Safety and efficacy of nazartinib (EGF816) in adults with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung carcinoma: a multicentre, open-label, phase 1 study.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to first-generation and second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is mediated by the emergence of the Thr790Met mutation in 50-60% of treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to assess the safety and activity of nazartinib (EGF816), a third-generation EGFR TKI that selectively inhibits EGFR with Thr790Met or activating mutations (or both), while sparing wild-type EGFR, in patients with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC. METHODS: This phase 1 dose-escalation part of an open-label, multicentre, phase 1/2 study was conducted at nine academic medical centres located in Europe, Asia, and North America. Patients were included if they were aged 18 years or older and had stage IIIB-IV EGFR-mutant NSCLC (with varying statuses of EGFR mutation and previous therapy allowed), at least one measurable lesion, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 2 or less. Nazartinib (at seven dose levels between 75 mg and 350 mg, in capsule or tablet form) was administered orally, once daily, on a continuous 28-day dosing schedule. A two-parameter Bayesian logistic regression model, guided by the escalation with overdose control principle, was implemented to make dose recommendations and estimate the maximum tolerated dose or recommended phase 2 dose of nazartinib (the primary outcome). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02108964); enrolment to phase 1 is complete and the study is ongoing. FINDINGS: By Aug 31, 2017, 180 patients (116 [64%] women; median age 60 years (52-69); 116 [64%] with ECOG performance status 1) received nazartinib across seven dose levels: 75 mg (n=17), 100 mg (n=38), 150 mg (n=73), 200 mg (n=8), 225 mg (n=28), 300 mg (n=5), and 350 mg (n=11). Seven dose-limiting toxicities were observed in six (3%) patients who received 150 mg, 225 mg, or 350 mg nazartinib once daily. Although the maximum tolerated dose was not met, the recommended phase 2 dose was declared as 150 mg once daily (tablet). The most common adverse events, regardless of cause, were rash (all subcategories 111 [62%] patients, maculopapular rash 72 [40%], dermatitis acneiform 22 [12%]), diarrhoea (81 [45%]), pruritus (70 [39%]), fatigue (54 [30%]), and stomatitis (54 [30%]), and were mostly grades 1-2. Any-cause grade 3-4 adverse events were reported in 99 (55%) patients across all doses, the most common being rash (all subcategories grouped 27 [15%]), pneumonia (12 [7%]), anaemia (ten [6%]), and dyspnoea (nine [5%]). Serious adverse events suspected to be drug-related occurred in 16 (9%) patients. INTERPRETATION: Nazartinib has a favourable safety profile, with low-grade skin toxicity characterised by a predominantly maculopapular rash that required minimal dose reductions. FUNDING: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Novel imprinted transcripts from the Dlk1-Gtl2 intergenic region, Mico1 and Mico1os, show circadian oscillations.

Most of the known imprinted genes are assembled into clusters that share common imprinting control regions (ICRs). Non-coding transcripts are often associated with ICRs and implicated in imprinting regulation. We undertook a systematic search for transcripts originating from the Dlk1-Gtl2 intergenic region that contains the ICR for the chromosome 12 imprinted cluster and identified two overlapping transcripts expressed from opposite strands exclusively from the maternal chromosome. These novel imprinted transcripts most likely represent non-coding RNAs and are located telomeric to the IG DMR, extending the proximal boundary of the region of maternal-specific transcription. Their expression is tissue-specific and shows diurnal and circadian oscillations.Therefore, we named these novel transcripts maternal intergenic circadian oscillating 1 (Mico1) and Mico1, opposite strand (Mico1os).

Uterine Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is required for implantation.

Successful implantation relies on precisely orchestrated and reciprocal signaling between the implanting blastocyst and the receptive uterus. We have examined the role of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway during the process of implantation and demonstrate that this pathway is activated during two distinct stages. Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is first transiently activated in circular smooth muscle forming a banding pattern of activity within the uterus on early day 4. Subsequently, activation is restricted to the luminal epithelium at the prospective site of implantation. Activation at both sites requires the presence of the blastocyst. Furthermore, inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling interferes with the process of implantation. Our results demonstrate that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway plays a central role in coordinating uterus-embryo interactions required for implantation.