic pathogenesis seemed to be more diverse. A somatic TP53 mutation was also identified. LOH of chromosome 11 was seen in all MEN1 and 3 of 10 sporadic patients.

Structure of nucleotide-binding domain 1 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that functions as a chloride channel. Nucleotide-binding domain 1 (NBD1), one of two ABC domains in CFTR, also contains sites for the predominant CF-causing mutation and, potentially, for regulatory phosphorylation. We have determined crystal structures for mouse NBD1 in unliganded, ADP- and ATP-bound states, with and without phosphorylation. This NBD1 differs from typical ABC domains in having added regulatory segments, a foreshortened subdomain interconnection, and an unusual nucleotide conformation. Moreover, isolated NBD1 has undetectable ATPase activity and its structure is essentially the same independent of ligand state. Phe508, which is commonly deleted in CF, is exposed at a putative NBD1-transmembrane interface. Our results are consistent with a CFTR mechanism, whereby channel gating occurs through ATP binding in an NBD1-NBD2 nucleotide sandwich that forms upon displacement of NBD1 regulatory segments.