PI3K/mTOR Dual Inhibitor, LY3023414, Demonstrates Potent Antitumor Efficacy Against Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study is to determine the efficacy of a PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, LY3023414, on established EAC in an in vivo model. BACKGROUND: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a highly lethal cancer with limited treatment options. The PI3K/mTOR pathway is upregulated in EAC and may be a target for novel therapies. METHODS: Esophagojejunostomy was performed on Sprague-Dawley rats to induce carcinogenesis, and LY3023414 was cyclically administered intraperitoneally between 32 and 40 weeks postsurgery to treatment animals. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology were used to determine clinical response. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot were used to validate apoptosis by cleaved caspase-3, proliferation by Ki67, and pathway inhibition, respectively. RESULTS: Mean MRI tumor volume increased by 109.2% in controls (n = 32) and decreased by 56.8% in treatment animals (n=17) (P < 0.01). Treatment with LY3023414 demonstrated tumor volume increase in 0% (control = 46.4%) (P < 0.01), decrease in 58.8% (control = 7.1%) (P < 0.01), and stable volume in 41.2% (control = 46.4%) (P = 0.77). EAC prevalence in controls increased by 25%; whereas, prevalence in treatment animals decreased by 29.4% (P < 0.01). Approximately, 75% of treatment animals presenting with residual masses on MRI had a histological response >50%. Increased apoptosis by cleaved caspase-3 (P = 0.03) and decreased proliferation by Ki67 (P < 0.01) were demonstrated in the treatment arm, when compared with the control arm. On Western blot analysis of pathway checkpoints, p-mTOR (p=0.03) and PI3K-α (P = 0.04) were downregulated in treatment responsive residual tumors, when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: LY3023414 demonstrates efficacy against EAC in a preclinical model, establishing the rationale for clinical testing.

Systemic Light Chain Amyloidosis Mimicking Rheumatic Disorders.

Secondary amyloidosis can complicate chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. However, the clinical findings of primary amyloidosis may mimic those of primary rheumatologic disorders. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with dystrophic nail changes, dry eyes, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon, and high titer positive nucleolar pattern antinuclear antibody. She was initially misdiagnosed as having Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD). On further workup, she was eventually diagnosed with lambda light chain systemic amyloidosis by abdominal fat pad biopsy. Her symptoms completely resolved after autologous stem cell transplantation. With this case, we would like to highlight the similarities in the clinical features between light chain amyloidosis and rheumatological disorders. We would also like to emphasize the importance of the prompt recognition of the clinical features of amyloidosis which are crucial to triggering appropriate diagnostic procedures, since early diagnosis is a key to improving outcomes in this disease with an otherwise poor prognosis.