Peposertib, a DNA-PK Inhibitor, Enhances the Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Topoisomerase II Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Models.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains the most lethal subtype of breast cancer, characterized by poor response rates to current chemotherapies and a lack of additional effective treatment options. While approximately 30% of patients respond well to anthracycline- and taxane-based standard-of-care chemotherapy regimens, the majority of patients experience limited improvements in clinical outcomes, highlighting the critical need for strategies to enhance the effectiveness of anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy in TNBC. In this study, we report on the potential of a DNA-PK inhibitor, peposertib, to improve the effectiveness of topoisomerase II (TOPO II) inhibitors, particularly anthracyclines, in TNBC. Our in vitro studies demonstrate the synergistic antiproliferative activity of peposertib in combination with doxorubicin, epirubicin and etoposide in multiple TNBC cell lines. Downstream analysis revealed the induction of ATM-dependent compensatory signaling and p53 pathway activation under combination treatment. These in vitro findings were substantiated by pronounced anti-tumor effects observed in mice bearing subcutaneously implanted tumors. We established a well-tolerated preclinical treatment regimen combining peposertib with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and demonstrated strong anti-tumor efficacy in cell-line-derived and patient-derived TNBC xenograft models in vivo. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that co-treatment with peposertib has the potential to enhance the efficacy of anthracycline/TOPO II-based chemotherapies, and it provides a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes for TNBC patients.

Long-term serial functional evaluation after implantation of the Fantom sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable coronary scaffold.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) has been validated as an accurate surrogate of standard wire-based fractional flow reserve. The clinical and angiographic outcomes of the Fantom sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable coronary scaffold (BRS) have been previously studied and reported. We investigate the functional performance of the Fantom BRS. METHODS: The FANTOM II trial prospectively enrolled 240 patients with stable coronary artery disease or unstable angina, of which 235 patients received the Fantom BRS and were included in the present analysis. We performed an independent serial QFR analysis of the target vessel at baseline, post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and at 6- or 9-month and 24-month follow-up, using a QFR threshold ≤0.80 to define functional ischemia. RESULTS: QFR was analyzable in 178 patients at baseline, 185 post-PCI, 178 at 6- or 9-month follow-up, and 30 at 24-month follow-up. At baseline, 119 patients (66.9%) had a QFR ≤0.80, whereas 12 (6.5%) post-PCI, 13 (7.3%) at 6- or 9-month follow-up, and 3 (10.0%) at 24-month follow-up had a QFR ≤0.80. QFR improved from baseline to post-PCI, and decreased from post-PCI up to 24-month follow-up. During follow-up period, 28 patients (11.9%) had target vessel revascularization, of which 21 had analyzable QFR and 16 patients (76.1%) had QFR ≤0.80 at the time of revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Off-line serial QFR assessment demonstrated that around 30% patients did not have functionally significant lesions at baseline and the time with target vessel revascularization. PCI with the Fantom BRS improved functional ischemia with a slight decrease in QFR values over 24 months.

Activity of Tepotinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With High-Level MET Amplification: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence.

PURPOSE: MET amplification (METamp) has been reported in 1%-5% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may be sensitive to MET inhibition. Tepotinib, a selective MET inhibitor, has shown promising activity in HCC with MET overexpression. We investigated the preclinical and clinical activity of tepotinib in HCC with METamp (MET gene copy number [GCN] ≥5), including high-level METamp (MET GCN ≥10). METHODS: Preclinical antitumor activity of tepotinib 100 mg/kg (orally, days 1-5, every 7 days, 3-5 weeks; 3-12 replicates) was evaluated according to METamp status, as determined using the nCounter platform (NanoString), in 37 HCC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in immunodeficient mice. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in patients with METamp by fluorescence in situ hybridization who received tepotinib 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) in two phase Ib/II trials in HCC with MET overexpression. RESULTS: Across the PDX models, tepotinib induced complete or near-complete tumor regression in the only two models with high-level METamp. Median tumor volume reductions were 100% and 99.8% in models with MET GCN 47.1 and 44.0, respectively. Across the two clinical trials, 15/121 patients had METamp. Disease control was achieved by 11/15 patients with METamp (complete response [CR], n = 1; partial response [PR], n = 4; stable disease [SD], n = 6) and 4/4 with high-level METamp (CR, n = 1; PR, n = 2; SD, n = 1). All three patients with high-level METamp and objective response received treatment for >1 year, including one patient who received first-line tepotinib for >6 years. CONCLUSION: High-level METamp may be an oncogenic driver in HCC that is sensitive to MET inhibitors such as tepotinib.

E2F1-Associated Purine Synthesis Pathway Is a Major Component of the MET-DNA Damage Response Network.

Various lines of investigation support a signaling interphase shared by receptor tyrosine kinases and the DNA damage response. However, the underlying network nodes and their contribution to the maintenance of DNA integrity remain unknown. We explored MET-related metabolic pathways in which interruption compromises proper resolution of DNA damage. Discovery metabolomics combined with transcriptomics identified changes in pathways relevant to DNA repair following MET inhibition (METi). METi by tepotinib was associated with the formation of γH2AX foci and with significant alterations in major metabolic circuits such as glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and purine, pyrimidine, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. 5'-Phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycinamide, a de novo purine synthesis pathway metabolite, was consistently decreased in in vitro and in vivo MET-dependent models, and METi-related depletion of dNTPs was observed. METi instigated the downregulation of critical purine synthesis enzymes including phosphoribosylglycinamide formyltransferase, which catalyzes 5'-phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycinamide synthesis. Genes encoding these enzymes are regulated through E2F1, whose levels decrease upon METi in MET-driven cells and xenografts. Transient E2F1 overexpression prevented dNTP depletion and the concomitant METi-associated DNA damage in MET-driven cells. We conclude that DNA damage following METi results from dNTP reduction via downregulation of E2F1 and a consequent decline of de novo purine synthesis. SIGNIFICANCE: Maintenance of genome stability prevents disease and affiliates with growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. We identified de novo purine synthesis as a pathway in which key enzymatic players are regulated through MET receptor and whose depletion via MET targeting explains MET inhibition-associated formation of DNA double-strand breaks. The mechanistic importance of MET inhibition-dependent E2F1 downregulation for interference with DNA integrity has translational implications for MET-targeting-based treatment of malignancies.

DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Inhibitor Peposertib Potentiates the Cytotoxicity of Topoisomerase II Inhibitors in Synovial Sarcoma Models.

Synovial sarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of soft tissue sarcoma. The clinical challenge posed by advanced or metastatic synovial sarcoma, marked by limited treatment options and suboptimal outcomes, necessitates innovative approaches. The topoisomerase II (Topo II) inhibitor doxorubicin has remained the cornerstone systemic treatment for decades, and there is pressing need for improved therapeutic strategies for these patients. This study highlights the potential to enhance the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin within well-characterized synovial sarcoma cell lines using the potent and selective DNA-PK inhibitor, peposertib. In vitro investigations unveil a p53-mediated synergistic anti-tumor effect when combining doxorubicin with peposertib. The in vitro findings were substantiated by pronounced anti-tumor effects in mice bearing subcutaneously implanted tumors. A well-tolerated regimen for the combined application was established using both pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and unmodified doxorubicin. Notably, the combination of PLD and peposertib displayed enhanced anti-tumor efficacy compared to unmodified doxorubicin at equivalent doses, suggesting an improved therapeutic window-a critical consideration for clinical translation. Efficacy studies in two patient-derived xenograft models of synovial sarcoma, accurately reflecting human metastatic disease, further validate the potential of this combined therapy. These findings align with previous evidence showcasing the synergy between DNA-PK inhibition and Topo II inhibitors in diverse tumor models, including breast and ovarian cancers. Our study extends the potential utility of combined therapy to synovial sarcoma.

The Preclinical Pharmacology of Tepotinib-A Highly Selective MET Inhibitor with Activity in Tumors Harboring MET Alterations.

The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) proto-oncogene encodes the MET receptor tyrosine kinase. MET aberrations drive tumorigenesis in several cancer types through a variety of molecular mechanisms, including MET mutations, gene amplification, rearrangement, and overexpression. Therefore, MET is a therapeutic target and the selective type Ib MET inhibitor, tepotinib, was designed to potently inhibit MET kinase activity. In vitro, tepotinib inhibits MET in a concentration-dependent manner irrespective of the mode of MET activation, and in vivo, tepotinib exhibits marked, dose-dependent antitumor activity in MET-dependent tumor models of various cancer indications. Tepotinib penetrates the blood-brain barrier and demonstrates strong antitumor activity in subcutaneous and orthotopic brain metastasis models, in-line with clinical activity observed in patients. MET amplification is an established mechanism of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), and preclinical studies show that tepotinib in combination with EGFR TKIs can overcome this resistance. Tepotinib is currently approved for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer harboring MET exon 14 skipping alterations. This review focuses on the pharmacology of tepotinib in preclinical cancer models harboring MET alterations and demonstrates that strong adherence to the principles of the Pharmacological Audit Trail may result in a successful discovery and development of a precision medicine.

Overcoming MET-mediated resistance in oncogene-driven NSCLC.

This study evaluates the efficacy of combining targeted therapies with MET or SHP2 inhibitors to overcome MET-mediated resistance in different NSCLC subtypes. A prevalence study was conducted for MET amplification and overexpression in samples from patients with NSCLC who relapsed on ALK, ROS1, or RET tyrosine kinase inhibitors. MET-mediated resistance was detected in 37.5% of tissue biopsies, which allow the detection of MET overexpression, compared to 7.4% of liquid biopsies. The development of drug resistance by MET overexpression was confirmed in EGFRex19del-, KRASG12C-, HER2ex20ins-, and TPM3-NTRK1-mutant cell lines. The combination of targeted therapy with MET or SHP2 inhibitors was found to overcome MET-mediated resistance in both in vitro and in vivo assays. This study highlights the importance of considering MET overexpression as a resistance driver to NSCLC targeted therapies to better identify patients who could potentially benefit from combination approaches with MET or SHP2 inhibitors.

Hyper-Dependence on NHEJ Enables Synergy between DNA-PK Inhibitors and Low-Dose Doxorubicin in Leiomyosarcoma.

PURPOSE: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an aggressive sarcoma for which standard chemotherapies achieve response rates under 30%. There are no effective targeted therapies against LMS. Most LMS are characterized by chromosomal instability (CIN), resulting in part from TP53 and RB1 co-inactivation and DNA damage repair defects. We sought to identify therapeutic targets that could exacerbate intrinsic CIN and DNA damage in LMS, inducing lethal genotoxicity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed clinical targeted sequencing in 287 LMS and genome-wide loss-of-function screens in 3 patient-derived LMS cell lines, to identify LMS-specific dependencies. We validated candidate targets by biochemical and cell-response assays in vitro and in seven mouse models. RESULTS: Clinical targeted sequencing revealed a high burden of somatic copy-number alterations (median fraction of the genome altered =0.62) and demonstrated homologous recombination deficiency signatures in 35% of LMS. Genome-wide short hairpin RNA screens demonstrated PRKDC (DNA-PKcs) and RPA2 essentiality, consistent with compensatory nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) hyper-dependence. DNA-PK inhibitor combinations with unconventionally low-dose doxorubicin had synergistic activity in LMS in vitro models. Combination therapy with peposertib and low-dose doxorubicin (standard or liposomal formulations) inhibited growth of 5 of 7 LMS mouse models without toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of DNA-PK inhibitors with unconventionally low, sensitizing, doxorubicin dosing showed synergistic effects in LMS in vitro and in vivo models, without discernable toxicity. These findings underscore the relevance of DNA damage repair alterations in LMS pathogenesis and identify dependence on NHEJ as a clinically actionable vulnerability in LMS.

Discovery of Cycloalkyl[c]thiophenes as Novel Scaffolds for Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α Inhibitors.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are heterodimeric transcription factors induced in diverse pathophysiological settings. Inhibition of HIF-2α has become a strategy for cancer treatment since the discovery that small molecules, upon binding into a small cavity of the HIF-2α PAS B domain, can alter its conformation and disturb the activity of the HIF dimer complex. Herein, the design, synthesis, and systematic SAR exploration of cycloalkyl[c]thiophenes as novel HIF-2α inhibitors are described, providing the first chemotype featuring an alkoxy-aryl scaffold. X-ray data confirmed the ability of these inhibitors to induce perturbation of key amino acids by appropriately presenting key pharmacophoric elements in the hydrophobic cavity. Selected compounds showed inhibition of VEGF-A secretion in cancer cells and prevention of Arg1 expression and activity in IL4-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, in vivo target gene modulation was demonstrated with compound 35r. Thus, the disclosed HIF-2α inhibitors represent valuable tools for investigating selective HIF-2α inhibition and its effect on tumor biology.

A new concept for glycosyltransferase inhibitors: nonionic mimics of the nucleotide donor of the human blood group B galactosyltransferase.

Glycosyltransferases play an important role in the formation of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. To find suitable and selective inhibitors for this class of enzymes is still challenging. Here, we describe a novel concept that allows the design of inhibitors based on the structure of the donor substrate binding pocket. As a first step we describe the design, synthesis and analysis of inhibitors of the human blood group B galactosyltransferase (GTB). This enzyme served as a model system to study the concept, which can be used for easy access of glycosyltransferase inhibitors in general. In silico docking of bicyclic heteroaromatic ligands to GTB and experimental verification of binding affinities by saturation transfer difference NMR (STD NMR) spectroscopy gave 9-N-pentityl uric acid derivatives as non-ionic mimics of UDP. Two derivatives were synthesized and showed inhibitory activity for GTB as determined by competitive STD NMR experiments and by a radiolabeled enzyme assay.

Validation of the newly introduced CASTLE Score for predicting successful CTO recanalization.

BACKGROUND: The new EuroCTO CASTLE Score was validated against the widely adopted Japanese Multicenter CTO Registry (J-CTO) score in predicting technical success in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO). METHODS: A total of 463 patients treated by CTO PCI were included in a retrospective analysis. Result: The mean CASTLE score was 2.23 ± 1.1 and J-CTO score was 2.84 ± 1.0. The overall technical success rate was 83.2%. At 30 days follow up, a primary composite safety endpoint showed a low proportion of stent thrombosis (0.2%) and re-hospitalization (0.4%). Moreover, an improvement of clinical symptoms was found in 83% of patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) demonstrated a comparable overall discriminatory performance in predicting technical outcome: CASTLE score, area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.668, 95% CI: 0.606-0.730; J-CTO score AUC 0.692, 95% CI: 0.631-0.752; Comparison of AUCs: p = 0.324. Those findings were even consistent in more complex procedures CASTLE Score ≥ 4 and J-CTO score ≥ 3: CASTLE Score AUC 0.514, 95% CI: 0.409-0.619; J-CTO score, AUC 0.617, 95% CI: 0.493-0.741; Comparison of AUCs: p = 0.211. Furthermore, increasing score values are accompanied by a longer examination and fluoroscopy time, more contrast medium and a higher dose area product. CONCLUSION: Compared to the widely accepted J-CTO score, the new introduced EuroCTO CASTLE score demonstrated a comparable overall discriminatory performance in predicting technical outcomes in CTO PCI.

ATR represents a therapeutic vulnerability in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs) are resistant to DNA-damaging chemotherapies, limiting therapeutic options for patients whose tumors are resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and/or immune checkpoint therapies. Here we show that mouse and human ccRCCs were frequently characterized by high levels of endogenous DNA damage and that cultured ccRCC cells exhibited intact cellular responses to chemotherapy-induced DNA damage. We identify that pharmacological inhibition of the DNA damage-sensing kinase ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) with the orally administered, potent, and selective drug M4344 (gartisertib) induced antiproliferative effects in ccRCC cells. This effect was due to replication stress and accumulation of DNA damage in S phase. In some cells, DNA damage persisted into subsequent G2/M and G1 phases, leading to the frequent accumulation of micronuclei. Daily single-agent treatment with M4344 inhibited the growth of ccRCC xenograft tumors. M4344 synergized with chemotherapeutic drugs including cisplatin and carboplatin and the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib in mouse and human ccRCC cells. Weekly M4344 plus cisplatin treatment showed therapeutic synergy in ccRCC xenografts and was efficacious in an autochthonous mouse ccRCC model. These studies identify ATR inhibition as a potential novel therapeutic option for ccRCC.

Sensitivity and Resistance of Oncogenic RAS-Driven Tumors to Dual MEK and ERK Inhibition.

Oncogenic mutations in RAS family genes arise frequently in metastatic human cancers. Here we developed new mouse and cellular models of oncogenic HrasG12V-driven undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma metastasis and of KrasG12D-driven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastasis. Through analyses of these cells and of human oncogenic KRAS-, NRAS- and BRAF-driven cancer cell lines we identified that resistance to single MEK inhibitor and ERK inhibitor treatments arise rapidly but combination therapy completely blocks the emergence of resistance. The prior evolution of resistance to either single agent frequently leads to resistance to dual treatment. Dual MEK inhibitor plus ERK inhibitor therapy shows anti-tumor efficacy in an HrasG12V-driven autochthonous sarcoma model but features of drug resistance in vivo were also evident. Array-based kinome activity profiling revealed an absence of common patterns of signaling rewiring in single or double MEK and ERK inhibitor resistant cells, showing that the development of resistance to downstream signaling inhibition in oncogenic RAS-driven tumors represents a heterogeneous process. Nonetheless, in some single and double MEK and ERK inhibitor resistant cell lines we identified newly acquired drug sensitivities. These may represent additional therapeutic targets in oncogenic RAS-driven tumors and provide general proof-of-principle that therapeutic vulnerabilities of drug resistant cells can be identified.

Dual lumen microcatheters for recanalisation of chronic total occlusions: a EuroCTO Club expert panel report.

Dual lumen microcatheters (DLMC) have become indispensable tools in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO). Other than allowing preservation and treatment of bifurcated coronary branches within or in the proximity of the CTO body, they enable the use of modified parallel wiring, antegrade dissection and re-entry, collateral selection and retrograde negotiation of the distal CTO cap. This EuroCTO consensus document describes current DLMC and suggests a practical guide to anatomies and techniques in which these devices are applicable.

Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes With a Novel Radiopaque Sirolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold.

Background A novel bioresorbable scaffold, the sirolimus-eluting Fantom, incorporates a radiopaque polymer, struts with a thickness of 125 µm, and a crossing profile of 1.35 mm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 9-month angiographic and 12-month clinical outcomes of the FANTOM scaffold in a larger patient population. Methods and Results The FANTOM II study (Safety & Performance Study of the Fantom Sirolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold - First Report on Initial 24 Month Outcomes) was a prospective, multicenter trial which enrolled 240 patients with single de novo coronary stenosis with reference vessel diameter 2.5 to 3.5 mm diameter and lesion length ≤20 mm. Major adverse cardiac events through 12-month follow-up were assessed. Angiographic follow-up was performed in consecutive patient cohorts at 6 months (n=117) and 9 months (n=123). Acute delivery success, acute technical success, acute procedural success, and clinical procedural success rates as defined in the clinical protocol were 97.9% (235/240), 95.8% (230/240), 99.1% (228/230), and 99.6% (227/228), respectively. The mean in-stent late lumen loss at 6 months and 9 months were 0.25±0.40 mm and 0.33±0.36 mm, respectively, and in-segment binary restenosis occurred in 2.0% and 7.6% of patients, respectively. Major adverse cardiac events and target lesion failure through 12 months occurred in 4.2% of 240 patients; scaffold thrombosis developed in only one patient (0.4%). Conclusions The Fantom sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable coronary scaffold demonstrated favorable safety and effectiveness performance at 12-month follow-up. Longer-term follow-up is ongoing to examine the late outcomes with this novel device. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02539966.

Mechanical performance and healing patterns of the novel sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable Fantom scaffold: 6-month and 9-month follow-up by optical coherence tomography in the FANTOM II study.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties and healing patterns 6 and 9 months after implantation of the sirolimus-eluting Fantom bioresorbable scaffold (BRS). Background: The Fantom BRS (Reva Medical, San Diego, USA) has differentiating properties including radiopacity, strut thickness of 125 µm, high expansion capacity and has demonstrated favourable mid-term clinical and angiographic outcomes. Methods and results: FANTOM II was a prospective, single arm study with implantation of the Fantom BRS in 240 patients with stable angina pectoris. Guidance by optical coherence tomography (OCT) was encouraged and was repeated at 6-month (cohort A) or 9-month follow-up (cohort B). Matched baseline and follow-up OCT recordings were available in 152 patients. In-scaffold mean lumen area in cohort A was 6.8±1.7 mm2 and 5.7±1.4 mm2 at baseline and follow-up (p<0.0001) and was 7.2±1.6 mm2 and 5.6±1.4 mm2 in cohort B (p<0.0001). Mean scaffold area remained stable from 7.1±1.5 mm2 at baseline to 7.2±1.4 mm2 at 6 months (p=0.12), and from 7.4±1.5 mm2 to 7.3±1.4 mm2 at 9 months. Strut malapposition was median 0.8 (IQR 0.0;3.5)% and 1.8 (IQR 0.3;6.0)% at baseline and was 0.0 (IQR 0.0;0.0)% in both groups at 6-month and 9-month follow-up. Strut tissue coverage was 98.1 (IQR 95.9;99.4)% at 6 months and 98.9 (IQR 98.3;100.0)% at 9 months. Conclusions: The novel Fantom BRS had favourable healing patterns at 6-month and 9-month follow-up as malapposition was effectively resolved and strut coverage was almost complete. The scaffold remained stable through follow-up with no signs of systematic late recoil.

Mouse genetic background influences whether HrasG12V expression plus Cdkn2a knockdown causes angiosarcoma or undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare mesenchymal tumours accounting for 1% of adult malignancies and are fatal in approximately one third of patients. Two of the most aggressive and lethal forms of soft tissue sarcomas are angiosarcomas and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (UPS). To examine sarcoma-relevant molecular pathways, we employed a lentiviral gene regulatory system to attempt to generate in vivo models that reflect common molecular alterations of human angiosarcoma and UPS. Mice were intraveneously injected with MuLE lentiviruses expressing combinations of shRNA against Cdkn2a, Trp53, Tsc2 and Pten with or without expression of HrasG12V , PIK3CAH1047R or Myc. The systemic injection of an ecotropic lentivirus expressing oncogenic HrasG12V together with the knockdown of Cdkn2a or Trp53 was sufficient to initiate angiosarcoma and/or UPS development, providing a flexible system to generate autochthonous mouse models of these diseases. Unexpectedly, different mouse strains developed different types of sarcoma in response to identical genetic drivers, implicating genetic background as a contributor to the genesis and spectrum of sarcomas.

The Lysosomal Protein Arylsulfatase B Is a Key Enzyme Involved in Skeletal Turnover.

Skeletal pathologies are frequently observed in lysosomal storage disorders, yet the relevance of specific lysosomal enzymes in bone remodeling cell types is poorly defined. Two lysosomal enzymes, ie, cathepsin K (Ctsk) and Acp5 (also known as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase), have long been known as molecular marker proteins of differentiated osteoclasts. However, whereas the cysteine protease Ctsk is directly involved in the degradation of bone matrix proteins, the molecular function of Acp5 in osteoclasts is still unknown. Here we show that Acp5, in concert with Acp2 (lysosomal acid phosphatase), is required for dephosphorylation of the lysosomal mannose 6-phosphate targeting signal to promote the activity of specific lysosomal enzymes. Using an unbiased approach we identified the glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzyme arylsulfatase B (Arsb), mutated in mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS-VI), as an osteoclast marker, whose activity depends on dephosphorylation by Acp2 and Acp5. Similar to Acp2/Acp5-/- mice, Arsb-deficient mice display lysosomal storage accumulation in osteoclasts, impaired osteoclast activity, and high trabecular bone mass. Of note, the most prominent lysosomal storage accumulation was observed in osteocytes from Arsb-deficient mice, yet this pathology did not impair production of sclerostin (Sost) and Fgf23. Because the influence of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) on bone remodeling in MPS-VI is still unknown, we additionally treated Arsb-deficient mice by weekly injection of recombinant human ARSB from 12 to 24 weeks of age. We found that the high bone mass phenotype of Arsb-deficient mice and the underlying bone cell deficits were fully corrected by ERT in the trabecular compartment. Taken together, our results do not only show that the function of Acp5 in osteoclasts is linked to dephosphorylation and activation of lysosomal enzymes, they also provide an important proof-of-principle for the feasibility of ERT to correct bone cell pathologies in lysosomal storage disorders. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.

Intravascular ultrasound findings of the Fantom sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffold at six- and nine-month follow-up: the FANTOM II study.

AIMS: FANTOM II is a prospective multicentre trial assessing the safety and efficacy of the Fantom sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable coronary scaffold (BRS). The present substudy focuses on the six- and nine-month IVUS findings. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 240 patients with de novo coronary artery lesions presenting with stable or unstable disease were included in two sequential cohorts (cohort A [n=117] and cohort B [n=123]) in which angiographic follow-up was performed at either six or nine months, respectively. Matched IVUS data were available for 35 paired cases in cohort A and 26 paired cases in cohort B. At six months, mean and minimum scaffold area (SA) decreased from 6.09±1.08 mm2 to 5.88±1.07 mm2, p=0.009, and 5.27±0.99 mm2 to 5.05±0.99 mm2, p=0.01, respectively. At nine months, no significant change in mean scaffold and minimum scaffold area was observed (6.46±1.11 mm2 to 6.38±0.96 mm2; p=0.35, and 5.45±1.00 mm2 to 5.36±0.86 mm2; p=0.32, respectively). Neointimal hyperplasia area was low at both six (0.11±0.12 mm2) and nine months (0.20±0.21 mm2), as was in-scaffold obstruction volume (1.94±2.25% at six months, and 3.40±4.11% at nine months). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Fantom BRS in stable coronary artery disease was associated with low rates of neointimal hyperplasia volume and in-scaffold volume obstruction at both six and nine months.