Pharmacogenomics

Integrated in a systems pharmacology approach, pharmacogenetics holds the promise for personalized medicine in neonates

Fri, 2022-08-05 06:00

Pharmacogenomics. 2022 Aug 5. doi: 10.2217/pgs-2022-0100. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tweetable abstract Integrated in a systems pharmacology approach, pharmacogenetics holds the promise for personalized medicine in neonates. This has been illustrated for some diseases specific to neonates.

PMID:35929406 | DOI:10.2217/pgs-2022-0100

Categories: Literature Watch

Do Biobank Recall Studies Matter? Long-Term Follow-Up of Research Participants With Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Fri, 2022-08-05 06:00

Front Genet. 2022 Jul 19;13:936131. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.936131. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Recall-by-genotype (RbG) studies conducted with population-based biobank data remain urgently needed, and follow-up RbG studies, which add substance to this research approach, remain solitary. In such studies, potentially disease-related genotypes are identified and individuals with those genotypes are recalled for consultation to gather more detailed clinical phenotypic information and explain to them the meaning of their genetic findings. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is among the most common autosomal-dominant single-gene disorders, with a global prevalence of 1 in 500 (Nordestgaard et al., Eur. Heart J., 2013, 34 (45), 3478-3490). Untreated FH leads to lifelong elevated LDL cholesterol levels, which can cause ischemic heart disease, with potentially fatal consequences at a relatively early age. In most cases, the pathogenesis of FH is based on a defect in one of three LDL receptor-related genes-APOB, LDLR, and PCSK9. We present our first long-term follow-up RbG study of FH, conducted within the Estonian Biobank (34 recalled participants from a pilot RbG study and 291 controls harboring the same APOB, LDLR, and PCSK9 variants that were included in the pilot study). The participants' electronic health record data (FH-related diagnoses, lipid-lowering treatment prescriptions) and pharmacogenomic risk of developing statin-induced myopathy were assessed. A survey was administered to recalled participants to discern the impact of the knowledge of their genetic findings on their lives 4-6 years later. Significant differences in FH diagnoses and lipid-lowering treatment prescriptions were found between the recalled participants and controls (34 and 291 participants respectively). Our study highlights the need for more consistent lipid-lowering treatment adherence checkups and encourage more follow-up RbG studies to be performed.

PMID:35928446 | PMC:PMC9343846 | DOI:10.3389/fgene.2022.936131

Categories: Literature Watch

Personalised future prescribing using pharmacogenomics: A resumé of a joint Royal College of Physicians / British Pharmacological Society working party report

Fri, 2022-08-05 06:00

Future Healthc J. 2022 Jul;9(2):174-178. doi: 10.7861/fhj.rev-9.2.1.

ABSTRACT

There is rapidly growing recognition of the important contribution of individually carried genetic factors to drug response variation (pharmacogenomics) for an increasingly wide range of drugs and of the resulting implications for healthcare across multiple specialisms. This concise overview of the March 2022 joint report of the Royal College of Physicians and the British Pharmacological Society on this topic outlines its coverage of aspects of scientific rationale (with examples), the so far largely unmet need for planned, systematic implementation and training within the UK NHS, and the key forward strategies required. They include a centrally funded, well defined developmental service design with implementation priorities, clinical decision support, clear clinical governance and ongoing research, public and patient engagement, and agreed, updated education and training packages.

PMID:35928194 | PMC:PMC9345247 | DOI:10.7861/fhj.rev-9.2.1

Categories: Literature Watch

An Overview Regarding Pharmacogenomics And Biomarkers Discovery: Focus On Breast Cancer

Fri, 2022-08-05 06:00

Curr Top Med Chem. 2022 Aug 1. doi: 10.2174/1568026622666220801115040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer represents a health concern worldwide for being the leading cause of cancer-related women's death. The main challenge for breast cancer treatment involves its heterogeneous nature with distinct clinical outcomes. It is clinically categorized into five subtypes: luminal A; luminal B, HER2-positive, luminal-HER, and triple-negative. Despite the significant advances in the past decades, critical issues involving the development of efficient target-specific therapies and overcoming treatment resistance still need to be better addressed. OMICs-based strategies have marked a revolution in cancer biology comprehension in the past two decades. It is a consensus that Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is the primary source of this revolution and the development of relevant consortia translating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice. Still, new approaches, such as CRISPR editing and epigenomic sequencing are becoming essential for target and biomarker discoveries. Here, we discuss genomics and epigenomics techniques, how they have been applied in clinical management and to improve therapeutic strategies in breast cancer, as well as the pharmacogenomics translation into the current and upcoming clinical routine.

PMID:35927918 | DOI:10.2174/1568026622666220801115040

Categories: Literature Watch

Transcriptomic effects of propranolol and primidone converge on molecular pathways relevant to essential tremor

Thu, 2022-08-04 06:00

NPJ Genom Med. 2022 Aug 4;7(1):46. doi: 10.1038/s41525-022-00318-9.

ABSTRACT

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common movement disorders, affecting nearly 5% of individuals over 65 years old. Despite this, few genetic risk loci for ET have been identified. Recent advances in pharmacogenomics have previously been useful to identify disease related molecular targets. Notably, gene expression has proven to be quite successful for the inference of drug response in cell models. We sought to leverage this approach in the context of ET where many patients are responsive to two drugs: propranolol and primidone. In this study, cerebellar DAOY and neural progenitor cells were treated for 5 days with clinical concentrations of propranolol and primidone, after which RNA-sequencing was used to identify convergent differentially expressed genes across treatments. Propranolol was found to affect the expression of genes previously associated with ET and other movement disorders such as TRAPPC11. Pathway enrichment analysis of these convergent drug-targeted genes identified multiple terms related to calcium signaling, endosomal sorting, axon guidance, and neuronal morphology. Furthermore, genes targeted by ET drugs were enriched within cell types having high expression of ET-related genes in both cortical and cerebellar tissues. Altogether, our results highlight potential cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with tremor reduction and identify relevant genetic biomarkers for drug-responsiveness in ET.

PMID:35927430 | DOI:10.1038/s41525-022-00318-9

Categories: Literature Watch

Comprehensive lipid and lipid-related gene investigations of host immune responses to characterize metabolism-centric biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis

Thu, 2022-08-04 06:00

Sci Rep. 2022 Aug 4;12(1):13395. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-17521-4.

ABSTRACT

Despite remarkable success in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB), it remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases worldwide. Management of TB requires an efficient and timely diagnostic strategy. In this study, we comprehensively characterized the plasma lipidome of TB patients, then selected candidate lipid and lipid-related gene biomarkers using a data-driven, knowledge-based framework. Among 93 lipids that were identified as potential biomarker candidates, ether-linked phosphatidylcholine (PC O-) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were generally upregulated, while free fatty acids and triglycerides with longer fatty acyl chains were downregulated in the TB group. Lipid-related gene enrichment analysis revealed significantly altered metabolic pathways (e.g., ether lipid, linolenic acid, and cholesterol) and immune response signaling pathways. Based on these potential biomarkers, TB patients could be differentiated from controls in the internal validation (random forest model, area under the curve [AUC] 0.936, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.865-0.992). PC(O-40:4), PC(O-42:5), PC(36:0), and PC(34:4) were robust biomarkers able to distinguish TB patients from individuals with latent infection and healthy controls, as shown in the external validation. Small changes in expression were identified for 162 significant lipid-related genes in the comparison of TB patients vs. controls; in the random forest model, their utilities were demonstrated by AUCs that ranged from 0.829 to 0.956 in three cohorts. In conclusion, this study introduced a potential framework that can be used to identify and validate metabolism-centric biomarkers.

PMID:35927287 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-022-17521-4

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenetics-guided CETP inhibition: an open question?

Thu, 2022-08-04 06:00

Eur Heart J. 2022 Aug 4:ehac398. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac398. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35924304 | DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac398

Categories: Literature Watch

Effects of Glycolysis-Related Genes on Prognosis and the Tumor Microenvironment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Thu, 2022-08-04 06:00

Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jul 18;13:895608. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.895608. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and deadly malignancy worldwide. Current treatment methods for hepatocellular carcinoma have many disadvantages; thus, it is urgent to improve the efficacy of these therapies. Glycolysis is critical in the occurrence and development of tumors. However, survival and prognosis biomarkers related to glycolysis in HCC patients remain to be fully identified. Methods: Glycolysis-related genes (GRGs) were downloaded from "The Molecular Signatures Database" (MSigDB), and the mRNA expression profiles and clinical information of HCC patients were obtained from TCGA. Consensus clustering was performed to classify the HCC patients into two subgroups. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis to construct the risk signature model. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the risk model, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy. The independent prediction ability of the risk model was validated by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The differences of immune infiltrates and relevant oncogenic signaling between different risk groups were compared. Finally, biological experiments were performed to explore the functions of screened genes. Results: HCC patients were classified into two subgroups, according to the expression of prognostic-related GRGs. Almost all GRGs categorized in cluster 2 showed upregulated expressions, whereas GRGs in cluster 1 conferred survival advantages. GSEA identified a positive correlation between cluster 2 and the glycolysis process. Ten genes were selected for risk signature construction. Patients were assigned to high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median risk score, and K-M survival analysis indicated that the high-risk group had a shorter survival time. Additionally, the risk gene signature can partially affect immune infiltrates within the HCC microenvironment, and many oncogenic pathways were enriched in the high-risk group, including glycolysis, hypoxia, and DNA repair. Finally, in vitro knockdown of ME1 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Conclusion: In our study, we successfully constructed and verified a novel glycolysis-related risk signature for HCC prognosis prediction, which is meaningful for classifying HCC patients and offers potential targets for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID:35924040 | PMC:PMC9340275 | DOI:10.3389/fphar.2022.895608

Categories: Literature Watch

Attitudes on pharmacogenomic results as secondary findings among medical geneticists

Tue, 2022-08-02 06:00

Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2022 Jul 22. doi: 10.1097/FPC.0000000000000479. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: As evidence mounts supporting the utility of pharmacogenomic-guided medication management, incorporating pharmacogenomic genes into secondary finding results from sequencing panels is increasingly under consideration. We studied medical geneticists' attitudes on receiving pharmacogenomic results as secondary finding.

METHODS: Four focus groups with 16 medical geneticists total were conducted followed by thematic analysis.

RESULTS: All participants ordered genetic sequencing tests; however, the majority had rarely or never ordered pharmacogenomic tests (10/16) or prescribed medications with established response variability (11/16). In total 81.3% expressed low comfort interpreting pharmacogenomic results without appropriate clinical resources (13/16). The positives of receiving pharmacogenomic results as secondary finding included prevention of adverse drug reactions in adults, grateful information-seeking patients, the ability to rapidly prescribe more effective treatments and appreciation of the recent advances in both pharmacogenomic knowledge and available guidelines. Negatives included laboratory reporting issues, exclusivity of pharmacogenomic results to certain populations, lengthy reports concealing pharmacogenomic results in patient charts and laboratories marketing to individuals without prior pharmacogenomic knowledge or targeting inappropriate populations. The most desirable pharmacogenomic resources included a universal electronic health record clinical decision support tool to assist identifying and implementing pharmacogenomic results, a specialized pharmacist as part of the care team, additional pharmacogenomic training during medical/graduate school, and a succinct interpretation of pharmacogenomic results included on laboratory reports.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants agreed that adding certain actionable pharmacogenomic genes to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics SF list is reasonable; however, this was qualified with a need for additional resources to support implementation.

PMID:35916546 | DOI:10.1097/FPC.0000000000000479

Categories: Literature Watch

Evidence of pharmacogenetics-based fluvoxamine use as an add-on to clozapine treatment in psychiatry

Tue, 2022-08-02 06:00

Pharmacogenomics. 2022 Aug 2. doi: 10.2217/pgs-2022-0007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pharmacological treatments used for psychiatric disorders, such as clozapine, demonstrate large interindividual variability in terms of possible adverse effects and therapeutic benefit. This variability can be explained by multiple factors, including pharmacogenetic factors. Clozapine efficacy can be impacted by CYP polymorphisms. A growing body of literature on pharmacogenetics suggests the clinical benefit of concomitant use of clozapine and fluvoxamine to improve global pharmacotherapeutic management. This article reviews and discusses available clinical and pharmacological data and limitations of clozapine augmentation with fluvoxamine based on pharmacogenetic rationale and clinical experience. The aim is to provide an updated approach on how to use the pharmacological and pharmacogenetic profile to improve clozapine efficacy and tolerance in severely ill patients.

PMID:35916148 | DOI:10.2217/pgs-2022-0007

Categories: Literature Watch

<em>XDH</em> genotypes through gene-gene interactions with <em>NUDT15</em> affect azathioprine-induced leukopenia in Chinese patients

Tue, 2022-08-02 06:00

Pharmacogenomics. 2022 Aug 2. doi: 10.2217/pgs-2022-0063. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To investigate whether genotypes of XDH, GMPS and MOCOS were associated with azathioprine-induced adverse drug reaction (ADR) and had the gene-gene interactions with NUDT15 rs116855232 to induce leukopenia. Methods: Patients who had taken azathioprine were recruited. Genotyping of those gene was performed. Risk factor to ADR was analyzed by logistic regression. The generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was assessed based on gene-gene interactions with ADR. Results: A total of 111 patients were included in this study, all of whom were Han Chinese. XDH rs2295475 was a risk factor of myelotoxicity (p = 0.022). NUDT15 rs116855232 was a risk factor of myelotoxicity, grade ≥2 leukopenia and drug treatment termination (p-values were <0.05). Rs2295475 and rs116855232 had a gene-gene interaction. The model was associated with grade ≥2 leukopenia (OR: 17.99; 95% CI: 4.11-78.81). Conclusion: Combined testing genotype for rs2295475 and rs116855232 could improve the prediction of azathioprine-induced leukopenia.

PMID:35916133 | DOI:10.2217/pgs-2022-0063

Categories: Literature Watch

Pharmacogenetics of Antiplatelet Therapy

Mon, 2022-08-01 06:00

Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2022 Aug 1. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-051921-092701. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Antiplatelet therapy is used in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes, stroke, and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Clopidogrel is the most widely used antiplatelet P2Y12 inhibitor in clinical practice. Genetic variation in CYP2C19 may influence its enzymatic activity, resulting in individuals who are carriers of loss-of-function CYP2C19 alleles and thus have reduced active clopidogrel metabolites, have high on-treatment platelet reactivity and increased ischemic risk. Prospective studies have examined the utility of CYP2C19 genetic testing to guide antiplatelet therapy, and more recently published metanalyses suggest that pharmacogenetics represents a key treatment strategy to individualize antiplatelet therapy. Rapid genetic tests, including bedside genotyping platforms that are validated and have high reproducibility, are available to guide selection of P2Y12 inhibitors in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the background and rationale for the role of a guided antiplatelet approach to enhance patient care. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 63 is January 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

PMID:35914768 | DOI:10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-051921-092701

Categories: Literature Watch

The role of <em>CYP2C19</em> genotyping to guide antiplatelet therapy following ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack

Mon, 2022-08-01 06:00

Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Aug 1. doi: 10.1080/17512433.2022.2108401. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent recommended for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite by hepatic cytochrome P450-2C19 (CYP2C19) is essential for the inhibition of the P2Y12 receptor and subsequent platelet aggregation to prevent thrombotic events. CYP2C19 is highly polymorphic, with over 30 loss of function (LoF) alleles. This review considers whether there is sufficient data to support genotype guided antiplatelet therapy after stroke.

AREAS COVERED: A systematic literature review retrieved articles which describe the interaction between CYP2C19 genotype and clinical outcomes following IS or TIA when treated with clopidogrel. The review documents efforts to identify optimal antiplatelet regimens and explores the value genotype guided antiplatelet therapy. The work outlines the contemporary understanding of clopidogrel metabolism and appraises evidence linking CYP2C19 LoF variants with attenuated platelet inhibition and poorer outcomes.

EXPERT OPINION: There is good evidence that CYP2C19 LoF allele carriers of Han-Chinese ancestry have increased risk for further vascular events following TIA or IS when treated with clopidogrel. The evidence base is less certain in other populations. The expansion of pharmacogenetics into routine clinical practice will facilitate further research and help tailor other aspects of secondary prevention.

PMID:35912831 | DOI:10.1080/17512433.2022.2108401

Categories: Literature Watch

Effects of polymorphisms in the <em>MTHFR</em> gene on 5-FU hematological toxicity and efficacy in Thai colorectal cancer patients

Mon, 2022-08-01 06:00

Front Oncol. 2022 Jul 15;12:916650. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.916650. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The two common methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms 677G>A and 1298A>C may have been affecting 5-FU toxicity in cancer patients for decades. Drug efficacy has also been shown by previous studies to be affected. In this study, we investigated the effects of these polymorphisms on 5-FU hematological toxicity and treatment efficacy, to provide enhanced pharmacological treatment for cancer patients.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving 52 Thai colorectal cancer patients who were treated with 5-FU based therapy, using TaqMAN real-time PCR to genotype the MTHFR polymorphisms (677G>A and 1298A>C). The toxicity and response rate were assessed using standardized measures.

RESULTS: Neutropenia was significantly more likely to be experienced (P=0.049, OR=7.286, 95% CI=0.697-76.181) by patients with the MTHFR 677G>A polymorphism, in the same way as leukopenia (P =0.036, OR=3.333, 95%CI=2.183-5.090) and thrombocytopenia (P<0.001, OR=3.917, 95%CI=2.404-6.382). The MTHFR 1298A>C polymorphism had no statistical association with hematological toxicity in 5-FU treatment. The response rate to 5-FU was not significantly affected by these two polymorphisms.

CONCLUSION: The MTHFR polymorphism 677G>A is a significant risk factor for developing leukopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia as toxic effects of 5-FU therapy in cancer patients. Therefore, patients receiving 5-FU-based therapy should be aware of their polymorphisms as one risk factor for experiencing severe toxicity.

PMID:35912215 | PMC:PMC9335196 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2022.916650

Categories: Literature Watch

Case report: Non-response to fluoxetine in a homozygous 5-HTTLPR S-allele carrier of the serotonin transporter gene

Mon, 2022-08-01 06:00

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Jul 15;13:942268. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.942268. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a 50-year-old male with major depressive disorder (MDD) to illustrate the challenge of finding effective antidepressant pharmacotherapy and the role that the patient's genetic makeup may play. Recent treatment attempts before clinic admission included venlafaxine and fluoxetine. Venlafaxine was discontinued due to lack of response, and subsequently switched to fluoxetine based on pharmacogenotyping of the P-glycoprotein transporter (P-gp, encoded by ABCB1) by the outpatient psychiatrist. Despite steady state serum levels within the therapeutic range, the patient did not benefit from fluoxetine either, necessitating admission to our clinic. Here a clinical pharmacist-led medication review including additional pharmacogenetic (PGx) analysis resulted in the change of the antidepressant therapy to bupropion. Under the new regimen, established in the in-patient-setting, the patient remitted. However, based on the assessed pharmacokinetics-related gene variants, including CYPs and ABCB1, non-response to fluoxetine could not be conclusively explained. Therefore, we retrospectively selected the serotonin transporter (SERT1, encoded by SLC6A4) for further genetic analysis of pharmacodynamic variability. The patient presented to be a homozygous carrier of the short allele variant in the 5-HTTLPR (S/S) located within the SLC6A4 promoter region, which has been associated with a reduced expression of the SERT1. This case points out the potential relevance of panel PGx testing considering polymorphisms in genes of pharmacokinetic as well as pharmacodynamic relevance.

PMID:35911243 | PMC:PMC9334565 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.942268

Categories: Literature Watch

Replication Study for the Association of Five SNPs Identified by GWAS and Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Japanese and Singaporean Cohorts

Sun, 2022-07-31 06:00

Biol Pharm Bull. 2022;45(8):1198-1202. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00136.

ABSTRACT

Trastuzumab (herceptin) is an effective drug for human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive cancer. However, cardiotoxicity remains a serious complication. In our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified potential associations for five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in a Japanese population. To validate this association, here we performed replication studies using Japanese and Singaporean case-control cohorts (Japan: 6 cases and 206 controls; Singapore: 22 cases and 178 controls). Although none of the SNPs showed a statistically significant association with trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity, we show that three (rs8032978, rs7406710 and rs9316695) and four (rs8032978, rs7406710, rs28415722 and rs11932853) SNPs had an effect in the same direction in the Japanese and the Singaporean cohort, respectively, as that in our previous study. Combining the previous study with the current replication studies, we find a strong association for two SNPs, rs8032978 and rs7406710, with trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (Pcombined = 4.92 × 10-5 and 5.50 × 10-5, respectively). These data suggest that rs8032978 and rs7406710 could be predictive markers of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in Japanese and Singaporean populations, and support their potential use in clinical risk assessment. These findings offer a first step toward the development of clinically available markers for the potential risk of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity as well as an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of this complication.

PMID:35908902 | DOI:10.1248/bpb.b22-00136

Categories: Literature Watch

The ixabepilone and vandetanib combination shows synergistic activity in docetaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Sat, 2022-07-30 06:00

Pharmacol Rep. 2022 Jul 30. doi: 10.1007/s43440-022-00396-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The lack of drug targets is an obstacle to the treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). At present, non-specific cytotoxic drugs are first-line agents, but the development of resistance is a major problem with these agents. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential target in some TNBCs, because its tyrosine kinase activity drives tumorigenesis. Thus, small molecule inhibitors of the EGFR in combination with cytotoxic agents could be important for the treatment of TNBCs.

METHODS: The present study evaluated the efficacies of clinically approved EGFR inhibitors in combination with the cytotoxic agent ixabepilone in parental and docetaxel-resistant MDA-MB-231 cells (231C and TXT cells, respectively). Cell viability was assessed using MTT reduction assays, cell death pathways were evaluated using annexin V/7-aminoactinomycin D staining and flow cytometry and Western immunoblotting was used to assess the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in cells.

RESULTS: Ixabepilone and the EGFR inhibitors gefitinib and vandetanib inhibited 231C and TXT cell proliferation, but the alternate EGFR inhibitors erlotinib and lapatinib were poorly active. Using combination analysis, ixabepilone/vandetanib was synergistic in both cell types, whereas the ixabepilone/gefitinib combination exhibited antagonism. By flow cytometry, ixabepilone/vandetanib enhanced 231C and TXT cell death over that produced by the single agents and also enhanced caspase-3 cleavage and the pro/anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein ratios over ixabepilone alone.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the ixabepilone/vandetanib combination may have promise for the treatment of patients with drug-resistant TNBC.

PMID:35908023 | DOI:10.1007/s43440-022-00396-7

Categories: Literature Watch

In vivo brain endocannabinoid metabolism is related to hippocampus glutamate and structure - a multimodal imaging study with PET, <sup>1</sup>H-MRS, and MRI

Fri, 2022-07-29 06:00

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2022 Jul 29. doi: 10.1038/s41386-022-01384-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dysregulation of hippocampus glutamatergic neurotransmission and reductions in hippocampal volume have been associated with psychiatric disorders. The endocannabinoid system modulates glutamate neurotransmission and brain development, including hippocampal remodeling. In humans, elevated levels of anandamide and lower activity of its catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are associated with schizophrenia diagnosis and psychotic symptom severity, respectively (Neuropsychopharmacol, 29(11), 2108-2114; Biol. Psychiatry 88 (9), 727-735). Although preclinical studies provide strong evidence linking anandamide and FAAH to hippocampus neurotransmission and structure, these relationships remain poorly understood in humans. We recruited young adults with and without psychotic disorders and measured FAAH activity, hippocampal glutamate and glutamine (Glx), and hippocampal volume using [11C]CURB positron emission tomography (PET), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and T1-weighted structural MRI, respectively. We hypothesized that higher FAAH activity would be associated with greater hippocampus Glx and lower hippocampus volume, and that these effects would differ in patients with psychotic disorders relative to healthy control participants. After attrition and quality control, a total of 37 participants (62% male) completed [11C]CURB PET and 1H-MRS of the left hippocampus, and 45 (69% male) completed [11C]CURB PET and hippocampal volumetry. Higher FAAH activity was associated with greater concentration of hippocampal Glx (F1,36.36 = 9.17, p = 0.0045; Cohen's f = 0.30, medium effect size) and smaller hippocampal volume (F1,44.70 = 5.94, p = 0.019, Cohen's f = 0.26, medium effect size). These effects did not differ between psychosis and healthy control groups (no group interaction). This multimodal imaging study provides the first in vivo evidence linking hippocampal Glx and hippocampus volume with endocannabinoid metabolism in the human brain.

PMID:35906490 | DOI:10.1038/s41386-022-01384-4

Categories: Literature Watch

Therapeutic applications of curcumin nanomedicine formulations in cystic fibrosis

Fri, 2022-07-29 06:00

Prog Biomater. 2022 Jul 29. doi: 10.1007/s40204-022-00198-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Medicinal applications of turmeric-derived curcumin have been known to mankind for long ages. Its potential in managing "cystic fibrosis" has also been evaluated. This autosomal recessive genetic disease is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) which involves an impaired secretion of chloride ions and leads to hypersecretion of thick and sticky mucus and serious complications including airway obstruction, chronic lung infection, and inflammatory reactions. This narrative review aims to highlight the available evidence for the efficacy of curcumin nanoformulations in its potential treatment of cystic fibrosis. Recent research has shown that curcumin acts on the localized mutant CFTR ion channel at the plasma membrane. Preclinical studies have also shown that curcumin nanoformulations have promising effects in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In this context, the purpose of this narrative review is to highlight the general bioactivity of curcumin, the types of formulations and related studies, thus opening new therapeutic perspectives for CF.

PMID:35904711 | DOI:10.1007/s40204-022-00198-3

Categories: Literature Watch

Isatuximab in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: A Review and Comparison With Daratumumab

Fri, 2022-07-29 06:00

Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2022 Jan-Dec;21:15330338221106563. doi: 10.1177/15330338221106563.

ABSTRACT

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the proliferation of clonal plasma cells. Although advances in treatment have markedly improved survival outcomes for patients with MM, this disease is still considered incurable owing to its high incidence of relapse and refractoriness. Isatuximab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody that can induce apoptosis in myeloma cells through a variety of mechanisms. Many clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy and efficiency of isatuximab in both relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, leading to its approval for the treatment of adults with RRMM in combination therapies. In this review, the structure, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, and safety profile of isatuximab in MM are summarized. Additionally, isatuximab is compared with daratumumab in terms of mechanism and efficacy.

PMID:35903924 | DOI:10.1177/15330338221106563

Categories: Literature Watch

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