Genetic Polymorphisms of GGH and ABCC2 Are Associated with Methotrexate Intolerance in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: to identify new single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding proteins involved in methotrexate (MTX) metabolism and to evaluate the associations of these SNPs with MTX toxicity or intolerance in a southern Spanish cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: An observational, retrospective, and multicenter study was conducted at three participating hospitals in southern Spain. The main variable was intolerance to MTX (i.e., bDMARD monotherapy), defined as an interruption of treatment due to adverse events or toxicity. Patients being treated with MTX and bDMARDs (combined treatment) at the time of the study visit were considered "tolerant" of MTX. Ten polymorphisms were selected for sequencing in our patients according to a literature review. Each polymorphism was classified according to three possible genotypes (e.g., two homozygous (AA or GG) and one heterozygous (AG)), and the association of these combinations with MTX intolerance was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 227 patients were included in the final analysis (107 intolerant of MTX and 120 tolerant). A significant association was observed between MTX intolerance and the GGH-T401C AA/AG genotype (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.06-4.29) in comparison with the GG genotype. On the other hand, an inverse association was observed between the ABCC2-C24T TT/TC genotype and intolerance to MTX (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-1.00) in comparison with the CC genotype. CONCLUSION: This study provides new data on the association between genetic polymorphisms and MTX intolerance, which may contribute to the development of new biomarkers and personalized medicine in patients with RA.

Improving selection of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to benefit from cetuximab based on KIR genotypes.

AIM: Cetuximab is a standard-of-care treatment for KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but it may also be effective in a subgroup of KRAS mutant patients by its immunomodulatory activity. Here, we explore if KIR (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor) genotyping can provide a significant added value in the clinical outcome of patients with KRAS mutant mCRC based on cetuximab treatment. METHODS: We included 69 patients with histologically confirmed mCRC and KRAS mutation, positive EGFR expression, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2. Based on KIR gene content, haplotype (A or B) was defined and genotypes (AA or Bx) were grouped for each patient. RESULTS: We demonstrated with new evidence the immunomodulatory activity of cetuximab in patients with KRAS mutant mCRC. Patients with homozygous genotypes (AA or BB) showed shorter 12-month progression-free survival (PFS12) and poorer overall survival (OS) than those with heterozygotes (AB). Moreover, multivariate analysis confirmed stratification of patients based on genotype was an independent marker of PFS12 (HR 2.16) and the centromeric and telomeric distribution of KIRs was an independent predictor of both PFS12 (HR 2.26) and OS (HR 1.93) in patients with mCRC with KRAS mutation treated with cetuximab. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of patients with mCRC based on their KIR genotypes opens a therapeutic opportunity for patients with KRAS mutation, and it should be tested in clinical trials in comparison with other alternatives with scarce benefit. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01450319, EudraCT 2010-023580-18.

HLA-B, HLA-C and KIR improve the predictive value of IFNL3 for Hepatitis C spontaneous clearance.

IFNL3 is the strongest predictor of spontaneous resolution (SR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), however, consideration of IFNL3 genotype alone is of limited clinical value for the prediction of SR or chronic HCV infection. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of HLA-B, HLA-C and KIRs on SR, as well as their additive effects on the predictive value of the IFNL3 genotype. We conducted a retrospective study of HIV patients that included both SR and chronic HCV patients. In our study, 61.6% of patients with IFNL3 CC achieved SR, and 81.5% with non-CC genotypes did not achieve SR. HLA-B*44, HLA-C*12, and KIR3DS1 were identified as predictive factors for SR, with percentages of 77.4%, 85.7% and 86.2%, respectively, for patients who did not experience SR. The presence of at least one of these three markers, defined as a genetically unfavorable profile (GUP), combined with the IFNL3 non-CC genotype showed a value of 100% for non-SR. The absence of the three markers, defined as a genetically favorable profile (GFP), in addition to the IFNL3 CC genotype showed a percentage of 74.1% for SR. The combination of these markers in addition to the IFNL3 genotype improves the predictive value of IFNL3 for SR of acute HCV infection in HIV patients, which would be clinically valuable.

Evolución tras el intercambio a infliximab biosimilar en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en remisión clínica / Evolution after switching to biosimilar infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease patients in clinical remission

Introducción y objetivo: Infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13) ha sido aprobado para las mismas indicaciones que infliximab original (Remicade(R)); sin embargo, hay pocos datos clínicos sobre el intercambio en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII). El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la eficacia, la seguridad, el perfil de biodisponibilidad y los factores asociados a la recidiva tras el intercambio a infliximab biosimilar en pacientes con EII en remisión clínica. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional con pacientes con EII tratados con Remicade(R) durante al menos 6 meses y en remisión clínica durante al menos 3 meses, a los que se realizó el intercambio a infliximab biosimilar. Se evaluó la incidencia de recidiva, los efectos adversos y los cambios en la biodisponibilidad del fármaco (niveles y anticuerpos). Resultados: Se incluyeron 36 pacientes (63,9% EC), con una media de seguimiento de 8,4 meses (±3,5). El 13,9% presentaron recidiva clínica. El mayor tiempo de remisión clínica previo al intercambio (HR=0,54; IC 95%=0,29-0,98; p=0,04) y niveles de infliximab detectables en el momento del intercambio (HR=0,03; IC 95%=0,001-0,89; p=0,04) se asociaron a menor riesgo de recidiva. No hubo diferencias entre niveles de infliximab en el momento del intercambio y en las semanas 8 y 16 (p=0,94). El 8,3% presentaron algún efecto adverso, requiriendo suspensión del fármaco en un paciente por neumonía grave. Conclusión: El intercambio a infliximab biosimilar en una cohorte de vida real de pacientes con EII en remisión clínica no parece tener un impacto significativo en los resultados clínicos a corto plazo. Los factores asociados con la recidiva fueron similares a los esperados en pacientes que continúan con Remicade(R) (AU)

Background and aim: The biosimilar of infliximab (CT-P13) has been approved for the same indications held by the infliximab reference product (Remicade(R)); however, there are few clinical data on switching in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, bioavailability profile and factors associated with relapse after switching to biosimilar infliximab in IBD patients in clinical remission. Material and method: Observational study with IBD patients treated with Remicade(R) for at least 6 months and in clinical remission for at least 3 months who switched to infliximab biosimilar. The incidence of relapse, adverse effects and possible changes in drug bioavailability (trough level and antidrug antibodies) were evaluated. Results: Thirty six patients were included (63.9% CD) with a mean follow-up of 8.4 months (SD±3.5). The 13.9% had clinical relapse. The longer clinical remission time before switching (HR=0.54, 95% CI=0.29-0.98, P=.04) and detectable infliximab levels at the time of switching (HR=0.03, 95% CI=0.001-0.89, P=.04) were associated with a lower risk of relapse. No differences were found between infliximab levels at the time of switching and at weeks 8 and 16 (P=.94); 8.3% of the patients had some adverse event, requiring the suspension of biosimilar in one patient for severe pneumonia. Conclusion: Switching to biosimilar infliximab in a real-life cohort of IBD patients in clinical remission did not have a significant impact on short-term clinical outcomes. The factors associated with relapse were similar to those expected in patients continuing with Remicade(R) (AU)

Evolution after switching to biosimilar infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease patients in clinical remission. / Evolución tras el intercambio a infliximab biosimilar en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en remisión clínica.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The biosimilar of infliximab (CT-P13) has been approved for the same indications held by the infliximab reference product (Remicade®); however, there are few clinical data on switching in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, bioavailability profile and factors associated with relapse after switching to biosimilar infliximab in IBD patients in clinical remission. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational study with IBD patients treated with Remicade® for at least 6 months and in clinical remission for at least 3 months who switched to infliximab biosimilar. The incidence of relapse, adverse effects and possible changes in drug bioavailability (trough level and antidrug antibodies) were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty six patients were included (63.9% CD) with a mean follow-up of 8.4 months (SD±3.5). The 13.9% had clinical relapse. The longer clinical remission time before switching (HR=0.54, 95% CI=0.29-0.98, P=.04) and detectable infliximab levels at the time of switching (HR=0.03, 95% CI=0.001-0.89, P=.04) were associated with a lower risk of relapse. No differences were found between infliximab levels at the time of switching and at weeks 8 and 16 (P=.94); 8.3% of the patients had some adverse event, requiring the suspension of biosimilar in one patient for severe pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Switching to biosimilar infliximab in a real-life cohort of IBD patients in clinical remission did not have a significant impact on short-term clinical outcomes. The factors associated with relapse were similar to those expected in patients continuing with Remicade®.

KIR Genes and Their Ligands Predict the Response to Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Antibodies in Solid Tumors.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) regulate the killing function of natural killer cells, which play an important role in the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity response exerted by therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). However, it is unknown whether the extensive genetic variability of KIR genes and/or their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands might influence the response to these treatments. This study aimed to explore whether the variability in KIR/HLA genes may be associated with the variable response observed to mAbs based anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies. Thirty-nine patients treated with anti-EGFR mAbs (trastuzumab for advanced breast cancer, or cetuximab for advanced colorectal or advanced head and neck cancer) were included in the study. All the patients had progressed to mAbs therapy and were grouped into two categories taking into account time to treatment failure (TTF ≤6 and ≥10 months). KIR genotyping (16 genetic variability) was performed in genomic DNA from peripheral blood by PCR sequence-specific primer technique, and HLA ligand typing was performed for HLA-B and -C loci by reverse polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide methodology. Subjects carrying the KIR/HLA ligand combinations KIR2DS1/HLAC2C2-C1C2 and KIR3DS1/HLABw4w4-w4w6 showed longer TTF than non-carriers counterparts (14.76 vs. 3.73 months, p < 0.001 and 14.93 vs. 4.6 months, p = 0.005, respectively). No other significant differences were observed. Two activating KIR/HLA ligand combinations predict better response of patients to anti-EGFR therapy. These findings increase the overall knowledge on the role of specific gene variants related to responsiveness to anti-EGFR treatment in solid tumors and highlight the importance of assessing gene polymorphisms related to cancer medications.

Natural killer KIR3DS1 is closely associated with HCV viral clearance and sustained virological response in HIV/HCV patients.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of the presence of the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) 3DS1 on HCV treatment response in HIV/HCV genotype 1 co-infected patients. METHODS: HIV/HCV co-infected patients were included. KIR3DS1, their specific HLA-B ligands and IL28B gene were genotyped. Reductions of plasma HCV RNA levels between baseline and week 1, week 2 and week 4 were analyzed for IL28B genotype and KIR3DS1 (HLA Bw4 or Bw6). Rapid and sustained virological response (RVR and SVR) rates were also analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty HIV/HCV genotype 1 co-infected patients were included. Patients with KIR3DS1 and Bw4 had higher rates of HCV viral decline than those who were not carriers of KIR3DS1 (week 1: p = 0.01; week 2: p = 0.038; week 4: p = 0.03). Patients carrying KIR3DS1/Bw4 had higher rates of RVR and SVR than those who did not carry KIR3DS1 (RVR: 46.15% versus 17.02%, p = 0.012; SVR: 63.6% versus 13 26.5%, p = 0.031). With respect to patients carrying the IL28B-CC genotype, those with KIR3DS1/Bw4 had greater rates of HCV viral clearance (week 1: p<0.001; week 2: p = 0.01; week 4: p = 0.02), RVR (p = 0.015) and SVR (p = 0.029) than those not carrying KIR3DS1. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the KIR3DS1 genotype has a positive effect on HCV viral clearance during the first weeks of Peg-IFN/RBV treatment in HCV/HCV co-infected patients bearing genotype 1, and higher RVR and SVR rates.