Developing a Novel Enzalutamide-Resistant Prostate Cancer Model via AR F877L Mutation in LNCaP Cells.

Prostate cancer is a leading diagnosis and major cause of cancer-related deaths in men worldwide. As a typical hormone-responsive disease, prostate cancer is commonly managed with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to curb its progression and potential metastasis. Unfortunately, progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), a notably more aggressive phase of the disease, occurs within a timeframe of 2-3 years following ADT. Enzalutamide, a recognized androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, has been employed as a standard of care for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) since it was first approved in 2012, due to its ability to prolong survival. However, scientific evidence suggests that sustained treatment with AR antagonists may induce acquired AR mutations or splice variants, such as AR F877L, T878A, and H875Y, leading to drug resistance and thereby diminishing the therapeutic efficacy of these agents. Thus, the establishment of prostate cancer models incorporating these particular mutations is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies to overcome such resistance and evaluate the efficacy of next-generation AR-targeting drugs. We have developed a CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-based knock-in technology to introduce an additional F877L mutation in AR into the human prostate cell line LNCaP. This article provides comprehensive descriptions of the methodologies for cellular gene editing and establishment of an in vivo model. Using these methods, we successfully identified an enzalutamide-resistant phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo models. We also assessed the efficacy of target protein degraders (TPDs), such as ARV-110 and ARV-667, in both models, and the corresponding validation data are also included here. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of AR F877L-mutated LNCaP cell line using CRISPR technology Basic Protocol 2: Validation of drug resistance in AR F877L-mutated LNCaP cell line using the 2D CTG assay Support Protocol: Testing of sgRNA efficiency in HEK 293 cells Basic Protocol 3: Validation of drug resistance in AR F877L-mutated LNCaP cell line in vivo.

[The Effect and Safety of Flumatinib in Patients with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Failed First-and Second-line Treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of flumatinib, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) independently developed in China, in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) who falied first-line and second-line treatment. METHODS: The clinical data of 30 CML-CP patients treated with flumatinib in Lianyungang First People's Hospital from January 2020 to September 2022 were collected retrospectively. Among them, 15 patients who received imatinib first-line treatment but failed treatment were included in the second-line group, and the other 15 patients who failed second-line treatment with nilotinib or dasatinib were included in the third-line group. The hematological and molecular responses of the patients in the two groups at 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment, and the event-free survival (EFS) and adverse reactions of patients at the end of follow-up were statistical analyzed. RESULTS: At 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment, 10, 11, and 12 patients in the second line group achieved major molecular response (MMR), which was higher than that of 3, 4, and 5 patients in the third line group (P =0.010, P =0.011, P =0.010). At 3 months of treatment, 12 and 13 patients achieved complete hematological response (CHR) and early molecular response (EMR) in the second-line group, which was higher than that of 9 and 13 patients in the third-line group, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P =0.232, P =1.000); At 6 and 12 months of treatment, 6 and 7 patients in the second-line group achieved MR4.5, which were higher than of 3 and 2 cases in the third-line group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.427, P =0.713). The hematological adverse reactions of patients in the second-line group during treatment the period were mainly grade 1-2 thrombocytopenia and anemia, and no grade 3-4 of adverse reactions occurred. In the third-line group, there were 2 cases of grade 1-2 thrombocytopenia, grade 1-2 anemia and white blood cell 3 cases were reduced each, 1 case of grade 3-4 anemia, 2 cases of grade 3-4 neutropenia. The non-hematological adverse reactions in the second-line group were rash (2 cases), headache (1 case), diarrhea (1 case), fatigue (1 case), limb pain (1 case). There were 1 cases of diarrhea, 1 cases of nausea, and 1 cases of edema in the third-line group. There was no statistical significance in hematological and non-hematological adverse reactions between the two groups of patients (P >0.05). At the end of follow-up, the EFS rate of patients in the second-line group was higher than that in the third-line group (100% vs 93.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.317). CONCLUSION: The second-generation TKI flumatinib independently developed in China, has good curative effect and safety for CML-CP patients who failed first-line and second-line treatment.

A randomized controlled study to assess the effect of mosapride citrate on intestinal recovery following gastrectomy.

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol, including prokinetic medications, is commonly used to prevent postoperative ileus. Prospective studies evaluating the effectiveness of mosapride citrate, a prokinetic 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor agonist, in patients undergoing gastrectomy within the ERAS framework are lacking. This double-blind randomized trial included patients who were scheduled for laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control (placebo) or experimental (mosapride citrate) group, with drugs administered on postoperative days 1-5. Bowel motility was evaluated based on bowel transit time measured using radiopaque markers, first-flatus time, and amount of food intake. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups. On postoperative day 3, no significant difference was observed in the number of radiopaque markers visible in the colon between the groups. All factors associated with bowel recovery, including the time of first flatus, length of hospital stay, amount of food intake, and severity of abdominal discomfort, were similar between the two groups. Mosapride citrate does not benefit the recovery of intestinal motility after minimally invasive gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, routine postoperative use of mosapride citrate is not recommended in such patients.

A net-work meta-analysis of the cardiac safety for next-generation hormonal agents in treating castration-resistant prostate cancer: How to choose drugs appropriately?

BACKGROUND: Researchers have shown that using next-generation hormonal agents (NHA) for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) would lead to increased risk of cardiac adverse effects, making clinician choices more complex. METHODS: We systematically searched Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for research published before October 2022. Agents were ranked according to their effectiveness based on cardiac adverse effects using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. RESULTS: A total of 21 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with 19, 083 patients were included in present study. Our results showed that abiraterone and enzalutamide could lead to a significantly higher hypertension rate compared with placebo; whereas no significant difference was detected between four NHAs and placebo in ischemic heart disease incidence. All four NHAs could significantly increase the risk of cardiotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: NHAs are generally acceptable in terms of cardiovascular disease compared to placebo in patients with CRPC.

Comparison of effectiveness and safety of lasmiditan and CGRP-antagonists for the acute treatment of migraine in adults: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes associated with the use of lasmiditan, rimegepant, ubrogepant, and zavegepant for the acute management of migraine headaches. METHODS: We searched four electronic databases from database inception to August 31, 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that report efficacy and safety for the acute treatment of migraine. The risk of bias in the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane tool, and the certainty of evidence using the CINeMA approach. We conducted frequentist network meta-analyses (NMA) to summarise the evidence. Data were analyzed using R-4.3.1. RESULTS: A total of 18 eligible studies including 10 different types of interventions with 22,429 migraine patients were included. NMA results showed that compared to ubrogepant (25 mg and 50 mg) and zavegepant, lasmiditan (100 mg and 200 mg) exhibits an elevated probability of achieving pain relief within a 2-hour interval. Similarly, relative to zavegepant, rimegepant (75 mg) and ubrogepant (50 mg and 100 mg) demonstrate an enhanced likelihood of sustaining pain relief over a 24-hour period. Furthermore, in contrast to ubrogepant (25 mg) and lasmiditan (50 mg), rimegepant (75 mg) presents a heightened probability of achieving freedom from photophobia within 2 h. Regarding safety, lasmiditan carries the highest risk of adverse events, which are associated with an increased incidence of adverse effects, including dizziness, somnolence, asthenia, paresthesia, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: In this NMA, a spectrum of evidence ranging from very low to high levels underscores the favorable efficacy and tolerability of rimegepant 75 mg and ubrogepant 100 mg, positioning them as potential candidates for the acute management of migraine. Concurrently, lasmiditan (100 mg and 200 mg) exhibits notable efficacy, albeit accompanied by an increased susceptibility to adverse events. These findings should still be approached with caution, primarily due to the intrinsic limitations associated with indirect comparisons.

[Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Flumatinib in the Treatment of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of flumatinib mesylate produced in China in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP). METHODS: 32 newly diagnosed CML-CP patients admitted to the Hematology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from March 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022, who had never received any tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) were included in the study. The patients were treated by flumatinib mesylate 600mg once daily. The hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular responses were assessed at 3-, 6- and 12-month, and adverse effects of the drug were evaluated. RESULTS: 31 patients were treated with flumatinib for≥3 months, of which 24 patients were treated for ≥6 months and 14 patients were treated for≥12 months. At 3rd month of treatment, 30 out of 31 patients achieved complete hematologic response (CHR); 24 patients underwent cytogenetic testing and 22 cases achieved major cytogenetic response(MCyR), of which 21 cases achieved complete cytogenetic response (CCyR); Among 25 patients who underwent molecular testing, 22 patients had BCR-ABLIS≤10%, including 10 patients with BCR-ABLIS≤0.1%, and 6 patients with BCR-ABLIS≤0.01%. At 6th month of treatment, 23 out of 24 patients achieved CHR; 17 patients underwent cytogenetic testing and all achieved CCyR; Among 23 patients who underwent molecular testing, 20 patients had BCR-ABLIS≤1%, including 16 patients with BCR-ABLIS≤0.1% and 12 patients with BCR-ABLIS≤0.01%. At 12nd month of treatment, all 14 patients achieved CHR and CCyR; Among them, 10 patients had BCR-ABLIS≤0.1%, including 9 patients with BCR-ABLIS≤0.01%. The grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia rates in the patients were 13.3%, 20.0% and 3.3%, respectively. One patient stopped flumatinib therapy due to severe and persistent hematologic toxicity. The major non-hematologic adverse events were abnormal liver function (20%), diarrhea (10%), bone/joint pain (10%), muscle spasm (10%), rash (6.7%), acute kidney injury (6.7%) and nausea(3.3%), most of which were grade I-II. No patient experienced grade Ⅳ non-hematologic adverse events. No drug toxicity-related death occurred. CONCLUSION: Flumatinib mesglate, as the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed CML-CP, can enable the patients to achieve early and deep molecular and cytogenetic responses, and shows good safety.

Co-expression of Twist and Snai1: predictor of poor prognosis and biomarker of treatment resistance in untreated prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains one of the most complex tumors in men. The assessment of gene expression is expected to have a profound impact on cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factors Twist and Snai1 in the treatment of naïve prostate cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) prostate tissues from 108 PCa patients and 20 control biopsies using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and 2-ΔΔCt methods for Twist and Snail gene expression. The expression of Twist and Snai1 mRNA was significantly overexpressed in primary tissues of PCa patients compared with controls using ROC curve. Statistical analysis showed that the mRNAs of these two genes expression Snai1 and Twist were positively correlated with tumor development and prognostic parameters as Gleason score (p < 0.001; r = 0.707) and (p < 0.001; r = 0.627) respectively. The results of Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that mRNA expression of Snai1 and Twist genes expression were significant predictors of poor overall survival (OS) (Log rank p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients (Log rank p < 0.001). Furthermore, our results showed that the expression of Snai1 and Twist genes expression in primary tissues of PCa patients could predict resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (p < 0.001) and resistance to the acidic drugs abiraterone or enzalutamide (p < 0.001). However, these two transcription factors failed to predict taxanes resistance at the time of diagnosis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Snai1 and Twist are overexpressed during the onset and progression of PCa malignancies and may be theranostic markers of resistance to ADT, abiraterone, or enzalutamide therapy.

The impact of the BCR-ABL oncogene in the pathology and treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is characterized by chromosomal aberrations involving the fusion of the BCR and ABL genes on chromosome 22, resulting from a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. This fusion gives rise to the oncogenic BCR-ABL, an aberrant tyrosine kinase identified as Abl protein. The Abl protein intricately regulates the cell cycle by phosphorylating protein tyrosine residues through diverse signaling pathways. In CML, the BCR-ABL fusion protein disrupts the first exon of Abl, leading to sustained activation of tyrosine kinase and resistance to deactivation mechanisms. Pharmacological interventions, such as imatinib, effectively target BCR-ABL's tyrosine kinase activity by binding near the active site, disrupting ATP binding, and inhibiting downstream protein phosphorylation. Nevertheless, the emergence of resistance, often attributed to cap structure mutations, poses a challenge to imatinib efficacy. Current research endeavours are directed towards overcoming resistance and investigating innovative therapeutic strategies. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the structural attributes of BCR-ABL, emphasizing its pivotal role as a biomarker and therapeutic target in CML. It underscores the imperative for ongoing research to refine treatment modalities and enhance overall outcomes in managing CML.

Phase I Study of ORIC-101, a Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist, in Combination with Enzalutamide in Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Progressing on Enzalutamide.

PURPOSE: Increased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling is a proposed compensatory mechanism of resistance to androgen receptor (AR) inhibition in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). ORIC-101 is a potent and selective orally-bioavailable GR antagonist. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Safety, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, and antitumor activity of ORIC-101 in combination with enzalutamide were studied in patients with mCRPC progressing on enzalutamide. ORIC-101 doses ranging from 80 to 240 mg once daily were tested in combination with enzalutamide 160 mg once daily. Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics was assessed after a single dose and at steady state. Disease control rate (DCR) at 12 weeks was evaluated at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were enrolled. There were no dose-limiting toxicities and the RP2D was selected as 240 mg of ORIC-101 and 160 mg of enzalutamide daily. At the RP2D, the most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (38.7%), nausea (29.0%), decreased appetite (19.4%), and constipation (12.9%). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data confirmed ORIC-101 achieved exposures necessary for GR target engagement. Overall, for 31 patients treated at the RP2D, there was insufficient clinical benefit based on DCR (25.8%; 80% confidence interval: 15.65-38.52) which did not meet the prespecified target rate, leading to termination of the study. Exploratory subgroup analyses based on baseline GR expression, presence of AR resistance variants, and molecular features of aggressive variant prostate cancer suggested possible benefit in patients with high GR expression and no other resistance markers, although this would require confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: Although the combination of ORIC-101 and enzalutamide demonstrated an acceptable tolerability profile, GR target inhibition with ORIC-101 did not produce clinical benefit in men with metastatic prostate cancer resistant to enzalutamide.

Adverse events and costs among non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Limited real-world evidence exists on the economic burden of adverse events (AEs) to the healthcare system among patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) treated with second-generation androgen receptor antagonists (ARAs). Current data is needed to understand real-world clinical event rates among ARAs and the cost of these events. OBJECTIVES: Describe the incidence of non-central nervous system (CNS)-related AEs and CNS-related AEs among nmCRPC patients treated in the United States with second-generation ARAs (apalutamide and enzalutamide) and evaluate healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs for these patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational cohort study using claims data from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart to identify adult males with prostate cancer, castration, no metastases, and >1 claim for apalutamide or enzalutamide. The study was conducted from January 2017 to March 2020, with a patient index identification period from January 2018 to December 2019. AEs were classified as CNS-related or non-CNS-related. RESULTS: Of 605 patients (156 apalutamide and 449 enzalutamide), most were ≥65 years (94%) and had ≥1 non-CNS-related AE (55%). Many had ≥1 CNS-related AE (32%). Pain (12%) and arthralgia (11%) were the most frequently reported non-CNS-related AEs. Fatigue/asthenia (14%) and dizziness (7%) were the most frequently reported CNS-related AEs. Among patients with versus without non-CNS-related AEs, 34% versus 8% had emergency room (ER) events, and 25% versus 2% had inpatient events. Among patients with versus without CNS-related AEs, 41% versus 14% had ER events, and 38% versus 4% had inpatient events. Adjusted per-patient per-year cost (in 2020 USD) differences were significant between patients with and without non-CNS-related AEs ($30,765, p = 0.0018) and between patients with and without CNS-related AEs ($40,689, p = 0.0017). CONCLUSION: There is significant HCRU and cost burden among nmCRPC patients treated with ARAs developing AEs, highlighting the need for treatments with improved tolerability. Additional studies are warranted to include recently approved agents.

Recent advances for treatment of upper gastrointestinal malignancy.

Recent prospective trials for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are encouraging. This manuscript reviews selected recently published studies. Not surprisingly, immunotherapy dominates the current clinical trial landscape. However, targeted biologic therapies and standard chemotherapy remain critical to the treatment of gastric and esophageal cancer while imatinib remains the backbone for advanced or metastatic GISTs. For all three cancers, surgical resection remains important when intent of treatment is potential cure.

Efficacy and Safety of Newer Topical Therapies in Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease. Several clinical trials have studied some topical drugs aiming at new therapeutic targets. However, the comparative efficacy and safety of different concentrations and frequencies of newer topical drugs for psoriasis remain unclear. The aim of our study is to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of some newer topical treatments in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted using eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatments included topical therapeutic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-modulating agent (TAMA), topical phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE-4) inhibitors, and topical janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) inhibitors. The primary efficacy assessment criterion was the proportion of patients' achieving Physician's Global Assessment 0/1 (PGA response). Secondary criterion was ≥75% reductions in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI75). Adverse events (AEs) to represent the safety were also summarized. RESULTS: Among 6 including newer topical drugs, odds of achieving both PGA response and PASI75 were higher with all regimens of TAMA and roflumilast cream versus vehicle. In terms of safety outcomes, odds of AEs were also higher with all regimens of TAMA. There were no statistically significant differences between topical JAK-STAT inhibitors and vehicle for any outcome, except ruxolitinib ointment 1% once daily (QD). CONCLUSION: TAMA had a good therapeutic effect on plaque psoriasis but a relatively low treatment safety. Roflumilast cream had both promising efficacy and higher safety.

The prevalence of hepatic and thyroid toxicity associated with imatinib treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Imatinib, a potent inhibitor of targeted protein tyrosine kinases, treats chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Data on imatinib-associated changes in hepatic and thyroid functions are limited and conflicting. AIM: To report the prevalence of hepatic and thyroid toxicity associated with the use of imatinib in CML patients. METHOD: Articles for the systematic review were selected from electronic databases (PubMed, CINALH, Web of Science). Readily accessible peer-reviewed full articles in English published 1st January 2000 to 18th July 2023 were included. The search terms included combinations of: imatinib, CML, liver toxicity, hepatic toxicity, thyroid toxicity. Screening of titles, abstracts, full text articles was conducted independently by two reviewers. Inclusions and exclusions were recorded following PRISMA guidelines. Detailed reasons for exclusion were recorded. Included articles were critically appraised. RESULTS: Ten thousand one hundred and twenty-three CML patients were reported in the 82 included studies corresponding to 21 case reports, 2 case series, 39 clinical trials and 20 observational studies were selected. Excluding case studies/reports, 1268 (12.6%; n = 1268/10046) hepatotoxicity adverse events were reported, of which 64.7% were rated as mild grade I & II adverse events, 363 (28.6%) as severe, grade III and IV adverse events; some led to treatment discontinuation, liver transplantation and fatal consequences. Twenty (35.1%) studies reported discontinuation of imatinib treatment due to the severity of hepatic toxicity. Fourteen (8.4%, n = 14/167) thyroid dysfunction adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: High frequency of mild and severe hepatotoxicity, associated with imatinib in CML patients, was reported in the published literature. Low numbers of mild and manageable thyroid toxicity events were reported.

Masitinib as a neuroprotective agent: a scoping review of preclinical and clinical evidence.

OBJECTIVES: Masitinib, originally developed as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for cancer treatment, has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurological disorders by modulating key pathways implicated in neurodegeneration. This scoping review aimed to summarize the current evidence of masitinib's neuroprotective activities from preclinical to clinical studies. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted following the guidelines described by Arksey and O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria covered all original studies reporting on the neuroprotective effects of masitinib, including clinical studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. These comprised five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one post-hoc analysis study, one case report, and nine animal studies. The RCTs focused on Alzheimer's disease (two studies), multiple sclerosis (two studies), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (one study). Across all included studies, masitinib consistently demonstrated neuroprotective properties. However, the majority of RCTs reported concerns regarding the safety profile of masitinib. Preclinical studies revealed the neuroprotective mechanisms of masitinib, which include inhibition of certain kinases interfering with cell proliferation and survival, reduction of neuroinflammation, and exhibition of antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The current evidence suggests a promising therapeutic benefit of masitinib in neurodegenerative diseases. However, further research is necessary to validate and expand upon these findings, particularly regarding the precise mechanisms through which masitinib exerts its therapeutic effects. Future studies should also focus on addressing the safety concerns associated with masitinib use.

Post-stress Social Interaction and 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-Pyrazol-5-yl) Benzamide Treatment Attenuate Depressive-like Behavior Induced by Repeated Social Defeat Stress.

Persistent stress increases the probability for developing depression significantly thereafter. Repeated social defeat stress is a widely used model to investigate depressive-like behavior in preclinical models. Hence, the repeated social defeat stress model provided an ideal animal model, through which the hypotheses of prevention and treatment can be investigated. We have successfully induced depressive-like behavior for male C57BL/6J mice with this model. Here, we reported that certain level of during-stress social interactions with single female or multiple male peer(s) exerted a positive role in preventing the development of depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. Our data suggested that the stress-susceptible mice may benefit from positive social interaction, which reduces the chance for depressive-like behavior development. Since numerous studies indicate that the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays an important role in various cognitive functions, we further investigate the treatment effect of 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide (CDPPB) on the depressive-like behavior induced by repeated social defeat stress. Most importantly, robust anti-depressant effects have been achieved through modulating the mGluR5 function. We found that single oral dose administration of CDPPB (20 mg/kg), to some extent, alleviated the social avoidance behaviors for the stress-susceptible mice. Our data implies that the CDPPB, a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR5, is a promising anti-depressant candidate with limited side effect.

Sequential treatments with TRK inhibitors in a patient with NTRK fusion-positive sarcoma: A case report.

RATIONALE: Precision medicine and tumor-agnostic treatment strategies have recently been promoted for clinical use. One of the most successful treatments in patients with neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion-positive tumors is targeting the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) with an inhibitor. The TRK inhibitors, larotrectinib, and entrectinib, have been approved in many countries. Nevertheless, the most effective administration regimen for these TRK inhibitors is uncertain. To date, no reports have shown the efficacy of sequential treatment with larotrectinib and entrectinib in patients with NTRK fusion-positive tumors. In this report, we present a patient with NTRK fusion-positive sarcoma arising from the anterior mediastinum, with tumor progression after 4 months of entrectinib use. The patient took larotrectinib subsequently and maintained disease control for more than 21 months. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 48-year-old female visited a physician because she experienced difficulty in breathing and chest and back pain with no obvious cause 2 months ago. Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy was performed at a district general hospital, and histopathological examination revealed a small round cell tumor. She was referred to our hospital, and a second CT-guided biopsy was performed to confirm the pathological diagnosis. Considering the results of the histopathological examination, Ewing sarcoma was suspected, but a specific fusion gene was not detected due to poor quality specimens. DIAGNOSES: After 3 regimens of cytotoxic chemotherapy, biopsy was repeated, and specimens were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The PHF20-NTRK1 fusion gene was detected, and the tumor was finally diagnosed as an NTRK fusion-positive sarcoma. INTERVENTIONS: She was administered the TRK inhibitor entrectinib, but the tumor started to grow after 4 months of medication, and she stopped taking entrectinib. After 1 cycle of cytotoxic chemotherapy, another TRK inhibitor, larotrectinib, was administered. OUTCOMES: Her stable disease was maintained for more than 21 months. Here, we have shown that sequential administration of both drugs can be effective. LESSONS: In the treatment of NTRK fusion-positive tumors, there are cases in which 2 approved first-generation TRK inhibitors can be used sequentially.