Literature Watch

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"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"; +9 new citations

Orphan or Rare Diseases - Wed, 2018-03-07 09:22

9 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"Rare Diseases"[Mesh] OR "orphan disease"

These pubmed results were generated on 2018/03/07

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

Categories: Literature Watch

"systems biology"; +28 new citations

Systems Biology - Wed, 2018-03-07 09:22

28 new pubmed citations were retrieved for your search. Click on the search hyperlink below to display the complete search results:

"systems biology"

These pubmed results were generated on 2018/03/07

PubMed comprises more than millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

Categories: Literature Watch

Transcription Factor NRF2 as a Therapeutic Target for Chronic Diseases: A Systems Medicine Approach.

Drug Repositioning - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Transcription Factor NRF2 as a Therapeutic Target for Chronic Diseases: A Systems Medicine Approach.

Pharmacol Rev. 2018 Apr;70(2):348-383

Authors: Cuadrado A, Manda G, Hassan A, Alcaraz MJ, Barbas C, Daiber A, Ghezzi P, León R, López MG, Oliva B, Pajares M, Rojo AI, Robledinos-Antón N, Valverde AM, Guney E, Schmidt HHHW

Abstract
Systems medicine has a mechanism-based rather than a symptom- or organ-based approach to disease and identifies therapeutic targets in a nonhypothesis-driven manner. In this work, we apply this to transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) by cross-validating its position in a protein-protein interaction network (the NRF2 interactome) functionally linked to cytoprotection in low-grade stress, chronic inflammation, metabolic alterations, and reactive oxygen species formation. Multiscale network analysis of these molecular profiles suggests alterations of NRF2 expression and activity as a common mechanism in a subnetwork of diseases (the NRF2 diseasome). This network joins apparently heterogeneous phenotypes such as autoimmune, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases, along with cancer. Importantly, this approach matches and confirms in silico several applications for NRF2-modulating drugs validated in vivo at different phases of clinical development. Pharmacologically, their profile is as diverse as electrophilic dimethyl fumarate, synthetic triterpenoids like bardoxolone methyl and sulforaphane, protein-protein or DNA-protein interaction inhibitors, and even registered drugs such as metformin and statins, which activate NRF2 and may be repurposed for indications within the NRF2 cluster of disease phenotypes. Thus, NRF2 represents one of the first targets fully embraced by classic and systems medicine approaches to facilitate both drug development and drug repurposing by focusing on a set of disease phenotypes that appear to be mechanistically linked. The resulting NRF2 drugome may therefore rapidly advance several surprising clinical options for this subset of chronic diseases.

PMID: 29507103 [PubMed - in process]

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenetics of the anti-HCV drug sofosbuvir: a preliminary study.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17

Pharmacogenetics of the anti-HCV drug sofosbuvir: a preliminary study.

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2018 Mar 02;:

Authors: Cusato J, De Nicolò A, Boglione L, Favata F, Ariaudo A, Mornese Pinna S, Carcieri C, Guido F, Avataneo V, Cariti G, Di Perri G, D'Avolio A

Abstract
Background: Sofosbuvir is a potent nucleotide HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor that is also a P-glycoprotein (encoded by the ABCB1 gene) and breast cancer resistance protein (encoded by the ABCG2 gene) substrate. Concerning previous anti-HCV therapies, pharmacogenetics had a significant impact, particularly considering the association of interleukin28B polymorphisms with dual-therapy (ribavirin + pegylated IFN) outcomes.
Objectives: In this work, we investigated the association between sofosbuvir and its prevalent metabolite (GS-331007) plasma concentrations at 1 month of therapy and genetic variants (SNPs) in genes encoding transporters and nuclear factors (ABCB1, ABCG2 and HNF4α) related to sofosbuvir transport.
Patients and methods: Allelic discrimination was performed through real-time PCR, whereas plasma concentrations were evaluated through liquid chromatography. One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled.
Results: Sofosbuvir concentrations were below the limit of quantification since the drug was converted into its GS-331007 metabolite. ABCB1 2677 G>T (P = 0.044) and HNF4α 975 C>G (P = 0.049) SNPs were associated with GS-331007 metabolite plasma concentrations. In linear multivariate analysis, liver stiffness, insulin resistance, baseline haemoglobin and haematocrit and SNPs in the ABCB1 gene (3435 CT/TT and 1236 TT genotypes) were significant predictors of GS-331007 concentrations. Furthermore, we performed sub-analyses considering the anti-HCV concomitant drug and HCV genotype, identifying specific polymorphisms associated with GS-331007 plasma concentrations: ABCB1 3435 C>T and HNF4α975 C>G in patients treated with daclatasvir, ABCB1 2677 G>T with ledipasvir and ABCB1 3435 C>T, ABCB1 2677 G>T, ABCG2 421 C>A and ABCG2 1194 + 928 C>A with ribavirin.
Conclusions: In this study we suggested sofosbuvir GS-331007 metabolite plasma levels were affected by variants in the ABCB1 and HNFα genes.

PMID: 29509884 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

MSR1 repeats modulate gene expression and affect risk of breast and prostate cancer.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17

MSR1 repeats modulate gene expression and affect risk of breast and prostate cancer.

Ann Oncol. 2018 Mar 02;:

Authors: Rose AM, Krishan A, Chakarova CF, Moya L, Chambers S, Hollands M, Illingworth JC, Williams SMG, James HE, Shah AZ, Palmer CNA, Chakravarti A, Berg JN, Batra J, Bhattacharya SS

Abstract
Background: MSR1 repeats are a 36-38bp minisatellite element that have recently been implicated in the regulation of gene expression, through copy number variation (CNV).
Patients and methods: Bioinformatic and experimental methods were used to assess the distribution of MSR1 across the genome, evaluate the regulatory potential of such elements and explore the role of MSR1 elements in cancer, particularly non-familial breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Results: MSR1s are predominately located at chromosome 19 and are functionally enriched in regulatory regions of the genome, particularly regions implicated in short-range regulatory activities (H3K27ac, H3K4me1, and H3K4me3). MSR1-regulated genes were found to have specific molecular roles, such as serine-protease activity (P=4.80x10-7) and ion channel activity (P=2.7x10-4). The kallikrein locus was found to contain a large number of MSR1 clusters, and at least six of these showed CNV. An MSR1 cluster was identified within KLK14, with 9-copies and 11-copies being normal variants. A significant association with the 9-copy allele and non-familial breast cancer was found in two independent populations (P=0.004; P=0.03). In the white British population, the minor allele conferred an increased risk of 1.21 to 3.51-times for all non-familial disease, or 1.7 to 5.3-times in early-onset disease. The 9-copy allele was also found to be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer in an independent population (odds ratio = 1.27-1.56; P =0.009).
Conclusions: MSR1 repeats act as molecular switches that modulate gene expression. It is likely that CNV of MSR1 will affect risk of development of various forms of cancer, including that of breast and prostate. The MSR1 cluster at KLK14 represents the strongest risk factor identified to date in non-familial breast cancer and a significant risk factor for prostate cancer. Analysis of MSR1 genotype will allow development of precise stratification of disease risk and provide a novel target for therapeutic agents.

PMID: 29509840 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

PD-L1 mRNA expression in plasma-derived exosomes is associated with response to anti-PD-1 antibodies in melanoma and NSCLC.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17

PD-L1 mRNA expression in plasma-derived exosomes is associated with response to anti-PD-1 antibodies in melanoma and NSCLC.

Br J Cancer. 2018 Mar 06;:

Authors: Del Re M, Marconcini R, Pasquini G, Rofi E, Vivaldi C, Bloise F, Restante G, Arrigoni E, Caparello C, Bianco MG, Crucitta S, Petrini I, Vasile E, Falcone A, Danesi R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: PD-L1 expression in tumour tissues is widely used to select patients to receive anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies, but data are lacking on the correlation of plasma PD-L1 levels with the effect of treatments.
METHODS: To investigate the association between PD-L1 mRNA in plasma-derived exosomes and response to nivolumab and pembrolizumab in patients with melanoma (n=18) and NSCLC (n=8), blood was obtained at time point 0 and after 2 months. Exosomal PD-L1 mRNA was measured by digital droplet PCR.
RESULTS: The mean±s.e.m. PD-L1 levels in patients with complete and partial responses were 830.4±231.3 and 242.5±82.5 copies per ml at time 0 vs 2 months, respectively (P=0.016). In patients with stable disease the mean±s.e.m. values were 298.8±97.2 vs 247.5±29.8 copies per ml (P=0.586), while in progressive disease, PD-L1 mRNA levels were 204.0±68.8 vs 416.0±87.8 copies per ml at time 0 vs 2 months, respectively (P=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that exosomal PD-L1 is significantly associated with response to treatment.British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, 6 March 2018; doi:10.1038/bjc.2018.9 www.bjcancer.com.

PMID: 29509748 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Whole Genome Sequencing of Pharmacogenetic Drug Response in Racially Diverse Children with Asthma.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17

Whole Genome Sequencing of Pharmacogenetic Drug Response in Racially Diverse Children with Asthma.

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Mar 06;:

Authors: Mak AC, White MJ, Eckalbar WL, Szpiech ZA, Oh SS, Pino-Yanes M, Hu D, Goddard P, Huntsman S, Galanter J, Wu AC, Himes BE, Germer S, Vogel JM, Bunting KL, Eng C, Salazar S, Keys KL, Liberto J, Nuckton TJ, Nguyen TA, Torgerson DG, Kwok PY, Levin AM, Celedón JC, Forno E, Hakonarson H, Sleiman PM, Dahlin A, Tantisira KG, Weiss ST, Serebrisky D, Brigino-Buenaventura E, Farber HJ, Meade K, Lenoir MA, Avila PC, Sen S, Thyne SM, Rodriguez-Cintron W, Winkler CA, Moreno-Estrada A, Sandoval K, Rodriguez-Santana JR, Kumar R, Williams LK, Ahituv N, Ziv E, Seibold MA, Darnell RB, Zaitlen N, Hernandez RD, Burchard EG, NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium

Abstract
Rationale Albuterol, a bronchodilator medication, is the first-line therapy for asthma worldwide. There are significant racial/ethnic differences in albuterol drug response. Objective To identify genetic variants important for bronchodilator drug response (BDR) in racially diverse children. Methods We performed the first whole genome sequencing (WGS) pharmacogenetics study from 1,441 children with asthma from the tails of the BDR distribution to identify genetic association with BDR. Measurements and Main Results We identified population-specific and shared genetic variants associated with BDR, including genome-wide significant (p < 3.53x10-7) and suggestive (p < 7.06x10-6) loci near genes previously associated with lung capacity (DNAH5), immunity (NFKB1 and PLCB1), and β-adrenergic signaling (ADAMTS3 and COX18). Functional analyses of the BDR-associated SNP in NFKB1 revealed potential regulatory function in bronchial smooth muscle cells. The SNP is also an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) for a neighboring gene, SLC39A8. The lack of other asthma study populations with BDR and WGS data on minority children makes it impossible to perform replication of our rare variant associations. Minority underrepresentation also poses significant challenges to identify age-matched and population-matched cohorts of sufficient sample size for replication of our common variant findings. Conclusion The lack of minority data, despite a collaboration of 8 universities and 13 individual laboratories, highlights the urgent need for a dedicated national effort to prioritize diversity in research. Our study expands the understanding of pharmacogenetic analyses in racially/ethnically diverse populations and advances the foundation for precision medicine in at-risk and understudied minority populations.

PMID: 29509491 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenetics of toxicity of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Pharmacogenetics of toxicity of 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Oncotarget. 2018 Feb 06;9(10):9114-9136

Authors: Tecza K, Pamula-Pilat J, Lanuszewska J, Butkiewicz D, Grzybowska E

Abstract
The differences in patients' response to the same medication, toxicity included, are one of the major problems in breast cancer treatment. Chemotherapy toxicity makes a significant clinical problem due to decreased quality of life, prolongation of treatment and reinforcement of negative emotions associated with therapy. In this study we evaluated the genetic and clinical risk factors of FAC chemotherapy-related toxicities in the group of 324 breast cancer patients. Selected genes and their polymorphisms were involved in FAC drugs transport (ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2,SLC22A16), metabolism (ALDH3A1, CBR1, CYP1B1, CYP2C19, DPYD, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, MTHFR,TYMS), DNA damage recognition, repair and cell cycle control (ATM, ERCC1, ERCC2, TP53, XRCC1). The multifactorial risk models that combine genetic risk modifiers and clinical characteristics were constructed for 12 toxic symptoms. The majority of toxicities was dependent on the modifications in components of more than one pathway of FAC drugs, while the impact level of clinical factors was comparable to the genetic ones. For the carriers of multiple high risk factors the chance of developing given symptom was significantly elevated which proved the factor-dosage effect. We found the strongest associations between concurrent presence of clinical factors - overall and recurrent anemia, nephrotoxicity and early nausea and genetic polymorphisms in genes responsible for DNA repair, drugs metabolism and transport pathways. These results indicate the possibility of selection of the patients with expected high tolerance to FAC treatment and consequently with high chance of chemotherapy completion without the dose reduction, treatment delays and decline in the quality of life.

PMID: 29507678 [PubMed]

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenomics and drug therapy.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Pharmacogenomics and drug therapy.

Aust Prescr. 2018 Feb;41(1):6

Authors: Goh S

PMID: 29507452 [PubMed]

Categories: Literature Watch

Model-based Dosage Individualization of Ganciclovir in Neonates and Young Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Pilot Study.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Model-based Dosage Individualization of Ganciclovir in Neonates and Young Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Pilot Study.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 Mar 05;:

Authors: Dong Q, Leroux S, Shi HY, Xu HY, Kou C, Khan MW, Jacqz-Aigrain E, Zhao W

Abstract
Background: Newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are at high risk for developing permanent sequelae. Intravenous ganciclovir therapy is frequently used for the treatment of congenital CMV infection. Target area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC0-24) of 40-50 μg·h/mL is recommended. The standard dose resulted in a large variability in ganciclovir exposure in newborns, indicating the unmet need of dosage individualization in this vulnerable population, but the implementation of this strategy remains challenging in clinical practice. We aim to evaluate the clinical utility of model-based dosage individualization of ganciclovir in newborns using an opportunistic sampling approach.Methods: The predictive performance of a published ganciclovir population pharmacokinetic model was evaluated using an independent patient cohort. The individual dose was adjusted based on the target AUC0-24 to ensure the efficacy.Results: A total of 26 newborns with congenital CMV infection were included in the present study. Only 11 (42.3%) patients achieved the target AUC0-24 after giving the standard dose. For all the subtherapeutic (below 80% target AUC) patients (n=5), model-based dosage adjustment was performed using Bayesian estimation method combined with the opportunistic sampling strategy. The adjusted doses were increased 28.6% - 60.0% in these five patients and all adapted AUC0-24 achieved the target (range: 48.6-66.1 μg·h/mL).Conclusion: The clinical utility of model-based dosing individualization of ganciclovir was demonstrated in newborns with congenital CMV infection. Population pharmacokinetic model combined with the opportunistic sampling strategy provides a clinical feasible method to adapt ganciclovir dose in neonatal clinical practice.

PMID: 29507070 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Screening and identifying antioxidants from Oplopanax elatus using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl with off-line two-dimensional HPLC coupled with diode array detection and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Pharmacogenomics - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Screening and identifying antioxidants from Oplopanax elatus using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl with off-line two-dimensional HPLC coupled with diode array detection and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

J Sep Sci. 2016 Nov;39(22):4269-4280

Authors: Shao L, Nie MK, Chen MY, Wang J, Wang CZ, Huang WH, Yuan CS, Zhou HH

Abstract
The root of Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai has a well-known history of use for the treatment of diseases such as neurasthenia, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer by the native people in northeast China. It is important to screen and identify the bioactive molecules from its root rapidly. Hereby, an off-line two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry together with 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was established to screen antioxidants from the root of O. elatus. A Waters cyanogen column (150 × 3.9 mm, id, 4 μm) was used for the first dimensional liquid chromatography, while a Hypersil BDS-C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, id, 5 μm) was installed for the second dimension liquid chromatographic analysis. Twenty-eight compounds had been tentatively identified from the methanol extract of the air-dried root of O. elatus including six polyynes and eight phenolic derivatives were screened with antioxidant activity. The developed method could be expedient for screening and identifying antioxidants from O. elatus.

PMID: 27624907 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Categories: Literature Watch

The accessibility of topical treatment in the paranasal sinuses on operated cystic fibrosis patients assessed by scintigraphy.

Cystic Fibrosis - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17

The accessibility of topical treatment in the paranasal sinuses on operated cystic fibrosis patients assessed by scintigraphy.

Rhinology. 2018 Mar 06;:

Authors: Aanaes K, Alanin MC, Nielsen KG, Moller Jorgensen M, von Buchwald C, Hoiby N, Johansen HK, Johannesen HH, Mortensen J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nasal irrigations with antibiotics are used to eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the upper airways in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and thereby avoid lung colonisations; nevertheless, the efficacy is uncertain.
METHODOLOGY: The aim of this study was to investigate the accessibility and durability of solutions in the sinuses before and after sinus surgery. The participants irrigated their noses with radioactively marked saline and were evaluated using a dynamic SPECT/CT scan. The preoperative and postoperative (after 30 days) examinations were compared.
RESULTS: Twelve CF patients were included. In 10 out of the 24 scanned maxillary sinuses an improvement was seen postoperatively compared with the preoperative fluid volume. Notably, in 7 out of the 24 sinuses the mucosa was so swollen postoperatively that no fluid was detected. Ten patients had developed their frontal sinuses. We observed no fluid in the frontal or sphenoid sinuses, neither before nor after surgery. At best, a mean of 23% of the maxillary sinuses were filled with fluid; thus, all sinuses had postoperatively areas of the mucosa that did not have contact with the fluid. A mean of 76% of the initial volume was present after 30 min in the maxillary sinuses.
CONCLUSION: Fluid-depositing using nasal irrigation will not sufficiently or not at all get in contact with all the sinus mucosa despite of sinus surgery. Thus, the efficacy of topical deposition of antibiotics is presumably reduced.

PMID: 29509830 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for airway clearance in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for airway clearance in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Respirol Case Rep. 2018 May;6(4):e00307

Authors: Gaynor M, Wood J

Abstract
In cystic fibrosis (CF), acute exacerbations can decrease the effectiveness of patients' usual airway clearance techniques (ACT). In order to maintain effective airway clearance and preserve lung function, these ACT must be adapted to prevent further dyspnoea and fatigue and improve ease of expectoration. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is widely used in neuromuscular disorders to facilitate airway clearance and augment cough but has rarely been used in CF despite potential indications. The NIPPY Clearway, an airway clearance device with multiple modes including MI-E, can be set to deliver multiple insufflations prior to a single exsufflation. We present two cases where this modified version of MI-E was used as an adjunct to traditional ACT in adults during an acute exacerbation of CF.

PMID: 29507722 [PubMed]

Categories: Literature Watch

Killed but metabolically active Pseudomonas aeruginosa-based vaccine induces protective humoral- and cell-mediated immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infections.

Cystic Fibrosis - Wed, 2018-03-07 06:17
Related Articles

Killed but metabolically active Pseudomonas aeruginosa-based vaccine induces protective humoral- and cell-mediated immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infections.

Vaccine. 2018 Mar 02;:

Authors: Meynet E, Laurin D, Lenormand JL, Camara B, Toussaint B, Le Gouëllec A

Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. Its eradication is difficult due to a wide phenotypic adaptability and an increase of its resistance to antibiotics. After the failure of several recombinant vaccines which mainly triggered humoral response, live-attenuated vaccines received attention thanks to their ability to elicit a broad immunity with both humoral- and cell-mediated responses, essential to fight this pathogen. In this study, we developed an innovative and safer live-attenuated Pa vaccine based on a Killed But Metabolically Active (KBMA) attenuation method. KBMA Pa has been further rationally designed to overexpress beneficial effectors like the type 3 secretion system apparatus. We demonstrated that KBMA Pa elicits a high and broad humoral response in mice against several antigens of particular interest such as OprF and PcrV proteins. Moreover, we assessed cytokines in the serum of immunized mice and showed that KBMA Pa elicits Th1, Th2 and especially Th17 pathways of cell-mediated immune responses. Th17 pathway involvement was also confirmed after specific stimulation of helper T cells in immunized mice. Finally, we showed that this vaccine is safe and has a protective effect in a murine acute pulmonary infectious challenge. In conclusion, KBMA Pa is a new platform with high potential for the development of a vaccine against Pa.

PMID: 29506924 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Categories: Literature Watch

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