Effect of early dose reduction of osimertinib on efficacy in the first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

Osimertinib is used as the first-line therapy for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, early dose reduction is often required due to adverse events (AEs). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of early dose reduction of osimertinib on efficacy and safety. This was a retrospective study including patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who were started on osimertinib as the first-line therapy between August 2018 and December 2021. Patients whose doses were reduced to less than 80 mg/day within 6 months of osimertinib initiation or started at 40 mg/day were defined as the dose reduction group. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Factors affecting PFS were explored using the Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 85 patients were included in this study. No significant differences in patient characteristics were observed between the dose reduction (n = 25) and standard dose groups (n = 60). The median PFS in the dose reduction group was significantly prolonged compared with that in the standard dose group (26.0 months vs. 12.0 months, p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis of 84 patients, excluding a patient with unknown brain metastasis, revealed that EGFR exon 21 L858R mutation, malignant pleural effusion or pleural metastasis, liver metastasis, and dose reduction within 6 months were independent factors affecting PFS. Early dose reduction of osimertinib is an effective therapeutic strategy for prolonging PFS in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

The Efficacy of Bepotastine Besilate Compared With Hydroxyzine Pamoate for Preventing Infusion Reactions to the First Dose of Rituximab in Patients With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Protocol for a Phase II, Double-Blind, Multicenter Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, can cause infusion reactions (IRs), especially during the initial rituximab infusion therapy. Generally, patients are administered a histamine H1-receptor antagonist before the rituximab infusion, along with an antipyretic analgesic, to prevent or reduce IRs. Multiple retrospective case-control studies indicate that the second generation of histamine H1-receptor antagonists might be more effective than the first generation in suppressing IRs caused by the rituximab infusion. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of first- and second-generation histamine H1-receptor antagonists for preventing IRs resulting from the initial infusion of rituximab in patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS: This is a phase II, double-blind, active-controlled randomized trial. It will be a multicenter study conducted across 3 facilities that aims to enroll a total of 40 patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who will receive their initial rituximab infusion. Participating patients will be administered hydroxyzine pamoate or bepotastine besilate, representing first- or second-generation histamine H1-receptor antagonists, respectively. This will be combined with 400-mg acetaminophen tablets taken approximately 30 minutes before the first infusion of rituximab. The primary end point of this trial is to assess severe IRs, equivalent to grade 2 or higher as defined by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0, that occur within a 4-hour period after the initiation of rituximab infusion. The secondary end points include assessing the severity of the initial IR, the maximum severity of the IR, and the duration between rituximab infusion initiation and the onset of the first IR within a 4-hour period. Additionally, the trial will evaluate histamine H1-receptor antagonist-induced drowsiness using the visual analogue scale, with each patient providing their individual response. RESULTS: This study began with patient recruitment in April 2023, with 17 participants enrolled as of November 12, 2023. The anticipated study completion is set for February 2026. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of oral first- and second-generation histamine H1-receptor antagonists in preventing IRs induced by the initial administration of rituximab. The findings from this study hold the potential to establish the rationale for a phase III study aimed at determining the standard premedication protocol for rituximab infusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs051220169; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs051220169. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/54882.

Luteolin Protects Against 6-Hydoroxydopamine-Induced Cell Death via an Upregulation of HRD1 and SEL1L.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is caused by many factors and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is considered as one of the responsible factors for it. ER stress induces the activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade unfolded proteins and suppress cell death. The ubiquitin ligase 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase degradation 1 (HRD1) and its stabilizing molecule, the suppressor/enhancer lin-12-like (SEL1L), can suppress the ER stress via the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and that HRD1 can also suppress cell death in familial and nonfamilial PD models. These findings indicate that HRD1 and SEL1L might be key proteins for the treatment of PD. Our study aimed to identify the compounds with the effects of upregulating the HRD1 expression and suppressing neuronal cell death in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cellular PD model. Our screening by the Drug Gene Budger, a drug repositioning tool, identified luteolin as a candidate compound for the desired modulation of the HRD1 expression. Subsequently, we confirmed that low concentrations of luteolin did not show cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, and used these low concentrations in the subsequent experiments. Next, we demonsrated that luteolin increased HRD1 and SEL1L mRNA levels and protein expressions. Furthermore, luteolin inhibited 6-OHDA-induced cell death and suppressed ER stress response caused by exposure to 6-OHDA. Finally, luteolin did not reppress 6-OHDA-induced cell death when expression of HRD1 or SEL1L was suppressed by RNA interference. These findings suggest that luteolin might be a novel therapeutic agent for PD due to its ability to suppress ER stress through the activation of HRD1 and SEL1L.

Upfront Use of First-/Second-Generation EGFR-TKI Followed by Osimertinib Shows Better Prognosis than Upfront Osimertinib Therapy in Japanese Patients with Non-small-cell Lung Cancer with Exon 19 Deletion: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Clinical evidence on the increased efficacy of sequential epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of upfront use of first-/second-generation TKI followed by osimertinib with upfront osimertinib therapy for each representative EGFR mutation in Japanese patients with NSCLC. Patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC were classified into two groups: first-/second-generation TKI followed by osimertinib (sequential TKI group) and upfront osimertinib groups. The total time to treatment failure (TTF) of TKI therapies, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 74 patients included in the analysis, 38 and 34 patients had exon 19 deletion and L858R, respectively, and other two patients had minor mutations. The sequential TKI group had a significantly longer TTF than the upfront osimertinib group in overall patients (33.2 vs. 11.2 months; p = 0.007) and in the subgroup of exon 19 deletion (36.7 vs. 10.0 months; p = 0.004), but not in the subgroup of L858R (22.6 vs. 15.6 months; p = 0.37). The similar tendency was observed in PFS. OS of the sequential TKI group was significantly longer compared with the upfront osimertinib group in overall patients, the subgroup of exon 19 deletion, and the subgroup of L858R. The upfront use of first-/second-generation TKI followed by osimertinib is one of the feasible and effective strategies in Japanese patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, especially in patients with exon 19 deletion.

Association of STAT3, CYP3A5, and ABCG2 Polymorphisms With Osimertinib-induced Adverse Events in NSCLC Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Osimertinib is a key drug for treating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genetic differences may be associated to adverse events (AEs) induced by osimertinib. This retrospective observational multicenter study evaluated the association of genotypes, including STAT3 -1697C>G, CYP3A5 6986A>G, and ABCG2 421C>A, with the incidence of osimertinib-induced AEs in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients treated with osimertinib (Institution A: 33 patients, Institution B: 52 patients) were enrolled in the study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR, and the incidence of AEs was compared for each genotype. RESULTS: Paronychia incidence was 59% for the CC genotype, 19% for the CG genotype, and 19% for the GG genotype at STAT3 -1697C>G. A genotype-related trend was observed (Cochran-Armitage test, p=0.009). Multivariate analysis showed that the CC genotype at STAT3 -1697C>G and female sex were significant independent factors associated with paronychia [odds ratio (OR)=6.41, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.94-21.20 and OR=3.40, 95%CI=1.03-11.22, respectively]. The incidence of diarrhea was 53% for the CC genotype, 30% for the AC genotype, and 29% for the AA genotype at ABCG2 421C>A, and a genotype-related trend was observed (p=0.048). However, the CC genotype at ABCG2 421C>A was not a significant independent factor associated with diarrhea in multivariate analysis. No significant associations were detected between other polymorphisms and the incidence of AEs. CONCLUSION: STAT3 -1697C>G may be a novel risk factor for osimertinib-induced paronychia in patients with NSCLC.

ALBI Grade Is a Predictive Factor of Lenvatinib Treatment Discontinuation due to Adverse Events in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Lenvatinib is a multiple-tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its systematic concentration varies according to liver function. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade is a novel indicator for predicting liver function in patients with hepatic disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ALBI grade and HCC patients' lenvatinib treatment duration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with HCC and Child-Pugh A treated with lenvatinib between April 2018 and December 2019. The baseline liver function was determined using the ALBI grade. The primary outcome was discontinuation owing to adverse events. The risk factors for discontinuation owing to adverse effects were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: This investigation included 48 HCC patients. Patients with ALBI grade 2 had a significantly shorter time of discontinuation due to adverse events than those with grade 1 (p=0.036). However, the time of treatment failure did not differ between the groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that ALBI grade 2 and non-use of antihypertensive drugs were independent factors for discontinuation due to adverse events [odds ratio (OR)=14.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.46-135, p=0.022 and OR=5.48, 95% CI=1.13-23.9, p=0.024, respectively]. CONCLUSION: The ALBI grades may be useful in predicting adverse events caused by lenvatinib in patients with HCC and Child-Pugh A.

Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Survival Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic or Unresectable Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Pembrolizumab.

The gut microbiome influences tumor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The proton pump inhibitors (PPI) significantly impair diversity of the gut microbiota and can affect the efficacy of ICIs. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of PPI on survival in patients with metastatic or unresectable urothelial carcinoma receiving pembrolizumab. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with metastatic or unresectable urothelial carcinoma receiving pembrolizumab. The use of PPI was defined as any administration for ≥30 d within 60 d prior and/or 30 d after treatment initiation. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to investigate prognostic factors based on patient characteristics. Seventy-nine patients were included in the analysis, and 34 patients (43.0%) received PPI. There were no significant differences in OS and PFS between PPI users and nonusers (median OS: 8.2 months vs. 11.2 months, hazard ratio (HR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75-2.42, p = 0.296; median PFS: 3.5 months vs. 5.1 months, HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 0.95-2.80, p = 0.069). In the multivariable analysis, PPI use was not associated with OS (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.40-1.56, p = 0.526) or PFS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 0.79-2.60, p = 0.233). In conclusion, the estimated effect size of PPI use on survival in Japanese patients with metastatic or unresectable urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab was not reproducible.

Effectiveness of pharmacist intervention for deprescribing potentially inappropriate medications: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and polypharmacy in older adults lead to increase the risk of adverse drug events. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacist intervention combining the criteria for detecting PIMs with the deprescribing algorithm on correcting PIMs, reducing the number of medications, and readmissions. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at a Japanese University Hospital enrolling new inpatients aged ≥65 years prescribed ≥1 daily medication. Pharmacists detected PIMs based on the criteria combined the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria version 2 with the screening tool for older persons' appropriate prescriptions for Japanese, examined changes using the deprescribing algorithm, and suggested changes to the physician. The proportion of patients whose number of medications was reduced at discharge and the rate of readmissions within 30 and 90 days were compared between patients without PIMs (without PIMs group), patients who were not suggested to change PIMs (no suggestions group), and patients who were suggested to change PIMs (suggested group). RESULTS: The study enrolled 544 patients (median age 75.0 years, 54.4% males, median number of medications 6.0/patient). The number of patients with PIMs was 240 (44.1%), and 304 patients had no PIMs (without PIMs group). Among the patients with PIMs, 125 (52.1%) patients received pharmacist suggestions to change ≥1 PIMs (suggested group), and 115 patients received no suggestions for change (no suggestions group). The total number of PIMs was 432, of which changes were suggested for 189 (43.8%). Of these 189 cases, 172 (91.0%) were changed. The proportion of patients whose number of medications was reduced was significantly higher in the suggested group than in the without PIMs group and the no suggestions group [56.8% (71/125) vs. 26.6% (81/304) and 19.1% (22/115), respectively; P < 0.001 in both comparisons]. There were no significant differences in the rates of readmissions within 30 and 90 days among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist intervention combining the criteria for detecting PIMs with the deprescribing algorithm was effective for correcting PIMs and may be associated with a reduction in the number of medications.

Safety and Efficacy of Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate as Prophylaxis for Hand-Foot Skin Reaction: A Single-Arm, Open-Label Phase I/II Study (DGA Study).

BACKGROUND: Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) induced by multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is a serious side effect that can cause treatment interruption or decreased dosing. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bis-glyceryl ascorbate (Amitose bis(di)-glyceryl ascorbate [DGA])-containing cream (DGA cream) for the prevention of sunitinib-induced HFSR. METHODS: A single-arm, open-label phase I/II study was conducted, targeting patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who were receiving sunitinib therapy with a schedule of 2 weeks on/1 week off. The participants applied DGA cream to both palmar and plantar surfaces in combination with a moisturizing agent as standard-of-care prophylaxis during two sunitinib treatment cycles (6 weeks). The primary endpoint in phase I was safety defined as dermatological abnormalities and it was determined in the first five participants. The primary endpoint in phase II was efficacy defined as development of grade 1 or higher HFSR defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events within 6 weeks and it was determined on a full analysis set (FAS) defined as the population including all participants who used DGA cream once in the study duration. Efficacy in the per protocol set (PPS) defined as the population excluding seven patients whose study treatment was interrupted was evaluated as a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were enrolled as a FAS. No dermatological abnormalities occurred in the first 5 patients enrolled in the phase I study. Three patients developed HFSR (grade 1: n = 2, grade 2: n = 1) in the observation period. The HFSR incidence rate was 12.5% (3/24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.7%-32.4%) in the FAS, which was significantly lower than the incidence rate predefined as a threshold of 33.3% by a previous report from our hospital (P = .030). The incidence rate in the 17 patients of the PPS was 17.6% (3/17; 95%CI: 3.8%-43.4%). CONCLUSION: DGA cream may be safe and effective in the prophylaxis of HFSR in mRCC patients who receive sunitinib therapy (Trial ID: jRCTs051180051).

STAT3 Polymorphism Associates With mTOR Inhibitor-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma.

We evaluated the association of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) polymorphisms with the incidence of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We also used lung-derived cell lines to investigate the mechanisms of this association. Japanese patients with metastatic RCC who were treated with mTOR inhibitors were genotyped for the STAT3 polymorphism, rs4796793 (1697C/G). We evaluated the association of the STAT3 genotype with the incidence of ILD and therapeutic outcome. In the 57 patients included in the primary analysis, the ILD rate within 140 days was significantly higher in patients with the GG genotype compared with those with other genotypes (77.8% vs. 23.1%, odds ratio=11.67, 95% confidential interval=3.0644.46). There were no significant differences in progression-free survival or time-to-treatment failure between the patients with the GG genotype and those with other genotypes. An in vitro study demonstrated that some lung-derived cell lines carrying the GG genotype exhibited an increase in the expression of mesenchymal markers, such as fibronectin, N-cadherin, and vimentin, and decreases in E-cadherin, which is an epithelial marker associated with exposure to everolimus, although STAT3 expression and activity were not related to the genotype. In conclusion, the GG genotype of the STAT3 rs4796793 polymorphism increases the risk of mTOR inhibitor-induced ILD, supporting its use as a predictive marker for RCC.

Association of sunitinib concentration and clinical outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with a 2-week-on and 1-week-off schedule.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Sunitinib is used as a first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The primary aim of this study was to determine the optimal total sunitinib (sunitinib plus N-desethyl sunitinib) trough concentration for the alternative dosing schedule: 2-week-on and 1-week-off schedule (2/1 schedule). METHODS: Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with the 2/1 schedule of sunitinib, whose total sunitinib concentrations were available, were recruited for this study. Out of 19 patients, 17 whose sunitinib dosage was not changed until the measurement of drug concentration were eligible for the analysis of the relationship between total sunitinib concentration and clinical outcome. Individual pharmacokinetic parameters in 19 patients were estimated via the Bayesian analysis. RESULTS: The onset of severe (grade ≥3) adverse effects among 17 patients during 3 weeks as a first course of sunitinib therapy was observed in 7 (41.2%) patients. The median total sunitinib concentration in patients with severe adverse effects was significantly higher compared with that in patients without severe adverse effects [median: 119 (113-131) vs. 87.8 (77.4-102) ng/mL, p = 0.01]. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis of the onset of severe adverse effects, the cut-off value of the total sunitinib concentration was 108 ng/mL. Patients with a total sunitinib concentration lower than 108 ng/mL had a longer time to first dose reduction or withdrawal due to adverse effects compared with those with a total sunitinib concentration of 108 ng/mL or higher (p = 0.03). The probability without treatment failure was not significantly different between the two concentration groups. In addition, the estimated sunitinib apparent oral clearance (CL/F) was significantly lower in the severe adverse effects group. Our simulation demonstrated that 0.67-time dose is needed for patients with approximately 90.0 ng/mL of sunitinib concentration on day 7 to maintain the concentration at the same level as the patients with higher CL/F. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Maintaining the total sunitinib trough concentrations of less than 108 ng/mL is safe to avoid the onset of serious adverse effects without increasing the treatment failure in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with the 2/1 schedule of sunitinib.

Induction of Cross-resistance to ABCB1 Substrates in Venetoclax-resistant Human Leukemia HL60 Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Resistance to venetoclax, a selective inhibitor of BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), is regarded as a clinical problem. However, it is unclear whether resistance to venetoclax induces cross-resistance to other drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Venetoclax-resistant HL60/VEN cells were newly established through continuous exposure of human acute promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells to venetoclax, and drug sensitivity, apoptotic activity, and mRNA expression were compared between HL60 and HL60/VEN cells. RESULTS: HL60/VEN cells displayed approximately 3-fold resistance to venetoclax, maintained their ability to synthesize DNA and had low apoptotic activity. HL60/VEN cells also exhibited diverse sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs, especially resistance to ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) substrates, and up-regulation of ABCB1 mRNA. However, the sensitivity of HL60/VEN cells to venetoclax was not restored by ABCB1 inhibitor. ABCB1-overexpressing cells did not show resistance to venetoclax. CONCLUSION: HL60/VEN cells exhibited up-regulation of ABCB1 in addition to an alteration in apoptotic activity, and cross-resistance to ABCB1 substrates was clarified. However, sensitivity to venetoclax was hardly affected by ABCB1.

Pronociceptive Roles of Schwann Cell-Derived Galectin-3 in Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting side effect of taxanes such as paclitaxel and docetaxel. Despite the high medical needs, insufficient understanding of the complex mechanism underlying CIPN pathogenesis precludes any endorsed causal therapy to prevent or relieve CIPN. In this study, we report that elevation of plasma galectin-3 level is a pathologic change common to both patients with taxane-treated breast cancer with CIPN and a mouse model of taxane-related CIPN. Following multiple intraperitoneal injections of paclitaxel in mice, galectin-3 levels were elevated in Schwann cells within the sciatic nerve but not in other peripheral organs or cells expressing galectin-3. Consistent with this, paclitaxel treatment of primary cultures of rat Schwann cells induced upregulation and secretion of galectin-3. In vitro migration assays revealed that recombinant galectin-3 induced a chemotactic response of the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. In addition, perineural administration of galectin-3 to the sciatic nerve of naive mice mimicked paclitaxel-induced macrophage infiltration and mechanical hypersensitivity. By contrast, chemical depletion of macrophages by clodronate liposomes suppressed paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity despite the higher level of plasma galectin-3. Deficiency (Galectin-3 -/- mice) or pharmacologic inhibition of galectin-3 inhibited paclitaxel-induced macrophage infiltration and mechanical hypersensitivity. In conclusion, we propose that Schwann cell-derived galectin-3 plays a pronociceptive role via macrophage infiltration in the pathogenesis of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. Therapies targeting this phenomenon, which is common to patients with CIPN and mouse models, represent a novel approach to suppress taxane-related CIPN. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that the elevation of plasma galectin-3 is a CIPN-related pathologic change common to humans and mice, and that targeting galectin-3 is a therapeutic option to delay CIPN progression.

Sunitinib decreases the expression of KRT6A and SERPINB1 in 3D human epidermal models.

Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) is a common side effect caused by several tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including sunitinib. However, the nature of the cornifying factors related to the molecular biological mechanisms underlying HFSR remains poorly understood. We used human keratinocyte models to investigate the key cornifying factors for dermatological and biological abnormalities induced by sunitinib. On the basis of the results of microarray analysis using the three-dimensional (3D) human epidermal model, keratin (KRT)6A, serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN)B1, KRT5, and SERPIN Kazal-type 6 were selected as candidate genes related to HFSR. Sunitinib treatment significantly decreased the expression of SERPINB1 and KRT6A in the immunohistochemical staining of the 3D epidermal model. In PSVK1 cells, but not in normal human epidermal keratinocyte cells, both of which are human normal keratinocyte cell lines, sunitinib decreased the expression of KRT6A with a concomitant decrease in levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Inhibitors of the ERK and p38 MAPK signal pathways also significantly decreased KRT6A expression. Sunitinib-induced decrease in KRT6A expression was suppressed by the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß by enhancing ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Thus, sunitinib reduces the expression of KRT6A and SERPINB1 by inhibiting the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signalling pathways in the skin model. These changes in expression contribute to the pathology of HFSR.

Model-based assessment of pharmacokinetic changes of sunitinib, tacrolimus, and everolimus in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma after renal transplantation.

The safety of the coadministration of sunitinib with tacrolimus and everolimus with regard to therapeutic drug monitoring has not been demonstrated. Here, we report a patient who showed high sunitinib concentrations, in addition to pharmacokinetic changes in tacrolimus and everolimus after sunitinib therapy. A living-donor renal transplant patient treated with tacrolimus and everolimus was diagnosed with pulmonary and pleural metastases of renal cell carcinoma. The patient received sunitinib therapy (37.5 mg/day, 2 weeks on and 1 week off). This patient exhibited a high total sunitinib concentration (sunitinib, 105.8 ng/mL; N-desethyl sunitinib, 27.9 ng/mL) on day 10 postinitiation and experienced grade 3 diarrhea. The observed sunitinib concentrations were a little higher than those reported in the 421C>A polymorphism of the ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 gene carrier. The observed concentrations of both tacrolimus and everolimus gradually decreased compared with the Bayesian-predicted values after the onset of sunitinib therapy, and the doses of tacrolimus and everolimus were increased. Careful therapeutic drug monitoring of sunitinib, tacrolimus, and everolimus concentrations is necessary during combination therapy, especially after episodes of diarrhea.

Schwann cell-derived CXCL1 contributes to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120-induced neuropathic pain by modulating macrophage infiltration in mice.

The neuroinflammatory responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coat proteins, such as glycoprotein 120 (gp120), are considered to be responsible for the HIV-associated distal sensory neuropathy. Accumulating evidences suggest that T-cell line tropic X4 gp120 increases macrophage infiltration into the peripheral nerves, and thereby induces neuroinflammation leading to pain. However, the mechanisms underlying X4 gp120-induced macrophage recruitment to the peripheral nervous systems remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that perineural application of X4 gp120 from HIV-1 strains IIIB and MN elicited mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous pain-like behaviors in mice. Furthermore, flow cytometry and immunohistochemical studies revealed increased infiltration of bone marrow-derived macrophages into the parenchyma of sciatic nerves and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) 7 days after gp120 IIIB or MN application. Chemical deletion of circulating macrophages using clodronate liposomes markedly suppressed gp120 IIIB-induced pain-like behaviors. In in vitro cell infiltration analysis, RAW 264.7 cell (a murine macrophage cell line) was chemoattracted to conditioned medium from gp120 IIIB- or MN-treated cultured Schwann cells, but not to conditioned medium from these gp120-treated DRG neurons, suggesting possible involvement of Schwann cell-derived soluble factors in macrophage infiltration. We identified using a gene expression array that CXCL1, a chemoattractant of macrophages and neutrophils, was increased in gp120 IIIB-treated cultured Schwann cells. Similar to gp120 IIIB or MN, perineural application of recombinant CXCL1 elicited pain-like behaviors accompanied by macrophage infiltration to the peripheral nerves. Furthermore, the repeated injection of CXCR2 (receptor for CXCL1) antagonist or CXCL1 neutralizing antibody prevented both pain-like behaviors and macrophage infiltration in gp120 IIIB-treated mice. Thus, the present study newly defines that Schwann cell-derived CXCL1, secreted in response to X4 gp120 exposure, is responsible for macrophage infiltration into peripheral nerves, and is thereby associated with pain-like behaviors in mice. We propose herein that communication between Schwann cells and macrophages may play a prominent role in the induction of X4 HIV-1-associated pain.

Long-Chain Polyphosphate Is a Potential Agent for Inducing Mucosal Healing of the Colon in Ulcerative Colitis.

The goal of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment has recently been shown to be "mucosal healing," as no drug directly induces mucosal healing. Probiotics possess sufficient safety, but their efficacy in the treatment of UC remains controversial because of the influence of intestinal conditions. It is believed that the identification of bioactive molecules produced by probiotics and their application will help to solve this issue. We therefore identified a probiotic-derived long-chain polyphosphate as a molecule enhancing the intestinal barrier function. This study demonstrated that long-chain polyphosphate exhibited antiinflammatory effects in a human macrophage and interleukin-10 knockout transfusion mouse model. The first-in-human trial showed that 7 of the 10 enrolled patients acquired clinical remission, 4 of whom achieved endoscopic remission despite a history of treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents. No adverse reactions were observed. Long-chain polyphosphate might be useful for the treatment of refractory UC, even in patients with failure or intolerance to anti-TNF-α therapy.

Add-on effects of tadalafil in tamsulosin-treated patients with small benign prostatic enlargement: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study.

AIM: To assess the add-on effects of tadalafil in patients with a relatively small benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) treated with tamsulosin. METHODS: From September 2014 to July 2018, we prospectively studied patients (aged 50 years or more) attending our hospital who had received tamsulosin for small BPE (20-40 mL) for 4 weeks at least and still had residual lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with total International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) of at least 8 and IPSS-quality of life scores at least 3. We randomized eligible patients into two groups: one of which received tadalafil 5 mg once daily for 6 weeks, followed by placebo for 6 weeks, and the other of which received placebo followed by tadalafil in the same manner. The patients were reviewed at our outpatient clinic after 2, 6, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: There were 13 patients in the tadalafil-placebo and 13 in the placebo-tadalafil group. Their median ages (range) were 70 (65-85) and 73 (50-80) years, prostatic volumes (median) 30.0 (22.0-39.7) and 32.0 (20.1-39.5) mL, and total IPSS (median) 17 (10-27) and 16 (10-24), respectively. The primary endpoints, namely mean changes of total IPSS from baseline, were 1.85 on placebo and -3.42 on tadalafil; this difference is statistically significant (difference: -1.57; 95% confidence interval: -3.00, -0.69; P = .032). We encountered no adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Add-on of tadalafil for symptomatic patients with small BPE treated with tamsulosin appears to be effective and safe.

Improvement of peripheral vascular impairment by a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil prevents oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice.

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic drug, frequently induces peripheral neuropathy. Accumulating evidences suggest a possible relationship between peripheral vascular impairment and peripheral neuropathy. In this study, we investigated the effects of vasodilators on cumulative peripheral neuropathy induced by repeated injections of oxaliplatin (10 mg/kg) once a week for 8 weeks in mice. Single injections of vasodilators, including a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil acutely alleviated oxaliplatin-induced cold hypersensitivity, while tadalafil had no effect on the mechanical hypersensitivity. By contrast, long-term administration of tadalafil (0.1% in chow diets) during the oxaliplatin injection period reduced the oxaliplatin-induced decreases in skin temperature and blood flow without affecting platinum concentrations in blood, sciatic nerves, and dorsal root ganglion. The long-term administration significantly suppressed cold, mechanical, and electrical current hypersensitivities as well as thermal hypoesthesia. Furthermore, it prevented the decreases in sensory nerve conductance velocity and the number of endoneurial microvessels, and axon degeneration in the sciatic nerves. In vitro studies confirmed that tadalafil does not interfere with the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin against human cancer cell lines. Altogether, these results suggest that improvement of peripheral vascular impairment by tadalafil could alleviate and prevent oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Concentration and Glycoform of Rituximab in Plasma of Patients with B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Therapeutic antibodies have heterogeneities in their structures, although its structural alteration in the body is unclear. Here, we analyzed the change of amino acid modifications and carbohydrate chains of rituximab after administration to patients. METHODS: Twenty B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients who were treated with rituximab for the first time or after more than one year's abstinence were recruited. Structural analysis of rituximab was carried out at 1 h after administration and at the trough by using liquid chromatography/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. Plasma rituximab concentration and pharmacodynamic markers were also determined. RESULTS: Of recruited twenty, 3 patients exhibited rapid rituximab clearance. Nine types of carbohydrate chains were detected in rituximab isolated from the blood. The composition ratios in some glycoforms were significantly different between at 1 h after administration and at the trough, although consisted amino acids remained unchanged. The patients with high clearance showed extensive alterations of glycoform composition ratios. However, pharmacodynamics makers were not different. CONCLUSION: Inter-individual variations in plasma concentrations of rituximab were found in some B-NHL patients. We could analyze a change in glycoforms of rituximab in the patients, and this finding may affect the pharmacokinetics of rituximab.