Biomarker analysis in a phase III study of pemetrexed-carboplatin versus etoposide-carboplatin in chemonaive patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Clinical results of a randomized phase III trial comparing pemetrexed-carboplatin (PC) with etoposide-carboplatin (EC) in chemonaive patients with extensive-stage disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) resulted in trial closure for futility; biomarker analyses using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are described herein. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thymidylate synthase (TS), excision repair cross complementing-1 (ERCC1), glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT), and folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) were investigated using IHC (n=395). SNPs were genotyped for TS, FPGS, γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), folate receptor-α FR-α, and solute carrier 19A1 (SLC19A1; n=611). RESULTS: None of the IHC biomarkers (folate pathway or ERCC1) were found to be predictive or prognostic in this setting. rs2838952 (adjacent to SLC19A1) had significant treatment-independent association with overall survival (OS; hazard ratio 0.590, P=0.01). Nine GGH-associated SNPs interacted with rs3788205 (SLC19A1) for OS on the PC arm. rs12379987 (FPGS) interacted with treatment for OS (interaction P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Potential ERCC1 and folate pathway IHC biomarkers failed to predict outcome in either study arm in ED-SCLC. SNPs in regions including FPGS and SLC19A1 and interacting SNPs in GGH and SLC19A1 were associated with differences in OS; however, none of these SNPs predicted for greater survival with PC over EC.

Characterization of the human XPA promoter.

We cloned the human xeroderma pigmentosum group A gene (XPA) and characterized the XPA promoter (pXPA) by transient cat expression. The pXPA is extraordinarily weak in human fibroblasts (1% of RSV-LTR) and appears to function without any of the usual promoter elements. Regions containing positive and negative control elements were localized.

Splice site mutations in a xeroderma pigmentosum group A patient with delayed onset of neurological disease.

XP12BE is a commonly studied XP-A cell line that exhibits slightly increased resistance to UV compared with the majority of XP-A cell lines. The elevated UV survival is common to a subset of XP-A cell lines and correlates with delayed onset of the neurological disease in patients. We identified the XPA mutations in XP12BE by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses and nucleotide sequencing. XP12BE is a compound heterozygote and both mutations affect mRNA splicing. One mutation is a G to C transversion within the splice donor site of intron 4 that is common to several cell lines from XP-A patients with delayed onset of neurological disease. The other mutation is a G to T transversion at the same position as a G to C transversion in the splice acceptor site of intron 3 that is common in Japanese XP-A patients. We also demonstrated the persistence of the XP12BE mutations in cell line 2-O-A2 which has been shown to express XPA protein. These results suggest that the intron 4 splice donor mutation likely produces some, at least partially functional, XPA protein that accounts for the increased UV survival of XP-A cell lines derived from patients with delayed onset of neurological disease.

Genotyping for Functionally Important Human CYP2D6*4 (B) Mutation Using TaqMan Probes.

The microsomal enzyme cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), also known as debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase, is involved in the oxidative metabolism of many widely used drugs, including neuroleptics, tricyclic antidepressants, antiarrhythmics, and ß-adrenergic blocking agents (1). Polymorphisms of CYP2D6 are the best characterized examples of genetically mediated effects on a drug-metabolizing enzyme of clinical importance (2). When a drug that is a CYP2D6 substrate is taken by different individuals, it is not uncommon to observe large differences in plasma concentrations at steady state. This is explained, in part, by the three clinically distinct phenotypes associated with the CYP2D6 gene, normal metabolizers, poor metabolizers, and rapid metabolizers. In normal metabolizers, steady-state plasma drug concentrations fall within the desired therapeutic range and toxic effects are nonexistent or minimal. In fast-metabolizer individuals, desired concentrations are below therapeutic, and these patients generally do not respond at the recommended dosing regimen. In poor-metabolizer individuals, drug concentrations are above therapeutic level and undesired toxicity can be evoked.

Pharmacokinetics/genotype associations for major cytochrome P450 enzymes in native and first- and third-generation Japanese populations: comparison with Korean, Chinese, and Caucasian populations.

Application of foreign clinical data across geographic regions can accelerate drug development. Drug disposition can be variable, and identification of factors influencing responsible pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenomic approaches could facilitate the universal application of foreign data and reduce the total amount of phase III clinical trials evaluating risks in different populations. Our objective was to establish and compare genotype (major cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes)/phenotype associations for Japanese (native and first- and third-generation Japanese living abroad), Caucasian, Chinese, and Korean populations using a standard drug panel. The mean metabolic ratios (MRs) for the four ethnic groups were similar except for a lower activity of CYP2D6 in Caucasians and CYP2C19 in Asians. Genotype, not ethnicity, impacted the MR for CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6; neither affected CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4/5 activities. We conclude that equivalent plasma drug concentrations and metabolic profiles can be expected for native Japanese, first- and third-generation Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese for compounds handled through these six CYP enzymes.

An association study of 43 SNPs in 16 candidate genes with atorvastatin response.

Variation in individual response to statin therapy has been widely studied for a potential genetic component. Multiple genes have been identified as potential modulators of statin response, but few study findings have replicated. To further examine these associations, 2735 individuals on statin therapy, half on atorvastatin and the other half divided among fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin were genotyped for 43 SNPs in 16 genes that have been implicated in statin response. Associations with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, total cholesterol lowering, HDL-C elevation and triglyceride lowering were examined. The only significant associations with LDL-C lowering were found with apoE2 in which carriers of the rare allele who took atorvastatin lowered their LDL-C by 3.5% more than those homozygous for the common allele and with rs2032582 (S893A in ABCB1) in which the two groups of homozygotes differed by 3% in LDL-C lowering. These genetic effects were smaller than those observed with the demographic variables of age and gender. The magnitude of all the differences found is sufficiently small that genetic data from these genes should not influence clinical decisions on statin administration.

Stable transformation of xeroderma pigmentosum group A cells with an XPA minigene restores normal DNA repair and mutagenesis of UV-treated plasmids.

The ability of an XPA minigene construct to complement the DNA repair defect in xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XP-A) cells was demonstrated. XP-A cells (XP12BE-SV) were stably transformed with an XPA minigene linked to a neomycin resistance (neor) expression cassette. The G418-resistant clone XAN1 was isolated and its DNA repair phenotype compared with XP12BE-SV cells transformed with a cosmid containing a human chromosome 8 gene and a neo(r) cassette and selected for G418 resistance (2-0-A2), DNA repair-normal human fibroblasts and untransfected XP12BE-SV cells. Colony forming ability after UV-irradiated reactivation of a UV-irradiated chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expression vector and UV-induced mutagenesis in a supF tRNA shuttle vector (pSP189) were all restored to normal levels in XAN1 cells. In addition, mutation spectra in the supF gene of pSP189 after replication in all four cell lines were compiled at low (100 J/m2) and high (1000 J/m2) UV doses. The majority of mutations were point mutations and these were predominately G:C-->A:T transitions regardless of dose for all cell lines. Dose-dependent differences were observed in the positions of mutation hot spots in pSP189 mutation spectra after replication in all four cell lines. Mutation spectra for XAN1 and GM0637 cells had only minor differences. An increase in the proportion of transversions was observed only in plasmids irradiated with a low UV dose and replicated in XAN1 cells. 2-0-A2 cells were reported to have partial restoration of DNA repair that was later suggested to be caused by a reversion. 2-0-A2 cells were nearly identical to XP12BE-SV cells in all aspects investigated, indicating that transformation to neor had no effect on DNA repair in these cells.

Differential induction of Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1, Ahd4, and Nmo1 in murine skin tumors and adjacent normal epidermis by ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Products of several phase I and II genes transcriptionally activated by ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) were quantitated in cutaneous samples isolated from non-tumor-bearing SENCAR or SSIN mice, and animals bearing skin tumors generated in initiation-promotion protocols. The constitutive 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities in papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas were less than or equal to 37% of the values measured in the adjacent normal cutaneoustissue. Dermal and epidermal EROD specific activities in microsomal samples prepared from both tumor-bearing and non-tumor-bearing mice were elevated 9- to 14- and 43- to 77-fold, respectively, above constitutive levels 16-20 h after a single topical application of 100 nmol of dibenz[a,c]anthracene (DB[a,c]A). EROD specific activities in tumors were maximally elevated two-fold after topical application of DB[a,c]A. Western blot, northern blot, and reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses confirmed that the EROD measurements reflected cutaneous cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 protein, mature mRNA, and heterogeneous nuclear RNA contents, respectively. Analyses of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase class 3, and NAD(P)H:menadione oxidoreductase (NMO1) mRNA content by RT-PCR revealed significant increases in all four mRNAs in the normal tissue adjacent to papillomas after exposure to 4 nmol of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) but no increases in the tumors. NMO1 mRNA content in acetone-treated papillomas approached the levels detected in TCDD-treated normal skin. RT-PCR analyses also demonstrated elevated constitutive aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator mRNA content (an approximately two-fold increase) in skin tumors. In contrast, AHR mRNA content in the tumors was about 20% of that measured in adjacent normal tissue. Collectively, these studies demonstrated that ligand-induced, AHR-mediated processes are absent in murine skin tumors that develop in initiation-promotion protocols.

Distribution of mutations in the human xeroderma pigmentosum group A gene and their relationships to the functional regions of the DNA damage recognition protein.

A series of xeroderma pigmentosum group A cell lines from 19 patients and cell lines from 13 other family members were examined for XPA mutations to find previously unidentified mutations from American and European patients, to establish pedigrees in represented families, and to develop a database for XPA diagnosis. Most mutations were deletions and splice site mutations observed previously in other XPA patients, in exon III, intron III, or exon IV, that resulted in frameshifts within the DNA binding region-including an Afl III RFLP (G to C) in four unrelated families. One new mutation was a point mutation within intron III (A to G) creating a new splice acceptor site that may compete with the original splice acceptor site. Missplicing at this new site inserts 11 nucleotides in the mRNA creating a frameshift. A small amount of normal splicing to give wild-type XPA protein is the likely molecular mechanism for the relatively mild clinical features of this patient. In another patient, a new 2 bp deletion in the RPA70 binding region was identified in the same region as a 20 bp deletion previously characterized in an unrelated patient. Mutations in the DNA binding region of XPA were from patients with the more severe disease often associated with neurological complications, whereas mutations in the C-terminal end of the protein, which interacts with the TFIIH transcription factor, were from patients with milder skin disease only. The rarity of naturally occurring missense mutations in the DNA binding region of XPA suggests that amino acid changes might be sufficiently tolerated that patients would have mild symptoms and escape detection.

High-throughput genotyping method for glutathione S-transferase T1 and M1 gene deletions using TaqMan probes.

A high-throughput genotyping method has been developed to detect gene deletion polymorphisms of glutathione-S-transferase theta and mu (GSTT1 and GSTM1). This method utilizes the 5'-nuclease activity of Taq polymerase in conjunction with fluorogenic TaqMan probes. In contrast to traditional allelic discrimination genotyping to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms, the current assay has been designed to detect gene deletion by utilizing custom-designed TaqMan probes in conjunction with an exogenous internal positive control probe. The TaqMan genotyping results were validated by a commonly used multiplex PCR technique. Screening of 71 unrelated individuals revealed gene deletion (null) genotype of 15.5% and 40.8% for GSTT1 and GSTM1, respectively. This TaqMan genotyping method is rapid, reproducible, and highly sensitive and could be applied toward fully automated large-scale genotyping.

High throughput genotyping for the detection of a single nucleotide polymorphism in NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (DT diaphorase) using TaqMan probes.

AIMS: The two electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones by NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) plays an important role in both activation and detoxification of quinone and similarly reactive compounds. A single nucleotide polymorphism at exon 6 leads to an amino acid change at codon 187 from proline to serine. The variant allele has been associated with decreased NQO1 enzyme activity and increased cancer risks. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid genotyping procedure for epidemiological and clinical research into the potential biological and toxicological implications associated with this genetic polymorphism. METHODS: A high throughput genotyping method using fluorogenic probes has been developed to screen this single nucleotide polymorphism. This assay utilises the 5' nuclease activity of Taq polymerase in conjunction with fluorogenic TaqMan probes. The TaqMan genotyping procedure was validated by a restriction fragment length polymorphism method and direct sequencing. RESULTS: This method can be used for the rapid screening of known polymorphisms in large populations. In a population of 143 unrelated individuals, Pro/Pro (wildtype), Pro/Ser (heterozygous), and Ser/Ser (mutant) genotypes were 69.2%, 26.6%, and 4.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This genotyping method is highly accurate and could be applied to automated large scale genotyping studies.

PD98059 is an equipotent antagonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase.

PD98059 [2-(2'-amino-3'-methoxyphenyl)-oxanaphthalen-4-one] is a flavonoid and a potent inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Concentrations of PD98059 of /=10 microM. In vivo exposure of cultures to 95%) of the dually phosphorylated forms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (IC50 = 1 muM). Treatment of cultures with PD98059 of >/=1 muM either at the time of addition or up to 48 hr before the addition of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner the accumulation of induced steady state CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and NQO1 mRNAs. The addition of PD98059 to rat liver cytosol just before the addition of TCDD suppressed TCDD binding (IC50 = 4 muM) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) transformation (IC50 = 1 muM), as measured by sucrose gradient centrifugation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Flavone and flavanone, two closely related structural analogs of PD98059, inhibited AHR transformation by TCDD with IC50 values similar to that obtained with PD98059. However, neither analog was as potent as PD98059 in inhibiting MEK (IC50 approximately 190 muM for both). These results suggest that PD98059 is a ligand for the AHR and functions as an AHR antagonist at concentrations commonly used to inhibit MEK and signaling processes that entail MEK activation.