Cytomegalovirus reactivation in esophageal cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation can be lethal in patients with cancer. However, the criteria for the prevention of cytomegalovirus reactivation during cancer treatment are unclear. This study aimed to identify factors associated with CMV reactivation in patients with esophageal cancer who were receiving chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: This retrospective study included esophageal cancer patients receiving definitive or palliative chemoradiotherapy during April 2013-March 2020. Patients with fever during chemoradiotherapy underwent a systemic work-up to detect the primary focus of infection, and CMV antigenemia was assessed in cases of unidentifiable infection. RESULTS: Among 132 patients (80.3% male, median age 69 years [range, 39-86 years]), 124 received 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin and 8 received oxaliplatin-5-fluorouracil-levofolinate chemotherapy. Overall, 19 patients had CMV reactivation, 37 had other infections, and 76 had no identified infection (groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Median minimum lymphocyte counts were 81.0/µl (interquartile range: 52.0-144.0/µl), 120.0/µl (81.0-162.5/µl), and 185.5/µl (120.5-328.0/µl) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with counts being significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the minimum lymphocyte count was associated with CMV reactivation (odds ratio 0.983, 95% confidence interval: 0.973-0.994, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: CMV reactivation is not rare in patients with esophageal cancer who were receiving chemoradiotherapy and is associated with the minimum lymphocyte counts. CMV reactivation should be considered during differential diagnosis for patients with a severe decline in lymphocyte counts when receiving chemoradiotherapy.

Exploratory Analysis to Predict Optimal Tumor Burden for Starting Lenvatinib in Patients With Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that a high tumor burden is a prognostic factor based on an analysis of 26 patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) who were treated with lenvatinib. However, the optimal tumor burden for starting lenvatinib still remains to be defined. The aim of this retrospective study was to further explore in the same patient cohort the optimal timing for the start of lenvatinib by focusing on the pre- and post-treatment tumor burden. METHODS: The 26 patients were treated with lenvatinib from 2012 to 2017. We explored the optimal timing for the start of lenvatinib by comparing the characteristics of long-term responders who were defined as patients with progression-free survival ≥ 30 months and non-long-term responders. RESULTS: Long-term responders had a smaller post-treatment tumor burden at maximum shrinkage than non-long-term responders. Further, post-treatment tumor burden had a strong linear correlation with baseline tumor burden. We created an estimation formula for baseline tumor burden related to prognosis, using these regression lines. Patients with a sum of diameters of target lesions < 60 mm or maximum tumor diameter < 34 mm at baseline were estimated to have significantly better survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong linear correlation between pre- and post-treatment tumor burden. Our results suggested a cut-off value for baseline tumor burden for long-term prognosis among patients treated with lenvatinib.

Relationship between PDGFR expression and the response to pazopanib in intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery: A case report.

Intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery (PAIS) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Pazopanib, which has been indicated in metastatic non-adipocytic soft-tissue sarcomas and is expected to be active in PAIS, is a multi-kinase inhibitor that targets the tyrosine kinase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and stem cell factor receptor. The present study reports findings related to two cases of PAIS with PDGF and VEGF expression following treatment with pazopanib. A case with a moderate to strong expression of PDGFR-α and -ß presented a long-term stable disease when treated with pazopanib (progression-free survival, 5.8 months). In a second case with a weak expression of PDGFR-α and -ß, the disease progressed rapidly on pazopanib (progression-free survival, 1.1 months). VEGFR-2 was not expressed in the tumors of both cases. The level of PDGFR expression in the tumor tissue may therefore be predictive of pazopanib efficacy.

Pharmacokinetic study of the oral fluorouracil antitumor agent S-1 in patients with impaired renal function.

Although dose reduction of S-1 is recommended for patients with impaired renal function, dose modification for such patients has not been prospectively evaluated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters of 5-fluorouracil, 5-chloro-2,4 dihydroxypyridine and oteracil potassium, and to review the recommended dose modification of S-1 in patients with renal impairment. We classified patients receiving S-1 into 4 groups according to their renal function, as measured using the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation. The daily S-1 dose was adjusted based on the patient's eGFR and body surface area. Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. A total of 33 patients were enrolled and classified into 4 groups as follows: 10 patients in cohort 1 (eGFR ≥ 80 mL/min/1.73 m2 ), 10 patients in cohort 2 (eGFR = 50-79 mL/min/1.73 m2 ), 10 patients in cohort 3 (eGFR = 30-49 mL/min/1.73 m2 ), and 3 patients in cohort 4 (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ). Those in cohorts 3 and 4 treated with an adjusted dose of S-1 showed a similar area under the curve for 5-fluorouracil (941.9 ± 275.6 and 1043.5 ± 224.8 ng/mL, respectively) compared with cohort 2 (1034.9 ± 414.3 ng/mL). Notably, while there was a statistically significant difference between cohort 1 (689.6 ± 208.8 ng/mL) and 2 (P = 0.0474) treated with an equal dose of S-1, there was no significant difference observed in the toxicity profiles of the cohorts. In conclusion, dose adjustment of S-1 in patients with impaired renal function using eGFR is appropriate and safe.

Exploratory analysis of prognostic factors for lenvatinib in radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Multitarget kinase inhibitors (m-TKI), including lenvatinib, are now available as treatment options for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). However, the optimal timing of treatment initiation with m-TKI in these patients remains to be defined. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 30 consecutive patients with RR-DTC. The relationship between clinical characteristics was evaluated, including tumor growth parameters at pretreatment/post-treatment and efficacy of lenvatinib. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients with RR-DTC treated with lenvatinib were evaluable for response and eligible for analysis. From the results of multivariate analysis, baseline tumor size and tumor-related symptoms were independent negative prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Pretreatment tumor growth parameters were not prognostic for either PFS or OS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RR-DTC with a high tumor burden and tumor-related symptoms had significantly worse prognosis. Greater tumor reduction after starting lenvatinib may lead to better prognosis, irrespective of pretreatment high tumor growth rate.

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Versus Placebo as Prophylaxis for Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Induced Acne-Like Rash: A Randomized Left-Right Comparative Evaluation (APPEARANCE).

LESSONS LEARNED: The results of the APPEARANCE trial indicate that adapalene does not prevent acne-like rash over placebo when added to topical moisturizer and oral minocycline but instead may have a detrimental effect. Therefore, adapalene is not recommended as prophylaxis against acne-like rash induced by anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies.Given that acne-like rash was completely controlled with placebo in approximately half of patients, predictive measures to identify patients needing intensive prophylaxis are required. BACKGROUND: Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies are frequently associated with acne-like rash. To evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of adapalene, a topical retinoid used as first-line therapy for acne vulgaris, we conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, evaluator-blinded, left-right comparative trial. METHODS: Patients with non-small cell lung, colorectal, or head and neck cancer scheduled to receive anti-EGFR therapies were randomly assigned to once-daily adapalene application on one side of the face, with placebo on the other side. All patients had topical moisturizer coapplied to both sides of the face, and received oral minocycline. The primary endpoint was the difference in total facial lesion count of acne-like rash at 4 weeks. Secondary endpoints included complete control rate (CCR) of acne-like rash (≤5 facial lesions) and global skin assessment (Investigator's Global Assessment [IGA] scale, grade 0-4) at 4 weeks. Two blinded dermatologists independently evaluated the endpoints from photographs. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients were enrolled, of whom 26 were evaluable. Adapalene treatment was associated with a greater lesion count than placebo at 4 weeks, although the difference was not statistically significant (mean, 12.6 vs. 9.8, p = .12). All four patients with a difference >10 in lesion count between face sides had a greater count on the adapalene-treated side. No significant differences were observed in CCR of acne-like rash (54% vs. 50%) or IGA scale (mean grade, 1.9 vs. 1.7) between the adapalene and placebo sides. CONCLUSION: Adapalene is not recommended as prophylaxis against acne-like rash induced by anti-EGFR therapies.

A Phase II study of the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in patients with advanced thyroid cancer.

AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in advanced thyroid cancer. PATIENTS/METHODS: In this Phase II study, 51 Japanese patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC), medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) received once-daily lenvatinib 24 mg. The primary end point was safety. RESULTS: All patients experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE); only one patient experienced an AE leading to discontinuation. The most common any-grade AEs were hypertension, decreased appetite, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, fatigue and proteinuria. Response rates for RR-DTC: 68%; MTC: 22%; ATC: 24%. Median progression-free survival for RR-DTC: 25.8 months; MTC: 9.2 months; ATC: 7.4 months. CONCLUSION: Lenvatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile, proven antitumor activity in RR-DTC and promising efficacy in MTC and ATC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01728623.

Thrombotic Microangiopathy with Severe Proteinuria Induced by Lenvatinib for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Standard therapy for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (m-TKIs), represented by sorafenib and lenvatinib. One of the main target molecules of m-TKIs is vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R). m-TKIs are known to cause adverse reactions such as hypertension and proteinuria as a class effect. In particular, proteinuria is thought to result from vascular endothelial damage and podocytopathy in glomeruli, and the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported for VEGF inhibitors. We encountered a patient with RAI-refractory (RR) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who developed proteinuria and renal dysfunction due to lenvatinib. Renal biopsy demonstrated that these changes were caused by TMA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of TMA due to lenvatinib in a Japanese patient with RR-PTC. A 70-year-old woman developed proteinuria, renal impairment and hypertension while receiving lenvatinib for RR-PTC. Her proteinuria and renal damage continued to worsen despite dose reductions and dose interruptions. Renal biopsy was consistent with the chronic type of TMA. These findings indicate that TMA is a possible cause of proteinuria due to lenvatinib, as has been reported for the VEGF inhibitors.

Successful treatment switch from lenvatinib to sorafenib in a patient with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer intolerant to lenvatinib due to severe proteinuria.

Sorafenib and lenvatinib showed efficacy for patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in pivotal phase 3 clinical trials. Although the efficacy of lenvatinib in patients who received previous treatment with multi-target kinase inhibitors (m-TKIs), including sorafenib, was reported, the efficacy of sorafenib in patients who previously received lenvatinib remains unknown. A 75-year-old woman diagnosed as RAI-refractory poorly differentiated carcinoma with multiple lung metastases and started treatment with lenvatinib. She continued to receive lenvatinib but with repeated dose interruptions and reductions due to continuous proteinuria. Because of severe and persistent proteinuria as well as newly developed renal impairment, lenvatinib was suspended after two years of treatment. After the 7-month suspension, her proteinuria and renal impairment were partially improved, but her lung metastases progressed. Because she was unable to tolerate previous treatment with lenvatinib, sorafenib was started. At 7 months of treatment with sorafenib, her lung metastases shrank and she could continue sorafenib without exacerbation of proteinuria or renal impairment. This case may suggest that sorafenib does not exacerbate the proteinuria or renal impairment induced by lenvatinib, and may be an effective treatment option for RAI-refractory DTC patients who are unable to tolerate lenvatinib.

Distribution of erlotinib in rash and normal skin in cancer patients receiving erlotinib visualized by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging.

BACKGROUND: The development of skin rashes is the most common adverse event observed in cancer patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as erlotinib. However, the pharmacological evidence has not been fully revealed. RESULTS: Erlotinib distribution in the rashes was more heterogeneous than that in the normal skin, and the rashes contained statistically higher concentrations of erlotinib than adjacent normal skin in the superficial skin layer (229 ± 192 vs. 120 ± 103 ions/mm2; P = 0.009 in paired t-test). LC-MS/MS confirmed that the concentration of erlotinib in the skin rashes was higher than that in normal skin in the superficial skin layer (1946 ± 1258 vs. 1174 ± 662 ng/cm3; P = 0.028 in paired t-test). The results of MALDI-MSI and LC-MS/MS were well correlated (coefficient of correlation 0.879, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Focal distribution of erlotinib in the skin tissue was visualized using non-labeled MALDI-MSI. Erlotinib concentration in the superficial layer of the skin rashes was higher than that in the adjacent normal skin. METHODS: We examined patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who developed skin rashes after treatment with erlotinib and gemcitabine. We biopsied both the rash and adjacent normal skin tissues, and visualized and compared the distribution of erlotinib within the skin using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). The tissue concentration of erlotinib was also measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with laser microdissection.

Lenvatinib for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lenvatinib has been approved by regulatory agencies in Japan, the United States, and the European Union for treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). Thyroid cancer, however, is a clinically diverse disease that includes anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), the subtype associated with the highest lethality. Effective therapy for ATC is an unmet need. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase 2, single-arm, open-label study in patients with thyroid cancer, including ATC, RR-DTC, and medullary thyroid cancer was conducted from 3 September 2012 to 9 July 2015. Patients received lenvatinib 24 mg daily until disease progression or development of unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoint was efficacy, as assessed by progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate. RESULTS: At data cutoff, 17 patients with ATC were enrolled. All experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). The most frequent TEAEs were decreased appetite (82%), hypertension (82%), fatigue (59%), nausea (59%), and proteinuria (59%). Of note, only one patient required lenvatinib withdrawal because of a TEAE, and this TEAE was considered unrelated to lenvatinib. The median PFS was 7.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-12.9], the median OS was 10.6 months (95% CI: 3.8-19.8), and the objective response rate was 24%. CONCLUSION: In this study, lenvatinib demonstrated manageable toxicities with dose adjustments and clinical activity in patients with ATC. This clinical activity of lenvatinib warrants further investigation in ATC. CLINICALTRIALSGOV: NCT01728623.

The combination of HLA-B*15:01 and DRB1*15:01 is associated with gemcitabine plus erlotinib-induced interstitial lung disease in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: In a phase III study of gemcitabine plus erlotinib for advanced pancreatic cancer conducted in Canada, the incidence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) was 3.5 %. However, the incidence of ILD was reported as high as 8.5 % in a Japanese phase II study. These results suggest the influence of ethnic factors in the association of the use of gemcitabine plus erlotinib with the incidence of ILD. Here, we conducted a prospective study to analyze the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and ILD in Japanese patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving gemcitabine plus erlotinib. METHODS: Patients were treated with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2); administered by intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks) and erlotinib (given orally at 100 mg/day). We compared the frequencies of HLA alleles in patients who did and did not develop ILD. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were treated, and 4 patients (7.0 %) developed ILD. The combination of HLA-B*15:01 and DRB1*15:01 was observed in 2 of 4 patients (50 %) with ILD and in only 1 of 53 patients without ILD (2 %) resulting in odds ratio of 52.0 (95 % CI 3.2-842.5; p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of HLA-B*15:01 and DRB1*15:01 is associated with ILD in Japanese patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving gemcitabine plus erlotinib.

A prospective study on the efficacy of two-dose influenza vaccinations in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk of acquiring influenza infections. Two-dose vaccination is a proposed strategy for increasing vaccination efficacy; however, this has yet to be confirmed in this population. The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of this strategy. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre prospective study on a two-dose vaccination regimen in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Second vaccinations were performed in patients who did not respond to all three viral strains after the first vaccination. Serum haemagglutination inhibition titres were measured to determine the patients' immunological response, 2 weeks prior to the first vaccination, 3-5 weeks after each vaccination, and at the end of the influenza season. RESULTS: We enrolled 109 patients, including 70 with solid tumours, 36 with haematological malignancies, and 3 with both cancer types. Among the total patients, the proportion of patients with protective titres against the three viral strains increased significantly from 3 to 27% (P < 0.01) following vaccination. Among the 79 patients who received a second vaccination, the proportion of those with protective titres against the individual strains increased by 10% (H1N1), 8% (H3N2), and 3% (B) compared with after the first vaccination. Serious adverse events were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend influenza vaccinations for cancer patients, including those receiving chemotherapy. Also, the additional benefit of the second vaccination may be limited.

Randomized trial of standard pain control with or without gabapentin for pain related to radiation-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation-induced mucositis (RIM) in chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) causes severe pain and worsens CRT compliance, QOL and outcome. Following retrospective reports, we conducted a randomized trial of the safety and efficacy of gabapentin for RIM-associated pain during CRT. METHODS: HNC patients (pts) receiving CRT were randomized to standard pain control (SPC) with acetaminophen and opioids, or SPC plus gabapentin (SPC+G). Gabapentin was maintained at 900mg/day for 4 weeks after CRT. Primary endpoint was maximum visual analogue scale (VAS) score during CRT, and secondary endpoints were total opioid dose, changes in QOL (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN 35) from baseline to 4 weeks after CRT, and adverse events. RESULTS: Twenty-two eligible Stage III or IV pts were randomly assigned to SPC or SPC+G (n=11 each). Twelve were treated in a locally advanced setting and 10 in a postoperative setting. Median maximum VAS scores, median total dose of opioids at maximum VAS and total dose of opioids at 4 weeks after CRT tended to be higher in the SPC+G arm (47 in SPC vs. 74 in SPC+G, p=0.517; 215mg vs. 745.3mg, p=0.880; and 1260mg vs. 1537.5mg, p=0.9438, respectively), without significance. QOL analysis showed significantly worse scores in the SPC+G arm for weight gain (p=0.005). Adverse events related to gabapentin were manageable. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study is the first prospective randomized trial of gabapentin for RIM-related pain. Gabapentin had no apparent beneficial effect. Further research into agents for RIM-related pain is warranted.

Validity of new methods to evaluate renal function in cancer patients treated with cisplatin.

PURPOSE: Creatinine clearance (Ccr) is used as a marker of renal function in cancer chemotherapy, but it is not correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after high-dose cisplatin treatment. In addition to Ccr, measured using 24-h urine collection (24-h Ccr) or Cockcroft-Gault formula (CGF), the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and the Japanese GFR estimation equation (the Japanese equation) have been recently developed to estimate GFR for predicting renal function. However, these equations remain to be evaluated, particularly in cancer patients treated with cisplatin. Therefore, we investigated the validity of these equations for predicting the GFR in cancer patients treated with cisplatin. METHODS: GFR was measured by inulin clearance (Cin) in 50 cancer patients and compared with GFR estimated by the CKD-EPI equation, the Japanese equation, and Ccr estimated by CGF or measured by 24-h Ccr before the first and third cisplatin-containing chemotherapy cycles (considered pretreatment and posttreatment, respectively). RESULTS: Before treatment, the CKD-EPI and the Japanese equations estimated GFR with higher accuracy than Ccr. Posttreatment bias values for GFR estimation using the CKD-EPI and the Japanese equations were lower than those for Ccr. The CKD-EPI and the Japanese equations were also more precise than Ccr. However, for patients with low renal function, these equations still overestimated Cin. CONCLUSION: The CKD-EPI and the Japanese equations estimated GFR with lower bias and higher precision than Ccr pre- and postcisplatin treatment. This study is registered at UMIN: 000002167.

Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor Exhibiting a Discrepancy between Tumor Markers and Imaging: A Case Study.

We report a mediastinal germ cell tumor (GCT) that exhibited a discrepancy between the time course of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and clinical consequences. An otherwise healthy man, aged 34 years, was diagnosed with a nonseminomatous GCT, most likely embryonal carcinoma (EC), based on a mediastinal tumor biopsy. Standard chemotherapy resulted in an optimal decrease in serum hCG levels. However, multiple lesions in the liver continued to enlarge, which led to his death. Autopsy revealed few viable tumor cells in the liver, with the great majority of the tumor cells appearing to have undergone necrosis, suggesting that they responded to the chemotherapy. The residual tumor cells in the mediastinum and the liver were similar to syncytiotrophoblast cells, suggesting a cho-riocarcinoma (CC). On immunohistochemical analysis, the mediastinal tumor cells in the diagnostic biopsy specimen expressed both CD30 and hCG, whereas residual mediastinal and hepatic tumor cells in the autopsy specimen after chemotherapy also expressed hCG, but not CD30. These findings suggested that the patient suffered from a primary mixed GCT consisting of an EC and a CC. Both pre- and postchemotherapy tumors strongly expressed matrix metalloproteinase-2, supporting the aggressive and invasive features of the tumor phenotype. We speculate that the extremely invasive tumor destroyed normal liver structure, whereas chemotherapy and central necrosis reduced the number of viable cells themselves, causing a discordant decrease in serum hCG levels.

Comparison of 2D- and 3D-culture models as drug-testing platforms in breast cancer.

It is becoming recognized that screening of oncology drugs on a platform using two-dimensionally (2D)-cultured cell lines is unable to precisely select clinically active drugs; therefore three-dimensional (3D)-culture systems are emerging and show potential for better simulating the in vivo tumor microenvironment. The purpose of this study was to reveal the differential effects of chemotherapeutic drugs between 2D- and 3D-cultures and to explore their underlying mechanisms. We evaluated differences between 2D- and 3D-cultured breast cancer cell lines by assessing drug sensitivity, oxygen status and expression of Ki-67 and caspases. Three cell lines (BT-549, BT-474 and T-47D) developed dense multicellular spheroids (MCSs) in 3D-culture, and showed greater resistance to paclitaxel and doxorubicin compared to the 2D-cultured cells. An additional three cell lines (MCF-7, HCC-1954, and MDA-MB­231) developed only loose MCSs in 3D, and showed drug sensitivities similar to those found in the 2D-culture. Treatment with paclitaxel resulted in greater increases in cleaved-PARP expression in the 2D-culture compared with the 3D-culture, but only in cell lines forming dense 3D-MCSs, suggesting that MCS formation protected the cells from paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Hypoxia was observed only in the dense 3D-MCSs. BT-549 had fewer cells positive for Ki-67 in 3D- than in 2D-culture, suggesting that the greater G0-dormant subpopulation was responsible for its drug resistance in the 3D-culture. BT-474 had a lower level of caspase-3 in the 3D- than in the 2D-culture, suggesting that the 3D-environment was anti-apoptotic. Finally, we compared staining for Ki-67 and caspases in the 2D- and 3D-primary­cultured cells originating from a patient-derived xenograft (PDX), fresh PDX tumor, and the patient's original tumor; 2D-cultured cells showed greater proportions of Ki-67-positive and caspase-3-positive cells, in agreement with the view that 3D-primary culture better represents characteristics of tumors in vivo. In conclusion, 3D-cultured cells forming dense MCSs may be better than 2D-cultured cells in simulating important tumor characteristics in vivo, namely hypoxia, dormancy, anti-apoptotic features and their resulting drug resistance.

Metabolomics evaluation of serum markers for cachexia and their intra-day variation in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by progressive loss of weight and muscle atrophy. Using metabolomics, we investigated serum markers and their intra-day variation in advanced pancreatic cancer patients with cachexia. METHODS: Patients were enrolled in two groups: those with or without cachexia. Blood samples collected at 6:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM, and 9:30 PM were analyzed using metabolomics, and serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and leptin were measured and compared between the two groups. Intra-day variation was then evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled in total. In the cachexia group (n = 9), median body weight loss rate over 6 months was greater, performance status was poorer, and anorexia was more severe than in the non-cachexia group (n = 12). Each metabolites level showed substantial intra-day variation, and some of them displayed significant differences between the two groups. Levels of paraxanthine remained markedly lower in the cohort with cachexia at all measurement points. Besides, median IL-6 and TNF-α levels appeared higher and leptin concentration appeared lower in the cachexia group, albeit without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Some metabolites and some serological marker levels were affected by cancer cachexia. Although paraxanthine levels were consistently lower in patients with cachexia, we identified that many metabolites indicated large intra- and inter-day variation and that it might be necessary to pay attention to intra-day variation in metabolomics research.

Effects of aprepitant on the pharmacokinetics of controlled-release oral oxycodone in cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Oxycodone is a µ-opioid receptor agonist widely used in the treatment of cancer pain. The predominant metabolic pathway of oxycodone is CYP3A4-mediated N-demethylation to noroxycodone, while a minor proportion undergoes 3-O-demethylation to oxymorphone by CYP2D6. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the mild CYP3A4 inhibitor aprepitant on the pharmacokinetics of orally administered controlled-release (CR) oxycodone. METHOD: This study design was an open-label, single-sequence with two phases in cancer patients with pain who continued to be administered orally with multiple doses of CR oxycodone every 8 or 12 hours. Plasma concentration of oxycodone and its metabolites were measured up to 8 hours after administration as follows: on day 1, CR oxycodone was administered alone; on day 2, CR oxycodone was administered with aprepitant (125 mg, at the same time of oxycodone dosing in the morning). The steady-state trough concentrations (Css) were measured from day 1 to day 3. RESULTS: Aprepitant increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-8) of oxycodone by 25% (p<0.001) and of oxymorphone by 34% (p<0.001), as well as decreased the AUC0-8 of noroxycodone by 14% (p<0.001). Moreover, aprepitant increased Css of oxycodone by 57% (p = 0.001) and of oxymorphone by 36% (p<0.001) and decreased Css of noroxycodone by 24% (p = 0.02) at day 3 compared to day 1. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical use of aprepitant in patients receiving multiple doses of CR oxycodone for cancer pain significantly altered plasma concentration levels, but would not appear to need modification of the CR oxycodone dose. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN.ac.jp UMIN000003580.

TYRO3 as a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

AIM: We evaluated the potential of TYRO3 as a therapeutic target in various types of breast cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of TYRO3-knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on proliferation, cell-cycle distribution, and cell signaling in four estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/HER2-non-amplified (luminal-type), two ER-negative/HER2-amplified (HER2-type), and two ER-negative/HER2-non-amplified (triple negative [TN]-type) cell lines were compared. RESULTS: Whereas TYRO3 knockdown induced the greatest proliferation suppression in luminal-type cells, and to a lesser extent in HER2-type cells, no proliferation inhibition was observed in TN-type cells. The TYRO3 siRNA-induced proliferation inhibition in luminal-type cells was observed in both estradiol (E2)-rich and -null conditions. The proliferation suppression was correlated with G0-G1/S cell-cycle arrest. Western blot analysis showed a decrease in phosphorylation of ERK1/2 or STAT3, and in cyclin D1 only in cell lines sensitive to TYRO3-knockdown. CONCLUSION: TYRO3 is a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer, particularly in luminal-type cells.