Opaganib in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2a Trial.

Background: Opaganib, an oral sphingosine kinase-2 inhibitor with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, was shown to inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 replication in vitro. We thus considered that opaganib could be beneficial for moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety of opaganib and its effect on supplemental oxygen requirements and time to hospital discharge in COVID-19 pneumonia hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen. Methods: This Phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted between July and December 2020 in 8 sites in the United States. Forty-two enrolled patients received opaganib (n = 23) or placebo (n = 19) added to standard of care for up to 14 days and were followed up for 28 days after their last dose of opaganib/placebo. Results: There were no safety concerns arising in this study. The incidence of ≥Grade 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 17.4% and 33.3% in the opaganib and placebo groups, respectively. Three deaths occurred in each group. A numerical advantage for opaganib over placebo was observed in in this nonpowered study reflected by total supplemental oxygen requirement from baseline to Day 14, the requirement for supplemental oxygen for at least 24 hours by Day 14, and hospital discharge. Conclusions: In this proof-of-concept study, hypoxic, hospitalized patients receiving oral opaganib had a similar safety profile to placebo-treated patients, with preliminary evidence of benefit for opaganib as measured by supplementary oxygen requirement and earlier hospital discharge. These findings support further evaluation of opaganib in this population.

Fluticasone Propionate Orally Disintegrating Tablet (APT-1011) for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Topical steroids are effective treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The FLUTE (Fluticasone in EoE) trial evaluated safety and efficacy of APT-1011 (fluticasone propionate oral disintegrating tablet) vs placebo for treatment of EoE. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding, phase 2b trial, 106 adults with EoE received 1 of 4 APT-1011 doses or placebo for a 12-week induction period and 40 weeks of maintenance. Primary outcome was histologic response (≤6 eosinophils per high-power field) at Week 12. Secondary outcomes included endoscopic features and dysphagia frequency. RESULTS: Histologic response rates were 0% for placebo, 80% for APT-1011 3 mg twice daily (BID), 67% for 3 mg at bedtime (HS), 86% for 1.5 mg BID, 48% for 1.5 mg HS (P < .001 for all groups vs placebo). At Week 12, mean Edema/Rings/Exudates/Furrows/Strictures (EoE Endoscopic Reference Score) total score (max, 9.0) improved from 4.5 to 2.3 for 3 mg BID, 5.3 to 2.1 for 3 mg HS, 4.6 to 1.7 for 1.5 mg BID, 5.3 to 2.9 for 1.5 mg HS vs 5.2 to 4.5 for placebo. Mean dysphagia frequency over 14 days improved from baseline to Week 12 with all active groups improving more than placebo. Improvements were sustained to Week 52. APT-1011 was safe and well-tolerated, with higher incidence of candidiasis noted at the higher twice daily doses. CONCLUSION: APT-1011 dosing regimens were superior for histologic and endoscopic responses, and for reduction in dysphagia frequency vs placebo. Based on the symptom improvement and assessment of adverse events together with the histologic response rate, 3 mg once daily at bedtime dose showed the most favorable risk-benefit profile. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, Number: NCT03191864.

Assessing technical and biological variation in SWATH-MS-based proteomic analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) exhibits variable clinical course and response to therapy, but the molecular basis of this variability remains incompletely understood. Data independent acquisition (DIA)-MS technologies, such as SWATH (Sequential Windowed Acquisition of all THeoretical fragments), provide an opportunity to study the pathophysiology of CLL at the proteome level. Here, a CLL-specific spectral library (7736 proteins) is described alongside an analysis of sample replication and data handling requirements for quantitative SWATH-MS analysis of clinical samples. The analysis was performed on 6 CLL samples, incorporating biological (IGHV mutational status), sample preparation and MS technical replicates. Quantitative information was obtained for 5169 proteins across 54 SWATH-MS acquisitions: the sources of variation and different computational approaches for batch correction were assessed. Functional enrichment analysis of proteins associated with IGHV mutational status showed significant overlap with previous studies based on gene expression profiling. Finally, an approach to perform statistical power analysis in proteomics studies was implemented. This study provides a valuable resource for researchers working on the proteomics of CLL. It also establishes a sound framework for the design of sufficiently powered clinical proteomics studies. Indeed, this study shows that it is possible to derive biologically plausible hypotheses from a relatively small dataset.

Randomised clinical trial: the safety and tolerability of fluticasone propionate orally disintegrating tablets versus placebo for eosinophilic oesophagitis.

BACKGROUND: APT-1011, a fluticasone propionate orally disintegrating tablet formulation, is under investigation for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). AIMS: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of APT-1011 administered to patients with EoE and to assess the effect on clinical symptoms of EoE, endoscopic appearance and oesophageal eosinophilia. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 1b/2a study was conducted at seven medical centres in the US to evaluate the safety and tolerability of APT-1011 over 8 weeks in adults and adolescents with EoE. Participants were randomised to placebo (n = 8), 1.5 mg APT-1011 BID (n = 8) or 3.0 mg APT-1011 QD (n = 8). Safety and tolerability were assessed as the primary outcome; histologic and endoscopic measures were assessed as exploratory outcomes. RESULTS: There were no deaths, serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), severe TEAEs or discontinuations from the study related to a TEAE. In one participant randomised to 1.5 mg APT-1011 BID, a reduction in cortisol was observed, but without evidence of adrenal insufficiency. Compared with placebo, treatment with APT-1011 resulted in greater reductions in oesophageal eosinophil counts, EoE Endoscopic Reference Score, patient global assessment and symptom-based EoE activity index from baseline to end of treatment (Week 8). CONCLUSIONS: APT-1011 was safe and well tolerated in adolescents and adults with EoE. Exploratory efficacy outcomes demonstrated improvement in histologic and endoscopic findings as well evidence of symptom improvement. The results of this study support the continued development of APT-1011 for the treatment of EoE (NCT-01386112).

Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Shortcomings of inhaled antibiotic treatments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) include poor drug penetration, inactivation by sputum, poor efficiency due to protective biofilm, and short residence in the lung. METHODS: Eligible patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ≥25% of predicted value at screening and CF with chronic P. aeruginosa infection were randomly assigned to receive 3 treatment cycles (28 days on, 28 days off) of amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS, 590 mg QD) or tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS, 300 mg BID). The primary endpoint was noninferiority of ALIS vs TIS in change from baseline to day 168 in FEV1 (per-protocol population). Secondary endpoints included change in respiratory symptoms by Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R). RESULTS: The study was conducted February 2012 to September 2013. ALIS was noninferior to TIS (95% CI, -4.95 to 2.34) for relative change in FEV1 (L) from baseline. The mean increases in CFQ-R score from baseline on the Respiratory Symptoms scale suggested clinically meaningful improvement in both arms at the end of treatment in cycle 1 and in the ALIS arm at the end of treatment in cycles 2 and 3; however, the changes were not statistically significant between the 2 treatment arms. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in most patients (ALIS, 84.5%; TIS, 78.8%). Serious TEAEs occurred in 17.6% and 19.9% of patients, respectively; most were hospitalisations for infective pulmonary exacerbation of CF. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclical dosing of once-daily ALIS was noninferior to cyclical twice-daily TIS in improving lung function. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01315678.

Exosomal Transport of Hepatocyte-Derived Drug-Modified Proteins to the Immune System.

Idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a rare, often difficult-to-predict adverse reaction with complex pathomechanisms. However, it is now evident that certain forms of DILI are immune-mediated and may involve the activation of drug-specific T cells. Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles that carry RNA, lipids, and protein cargo from their cell of origin to distant cells, and they may play a role in immune activation. Herein, primary human hepatocytes were treated with drugs associated with a high incidence of DILI (flucloxacillin, amoxicillin, isoniazid, and nitroso-sulfamethoxazole) to characterize the proteins packaged within exosomes that are subsequently transported to dendritic cells for processing. Exosomes measured between 50 and 100 nm and expressed enriched CD63. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) identified 2,109 proteins, with 608 proteins being quantified across all exosome samples. Data are available through ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD010760. Analysis of gene ontologies revealed that exosomes mirrored whole human liver tissue in terms of the families of proteins present, regardless of drug treatment. However, exosomes from nitroso-sulfamethoxazole-treated hepatocytes selectively packaged a specific subset of proteins. LC/MS-MS also revealed the presence of hepatocyte-derived exosomal proteins covalently modified with amoxicillin, flucloxacillin, and nitroso-sulfamethoxazole. Uptake of exosomes by monocyte-derived dendritic cells occurred silently, mainly through phagocytosis, and was inhibited by latrunculin A. An amoxicillin-modified 9-mer peptide derived from the exosomal transcription factor protein SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 30 activated naïve T cells from human leukocyte antigen A*02:01-positive human donors. Conclusion: This study shows that exosomes have the potential to transmit drug-specific hepatocyte-derived signals to the immune system and provide a pathway for the induction of drug hapten-specific T-cell responses.

Guidelines-based treatment associated with improved economic outcomes in nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Background: The prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTMLD) in the US has increased; however, data characterizing the associated healthcare utilization and expenditure at the national level are limited. Objective: To examine associations between economic outcomes and the use of anti-Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) guidelines-based treatment (GBT) for newly-diagnosed NTMLD in a US national managed care claims database (Optum® Clinformatics® Data Mart). Methods: NTMLD was defined as having ≥2 claims for NTMLD (ICD-9 031.0; ICD-10 A31.0) on separate occasions ≥30 days apart (between 2007 and 2016). The cohort included patients insured continuously over a period of at least 36 months (12 months before initial NTMLD diagnostic claim and for the subsequent 24 months). Treatment was classified as GBT (consistent with American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines), non-GBT, or untreated. All-cause hospitalization rates and total healthcare expenditures at Year 2 were assessed as outcomes of the treatment prescribed in Year 1 after NTMLD diagnosis. Results: A total of 1,039 patients met study criteria for NTMLD (GBT, n = 294; non-GBT, n = 298; untreated, n = 447). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, GBT was associated with a significantly lower all-cause hospitalization risk vs non-GBT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.33-0.85, p = 0.008), and vs being untreated (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.35-0.91, p = 0.020). Adjusted total healthcare expenditure in Year 2 with GBT ($69,691) was lower than that with non-GBT ($77,624) with a difference of -$7,933 (95% CI = -$14,968 to -$899; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Patients with NTMLD in a US managed care claims database who were prescribed GBT had lower hospitalization risk than those who were prescribed non-GBT or were untreated. GBT was associated with lower total healthcare expenditure compared with non-GBT.

Relative risk of all-cause mortality in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in a US managed care population.

RATIONALE: The risk of all-cause mortality of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTMLD) in the United States (US) population is not well established. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the public health burden of NTMLD in the US by comparing the relative risk of all-cause mortality in the NTMLD population with an age- and sex-matched cohort from the general population. METHODS: Patients with physician claims for NTMLD (ICD-9 0.031; ICD-10 A31.0) were identified between 2007 and 2016 from a large US national managed care insurance plan covering approximately 15-18 million members annually. A control group with no NTMLD ICD-9 or 10 codes was randomly selected from the general population and matched 3:1 to the NTMLD sample according to birth year, gender, and insurance benefit coverage. The date of first NTMLD diagnosis of each patient was assigned to the matched controls as the index date. The Cox proportional hazard method compared survival between cohorts, adjusting for demographic factors and baseline comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 2005 patients with NTMLD and 6014 controls were identified, with a mean follow-up duration of 3.4 years and 3.7 years, respectively. The NTMLD group had substantially higher proportions of patients with asthma (23.3% versus 3.5%), bronchiectasis (36.5% versus 0.1%), COPD (52.0% versus 5.9%), arrhythmia (22.6% versus 6.5%), coronary artery disease (18.5% versus 6.6%), heart failure (11.9% versus 4.1%), and cancer (18.5% versus 5.0%). The unadjusted rate of all-cause mortality from the index date was 20.7 per 1000 person-years in the NTMLD group vs 5.6 per 1000 person-years in the control group (rate ratio = 3.73; 95% CI: 2.93-4.75). Multivariable Cox regression, adjusted for the above variables as well as all other important baseline covariates, showed a doubling risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.06; CI: 1.52-2.79; P < 0.001) in the NTMLD vs control group. CONCLUSIONS: All-cause mortality, adjusted for other factors, more than doubled with NTMLD compared with an age-sex-matched control group in a large US national managed care insurance plan.

Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension for Treatment-Refractory Lung Disease Caused by Mycobacterium avium Complex (CONVERT). A Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized Study.

Rationale: Improved therapeutic options are needed for patients with treatment-refractory nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of daily amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) added to standard guideline-based therapy (GBT) in patients with refractory MAC lung disease. Methods: Adults with amikacin-susceptible MAC lung disease and MAC-positive sputum cultures despite at least 6 months of stable GBT were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive ALIS with GBT (ALIS + GBT) or GBT alone. Once-daily ALIS was supplied in single-use vials delivering 590 mg amikacin to the nebulizer. The primary endpoint was culture conversion, defined as three consecutive monthly MAC-negative sputum cultures by Month 6. Measurements and Main Results: Enrolled patients (ALIS + GBT, n = 224; GBT-alone, n = 112) were a mean 64.7 years old and 69.3% female. Most had underlying bronchiectasis (62.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.3%), or both (11.9%). Culture conversion was achieved by 65 of 224 patients (29.0%) with ALIS + GBT and 10 of 112 (8.9%) with GBT alone (odds ratio, 4.22; 95% confidence interval, 2.08-8.57; P < 0.001). Patients in the ALIS + GBT arm versus GBT alone were more likely to achieve conversion (hazard ratio, 3.90; 95% confidence interval, 2.00-7.60). Respiratory adverse events (primarily dysphonia, cough, and dyspnea) were reported in 87.4% of patients receiving ALIS + GBT and 50.0% receiving GBT alone; serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 20.2% and 17.9% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Addition of ALIS to GBT for treatment-refractory MAC lung disease achieved significantly greater culture conversion by Month 6 than GBT alone, with comparable rates of serious adverse events. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02344004).

Health Care Utilization and Expenditures Following Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTMLD) is an important public health concern that has been increasing in prevalence. OBJECTIVES: To (a) describe hospitalizations and health care expenditures among patients with newly diagnosed NTMLD and (b) estimate attributable hospitalizations and expenditures to NTMLD in the United States. METHODS: In this matched cohort study, patients and controls were identified from a large U.S. national managed care insurance database containing aggregated health claims of up to 18 million fully covered members annually. NTMLD was defined based on diagnostic claims for NTMLD on ≥ 2 separate occasions ≥ 30 days apart between 2007 and 2016. Thirty-six months of continuous enrollment (12 months before and 24 months after the first diagnostic claim) was required. Health care utilization and standardized health care expenditures were summarized over 12 months before NTMLD diagnosis and for 2 subsequent years. The percentage of patients that were hospitalized in years 1 and 2 was evaluated using a generalized mixed effects model with adjustment for baseline hospitalizations, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and baseline diseases. A general estimating equation model was used to evaluate health care expenditures. RESULTS: There were 1,039 patients in the NTMLD cohort and 2,078 in the control cohort. NTMLD patients had a 55.0% risk of hospitalization in year 1 (95% CI = 45.4-64.3) and a 38.8% risk in year 2 (95% CI = 30.0-48.4). The adjusted risk of hospitalization was significantly higher in the NTMLD group compared with the control group in year 1 (OR = 4.64; 95% CI = 3.74-5.76; P < 0.001) and year 2 (OR = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.78-2.87; P < 0.001). Year 1 adjusted mean health care expenditures for the total NTMLD patient population were $72,475 (95% CI = $58,510-$86,440) and for the matched control population were $28,405 (95% CI = $8,859-$47,950), with a difference of $44,070 (95% CI = $27,132-$61,008; P < 0.001). Year 2 adjusted mean expenditures for the overall NTMLD patient group were $48,114 (95% CI = $31,722-$64,507) and for the matched control group were $28,990 (95% CI = $9,429-$48,552), with a difference of $19,124 (95% CI = $7,865-$30,383; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NTMLD have a significantly greater risk of hospitalization and higher total health care expenditures than matched control patients without NTMLD. DISCLOSURES: This study was financially sponsored by Insmed. Marras reports fees from Insmed, Astra Zeneca, RedHill, and Horizon, all outside the current work. Mirsaeidi has nothing to disclose. Eagle, Q. Zhang, Chou, and Leuchars are employees of Insmed. R. Zhang is a contracted consultant at Insmed. The views expressed here are those of the authors and are not to be attributed to their respective affiliations.

Randomized Trial of Liposomal Amikacin for Inhalation in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease.

RATIONALE: Lengthy, multidrug, toxic, and low-efficacy regimens limit management of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. OBJECTIVES: In this phase II study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of liposomal amikacin for inhalation (LAI) in treatment-refractory pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (Mycobacterium avium complex [MAC] or Mycobacterium abscessus) disease. METHODS: During the double-blind phase, patients were randomly assigned to LAI (590 mg) or placebo once daily added to their multidrug regimen for 84 days. Both groups could receive open-label LAI for 84 additional days. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to Day 84 on a semiquantitative mycobacterial growth scale. Other endpoints included sputum conversion, 6-minute-walk distance, and adverse events. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The modified intention-to-treat population included 89 (LAI = 44; placebo = 45) patients. The average age of the sample was 59 years; 88% were female; 92% were white; and 80 and 59 patients completed study drug dosing during the double-blind and open-label phases, respectively. The primary endpoint was not achieved (P = 0.072); however, a greater proportion of the LAI group demonstrated at least one negative sputum culture (14 [32%] of 44 vs. 4 [9%] of 45; P = 0.006) and improvement in 6-minute-walk test (+20.6 m vs. -25.0 m; P = 0.017) at Day 84. A treatment effect was seen predominantly in patients without cystic fibrosis with MAC and was sustained 1 year after LAI. Most adverse events were respiratory, and in some patients it led to drug discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Although the primary endpoint was not reached, LAI added to a multidrug regimen produced improvements in sputum conversion and 6-minute-walk distance versus placebo with limited systemic toxicity in patients with refractory MAC lung disease. Further research in this area is needed. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01315236).

Pulmonary Deposition and Elimination of Liposomal Amikacin for Inhalation and Effect on Macrophage Function after Administration in Rats.

Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) infections represent a treatment challenge. Liposomal amikacin for inhalation (LAI) is a novel formulation currently in development for the treatment of PNTM infections. The pulmonary deposition and elimination of LAI and its effect on macrophage function were evaluated in a series of preclinical studies in healthy rats. The pulmonary deposition of LAI was evaluated in female rats (n = 76) treated with LAI by nebulizer at 10 mg/kg of body weight per day or 90 mg/kg per day for 27 days, followed by dosing of dually labeled LAI (LAI with a lipid label plus an amikacin label) on day 28 with subsequent lung histological and amikacin analyses. In a separate study for assessment of alveolar macrophage function, rats (n = 180) received daily treatment with LAI at 90 mg/kg per day or 1.5% saline over three 30-day treatment periods followed by 30-day recovery periods; phagocytic and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) killing capabilities and inflammatory mediator release were assessed at the end of each period. LAI demonstrated equal dose-dependent deposition across all lung lobes and regions. Lipid and amikacin labels showed diffuse extracellular colocalization, followed by macrophage uptake and gradual amikacin elimination. Macrophages demonstrated accumulation of amikacin during treatment periods and nearly complete elimination during recovery periods. No evidence of an inflammatory response was seen. No differences in microsphere uptake or yeast killing were seen between LAI-treated and control macrophages. Neither LAI-treated nor control macrophages demonstrated constitutive inflammatory mediator release; however, both showed normal mediator release on lipopolysaccharide stimulation. LAI is readily taken up by macrophages in healthy rats without compromising macrophage function.

Total proteome analysis identifies migration defects as a major pathogenetic factor in immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV)-unmutated chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region defines two clinically distinct forms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) known as mutated (M-CLL) and unmutated (UM-CLL). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the adverse clinical outcome associated with UM-CLL, total proteomes from nine UM-CLL and nine M-CLL samples were analyzed by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based mass spectrometry. Based on the expression of 3521 identified proteins, principal component analysis separated CLL samples into two groups corresponding to immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region mutational status. Computational analysis showed that 43 cell migration/adhesion pathways were significantly enriched by 39 differentially expressed proteins, 35 of which were expressed at significantly lower levels in UM-CLL samples. Furthermore, UM-CLL cells underexpressed proteins associated with cytoskeletal remodeling and overexpressed proteins associated with transcriptional and translational activity. Taken together, our findings indicate that UM-CLL cells are less migratory and more adhesive than M-CLL cells, resulting in their retention in lymph nodes, where they are exposed to proliferative stimuli. In keeping with this hypothesis, analysis of an extended cohort of 120 CLL patients revealed a strong and specific association between UM-CLL and lymphadenopathy. Our study illustrates the potential of total proteome analysis to elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms in cancer.

Proteomic analysis of B-cell receptor signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia reveals a possible role for kininogen.

CLL is an incurable disease with variable prognosis. The hyper reactivity of the B-cell receptor (BCR) to unknown antigen ligation plays a pivotal role in CLL-cell survival. We aimed to investigate the BCR signalling pathway using proteomics to identify novel proteins which may have clinical relevance in this disease. Three CLL samples were selected based upon BCR responsiveness, demonstrated by upregulation of phospho-ERK following in vitro stimulation. The differential expression of proteins, upon artificial stimulation of the BCR, was examined in these samples using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in combination with mass spectrometry. Proteins of interest were subsequently examined using immunoblotting. Proteomic analysis revealed that kininogen, a critical protein of kinin-kallikrein system, was upregulated in all 3 clinical samples upon BCR stimulation. There are 2 forms of kininogen: HMWK and LMWK. The upregulation of LMWK upon BCR stimulation was confirmed by immunoblotting in all 3 of these samples. In a pilot series of 52 unselected CLL samples, 71% demonstrated basal LMWK expression. There was a trend towards shorter median survival in LMWK positive cases (147months versus 253months for LMWK negative cases; p=0.125). Kininogen may be a novel therapeutic target in CLL and the possible association with prognosis warrants further investigation. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: We have identified the upregulation of LMWK upon BCR stimulation of CLL samples. There is no previous published research to suggest a link between kininogen and normal B-cells or CLL cells. In 52 unselected CLL samples, 71% demonstrated basal LMWK expression. There was a trend towards shorter median survival in LMWK positive cases. The absence of LMWK protein expression on normal B-cells suggests that this could be a biomarker for CLL and further research should be undertaken.

Proteomic (antibody microarray) exploration of the molecular mechanism of action of the specific COX-2 inhibitor DuP 697.

We have previously shown that specific COX-2 inhibitors, including DuP 697, have anti-proliferative effects on mesothelioma cells and potentiate the cytotoxicity of pemetrexed. Here, we used a novel proteomic approach to explore the mechanism of action of this agent. COX-2-positive cell lines MSTO-211H (mesothelioma) and A549 (lung cancer) were exposed to DuP 697 for 72 h. Drug carrier only was added to control cells. Extracted proteins from treated and control cells were analysed using a comparative proteomic platform. Differentially expressed proteins, identified by the Panorama Xpress Profiler725 antibody microarray were submitted to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. A total of 32 unique differentially expressed proteins were identified with a significant (>1.8-fold) difference in expression between treated and untreated cells in at least one cell line. Five molecules, BCL2L1 (Bcl-xL), BID, CHUK (IKK), FASLG and RAF1, were mapped to the Apoptosis Signaling pathway following Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. BCL2L1 (Bcl-xL) and BID were analysed using immuno-blotting and differential expression was confirmed. Proteomic (antibody microarray) analysis suggests that the mechanism of action of DuP 697 may be exerted via the induction of apoptosis. The antibody microarray platform can be utilised to explore the molecular mechanism of action of novel anticancer agents.

Thalidomide enhances cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone-mediated cytotoxicity towards cultured chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells.

Numerous chemotherapeutic regimens exist for the treatment of symptomatic or progressive chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, once the disease becomes refractory to nucleoside-based therapy the prognosis is poor. In this study we investigated the cytotoxicity of thalidomide in combination with dexamethasone, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide. Cells from a cohort of 25 CLL patients were incubated for 72 h with each of these three agents, at 3 concentrations, both with and without thalidomide. Cell viability was assessed using the Annexin V:FITC assay. Fludarabine was highly toxic to the cells, producing very high levels of cell death; however, thalidomide did not increase this effect. Cyclophosphamide combined with thalidomide showed a small, non-significant improvement in toxicity compared with monotherapy. Median cell death for 5 µM dexamethasone monotherapy and for combination with thalidomide was 15% [interquartile range (IQR) 0-38%] and 17% (IQR 0-54%), respectively (Wilcoxon Signed Rank analysis, p=0.034). Cell death for 10 µM dexamethasone monotherapy was 15% (IQR 0-45%) and 16% (IQR 0-62%) in combination with thalidomide (Wilcoxon Signed Rank analysis, p=0.035). At the highest doses tested 11 of 25 cases displayed an enhancement of cyclophosphamide-mediated cytotoxicity, and 14 of 25 cases showed enhanced dexamethasone-mediated cytotoxicity in the presence of thalidomide. Some CLL cells in which dexamethasone-mediated killing was enhanced were derived from patients with poor prognostic markers, including p53 mutations and unmutated IgVH genes. In summary, thalidomide enhances cyclophosphamide- and dexamethasone-mediated cytotoxicity of CLL cells in vitro in a proportion of cases.

Biomarkers of chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer identified by proteomics: current status.

This review describes and discusses the advantages and limitations of proteomic approaches in the identification of biomarkers associated with chemotherapy resistance. Both gel-based (two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and gel-free (shotgun and quantitative) mass spectrometry approaches are discussed. Non-mass spectrometry approaches including antibody microarray platforms are described as complementary proteomic strategies. Methods for technical confirmation and clinical validation of putative biomarkers are presented. Use of this proteomic toolbox in the quest for biomarkers of chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer is reviewed. Technical aspects of sample selection, acquisition, storage and analysis are discussed and putative biomarkers identified through proteomic approaches are presented.

COX-2 specific inhibitors enhance the cytotoxic effects of pemetrexed in mesothelioma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Although malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour, its incidence is increasing. The prognosis remains very poor with an average survival of 10 months from diagnosis. The choice of chemotherapy regimens for mesothelioma patients is limited and new approaches are required. COX-2 inhibition induces apoptosis in a variety of tumour cell lines. The cytotoxic effect of conventional drugs may be enhanced by the addition of a COX-2 inhibitor. In order to identify possible new therapeutic approaches we aimed to determine whether the addition of COX-2 inhibitors would enhance the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic agents in mesothelioma cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three mesothelioma cell lines MSTO-211H, NCI-H2052 and NCI-H2452 were utilised. Using the COX-2 positive A549 lung cancer cell line as control, all cell lines were assayed using an MTT assay with non-specific COX-2 inhibitors (sulindac and flurbiprofen), specific COX-2 inhibitors (DuP-697 and NS-398), and chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, vinorelbine and pemetrexed). RESULTS: All cell lines exhibited COX-2 expression by western blotting using two antibodies. The addition of either DuP-697 or NS-398 increased the sensitivity to pemetrexed in all cell lines. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the design of novel pemetrexed-containing combination regimens with increased cytotoxicity may be feasible.