Association of immune-related adverse events with durvalumab efficacy after chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been found to predict PD-L1 inhibitor efficacy in metastatic NSCLC. However, the relation of irAEs to clinical outcome for nonmetastatic NSCLC has remained unknown. METHODS: In this multicenter prospective study of Stage III NSCLC treated with PACIFIC regimen, the relation of irAEs to PFS was evaluated by 8-week landmark analysis to minimise lead-time bias as well as by multivariable analysis adjusted for baseline factors. irAEs were categorised as mild or nonmild according to whether they were treated with systemic steroid. RESULTS: Median PFS was 16.0 months, not reached, and 9.7 months for patients without (85 cases) or with mild (21 cases) or nonmild (21 cases) irAEs, respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that nonmild irAEs were associated with poor PFS, with HRs of 3.86 (95% CI, 1.31-11.38) compared with no irAEs and 11.58 (95% CI, 2.11-63.63) compared with mild irAEs. This pattern was consistent after irAE grade, the number of durvalumab doses and immune profiles (PD-L1 score, CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte density, and tumour mutation burden) were taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: The development of mild irAEs might predict a better survival outcome, whereas immunosuppressive steroid-treated irAEs were associated with a worse outcome, regardless of baseline clinical and immune profiles.

Cystine and theanine for chemoradiotherapy-induced esophagitis in non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Although several potential radioprotectants have been explored, radiation esophagitis is still difficult to control. Further development of supportive therapies is required. Our purpose was to investigate the efficacy and safety of cystine and theanine for esophagitis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: This study is a prospective observational study. The participants were recruited from unresectable locally advanced NSCLC who had scheduled to receive weekly paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin plus radiation therapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) for 6 weeks. They took an oral amino acid supplement containing 700 mg cystine and 280 mg theanine once daily regardless of CRT timing from the start of CRT until completion. The primary endpoint was the incidence of any grade esophagitis. The secondary endpoints were quality of life (QoL) and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were evaluated. All participants completed 60 Gy of RT in 30 fractions. The overall incidence of esophagitis was 73%; however, no ≥ grade 3 was reported. There were no AEs likely to be related to cystine and theanine. The mean EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level health index score before and after chemoradiotherapy was 0.952 ± 0.0591 and 0.952 ± 0.0515 (P = 0.89), and the mean Visual Analogue Scale scores before and after treatment were 67.9 ± 15.4 and 79.4 ± 13.2 (P = 0.0047), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed no severe esophagitis, any AEs, nor QoL decrease in NSCLC patients receiving CRT. Cystine and theanine are potentially effective to reduce severe CRT-induced esophagitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000052622, 26 October 2023, retrospectively registered.

[Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer].

Oligometastases(Oligo-meta)were first defined in breast cancer, and the criteria are a small number of metastases and the possibility of local treatment for all lesions. It has been pointed out that the addition of local therapy to standard therapy may prolong survival in the treatment of Oligo-meta, and the same is possible in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Since NSCLC can metastasize to various organs, local treatment options for Oligo-meta differ depending on the metastatic organ. Therefore, when treating Oligo-meta in NSCLC, multidisciplinary treatment is necessary, considering various conditions such as patient background and metastatic sites, and in collaboration with various departments. In recent years, the mainstay of treatment of NSCLC has shifted to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The treatment of Oligo-meta in combination with these drugs may enhance the therapeutic effect. Several clinical trials are currently underway for the treatment of Oligo-meta in NSCLC, combining local therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and we look forward to the results of these trials.

Real-world data on NGS using the Oncomine DxTT for detecting genetic alterations in non-small-cell lung cancer: WJOG13019L.

Considering the increasing number of identified driver oncogene alterations, additional genetic tests are required to determine the treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Next-generation sequencing can detect multiple driver oncogenes simultaneously, enabling the analysis of limited amounts of biopsied tissue samples. In this retrospective, multicenter study (UMIN ID000039523), we evaluated real-world clinical data using the Oncomine Dx Target Test Multi-CDx System (Oncomine DxTT) as a companion diagnostic system. Patients with NSCLC who were tested for a panel of 46 genes using the Oncomine DxTT between June 2019 and January 2020 were eligible for enrollment. Patients from 19 institutions affiliated to the West Japan Oncology Group were recruited. The primary endpoint of the study was the success rate of genetic alteration testing in four driver genes (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF) using the Oncomine DxTT. In total, 533 patients were enrolled in the study. The success rate of genetic alteration testing for all four genes was 80.1% (95% CI 76.5%-83.4%). Surgical resection was associated with the highest success rate (88.0%), which was significantly higher than that for bronchoscopic biopsy (76.8%, P = .005). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference for surgical resection alone (P = .006, 95% CI 1.36-6.18, odds ratio 2.90). Although the success rate of genetic alteration testing immediately after Oncomine DxTT induction was not sufficient in this study, optimizing specimen quantity and quality may improve the use of driver gene testing in clinical settings.

Durvalumab for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer and grade 1 radiation pneumonitis following concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Introduction/Background Durvalumab demonstrated a good efficacy and safety in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in the PACIFIC trial. Although a history of radiation pneumonitis (RP) has been reported to increase the risk of pneumonitis associated with programmed death-1 inhibitors, the safety and efficacy of durvalumab in patients with baseline Grade 1 RP have not been assessed. Therefore, we carried out a multicenter prospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of durvalumab in these patients. Patients and Methods This was a multicenter prospective cohort study of 35 patients with Grade 1 RP after CCRT and before durvalumab initiation. This study was a first prespecified analysis for the first 20 patients with the primary objective of assessing the short-term safety; it was assessed 3 months after durvalumab initiation. Results Twenty patients were enrolled in this study between March 1, 2019, and September 3, 2019. Three patients (15%) experienced drug-related Grade ≥3 adverse events, while three patients (15%) had Grade ≥2 pneumonitis/RP within 3 months after durvalumab initiation. Three months after durvalumab initiation, all the patients were alive and four patients (20%) experienced disease progression. Conclusion Durvalumab can be a feasible treatment option for patients with stage III NSCLC with baseline Grade 1 RP following CCRT.(Trial registration number: UMIN000036061. The registration period was between March 2019 and December 2019.).

Inhibition of GCN2 sensitizes ASNS-low cancer cells to asparaginase by disrupting the amino acid response.

General control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) plays a major role in the cellular response to amino acid limitation. Although maintenance of amino acid homeostasis is critical for tumor growth, the contribution of GCN2 to cancer cell survival and proliferation is poorly understood. In this study, we generated GCN2 inhibitors and demonstrated that inhibition of GCN2 sensitizes cancer cells with low basal-level expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) to the antileukemic agent l-asparaginase (ASNase) in vitro and in vivo. We first tested acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells and showed that treatment with GCN2 inhibitors rendered ALL cells sensitive to ASNase by preventing the induction of ASNS, resulting in reduced levels of de novo protein synthesis. Comprehensive gene-expression profiling revealed that combined treatment with ASNase and GCN2 inhibitors induced the stress-activated MAPK pathway, thereby triggering apoptosis. By using cell-panel analyses, we also showed that acute myelogenous leukemia and pancreatic cancer cells were highly sensitive to the combined treatment. Notably, basal ASNS expression at protein levels was significantly correlated with sensitivity to combined treatment. These results provide mechanistic insights into the role of GCN2 in the amino acid response and a rationale for further investigation of GCN2 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

[How to Preserve QOL of Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer-Cutting‒Edge Treatment of Brain and Bone Metastases].

Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)frequently develops both brain metastases and bone metastases. Considering the negative effects on quality of life(QOL), it is essential to manage properly these metastases. In patients with limited‒disease(LD) SCLC who have a good response to chemoradiotherapy, prophylactic cranial irradiation(PCI)is given to decrease brain metastases. As for brain metastases in patients with extensive‒disease(ED)SCLC, whole brain radiation therapy(WBRT)is a standard of care, because patients with brain metastases tend to develop multiple brain metastases. However, both PCI and WBRT are associated with adverse events such as neurocognitive decline, which leads to QOL deterioration in some patients. Therefore, in patients not receiving PCI, regular magnetic resonance imaging surveillance and treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS)or WBRT upon detection could be a reasonable alternative in some patients. As for brain metastases in ED‒SCLC, front‒line SRS might be preferred rather than WBRT in some cases. Bone metastases could cause pain, bone fracture, epidural spinal cord compression and hypercalcemia, which could require radiation therapy or surgery. Since these morbid conditions called skeletal‒related events substantially reduce QOL, providing appropriate treatments as early as possible is important. Therapeutic options include analgesia, radiation therapy, surgery, and bone modifying agents. Choosing best treatments among them according to patients' condition is required. Optimal treatment of brain and bone metastases requires proper local control, which is important in preserving QOL. As treatment method differs in individual patients, multidisciplinary approach is essential.

Phase I study of vorinostat with gefitinib in BIM deletion polymorphism/epidermal growth factor receptor mutation double-positive lung cancer.

Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring BIM deletion polymorphism (BIM deletion) have poor responses to EGFR TKI. Mechanistically, the BIM deletion induces preferential splicing of the non-functional exon 3-containing isoform over the functional exon 4-containing isoform, impairing TKI-induced, BIM-dependent apoptosis. Histone deacetylase inhibitor, vorinostat, resensitizes BIM deletion-containing NSCLC cells to EGFR-TKI. In the present study, we determined the safety of vorinostat-gefitinib combination and evaluated pharmacodynamic biomarkers of vorinostat activity. Patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC with the BIM deletion, pretreated with EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy, were recruited. Vorinostat (200, 300, 400 mg) was given daily on days 1-7, and gefitinib 250 mg was given daily on days 1-14. Vorinostat doses were escalated based on a conventional 3 + 3 design. Pharmacodynamic markers were measured using PBMC collected at baseline and 4 hours after vorinostat dose on day 2 in cycle 1. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were observed in 12 patients. We determined 400 mg vorinostat as the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Median progression-free survival was 5.2 months (95% CI: 1.4-15.7). Disease control rate at 6 weeks was 83.3% (10/12). Vorinostat preferentially induced BIM mRNA-containing exon 4 over mRNA-containing exon 3, acetylated histone H3 protein, and proapoptotic BIMEL protein in 11/11, 10/11, and 5/11 patients, respectively. These data indicate that RP2D was 400 mg vorinostat combined with gefitinib in BIM deletion/EGFR mutation double-positive NSCLC. BIM mRNA exon 3/exon 4 ratio in PBMC may be a useful pharmacodynamic marker for treatment.

Assessment of exposure risk of irinotecan and its active metabolite, SN-38, through perspiration during chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan (CPT-11) is the key drug used in chemotherapy for many malignant tumors. CPT-11 has cholinergic activity and induces perspiration during intravenous administration. In this study, concentrations of CPT-11 and its active metabolite, SN-38, released during perspiration were measured and risk of exposure of these drugs was assessed. METHOD: Beads of sweat were collected using a dropper from four patients undergoing a chemotherapy regimen involving intravenous administration of CPT-11. The concentrations of CPT-11 and SN-38 in sweat were measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. RESULT: Chemotherapy regimens were capecitabine and irinotecan plus bevacizumab (n = 1), CPT-11 monotherapy (n = 1), and oxaliplatin-irinotecan-leucovorin-5-fluorouracil (n = 2). Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 phenotypes were *6 homo-type (n = 1), *6 hetero-type (n = 1), and wild type (n = 2). CPT-11 dose was 292.3 ± 75.5 mg/body weight (mean ± standard deviation). CPT-11 was detected in sweat secreted by all the four patients, and its mean (±standard deviation) concentration was 252.6 (±111.9) ng/ml. SN-38 was detected in only one of the patients who received oxaliplatin-irinotecan-leucovorin-5-fluorouracil treatment and who had the wild-type uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 phenotype at a concentration of 74.37 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: CPT-11 and SN-38 are detected in sweat released during intravenous CPT-11 administration. Beads of sweat or linen clothes that absorb the sweat might be the source of CPT-11 and SN-38 exposure.

Afatinib plus bevacizumab combination after acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: Multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 trial (ABC Study).

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies suggested that the addition of bevacizumab could overcome acquired resistance (AR) to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a combination of afatinib and bevacizumab after AR. METHODS: Patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer after AR were enrolled during any line of therapy. Afatinib was prescribed at 30 mg, and 15 mg/kg bevacizumab was administered every 3 weeks until progression. RESULTS: Between October 2014 and May 2017, 32 eligible patients were evaluated. The mutation subtypes were Del-19 (20 [63%]), L858R (11 [34%]), and L861Q (1 [3%]). T790M was detected in 14 patients (44%). The median number of prior regimens was 4 (range, 1-10). Six patients obtained a partial response, and 23 had stable disease; this resulted in an objective response rate (ORR) of 18.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.2%-36.4%) and a disease control rate of 90.7% (95% CI, 75.0%-98.0%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months (95% CI, 3.9-8.7 months). The ORRs and median PFS times of T790M+ and T790M- patients were 14.3% and 22.2%, respectively, and 6.3 and 7.1 months, respectively; those of Del-19 and L858R patients were 20.0% and 11.1%, respectively, and 6.3 and 5.1 months, respectively. Grade 3 or higher adverse events (incidence ≥ 10%) included paronychia (25%), hypertension (41%), and proteinuria (19%). There were no treatment-related deaths, interstitial lung disease, or bevacizumab-associated severe bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Afatinib plus bevacizumab demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety after AR to EGFR TKIs and could be a therapeutic salvage option for T790M- populations.

Standard-dose osimertinib for refractory leptomeningeal metastases in T790M-positive EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Osimertinib demonstrated promising efficacy for refractory leptomeningeal metastases (LM) in preclinical data and a clinical study at 160 mg, but there is limited data for the standard 80 mg dose. METHODS: T790M-positive patients with suspected LM after classical epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) failure were enroled. RESULTS: We investigated 13 patients (5 definitive and 8 possible LM cases). In two of the five definitive cases with T790M in and outside the central nervous system (CNS), osimertinib was effective for both lesions, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clearance of cancer cells and sensitive/T790M mutations. In three definitive cases with extra-CNS T790M without CSF T790M, cancer cells and sensitive mutations in the CSF persisted after osimertinib initiation. The median progression-free survival of all 13 patients was 7.2 months. Osimertinib was generally well-tolerated despite poor performance status, but interstitial lung disease (grade 2) was confirmed in one patient. Based on 25 samples from 13 patients, the osimertinib CSF penetration rate was 2.5±0.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Osimertinib 80 mg is a useful therapeutic option for refractory LM after classical EGFR-TKI failure. It appears more effective in CSF T790M-positive cases.

Efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies after discontinuation due to adverse events in non-small cell lung cancer patients (HANSHIN 0316).

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as promising therapeutic agents in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the duration for which ICIs should be continued remains a clinical problem. METHODS: We examined the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors after the discontinuation of antibodies due to adverse events (AEs) in patients with NSCLC. This was a multicenter retrospective study that analyzed NSCLC patients who were treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors by August 2016. RESULTS: The patients with NSCLC were 18 males and 1 female at a median 67 years of age (range: 49-80 years). Eighteen of 19 patients were treated with nivolumab, one was with atezolizumab. Approximately half of AEs were interstitial pneumonia. Fourteen patients (73.7%) were treated with steroid therapy. The median number of treatment cycles was 7 (range, 1-70), and the median duration of treatment was 2.8 months (range, 1 day-32.9 months). The overall response rate with confirmation during treatment was 21.1%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.2-17.1 months) and 5.6 months (95% CI = 0-12.2 months) from the initiation and the discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 treatment, respectively. The median PFS after discontinuation according to the confirmed response during administration was not reached for partial response (PR) and 4.9 months (95% CI, 3.7-6.0) for stable disease (SD) patients (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The PFS of the PR patients was completely different from that of the SD patients. The cases with PR prior to the onset of AE tended to show a durable response after the discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Differential efficacy of cisplatin plus pemetrexed between L858R and Del-19 in advanced EGFR-mutant non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: LUX-Lung 3 showed afatinib improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with cisplatin plus pemetrexed in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. In this study, chemotherapy efficacy tended to differ between patients with Leu858Arg (L858R) point mutation and Exon 19 deletion (Del-19); PFS in L858R patients (8.1 months) was greater than in Del-19 patients (5.6 months). We investigated whether there is any difference in efficacy of cisplatin plus pemetrexed between Del-19 and L858R. METHODS: This study is a multicenter retrospective study. We reviewed medical records of patients who had received cisplatin plus pemetrexed as first line chemotherapy. Efficacies were evaluated between EGFR mutation status: Del-19 and L858R. Wild type cases were reference arm only, and not included in any statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among 304 patients, 78 (25.7%) harbored EGFR mutations: Del-19 (36/78 patients, 46.2%); and L858R (42/78, 53.8%). Median PFS of L858R group (9.4 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.0-12.6) was significantly longer than Del-19 group (5.5 months, 95% CI, 3.6-8.6) (p = 0.049). Response rate (RR) and OS presented no significant difference between L858R and Del-19. In multivariate analysis, EGFR mutation status (L858R versus Del-19) was the only significant factor for longer PFS (Hazard ratio [HR]: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62-0.98) (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Our study indicated better efficacy of cisplatin plus pemetrexed in L858R than in Del-19 patients. In EGFR-mutant NSCLC, EGFR-TKIs are undoubtedly the premier therapy. However, in second line or later settings, cisplatin plus pemetrexed regimen may confer higher efficacy for L858R patients.

An LC-MS/MS Method for Absolute Quantification of Nivolumab in Human Plasma: Application to Clinical Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Nivolumab is a fully humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor, disrupting PD-1-mediated signaling and restoring antitumor immunity. The objective of this study was to develop a nivolumab quantification method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and to evaluate its application in clinical therapeutic drug monitoring. METHODS: Nivolumab was purified from human plasma using rProtein A resin and then digested with trypsin. The ASGITFSNSGMHWVR peptide (multiple reaction monitoring transition: m/z 550.6→661.4) was detected as a surrogate peptide of nivolumab by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Plasma samples (126) were collected from 14 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who were undergoing clinical dosing regimen with nivolumab. The pharmacokinetic data were analyzed using Phoenix NLME software (Version 7.0, Certara, St. Louis, MO) based on a previously reported population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model of nivolumab. RESULTS: Nivolumab was selectively detected in human plasma and the linear range was 5-200 mcg/mL (R = 0.99). The accuracy and intraday and interday imprecision were within ±15% of the quality control values of 5 (lower limit of quantification), 10 (low), 80 (medium), and 160 (high) mcg/mL. The nivolumab concentrations measured using LC-MS/MS were consistent with those of previously reported PPK models, and the pharmacokinetic parameters could be adequately predicted from a single trough concentration using a Bayesian approach. CONCLUSIONS: An absolute quantification method for nivolumab using LC-MS/MS was successfully developed and validated. Combined with PPK analysis, this method should be useful for the therapeutic drug monitoring of nivolumab in clinical practice.

Validation of the digital PCR system in tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the QuantStudio 3D Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) system and a PCR-based next generation sequencing (NGS) system for detecting a secondary mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene T790M in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients previously diagnosed with EGFR-activating mutations. Twenty-five patients with NSCLC previously treated with EGFR-TKIs were examined. The patients were treated daily with either erlotinib or gefitinib. New biopsies, followed by DNA sequencing on an Ion Torrent systems using the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel and dPCR were performed. A comparison of NGS, sensitive PCR, and dPCR revealed that the sensitivities of NGS and dPCR were similar in this study. As well, T790M was detected in as low as about 5% of mutant allelic frequencies, which represented 5% of the total reads on site mapped reads in NGS and greater than 5% of the dPCR reads, which represented mutant and wild type copies. The strategy in which NGS sequencing is followed by revealed acquired mutation with dPCR may be a reasonable one. We demonstrated the utility of combining NGS and dPCR as a tool for monitoring T790M. NGS and dPCR with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens might become a standard genomic test for exploring acquired resistance to targeted molecular medicines.

Design and synthesis of selective CDK8/19 dual inhibitors: Discovery of 4,5-dihydrothieno[3',4':3,4]benzo[1,2-d]isothiazole derivatives.

To develop a novel series of CDK8/19 dual inhibitors, we employed structure-based drug design using docking models based on a library compound, 4,5-dihydroimidazolo[3',4':3,4]benzo[1,2-d]isothiazole 16 bound to CDK8. We designed various [5,6,5]-fused tricyclic scaffolds bearing a carboxamide group to maintain predicted interactions with the backbone CO and NH of Ala100 in the CDK8 kinase hinge region. We found that 4,5-dihydrothieno[3',4':3,4]benzo[1,2-d]isothiazole derivative 29a showed particularly potent enzymatic inhibitory activity in both CDK8/19 (CDK8 IC50: 0.76nM, CDK19 IC50: 1.7nM). To improve the physicochemical properties and kinase selectivity of this compound, we introduced a substituted 3-pyridyloxy group into the scaffold 8-position. The resulting optimized compound 52h showed excellent in vitro potency (CDK8 IC50: 0.46nM, CDK19 IC50: 0.99nM), physicochemical properties, and kinase selectivity (only 5 kinases showed <35% unbound fraction at 300nM. CDK19: 4.6%, CDK8: 8.3%, HASPIN: 23%, DYRK1B: 27%, HIP1: 32%). Based on a docking model of 52h bound to CDK8, we could explain the highly specific kinase activity profile found for this compound, based on the interaction of the pyridyl group of 52h interacting with Met174 of the CDK8 DMG activation loop. In vitro pharmacological evaluation of 52h revealed potent suppression of phosphorylated STAT1 in various cancer cells. The high oral bioavailability found for this compound enabled in vivo studies, in which we demonstrated a mechanism-based in vivo PD effect as well as tumor growth suppression in an RPMI8226 human hematopoietic and lymphoid xenograft model in mouse [T/C: -1% (2.5mg/kg, qd)].

Studies of CDK 8/19 inhibitors: Discovery of novel and selective CDK8/19 dual inhibitors and elimination of their CYP3A4 time-dependent inhibition potential.

In this article, synthetic studies around a pyridylacrylamide-based hit compound (1), utilizing structure-based drug design guided by CDK8 docking models, is discussed. Modification of the pendant 4-fluorophenyl group to various heteroaromatic rings was conducted aiming an interaction with the proximal amino acids, and then replacement of the morpholine ring was targeted for decreasing potential of time-dependent CYP3A4 inhibition. These efforts led to the compound 4k, with enhanced CDK8 inhibitory activity and no apparent potential for time-dependent CYP3A4 inhibition (CDK8 IC50: 2.5nM; CYP3A4 TDI: 99% compound remaining). Compound 4k was found to possess a highly selective kinase inhibition profile, and also showed favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Oral administration of 4k (15mg/kg, bid. for 2weeks) suppressed tumor growth (T/C 29%) in an RPMI8226 mouse xenograft model.

Discovery of novel 5-oxa-2,6-diazaspiro[3.4]oct-6-ene derivatives as potent, selective, and orally available somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (SSTR5) antagonists for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (SSTR5) has emerged as a novel attractive drug target for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Starting from N-benzyl azetidine derivatives 1 and 2 as in-house hit compounds, we explored the introduction of a carboxyl group into the terminal benzene of 1 to enhance SSTR5 antagonistic activity by the combination of the substituents at the 3-position of the isoxazoline. Incorporation of a carboxyl group at the 4-position of the benzene ring resulted in a significant enhancement in potency, however, the 4-benzoic acid derivative 10c exhibited moderate human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) inhibitory activity. A subsequent optimization study revealed that replacement of the 4-benzoic acid with an isonipecotic acid dramatically reduced hERG inhibition (5.6% inhibition at 30µM) by eliminating π-related interaction with hERG K+ channel, which resulted in the identification of 1-(2-((2,6-diethoxy-4'-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl)-5-oxa-2,6-diazaspiro[3.4]oct-6-en-7-yl)piperidin-4-carboxylic acid 25a (hSSTR5/mSSTR5 IC50=9.6/57nM). Oral administration of 25a in high-fat diet fed C57BL/6J mice augmented insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and lowered blood glucose concentration.

Next-generation sequencing of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant non-small-cell lung cancers in patients harboring epidermal growth factor-activating mutations.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detect the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activating mutations and other oncogene alterations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) who experienced a treatment failure in response to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with a next generation sequencer. METHODS: Fifteen patients with advanced NSCLC previously treated with EGFR-TKIs were examined between August 2005 and October 2014. For each case, new biopsies were performed, followed by DNA sequencing on an Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM) system using the Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel version 2. RESULTS: All 15 patients were diagnosed with NSCLC harboring EGFR-activating mutations (seven cases of exon 19 deletion, seven cases of L858R in exon 21, and one case of L861Q in exon 21). Of the 15 cases, acquired T790M resistance mutations were detected in 9 (60.0%) patients. In addition, other mutations were identified outside of EGFR, including 13 cases (86.7%) exhibiting TP53 P72R mutations, 5 cases (33.3%) of KDR Q472H, and 2 cases (13.3%) of KIT M541L. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we showed that next-generation sequencing (NGS) is able to detect EGFR T790M mutations in cases not readily diagnosed by other conventional methods. Significant differences in the degree of EGFR T790M and other EGFR-activating mutations may be indicative of the heterogeneity of disease phenotype evident within these patients. The co-existence of known oncogenic mutations within each of these patients may play a role in acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance, suggesting the need for alternative treatment strategies, with PCR-based NGS playing an important role in disease diagnosis.

CT-guided fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsies of pulmonary lesions: a single-center experience with 750 biopsies in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: CT-guided lung biopsy is a well-established diagnostic method for pulmonary lesions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic outcomes and safety profile of conventional CT-guided lung biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the results of CT-guided lung biopsies for 750 patients to determine the diagnostic accuracy, complication rates, and independent risk factors for diagnostic failure and severe pneumothorax. RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy was 92.9%. Independent risk factors for diagnostic failure were malignant lesions (odds ratio [OR], 4.20; 95% CI, 1.66-14.1; p = 0.001), lesions in the lower lobe (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.17-3.47; p = 0.011), lesions 2.0 cm or smaller (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.59-5.48; p < 0.001), and the presence of pneumothorax during the procedure (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.27-3.78; p = 0.004). Pneumothorax requiring drainage occurred in 7% of patients. Independent risk factors for pneumothorax requiring drainage were age of 73 years or older (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.21-4.05; p = 0.009), the presence of emphysema (OR, 4.29; 95% CI, 2.05-8.82; p < 0.001), benign lesions (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.20-4.40; p = 0.012), supine positioning of the patient (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.44-4.84; p = 0.001), and length from the pleura to the lesion of 1.5 cm or greater (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.63-6.17; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CT-guided lung biopsy has a high diagnostic accuracy. Complication rates were acceptable and comparable to those of previous studies.