TNF-α inhibitor induced pigmented purpuric dermatoses: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We present a rare case of TNF-α inhibitor induced pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) and explore its mechanisms and management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 44-year-old woman presented with non-pruritic non-tender petechial rash on bilateral lower limbs after being started on Adalimumab, with the rash progressing to worsen on Golimumab, both used for managing her seronegative peripheral arthritis. Laboratory panel revealed a negative vasculitis screen and skin biopsy confirmed the condition. After ceasing the TNF-α inhibitors and changing to Secukinumab, an Interleukin-17 inhibitor, the lesions stopped erupting and slowly resolved. CONCLUSION: PPD is a benign skin condition and has been associated with various medications and exposure to chemicals in the literature. Different mechanisms have been proposed in the literature however its exact aetiology is unknown. To date, there is no standardized treatment however patients should be reassured that PPD is benign and will often regress by itself once the causative agent has been removed.

Upregulation of NKG2D ligands in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells by romidepsin and enhanced in vitro and in vivo natural killer cell cytotoxicity.

BACKGROUND AIMS: There is a critical need to prevent and/or treat hematological relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The activating NKG2D receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, when engaged by its corresponding ligands (MIC A/B), activates NK cells to become cytotoxic against malignant cells. METHODS: We incubated acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells for 24 h with 10 ng/mL of romidepsin. Flow cytometry was performed to demonstrate changes in surface expression of NKG2D ligands MIC A/B. In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity was measured by means of modified Europium assay, and non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice were xenografted with RS 4:11 cells. RESULTS: We demonstrated an approximately 50, 200, 1300 and 180-fold increase in the number of cells positive for the surface expression of MIC A/B in RS 4:11 (P < 0.001), REH (P < 0.001), Ramos (P < 0.001) and Jurkat cells (P < 0.001), respectively. We further demonstrated a significant increase in NK cell-mediated in vitro cytotoxicity against RS 4:11 (P < 0.004), Ramos (P < 0.05), Jurkat (P < 0.001) and REH cells (P < 0.01), respectively. Romidepsin-mediated NK cytotoxicity was blocked by pre-incubating NK cells with anti-NKG2D-Fc in RS 4:11 (P < 0.03) and Ramos cells (P < 0.01), respectively. Finally, non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice xenografted with RS 4:11 cells had a significant increase in survival (P < 0.02) in mice treated with romidepsin and interleukin-2-activated NK cells compared with each of these other treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Romidepsin significantly enhanced in vitro and in vivo NK cell cytotoxicity mediated in part by increased MIC A/B expression on malignant cells. This translational approach of the use of romidepsin and interleukin-2-activated NK cells should be considered in patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia or lymphoma.

Antitumor activity of the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 in triple-negative breast cancer.

Glutamine serves as an important source of energy and building blocks for many tumor cells. The first step in glutamine utilization is its conversion to glutamate by the mitochondrial enzyme glutaminase. CB-839 is a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of both splice variants of glutaminase (KGA and GAC). CB-839 had antiproliferative activity in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line, HCC-1806, that was associated with a marked decrease in glutamine consumption, glutamate production, oxygen consumption, and the steady-state levels of glutathione and several tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. In contrast, no antiproliferative activity was observed in an estrogen receptor-positive cell line, T47D, and only modest effects on glutamine consumption and downstream metabolites were observed. Across a panel of breast cancer cell lines, GAC protein expression and glutaminase activity were elevated in the majority of TNBC cell lines relative to receptor positive cells. Furthermore, the TNBC subtype displayed the greatest sensitivity to CB-839 treatment and this sensitivity was correlated with (i) dependence on extracellular glutamine for growth, (ii) intracellular glutamate and glutamine levels, and (iii) GAC (but not KGA) expression, a potential biomarker for sensitivity. CB-839 displayed significant antitumor activity in two xenograft models: as a single agent in a patient-derived TNBC model and in a basal like HER2(+) cell line model, JIMT-1, both as a single agent and in combination with paclitaxel. Together, these data provide a strong rationale for the clinical investigation of CB-839 as a targeted therapeutic in patients with TNBC and other glutamine-dependent tumors.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, distribution, and excretion of carfilzomib in rats.

Carfilzomib [(2S)-N-[(S)-1-[(S)-4-methyl-1-[(R)-2-methyloxiran-2-yl]-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl]-2-phenylethyl]-2-[(S)-2-(2-morpholinoacetamido)-4-phenylbutanamido]-4-methylpentanamide, also known as PR-171] is a selective, irreversible proteasome inhibitor that has shown encouraging results in clinical trials in multiple myeloma. In this study, the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, distribution, and excretion of carfilzomib in Sprague-Dawley rats were characterized. After intravenous administration, the plasma concentration of carfilzomib declined rapidly in a biphasic manner. Carfilzomib displayed high plasma clearance [195-319 ml/(min · kg)], a short-terminal half-life (5-20 min), and rapid and wide tissue distribution in rats. The exposure to carfilzomib (C(max) and area under the curve) increased dose proportionally from 2 to 4 mg/kg but less than dose proportionally from 4 to 8 mg/kg. The high clearance was mediated predominantly by extrahepatic metabolism through peptidase cleavage and epoxide hydrolysis. Carfilzomib was excreted mainly as metabolites resulting from peptidase cleavage. Carfilzomib and its major metabolites in urine and bile accounted for approximately 26 and 31% of the total dose, respectively, for a total of 57% within 24 h postdose. Despite the high systemic clearance, potent proteasome inhibition was observed in blood and a variety of tissues. Together with rapid and irreversible target binding, the high clearance may provide an advantage in that "unnecessary" exposure to the drug is minimized and potential drug-related side effects may be reduced.

Lithium-catalyzed hydroxide attack at the carbon atom of methyl phosphate.

The spontaneous hydrolysis of phosphate ester monoanions is relatively easy, but the reaction of water with simple phosphate ester dianion appears to be the slowest biomimetic reaction whose spontaneous rate has been measured in water, with an estimated half time of approximately 1012 years at room temperature in the absence of a catalyst. Here, we report an alternative mode of cleavage of methyl phosphate that involves hydroxide attack at the carbon atom of methyl phosphate and proceeds at a rate proportional to the square of the concentration of lithium hydroxide.