-
1.
Edoxaban Versus standard of care and their effects on clinical outcomes in patients having undergone Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Atrial Fibrillation-Rationale and design of the ENVISAGE-TAVI AF trial.
Van Mieghem, NM, Unverdorben, M, Valgimigli, M, Mehran, R, Boersma, E, Baber, U, Hengstenberg, C, Shi, M, Chen, C, Saito, S, et al
American heart journal. 2018;:63-69
Abstract
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, also called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), is the treatment of choice for patients with severe aortic stenosis and intermediate to high operative risk. A significant portion of TAVR patients have atrial fibrillation (AF) requiring chronic oral anticoagulation. In moderate- to high-risk AF patients, the direct factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban is noninferior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for prevention of stroke or systemic embolism with less bleeding and cardiovascular deaths. ENVISAGE-TAVI AF (NCT02943785) is a multinational, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point evaluation study comparing edoxaban to VKA-based therapy in approximately 1,400 patients with an indication for chronic oral anticoagulation after successful transfemoral TAVR. The coprimary end points are to assess the differential effects of the 2 treatments (a) on net adverse clinical events (the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, systemic thromboembolism, valve thrombosis, and major bleeding events) and (b) on major bleeding. Twelve hours to 5 days after successful TAVR, patients will be randomized to 60 mg daily oral edoxaban or any VKA (international normalized ratio: 2.0-3.0 or 1.6-2.6 [numbers inclusive] in Japan if age ≥ 70 years). Antiplatelet therapy may be administered per physician's discretion. Randomization will be stratified by edoxaban dose reduction (per local label). Treatment duration will be up to 36 months. The study is powered (80%) to detect noninferiority (margin for the hazard ratio: 1.38) for the composite primary end points, followed by superiority testing.
-
2.
Mechanisms of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib (PD 0332991) and its future application in cancer treatment (Review).
Liu, M, Liu, H, Chen, J
Oncology reports. 2018;(3):901-911
Abstract
An uncontrolled cell cycle is an obvious marker of tumor cells. The G1‑S phase is an important restriction point in the normal cell cycle, but in cancer cells the restriction function is reduced, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Two cyclin‑dependent kinases (CDKs), CDK4 and CDK6, play a crucial role in the G1‑S phase transition. Inhibitors of CDK4/6 are presently the subjects of numerous studies, and PD 0332991, an inhibitor of CDK4/6, has been used to treat hormone receptor (HR)‑positive, advanced‑stage breast cancer. This inhibitor has also been studied in other cancers, such as lung cancer. In this review, we will discuss the regulation of the normal cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase, the most promising inhibitor of CDK4/6, PD 0332991, as applied in different cancers, and finally we propose a mechanism of acquired resistance as well as the incredible potential for CDK4/6 inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. Briefly, we assert that, going forward, a new treatment pattern for cancer may be a combination therapy with a cell cycle inhibitor and a molecular targeted drug.
-
3.
Cabozantinib-induced serum creatine kinase elevation and musculoskeletal complaints.
Stump, SE, Whang, YE, Crona, DJ
Investigational new drugs. 2018;(6):1143-1146
Abstract
Cabozantinib is a multikinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. While associations between serum creatine kinase (CK) elevations and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors used for the treatment of solid malignancies have been previously reported, we report a case of cabozantinib-associated CK elevation that was associated with musculoskeletal complaints by an RCC patient. Nine days following initiation of cabozantinib, the patient reported muscle cramps and serum CK had increased from levels 12 months earlier that were within normal limits to a grade 1 elevation of 244 units/L. Despite a dose reduction, her CK continued to rise over the next 2 months, leading to a peak CK of 914 units/L. Due to this grade 3 elevation, cabozantinib was permanently discontinued, and her CK subsequently returned to a grade 1 elevation within one week and then to baseline within 3 weeks. The temporal relationship between drug exposure and CK increase strongly suggests causality. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of CK elevation attributed to cabozantinib, but cabozantinib-induced CK elevations could be under-reported, and providers should monitor for musculoskeletal complaints during cabozantinib therapy.
-
4.
The role of zinc plus octenidine in the regulation of gene expression: an in vitro study.
Lauritano, D, Candotto, V, Bignozzi, CA, Pazzi, D, Carinci, F, Cura, F, Tagliabue, A, Tettamanti, L
Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents. 2018;(2 Suppl. 1):237-244
Abstract
Zinc was known in ancient times, and is diffused in the environment. The potential benefits offered by zinc supplementary therapy have been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials using oral or topical zinc products. The benefit of zinc can be in principle increased through association with other actives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect on primary human gingival fibroblast cell of a new formulation containing zinc and octenidine cations. Human gingival fibroblast cells were obtained from three healthy patients (14-year-old man, 15-year-old woman and 20-year-old man) during extraction of teeth. The gene expression of 14 genes (ELANE, FN1, FBN, ITGA1, HAS1, ELN, DSP, ITGB1, HYAL1,TGFB1, TGFB2, TGFB3, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2) was investigated in HGF cell culture treated with 80μm of Octenidine, 1000μm of Zinc, 80μm Octenidine + Zinc solution and the medium alone at 30 min. Prestoblue data showed that as the active concentration increases (Octenidine, Zinc and Octenidine + Zinc) the percentage of cell vitality compared to that of untreated cells decrease. In this study, no statistically significant gene expression was observed between cells, treated with difference substances, and control cells. Our results points out that zinc plus octenidine shows a positive potential in periodontal disease treatment.
-
5.
A series of terpyridine containing flexible amino diethylacetate derivatives with large two-photon action cross-sections for effective mitochondrial imaging in living liver cancerous cells.
Jia, R, Zhu, Y, Hu, L, Xiong, Q, Zhao, M, Zhang, M, Tian, X
Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy. 2018;:633-639
Abstract
Small molecules possess large two-photon action cross sections (Φσ) are highly demanded for biological purpose. Herein, three novel terpyridine containing flexible amino diethylacetate organic small molecules (A1, A2 and A3) were rationally designed and their photophysical properties were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The results revealed that the three chromophores possess large Φσ and remarkable Stokes' shift in high polar solvents, which are particularly benefit for further biological imaging application. One chromophore (A1) displayed an effective intracellular uptake against lung cancerous living cells A549. Colocalization studies suggested the internalized subcellular compartment was mitochondria. Consequently, chromophore A1 provides a promising platform to directly monitor mitochondria in living cells under two-photon confocal laser scanning microscopy.
-
6.
Loperamide, pimozide, and STF-62247 trigger autophagy-dependent cell death in glioblastoma cells.
Zielke, S, Meyer, N, Mari, M, Abou-El-Ardat, K, Reggiori, F, van Wijk, SJL, Kögel, D, Fulda, S
Cell death & disease. 2018;(10):994
Abstract
Autophagy is a well-described degradation mechanism that promotes cell survival upon nutrient starvation and other forms of cellular stresses. In addition, there is growing evidence showing that autophagy can exert a lethal function via autophagic cell death (ACD). As ACD has been implicated in apoptosis-resistant glioblastoma (GBM), there is a high medical need for identifying novel ACD-inducing drugs. Therefore, we screened a library containing 70 autophagy-inducing compounds to induce ATG5-dependent cell death in human MZ-54 GBM cells. Here, we identified three compounds, i.e. loperamide, pimozide, and STF-62247 that significantly induce cell death in several GBM cell lines compared to CRISPR/Cas9-generated ATG5- or ATG7-deficient cells, pointing to a death-promoting role of autophagy. Further cell death analyses conducted using pharmacological inhibitors revealed that apoptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis only play minor roles in loperamide-, pimozide- or STF-62247-induced cell death. Intriguingly, these three compounds induce massive lipidation of the autophagy marker protein LC3B as well as the formation of LC3B puncta, which are characteristic of autophagy. Furthermore, loperamide, pimozide, and STF-62247 enhance the autophagic flux in parental MZ-54 cells, but not in ATG5 or ATG7 knockout (KO) MZ-54 cells. In addition, loperamide- and pimozide-treated cells display a massive formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes at the ultrastructural level. Finally, stimulation of autophagy by all three compounds is accompanied by dephosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a well-known negative regulator of autophagy. In summary, our results indicate that loperamide, pimozide, and STF-62247 induce ATG5- and ATG7-dependent cell death in GBM cells, which is preceded by a massive induction of autophagy. These findings emphasize the lethal function and potential clinical relevance of hyperactivated autophagy in GBM.
-
7.
[Edoxaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and treatment of venous thromboembolism: an expert position paper].
Weiss, TW, Rohla, M, Dieplinger, B, Domanovits, H, Fries, D, Vosko, MR, Gary, T, Ay, C
Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946). 2018;(5-6):133-143
Abstract
Edoxaban is the most recent available representative of the Non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). The approval was based on the largest phase III trials of NOACs for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF, ENGAGE-AF), and for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE, HOKUSAI-VTE). In both trials, edoxaban was associated with similar efficacy and a significant reduction in bleeding events with respect to the pre-defined primary safety endpoints, as compared to warfarin.Additionally, the once daily dosing of edoxaban, the clinically investigated strategy for dose-reduction based on clearly defined criteria and the favorable pharmacokinetic profile might further support the clinical applicability of the substance.In the light of recent data, this expert consensus document aims to summarize the latest clinical trial results while providing a concise overview of current guideline recommendations on the management of patients with non-valvular AF and VTE.
-
8.
Regorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Tovoli, F, Granito, A, De Lorenzo, S, Bolondi, L
Drugs of today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998). 2018;(1):5-13
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide problem, with a high prevalence in nonindustrialized countries and a rising incidence in industrialized countries as well. Its close association with chronic liver diseases and liver cirrhosis represents a significant challenge in its treatment. A front-line systemic treatment for unresectable cases of HCC (sorafenib) was identified only in 2007. Following a decade of failed clinical trials with a wide range of drugs for second-line treatment, regorafenib proved its efficacy as a second-line treatment in 2016, when the randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III RESORCE trial demonstrated a meaningful increase in overall survival in the regorafenib treatment arm compared with the placebo arm (10.6 vs. 7.8 months). In this monograph we review the main preclinical and clinical findings in the trials assessing regorafenib for the treatment of HCC patients.
-
9.
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of an edoxaban-based antithrombotic regimen in patients with atrial fibrillation following successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent placement: Rationale and design of the ENTRUST-AF PCI trial.
Vranckx, P, Lewalter, T, Valgimigli, M, Tijssen, JG, Reimitz, PE, Eckardt, L, Lanz, HJ, Zierhut, W, Smolnik, R, Goette, A
American heart journal. 2018;:105-112
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal antithrombotic treatment after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. In the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial, edoxaban was noninferior to a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) with respect to the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism and was associated with significantly lower rates of bleeding and cardiovascular death in patients with nonvalvular AF. The effects of edoxaban in combination with single- or dual-antiplatelet therapy in the setting of PCI are unexplored. DESIGN The ENTRUST-AF PCI trial is a multinational, multicenter, randomized, open-label phase 3b trial with blinded end point evaluation involving 1,500 patients on oral anticoagulation for AF. Patients are randomized between 4 hours and 5 days after successful PCI to either an edoxaban-based strategy (experimental arm; 60 mg [or 30 mg according to dose reduction criteria] once daily plus a P2Y12 antagonist [default clopidogrel, 75 mg once daily] for 12 months) or a VKA-based strategy (control arm; VKA plus a P2Y12 antagonist [as above] plus acetylsalicylic acid [100 mg once daily] for 30 days to 12 months). The primary safety end point is the incidence of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis-defined major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding. The main efficacy end point is the composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, systemic embolic events, spontaneous myocardial infarction, and definite stent thrombosis. SUMMARY The ENTRUST-AF PCI trial tests the hypothesis that an edoxaban-based antithrombotic strategy reduces the risk of bleeding complications after PCI compared with VKA plus conventional dual-antiplatelet therapy in patients with AF in need of oral anticoagulation. The relative risk of ischemic events between groups will be compared.
-
10.
Pilot Dose Comparison of Apatinib in Chinese Patients With Progressive Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.
Zhang, X, Wang, C, Lin, Y
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2018;(10):3640-3646
Abstract
CONTEXT Apatinib has shown overwhelming efficacy in progressive radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) starting at a 750-mg dosing protocol; however, a relatively high incidence of treatment-associated adverse events (TAAEs) was observed, which reduced quality of life and interrupted the treatment. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib with two different dosing schedules [750 or 500 mg once a day (q.d.)] in RAIR-DTC. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Twenty patients were sequentially recruited to receive apatinib beginning at 750 (n = 10) or 500 (n = 10) mg q.d. Efficacy and safety were compared in each 28-day cycle at the beginning two cycles and every two cycles thereafter. RESULTS After six treatment cycles, the best disease control rates were 100% for the 750- and 500-mg schedules, respectively, and the best objective response rates were 90.0% and 70.0% (P = 0.58), respectively. The two dosing schedules did not differ regarding greatest reduction in target lesion size (-42.7% vs -40.5% for the 750- vs 500-mg schedule, P = 0.48) and thyroglobulin level (-82.5% vs -94.3% for the 750- vs 500-mg schedule, P = 0.14). All patients experienced TAAEs, and the two dosing schedules showed similar incidence in TAAEs of grade ≥3 (100% vs 70% for 750 vs 500 mg, P = 0.21). However, the frequency of TAAEs was much higher in the 750-mg schedule (26.8 ± 6.5 vs 18.1 ± 6.5 in any grades, P = 0.01; 5.2 ± 3.0 vs 1.6 ± 1.3 in grade ≥3, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Within six cycles of follow-up, the 500-mg starting dose protocol might be less toxic than the 750-mg protocol, whereas the efficacy was similar between the two dosages.