Almonertinib and alflutinib show novel inhibition on rare EGFR S768I mutant cells.

PURPOSE: EGFR classical mutations respond well to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, it is uncertain whether currently available EGFR-TKIs are effective against rare EGFR mutations and compound mutations. Herein, the effectiveness of almonertinib and alflutinib, the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors developed in China, on rare EGFR S768I mutations and compound mutations is identified. METHODS: In this study, using CRISPR method, four EGFR S768I mutation cell lines were constructed, and the sensitivity of EGFR to almonertinib and alflutinib was tested, with positive controls being the 1st (gefitinib), 2nd (afatinib), and 3rd (osimertinib) generation drugs. RESULTS: The present results indicate that almonertinib and alflutinib can effectively inhibit cell viability and proliferation in rare EGFR S768I mutations through the ERK or AKT pathways in a time-dependent manner, by blocking the cell cycle and inhibiting apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that almonertinib and alflutinib may be potential therapeutic options for non-small cell lung cancer patients with the EGFR S768I mutation.

BDTX-189, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits cell activity via ERK and AKT pathways in the EGFR C797S triple mutant cells.

The tertiary mutation C797S in the structural domain of the EGFR kinase is a common cause of resistance to third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In this study, we used a potent, selective and irreversible inhibitor, BDTX-189, to target EGFR C797S triple mutant cells for cell activity. The study constructed the H1975-C797S (EGFR L858R/T790 M/C797S) cell line using the CRISPR/Cas9 method and investigated its potential as a fourth-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor via chemosensitivity approach. The results demonstrated its ability to induce cytotoxic effects, and inhibit EGFR L858R/T790 M/C797S cell growth and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, BDTX-189 reduces the protein phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ERK, and AKT, promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, BDTX-189 not only inhibits common EGFR triple mutations but also effectively inhibits EGFR L858R mutation and EGFR L858R/T790 M mutation. These findings support the cytotoxic effect of BDTX-189 and its inhibitory effect on cell division and proliferation with the EGFR C797S triple mutation.

CUDC­101 is a potential target inhibitor for the EGFR­overexpression bladder cancer cells.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common urological malignancies worldwide. The molecular mechanism underlying its development is complex, but its carcinogenesis has been proposed to occur with cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis, driven by the signaling activity of abundant EGFR and receptor tyrosine­protein kinase erbB­2. In the present study, T24 bladder cancer cell lines with EGFR­overexpression were constructed, before the multi­target inhibitor CUDC­101 was used to investigate its potential as a targeted therapeutic agent for bladder cancer using chemosensitivity methods. The results showed that CUDC­101 induced cytotoxic effects, inhibited growth vitality and proliferation in a dose­dependent manner. CUDC­101 also altered the skeletal morphology and microfilament structure, while blocking cell cycle progression and causing apoptosis. These results supported the proposed cytotoxic effects of CUDC­101, in addition to its inhibitory effects on cell division and proliferation in EGFR­overexpressing bladder cancer cells. Therefore CUDC­101 may to be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Six first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors reveal novel inhibition potential for the EGFR S768I mutation.

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are considered a drug-targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. However, limited data are available involving the activity of EGFR TKIs against rare EGFR mutations. Here, based on an endogenous EGFR-depleted cell Line H3255 by CRISPR, H3255 cells with rare mutant EGFRS768I and compound mutations EGFRS768I+L858R were tested using cell proliferation assay, cytotoxicity, membrane potential, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. We conducted cytotoxicity screening of EGFR mutations on six front-line TKIs based on first-, second-, and third-generation TKIs (afatinib, dacomitinib, osimertinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, and icotinib). The results showed that the sensitivity of these mutants containing rare variants EGFRS768I to six front-line TKIs was enriched in the irreversible TKI cytotoxicity assays by determining their change in cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell proliferation and signal pathway factors. Importantly, the variants harboring EGFRL858R (H3255), EGFRS768I (H3255S768I) and EGFRS768I+L858R (H3255S768I+L858R) were sensitive to six TKIs and induced cytotoxicity through different pathways. Moreover, the compound mutations EGFRS768I+L858R showed more TKI resistance than EGFRS768I mutation and EGFRL858R mutation. We present a comprehensive reference for the sensitivity of EGFRS768I variants to six front-line TKIs. For patients with the EGFR S768I mutation and compound mutations EGFRS768I+L858R, six first-line TKIs appear to be reasonable therapeutic options.

Sensitivity analysis of EGFR L861Q mutation to six tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Purpose: Lung cancer is one of the most common carcinomas with the highest mortality in the world. Non-small cell lung carcinoma has a large proportion of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, of which rare EGFR mutations account for about 10%–20%. Currently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy is a standard treatment for patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma with EGFR mutations. To date, the toxicological effects of the EGFR L861Q variant (less than 2%) have been rarely reported, so further investigation of its sensitivity to six first-in-class TKIs is of great clinical interest.MethodsIn this study, two EGFR L861Q variants cell lines (EGFR L861Q variant and EGFR L861Q + exon 19 deletion variant) were established by CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. The steady-state plasma concentrations of six TKIs (gefitinib/erlotinib/icotinib, the first generation; dacomitinib/afatinib, the second generation; and osimertinib, the third generation) were tested, respectively. The change of cell viability, proliferation, cloning ability, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay, EdU staining assay, colony formation assay, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis test. TUNEL and Annexin V / PI staining were used to detect cell apoptosis, and flow cytometry was employed to explore the sensitivity of two variants to six TKIs.ResultsOur study indicated that the six TKIs inhibited the viability of the two cell lines in a time-dependent manner, and the inhibitory time of six TKIs on proliferation was different between the two cell lines. The proliferation and cloning ability of two cell lines were inhibited by six TKIs. The cytoskeleton morphology, microfilament structure and distribution of the two cell lines were changed by six TKIs. (AU)

The Notion of Coopetition-Based Open-Innovation in Business Practices: A Model to Accelerate Firm Performance.

In today's competitive business market, firms that collaborate on a coopetition basis face obstacles in the form of decision-making, dependency, and trust in their competitor partners. This current study is the only one that has examined the relationship between coopetition and firm performance; yet, this relationship appears to be unclear due to the impact of trust and dependency on coopetition. This study investigates the impact of coopetition on firm performance by examining the mediating effects of decision-making and open innovation on firm performance. There are 230 sets of data that were collected from the employees of Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprises through the survey method, and the data were analyzed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling. The findings of this study indicated that open innovation has a significant mediation effect between coopetition and firm performance, and that decision-making is also an important mediating effect in bridging the relationship between coopetition and firm performance. By considering these mediators, the findings revealed that the coopetition has a significant impact on firm performance through decision-making and has a significant effect on firm performance through increasing open innovation. The findings also revealed that decision-making played a significant role in mediating the relationship between coopetition and firm performance, which in turn specified a statistically significant positive relationship with decision-making that mediated a positive relation. According to the findings of this research, modern business firms should recognize the relevance of coopetition-based open innovation in their business processes to increase their overall performance. This study is significant because it provides a game-changing strategy for the management of businesses.

Sensitivity analysis of EGFR L861Q mutation to six tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer is one of the most common carcinomas with the highest mortality in the world. Non-small cell lung carcinoma has a large proportion of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, of which rare EGFR mutations account for about 10%-20%. Currently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy is a standard treatment for patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma with EGFR mutations. To date, the toxicological effects of the EGFR L861Q variant (less than 2%) have been rarely reported, so further investigation of its sensitivity to six first-in-class TKIs is of great clinical interest. METHODS: In this study, two EGFR L861Q variants cell lines (EGFR L861Q variant and EGFR L861Q + exon 19 deletion variant) were established by CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. The steady-state plasma concentrations of six TKIs (gefitinib/erlotinib/icotinib, the first generation; dacomitinib/afatinib, the second generation; and osimertinib, the third generation) were tested, respectively. The change of cell viability, proliferation, cloning ability, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay, EdU staining assay, colony formation assay, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis test. TUNEL and Annexin V / PI staining were used to detect cell apoptosis, and flow cytometry was employed to explore the sensitivity of two variants to six TKIs. RESULTS: Our study indicated that the six TKIs inhibited the viability of the two cell lines in a time-dependent manner, and the inhibitory time of six TKIs on proliferation was different between the two cell lines. The proliferation and cloning ability of two cell lines were inhibited by six TKIs. The cytoskeleton morphology, microfilament structure and distribution of the two cell lines were changed by six TKIs. Compared with the control, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased while the apoptosis increased of the two of variants after treatment with the six TKIs, and the associated mechanisms were elucidated. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above results, EGFR L861Q + 19del variant and EGFR L861Q variant showed significant sensitivity to six first-in-class TKIs. Among the six TKIs, the first generation TKIs (gefitinib/erlotinib/icotinib), showed stronger inhibition ability to the EGFR L861Q + 19del variant and EGFR L861Q variant, among which gefitinib showed the strongest inhibition.

[Sexual attraction: a concept analysis using an evolutionary perspective].

BACKGROUND: Medical technology has transformed the body image of women and altered perceptions of beauty and sexual attraction. While "sexual attraction" is a fundamental concept in sexology, the characteristics of this concept have not been studied in the field of nursing. Because nurses provide advice and health education for women, it is essential to clarify the concept of sexual attraction for the benefit of related nursing research and for the further development of nursing knowledge. PURPOSE: This study explores the concept of sexual attraction in a Taiwanese social context using concept analysis based on an evolutionary perspective. METHODS: Inductive inquiry is used to compare and contrast articles from the academic literature, magazines, and newspapers, and data from participant observation and interviews are used to generate exemplars. The process by which the concept of sexual attraction has evolved over time is captured from three distinct aspects: significance, use, and application. RESULTS: The definitional statement of sexual attraction includes the five dimensions of: 1. sexual-oriented psychological dynamics; 2. personal aesthetics and sensory experience; 3. instinct body forces; 4. body language of self; and 5. social and cultural norms. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study scrutinized the changes in attributes that emphasize the biological, objectified body, and stereotyped gender roles of women. Further directions for research and nursing knowledge development are suggested. Examples include identifying the changes in the concept of sexual attraction that result from technological advancement and further clarifying the experiential knowledge of sexual attraction that represents the selfhood and independence of women in Taiwan.

Maternal plasma adiponectin concentrations at 24 to 31 weeks of gestation: negative association with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone with antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and antiinflammatory properties. This study investigated the relations between maternal adiponectin concentration and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and other metabolic parameters during midpregnancy. METHODS: Two-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in 253 pregnant women at 24 to 31 wk of gestation. Two hundred nineteen who had normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 34 women who had GDM and their newborns were investigated. Fasting maternal blood samples were drawn to determine plasma concentrations of adiponectin, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, free fatty acid, and blood lipids. Blood samples at 1 and 2 h after an oral glucose load were obtained to measure plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations. RESULTS: Plasma adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in women who had GDM than in those who had NGT (P = 0.014). Maternal age, body mass index (before pregnancy and at blood collection), and plasma level of free fatty acid were significantly greater in those who had GDM than in those who had NGT. Logistic regression analysis showed that maternal adiponectin level and GDM were significantly correlated (P = 0.043), but that the correlation became weaker (P = 0.116) after adjusting for maternal body mass index and plasma level of free fatty acid before pregnancy. In the NGT group, maternal adiponectin concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with plasma fasting insulin, fasting C-peptide, fasting C-peptide/fasting glucose ratio, 2-h glucose, triacylglycerol, and maternal body mass index and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. In the GDM group, maternal adiponectin level was negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Midpregnancy hypoadiponectinemia may be associated with a higher risk of GDM.

Lack of relationship between beta3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism and gestational diabetes mellitus in a Taiwanese population.

The Trp64Arg polymorphism of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The objective of this study is to investigate whether the ADRB3 Arg variant confers susceptibility to GDM in a Taiwanese population. A total of 299 pregnant women (mean +/- SD, 31.1 +/- 4.2 years) was recruited. Two-hour, 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted at 24 to 31 weeks gestation (28.3 +/- 1.6 weeks). Forty-one GDM subjects and 258 controls with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) level were genotyped for the ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphism. The genotype distribution and allele frequency of ADRB3 did not significantly differ between GDM and NGT subjects (9.8% v 14.5%). Body weight gain during pregnancy was not different between ADRB3 genotypes. However, the GDM subjects with the Arg64 variant had higher fasting (P =.04) and postload 120 minutes (P =.03) insulin levels as compared with the GDM subjects with the Trp64Trp allele. In all subjects, the women with the Arg64 allele (n = 76) had significantly higher level of insulin secretion (the ratio of Deltainsulin(60)/Deltaglucose(60)) during OGTT than those without (n = 223) (P =.03) despite similar plasma levels of glucose and insulin in both genotypes. Our results indicated that the ADRB3 Trp64Arg variant is not related to the development of GDM and has no effect on obesity during pregnancy in a Taiwanese population. However, ADRB3 polymorphism might be a possible determinant of insulin resistance.

Cord plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin in healthy term neonates: positive correlation with birthweight and neonatal adiposity.

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin is negatively associated with leptin, insulin and obesity in children and adults. Whereas increases in fetal insulin and leptin are associated with increased weight and adiposity at birth, the role of adiponectin in fetal growth has not yet been determined. The aims of this study were to examine the relationships between adiponectin and insulin, leptin, weight and adiposity at birth in healthy term infants. DESIGN AND METHODS: Anthropometric parameters including weight, length, circumferences and skinfold thickness were measured, and plasma lipid profiles, insulin, leptin and adiponectin concentrations in cord blood samples from 226 singleton infants born at term after uncomplicated pregnancies were assayed. RESULTS: Cord plasma adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels correlated significantly and positively with birthweight (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) and the sum of skinfold thicknesses (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Mean cord plasma adiponectin and leptin levels, but not insulin level, were significantly higher in large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants compared with appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants. Cord plasma leptin concentration, but not adiponectin concentration, was significantly higher in female infants than in male infants (P = 0.003 and P = 0.94, respectively). Cord plasma adiponectin concentration correlated positively with leptin level (P = 0.007) but not with insulin level (P = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: High adiponectin levels are present in the cord blood. Cord plasma adiponectin and leptin levels are positively correlated with birthweight and adiposity. This suggests that adiponectin may be involved in regulating fetal growth.