Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of intracanal and intraoral cryotherapy on postendodontic pain in patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: There is a rising need for controlling postendodontic pain (PEP) without using analgesics and other conventional methods. Aims: The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of various cryotherapy applications on controlling PEP in patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis. Methods: One hundred and eight patients were selected and preoperative pain and pain on percussion scores were recorded using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), respectively. After obtaining consent, the access cavity was prepared under local anesthesia. After cleaning and shaping, the patients were randomized into the following groups: Group A: Canals were given final irrigation with 20 mL room temperature saline solution for 5 min, Group B: Canals were given final irrigation with 20 mL cold (2°C-4°C) saline solution for 5 min, and Group C: After obturation and restoration procedures, small ice packs of size 2 cm × 2 cm × 2.5 cm (wrapped in sterile gauze) were placed intraorally on the vestibular surface of the treated tooth. At 6 h, postoperative pain was measured using NRS and at 24 h, pain and pain on percussion were measured using NRS and VAS, respectively. Results: Data were analyzed using SPSS software. There was a significant reduction in postoperative pain in the intracanal and intraoral groups at 6 and 24 h when compared with the control group individually. There was no significant difference in postendodontic between intracanal and intraoral cryotherapy groups at 6 and 24 h. Conclusions: Both intracanal and intraoral cryotherapy applications are effective in reducing PEP in patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis.

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy on Enterococcus faecalis and smear layer removal in curved canals by different irrigation techniques: An in vitro study.

Background: Various irrigation techniques have been proposed to improve the effectiveness of root canal debridement. Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the antimicrobial effect on Enterococcus faecalis and smear layer removal efficacy in curved canals by different irrigation techniques. Materials and Methods: Eighty extracted permanent maxillary molars with curved mesiobuccal roots were inoculated with E. faecalis. The tooth samples were then divided into four groups: Group A - EndoVac, Group B - Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI), Group C - Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), and Group D - Laser Irrigation with Photon-Induced Photoacoustic Streaming (PIPS). The percentage of bacterial reduction was calculated. The presence of smear layer from coronal, middle, and apical sections was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Intergroup comparison was made with Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: Although statistically insignificant, the irrigation techniques have shown considerable reduction in E. faecalis biofilm (P > 0.05). EndoVac, PUI, and PIPS have shown significantly higher efficacy in removing smear layer from apical third than PDT (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The newer PIPS technology can be used as an efficient tool in the decontamination of root canals. However, more clinical studies in this aspect are required to ensure more thorough debridement and disinfection of the root canal system.

Protease-targeting peptide-functionalized porous silicon nanoparticles for cancer fluorescence imaging.

Background: Porous silicon (pSi) nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with suitable targeting ligands are now established cancer bioimaging agents and drug-delivery platforms. With growing interest in peptides as tumor-targeting ligands, much work has focused on the use of various peptides in combination with pSi NPs for cancer theranostics. Here, the authors investigated the targeting potential of pSi NPs functionalized with two types of peptide, a linear 10-mer peptide and its branched (Y-shaped) equivalent, that respond to legumain activity in tumor cells. Results: In vitro experiments established that the linear peptide-pSi NP conjugate had better aqueous stability under tumor conditions and higher binding efficiency (p < 0.001) toward legumain-expressing cells such as RAW 264.7 cells compared with that of its branched equivalent. In vivo studies (analyzed using ex vivo fluorescence) with the linear peptide-pSi NP formulation using a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer showed a higher accumulation (p > 0.05) of linear peptide-conjugated pSi NPs in the tumor site within 4 h compared with nonconjugated pSi NPs. These results suggest that the linear peptide-pSi NP formulation is a nontoxic, stable and efficient fluorescence bioimaging agent and potential drug-delivery platform.

The topoisomerase I poison CPT-11 enhances the effect of the aurora B kinase inhibitor AZD1152 both in vitro and in vivo.

PURPOSE: AZD1152 is an Aurora B kinase inhibitor currently in clinical trials. As the topoisomerase I poison CPT-11 induces a G(2) arrest, a mechanistic understanding of the cell cycle interactions between these agents may prove critical for combination therapy. METHODS: AZD1152 was tested in vitro and in vivo with SN-38 and CPT-11 against HCT-116 cells. Inhibition of clonogenicity, induction of apoptosis, effects on polyploidy, and tumor growth were examined. RESULTS: AZD1152 alone induced polyploidy of HCT-116 cells at low nanomolar concentrations. The induction of apoptosis required prolonged exposure (48 hours) and higher concentrations of drug. When SN-38 was given before or concomitantly with AZD1152, SN-38 blocked the AZD1152 effect by arresting cells in G(2) and inhibiting cells from undergoing polyploidy. With the reverse combination (AZD1152 followed by SN-38), there was a significant induction of polyploidy and apoptosis, even with shorter exposure (24 hours) of AZD1152. In vivo, AZD1152 alone suppressed HCT-116 xenograft tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner with target inhibition of phosphoH3, induction of multinucleated giant cells, but without induction of apoptosis. In combination, both sequences in vivo (CPT->AZD, AZD->CPT, P = 0.008, AUC/d) proved superior to either single agent therapy. However, AZD->CPT still showed a greater increase in apoptosis and greater suppression of tumor regrowth than CPT->AZD (P = 0.02, AUC/d). CONCLUSIONS: The results from these studies indicate a promising therapeutic strategy for combining AZD1152 with CPT-11, and suggest that the sequence of drug administration is pivotal when an Aurora B kinase inhibitor is administered with a topoisomerase I poison.

Identification of immune cells interacting with Vibrio spp. and its in vitro post-phagocytic killing mechanism of haemocytes in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards.

Immune cells were identified and their interaction towards Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. anguillarum was studied in vitro in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus. Haemocytes were divided into agranulocytes, semi-dense granulocytes and dense granulocytes according to their morphology. Agranulocytes (100%) and 0.3-0.7% of granulocytes were actively involved in coagulation. Granulocytes were involved in in vitro phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign materials. Phagocytosis was enhanced by prior opsonization of bacteria with cell-free shrimp haemolymph. Semi-dense granulocytes were phagocytic towards V. alginolyticus with and without opsonization at the rate of 91.1% and 83.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). Granulocyte death observed after 2 h with opsonized haemolymph was 26.1%. About 64.5% of dense granulocytes and 23.2% of semi-dense granulocytes were actively involved in encapsulation, forming capsules. A spectrophotometric nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was used to demonstrate the production of superoxide anions (O2(-)) by shrimp haemocytes. All the Vibrio spp. were able to induce superoxide anions (O2(-)) during phagocytosis. Live Vibrio sp. induced O2(-) production in haemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Significant activity was detected with a 40:1 bacteria to haemocyte ratio (P < 0.05). NBT reduction assay for measuring the post-phagocytic killing mechanism in shrimp haemocytes might be a valuable tool for monitoring shrimp health and immunological studies.

Electroencephalographic and imaging profile in a subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) cohort: a correlative study.

OBJECTIVE: There are only a few studies correlating diverse radiological and EEG features of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). The objective of the study was to (a) describe EEG profile and (b) correlate it with the clinical and imaging data of patients with confirmed SSPE. METHODS: This study was conducted at a University teaching hospital in south India and involved 58 patients (M:F=37:21, age: 12.3, SD 4.8 years) of SSPE. Diagnosis of SSPE was based on the characteristic clinical manifestations, and raised IgG (1:625) anti-measles antibody in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by ELISA in all the patients. Scalp EEGs were recorded on 16 channel machines using standard parameters and procedures. The EEG, clinical and imaging data were reviewed. RESULTS: EEGs were frequently abnormal: typical (37) and atypical (21). Diffuse slowing of background activity (BGA) was noted in 46 records being asymmetrical in six. Periodic complexes were periodic (32), quasi-periodic (21) or a-periodic (4). Periodic complexes (PC) (amplitude: 370.7, SD 171.2 microV; duration - 1.7, SD 2.0 s; inter-complex interval: 8.4, SD 9.2s) were symmetrical in 39 and asymmetrical in 19. CT (32) and MRI (23) scans were normal in 16 patients while others had white matter (15), cerebral edema (8), cerebral atrophy (8), basal ganglia (2), and thalamic (2) changes. There was an independent association of frontally dominant slowing of BGA (p=0.04) and typical PCs (p=0.03) with the diffuse cerebral edema on imaging. White matter changes correlated with slowing of BGA (p=0.04), but not with typical PC (p=0.16). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insight into the structural and clinical correlates of EEG changes in SSPE. SIGNIFICANCE: Irrespective of the incidence of occurrence of SSPE in a community, a clinician should be aware of the wide spectra of EEG findings. This study also discusses the possible underlying structural and clinical correlates.

Selinexor (KPT-330) Induces Tumor Suppression through Nuclear Sequestration of IκB and Downregulation of Survivin.

Purpose: Selinexor, a small molecule that inhibits nuclear export protein XPO1, has demonstrated efficacy in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies with the evidence of clinical activity in sarcoma as a single agent. Treatment options available are very few, and hence the need to identify novel targets and strategic therapies is of utmost importance.Experimental Design: The mechanistic effects of selinexor in sarcomas as a monotherapy and in combination with proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, across a panel of cell lines in vitro and few in xenograft mouse models were investigated.Results: Selinexor induced IκB nuclear localization as a single agent, and the effect was enhanced by stabilization of IκB when pretreated with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. This stabilization and retention of IκB in the nucleus resulted in inhibition of NFκB and transcriptional suppression of the critical antiapoptotic protein, survivin. Treatment of carfilzomib followed by selinexor caused selinexor-sensitive and selinexor-resistant cell lines to be more sensitive to selinexor as determined by an increase in apoptosis. This was successfully demonstrated in the MPNST xenograft model with enhanced tumor suppression.Conclusions: The subcellular distributions of IκB and NFκB are indicative of carcinogenesis. Inhibition of XPO1 results in intranuclear retention of IκB, which inhibits NFκB and thereby provides a novel mechanism for drug therapy in sarcoma. This effect can be further enhanced in relatively selinexor-resistant sarcoma cell lines by pretreatment with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. Because of these results, a human clinical trial with selinexor in combination with a proteasome inhibitor is planned for the treatment of sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(15); 4301-11. ©2017 AACR.

MLN-8237: A dual inhibitor of aurora A and B in soft tissue sarcomas.

Aurora kinases have become an attractive target in cancer therapy due to their deregulated expression in human tumors. Liposarcoma, a type of soft tissue sarcoma in adults, account for approximately 20% of all adult soft tissue sarcomas. There are no effective chemotherapies for majority of these tumors. Efforts made to define the molecular basis of liposarcomas lead to the finding that besides the amplifications of CDK4 and MDM2, Aurora Kinase A, also was shown to be overexpressed. Based on these as well as mathematic modeling, we have carried out a successful preclinical study using CDK4 and IGF1R inhibitors in liposarcoma. MLN8237 has been shown to be a potent and selective inhibitor of Aurora A. MLN-8237, as per our results, induces a differential inhibition of Aurora A and B in a dose dependent manner. At a low nanomolar dose, cellular effects such as induction of phospho-Histone H3 (Ser10) mimicked as that of the inhibition of Aurora kinase A followed by apoptosis. However, micromolar dose of MLN-8237 induced polyploidy, a hallmark effect of Aurora B inhibition. The dose dependent selectivity of inhibition was further confirmed by using siRNA specific inhibition of Aurora A and B. This was further tested by time lapse microscopy of GFP-H2B labelled cells treated with MLN-8237. LS141 xenograft model at a dose of 30 mg/kg also showed efficient growth suppression by selective inhibition of Aurora Kinase A. Based on our data, a dose that can target only Aurora A will be more beneficial in tumor suppression.

Catechin tuned magnetism of Gd-doped orthovanadate through morphology as T1-T2 MRI contrast agents.

Tetragonal (t)-LaVO4 has turned out to be a potential host for luminescent materials. Synthesis of t-LaVO4 till date has been based on chelating effect of EDTA making it not ideal for bioimaging applications. An alternative was proposed by us through the use of catechin. In recent times there is interest for new MRI contrast agents that can through appropriate doping function both as MRI contrast and optical/upconversion materials. It is generally believed that under appropriate doping, t-LaVO4 would be a better upconversion material than monoclinic (m)-LaVO4. Based on these postulations, this work explores the use of gadolinium doped t-LaVO4 as an MRI contrast agent. From literature, gadolinium oxide is a good T1 contrast agent. Through this work, using catechin as a template for the synthesis of Gd doped t-LaVO4, we demonstrate the possible use as a T1 contrast agent. Interestingly, as the catechin concentration changes, morphology changes from nanorods to square nanoplates and spheres. In this process, a switch from T1 to T2 contrast agent was also observed. Under optimal concentration of catechin, with a rod shaped Gd doped t-LaVO4 an r2/r1 value of 21.30 was observed. Similarly, with a spherical shape had an r2/r1 value of 1.48 was observed.

B cell antigen receptor signaling enhances IFN-gamma-induced Stat1 target gene expression through calcium mobilization and activation of multiple serine kinase pathways.

The signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (Stat1) are essential for the majority of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-regulated gene expression. Phosphorylation of serine 727 in the transcription activation domain of Stat1 is induced in response to IFN-gamma for maximal transcription activity. In this report, we show that crosslinking of B cell antigen receptor (BCR) or T cell antigen receptor (TCR) can enhance S727 phosphorylation in Stat1 and result in increased expression of Stat1 target genes. We further demonstrate that this enhancement by BCR cross-linking involves the widely used secondary messenger Ca2+ and simultaneous activation of multiple serine kinase pathways. When cells are exposed to both IFN-gamma and a Ca2+ fluxing reagent, the level of S727 phosphorylation is enhanced, resulting in increased transcription activation of Stat1 target genes. We directly demonstrate that the biochemical function of phospho-Ser-727 is to enhance the recruitment of transcription coactivator CBP/p300 to the promoters of Stat1 target genes. Furthermore, we show that both the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMKII) are activated in response to BCR signaling to converge on Stat1 S727 for maximal gene expression. These studies demonstrate that a wide variety of noncytokine signaling pathways can modulate cytokine signaling through modulation of Stat1 serine phosphorylation.

Inhibition of polo like kinase 1 in sarcomas induces apoptosis that is dependent on Mcl-1 suppression.

Sarcomas are rare cancers and the current treatments in inoperable or metastatic disease have not been shown to prolong survival. In order to develop novel targeted therapies, we tested the efficacy of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK-1) inhibitor (TAK-960) in sarcoma. All the sarcoma cell lines were sensitive to TAK-960 with IC50s in the low nanomolar range. We chose MPNST, CHP100 and LS141 for our studies and of which MPNST cells exclusively underwent polyploidy after a delay in mitosis for about 18 hours; CHP100 cells, after a 24h mitotic delay, died of apoptosis; LS141, after a delay in mitosis stayed at 4N with mild apoptosis. Apoptosis induced by TAK-960 in CHP100 was associated with down-regulation of Mcl-1 and the effect was recapitulated by down-regulating PLK1 by siRNA, confirming that the effect of TAK-960 on Mcl-1 expression is target specific. With suppression of Mcl-1 by siRNA, TAK-960 induced apoptosis in MPNST cells as well. These effects were confirmed in vivo, such that TAK-960 more effectively inhibited CHP100 than MPNST xenografts. In the setting of PLK-1 inhibition, Mcl-1 down regulation is shown to be an important determinant of apoptosis. Collectively, the net effect of this is to drive cells to apoptosis, resulting in a greater anti-tumor effect in vivo. Therefore, targeting PLK-1 should have a greater impact in treating sarcomas provided there is concomitant suppression of Mcl-1. These results further indicate that Mcl-1 could be an important biomarker to predict sensitivity to the induction of apoptosis by PLK-1 targeted therapy in sarcoma.

Surface treatment of enamel with laser--a potential alternative for acid etching--an in vitro study.

An in-vitro study was carried out on 80 human premolars to study the use of Nd:YAG laser as a potential alternative for acid etching in the surface treatment of enamel prior to sealant application. The determination of bond strength using Universal Testing Machine, Model 1011 and marginal leakage using the spectrophotometric dye recovery method showed no statistically significant difference between the groups with laser and acid surface treatments. But, there was a significantly lower bond strength and increased dye penetration in the group with no surface treatment. Scanning electron microscopic study of the interface between sealant and enamel surface of the acid and laser treated specimens was also carried out.

Immunohistochemical analysis of aldehyde dehydrogenase isoforms and their association with estrogen-receptor status and disease progression in breast cancer.

In many types of tumors, especially breast tumors, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity has been used to identify cancer stem-like cells within the tumor. The presence and quantity of these cells are believed to predict the response of tumors to chemotherapy. Therefore, identification and eradication of these cells would be necessary to cure the patient. However, there are 19 different ALDH isoforms that could contribute to the enzyme activity. ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 are among the isoforms mostly responsible for the increased ALDH activity observed in these stem-like cells, although the main isoforms vary in different tissues and tumor types. In the study reported here, we attempted to determine if ALDH1A1 or ALDH1A3, specifically, correlate with tumor stage, grade, and hormone-receptor status in breast-cancer patients. While there was no significant correlation between ALDH1A1 and any of the parameters tested, we were able to identify a positive correlation between ALDH1A3 and tumor stage in triple-negative cancers. In addition, ALDH1A3 was negatively correlated with estrogen-receptor status. Our data suggest that ALDH1A3 could be utilized as a marker to identify stem-like cells within triple-negative tumors.

PTEN regulates sensitivity of melanoma cells to RO4929097, the γ-secretase inhibitor.

De-regulated expression of components of the Notch signaling pathway is observed in malignant melanoma. This pathway is activated by catalytic cleavage of the Notch receptor by γ-secretase. Phase-I trials with RO4929097, a potent gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI), and other agents of this class have demonstrated clinical activity in patients with melanoma. An understanding of the mechanisms for de novo sensitivity and resistance to this class of drugs would be critical for future drug development. We treated a panel of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN)-null, -mutant and -wild-type human melanoma cell lines with RO4929097 and evaluated the efficacy alone and in combination with chemotherapy. Although cleaved Notch-1 formation was observed in all the cell lines, RO4929097-induced senescence or apoptosis was achieved only in PTEN-wild-type cell lines in which gamma-secretase inhibition with an induction of PTEN expression and decreased AKT/PKB (protein kinase B) phosphorylation in addition to transcriptional suppression at the Hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1) gene promoter. Overexpression of wild-type PTEN in PTEN-null and -mutant cell lines, and studies with isogenic breast cell lines that differ only in PTEN status, confirmed the importance of PTEN expression for conferring tumor cell susceptibility to RO4929097. Furthermore, in PTEN-expressing rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma 1 (B-RAF)-mutant melanoma cells, RO4929097 enhanced the effect of temozolomide both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that tumor cell susceptibility to a GSI, whether alone or in combination with chemotherapy, are reliant upon reducing AKT phosphorylation and hence GSI in combination with chemotherapy may be useful as a new therapeutic approach in treating PTEN-wild-type melanoma.

Drug synergy screen and network modeling in dedifferentiated liposarcoma identifies CDK4 and IGF1R as synergistic drug targets.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS) is a rare but aggressive cancer with high recurrence and low response rates to targeted therapies. Increasing treatment efficacy may require combinations of targeted agents that counteract the effects of multiple abnormalities. To identify a possible multicomponent therapy, we performed a combinatorial drug screen in a DDLS-derived cell line and identified cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) as synergistic drug targets. We measured the phosphorylation of multiple proteins and cell viability in response to systematic drug combinations and derived computational models of the signaling network. These models predict that the observed synergy in reducing cell viability with CDK4 and IGF1R inhibitors depends on the activity of the AKT pathway. Experiments confirmed that combined inhibition of CDK4 and IGF1R cooperatively suppresses the activation of proteins within the AKT pathway. Consistent with these findings, synergistic reductions in cell viability were also found when combining CDK4 inhibition with inhibition of either AKT or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), another receptor similar to IGF1R that activates AKT. Thus, network models derived from context-specific proteomic measurements of systematically perturbed cancer cells may reveal cancer-specific signaling mechanisms and aid in the design of effective combination therapies.

The induction of polyploidy or apoptosis by the Aurora A kinase inhibitor MK8745 is p53-dependent.

Aurora kinases are mitotic serine/threonine protein kinases and are attractive novel targets for anticancer therapy. Many small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora kinases are currently undergoing clinical trials. Aurora A kinase is essential for successful mitotic transition. MK8745 is a novel and selective small-molecule inhibitor of Aurora A kinase. MK8745 induced apoptotic cell death in a p53-dependent manner when tested in vitro in cell lines of multiple lineages. Cells expressing wild-type p53 showed a short delay in mitosis followed by cytokinesis, resulting in 2N cells along with apoptosis. However, cells lacking or with mutant p53 resulted in a prolonged arrest in mitosis followed by endoreduplication and polyploidy. Cytokinesis was completely inhibited in p53-deficient cells, as observed by the absence of 2N cell population. The induction of apoptosis in p53-proficient cells was associated with activation of caspase 3 and release of cytochrome c but was independent of p21. Exposure of p53 wild-type cells to MK8745 resulted in the induction of p53 phosphorylation (ser15) and an increase in p53 protein expression. p53-dependent apoptosis by MK8745 was further confirmed in HCT 116 p53(-/-) cells transfected with wild-type p53. Transient knockdown of Aurora A by specific siRNA recapitulated these p53- dependent effects, with greater percent induction of apoptosis in p53 wild-type cells. In conclusion, our studies show p53 as a determining factor for induction of apoptosis vs. polyploidy upon inhibition of Aurora A.

Impact of combined mTOR and MEK inhibition in uveal melanoma is driven by tumor genotype.

Uveal melanomas possess activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. MAPK activation occurs via somatic mutations in the heterotrimeric G protein subunits GNAQ and GNA11 for over 70% of tumors and less frequently via V600E BRAF mutations. In this report, we describe the impact of dual pathway inhibition upon uveal melanoma cell lines with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib (AZD6244/ARRY-142886) and the ATP-competitive mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055. While synergistic reductions in cell viability were observed with AZD8055/selumetinib in both BRAF and GNAQ mutant cell lines, apoptosis was preferentially induced in BRAF mutant cells only. In vitro apoptosis assay results were predictive of in vivo drug efficacy as tumor regressions were observed only in a BRAF mutant xenograft model, but not GNAQ mutant model. We went on to discover that GNAQ promotes relative resistance to AZD8055/selumetinib-induced apoptosis in GNAQ mutant cells. For BRAF mutant cells, both AKT and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation were modulated by the combination; however, decreasing AKT phosphorylation alone was not sufficient and decreasing 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was not required for apoptosis. Instead, cooperative mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) and MEK inhibition resulting in downregulation of the pro-survival protein MCL-1 was found to be critical for combination-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that the clinical efficacy of combined MEK and mTOR kinase inhibition will be determined by tumor genotype, and that BRAF mutant malignancies will be particularly susceptible to this strategy.

The checkpoint kinase inhibitor AZD7762 potentiates chemotherapy-induced apoptosis of p53-mutated multiple myeloma cells.

DNA cross-linking agents are frequently used in the treatment of multiple myeloma-generating lesions, which activate checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), a critical transducer of the DNA damage response. Chk1 activation promotes cell survival by regulating cell-cycle arrest and DNA repair following genotoxic stress. The ability of AZD7762, an ATP-competitive Chk1/2 inhibitor to increase the efficacy of the DNA-damaging agents bendamustine, melphalan, and doxorubicin was examined using four human myeloma cell lines, KMS-12-BM, KMS-12-PE, RPMI-8226, and U266B1. The in vitro activity of AZD7762 as monotherapy and combined with alkylating agents and the "novel" drug bortezomib was evaluated by studying its effects on cytotoxicity, signaling, and apoptotic pathways. The Chk1/2 inhibitor AZD7762 potentiated the antiproliferative effects of bendamustine, melphalan, and doxorubicin but not bortezomib in multiple myeloma cell lines that were p53-deficient. Increased γH2AX staining in cells treated with bendamustine or melphalan plus AZD7762 indicates a greater degree of DNA damage with combined therapy. Abrogation of the G(2)-M checkpoint by AZD7762 resulted in mitotic catastrophe with ensuing apoptosis evidenced by PARP and caspase-3 cleavage. In summary, the cytotoxic effects of bendamustine, melphalan and doxorubicin on p53-deficient multiple myeloma cell lines were enhanced by the coadministration of AZD7762. These data provide a rationale for testing these combinations in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma.

Aurora B kinase regulates the postmitotic endoreduplication checkpoint via phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein at serine 780.

The phenotypic change characteristic of Aurora B inhibition is the induction of polyploidy. Utilizing specific siRNA duplexes and a selective small molecule inhibitor (AZD1152) to inhibit Aurora B activity in tumor cells, we sought to elucidate the mechanism by which Aurora B inhibition results in polyploidy. Cells treated with AZD1152 progressed through mitosis with misaligned chromosomes and exited without cytokinesis and subsequently underwent endoreduplication of DNA despite activation of a p53-dependent pseudo G1 checkpoint. Concomitant with polyploid cell formation, we observed the appearance of Rb hypophosphorylation, an event that occurred independently of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition. We went on to discover that Aurora B directly phosphorylates Rb at serine 780 both in vitro and in vivo. This novel interaction plays a critical role in regulating the postmitotic checkpoint to prevent endoreduplication after an aberrant mitosis. Thus, we propose for the first time that Aurora B determines cellular fate after an aberrant mitosis by directly regulating the Rb tumor suppressor protein.