Safety and tolerability of conditioning chemotherapy followed by CD19-targeted CAR T cells for relapsed/refractory CLL.

BACKGROUND: Subgroups of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibit suboptimal outcomes after standard therapies, including oral kinase inhibitors. We and others have previously reported on safety and efficacy of autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cells for these patients; here we report safety and long-term follow-up of CAR T-cell therapy with or without conditioning chemotherapy for patients with R/R CLL and indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). METHODS: We conducted a phase 1 clinical trial investigating CD19-targeted CAR T-cells incorporating a CD28 costimulatory domain (19-28z). Seventeen of 20 patients received conditioning chemotherapy prior to CAR T-cell infusion. Five patients with CLL received ibrutinib at the time of autologous T-cell collection and/or CAR T-cell administration. RESULTS: This analysis included 16 patients with R/R CLL and 4 patients with R/R indolent B-NHL. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed in all 20 patients but grades 3 and 4 CRS and neurological events were uncommon (10% for each). Ex vivo expansion of T-cells and proportions of CD4+/CD8+ CAR T-cells with CD62L+CD127+ immunophenotype were significantly greater in patients on ibrutinib at leukapheresis. Three of 12 evaluable CLL patients receiving conditioning chemotherapy achieved CR (two had minimal residual disease-negative CR). All patients achieving CR remained progression-free at median follow-up of 53 months. CONCLUSION: Conditioning chemotherapy and 19-28z CAR T-cells were acceptably tolerated across investigated dose levels in heavily pretreated patients with R/R CLL and indolent B-NHL, and a subgroup of patients achieved durable CR. Ibrutinib therapy may modulate autologous T-cell phenotype. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00466531. FUNDING: Juno Therapeutics.

Quercetin reversed MDR in breast cancer cells through down-regulating P-gp expression and eliminating cancer stem cells mediated by YB-1 nuclear translocation.

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays an important role in mediating multidrug resistance (MDR), resulting in chemotherapy failure of tumor patients and enhancement of cancer stem cell characteristics. By preparing doxorubicin (Dox) resistant human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, here, we wanted to evaluate the effects of quercetin (Que) on MDR reversal activity and investigate its possible mechanism. MCF-7 and MCF-7/dox cells were respectively treated by Dox, paclitaxel (Pac), or vincristine (Vcr) with or without Que intervention for 24 hr. Cell viability, cell apoptosis, cell cycle, intracellular drug accumulation, the expression of P-gp and Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1), and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) were then assessed. The results showed that Que significantly enhanced the antitumor activities of Dox, Pac, and Vcr in breast cancer cells. In addition, combined treatment of Dox, Pac, or Vcr with Que significantly downregulated P-gp expression and eliminated BCSCs. Furthermore, combined treatment of Dox, Pac, or Vcr with Que significantly inhibited nuclear translocation of YB-1. Thus, we speculated that Que reversed MDR in breast cancer cells through downregulating P-gp expression and eliminating cancer stem cells mediated by YB-1 nuclear translocation.

[Chemical constituents of chloroform fraction from leaves of Chimonanthus salicifolius].

To explore anti-tumor active components of Chimonanthus salicifolius, the phytochemistry of the chloroform fraction from leaves extract was investigated by repeated silica gel column chromatography. Twelve compounds were isolated and their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis as 9-epi-blumenol C(1), blumenol C(2), (+)-dehydrovomifoliol (3), (+)-vomifoliol (4), robinlin (5), (-)-loliolide (6), isofraxidin (7), scopoletin (8), 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (9), 6, 7, 8-trimethoxycoumarin (10), beta-sitostenone (11), and beta-stigmasterol(12). Compounds 1-6 belonging to nor-sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the family Calycanthaceae for the first time. Compound 1 was a new natural product. Compounds 7, 11 and 12 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on the determination of silicon and phosphorus in ferromanganese by ICP-AES].

An ICP-AES method for the determination of silicon and phosphorus in ferromanganese was studied. Digesting samples by microwave and all kinds of parameters of the analytical method were optimized, which included selecting the acid and controlling the temperature and pressure of dissolving the sample, confirming analytical spectrum, considering the effect of sample matrix, analytical pH and disturbing elements on the determination results. By optimizing and choosing all kinds of condition parameters, the simultaneous determination of silicon and phosphorus was realized and satisfactory results were obtained. The linear correlation coefficients of Si and P were 0.9998 and 0.9996, respectively. The detection limit for silicon was 0.0060% with recovery of 97.0%-101%. The detection limit for phosphorus was 0.030%. This method is accurate and quick with less reagent dosage and broa linear range. The way of this determination is fit for the determination of silicon and phosphorus with low, middle and high carbon contents.