Frequency of UGT1A1*28 gene polymorphism in Chinese gastrointestinal cancer patients and its relationship with irinotecan-related diarrhea

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Background: The incidence of irinotecan-related adverse events was associated with the polymorphism of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) gene, and demonstrated as obvious ethnic diversity. The aim of this study is to observe the frequency and severity of various adverse events in Han patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer who was treated with irinotecan-based therapy. Simultaneously, the relationship between the severe adverse events and UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism (UGT1A1*28) was investigated.

Methods: A total of 109 patients (65 men and 44 women; median 57 years; range: 34-76 years) with advanced gastrointestinal carcinoma receiving irinotecan-based chemotherapy were enrolled. The adverse events during the course chemotherapy, the pretreatment serum bilirubin level, as well as the time to the Grade 3-4 toxicities occurrence were recorded. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood to detect the polymorphism of UGT1A1*28 (TATA box thymine-adenine TA repeats). The relationship between the severity of adverse events and UGT1A1*28 polymorphism was investigated.

Results: Of all these 109 enrolled patients, 90 patients were identified with thymine-adenine (TA)6/(TA)6 genotype, 19 patients with the thymine-adenine (TA)6/(TA)7 genotype, and no (TA)7/(TA)7 genotype was found. Forty-six and 12 patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia, while 8 and 5 patients occurred grade 3-4 diarrhea in (TA)6/(TA)6group and (TA)6/(TA)7 group, respectively. The occurrence of grade 3-4 diarrhea but not neutropenia was closely related with (TA)6/(TA)7 genotype in UGT1A1 promoter region in patients receiving irinotecan-based chemotherapy (P=0.033).

Conclusions: The frequency of UGT1A1*28 gene polymorphism in Han patients is 17.4%, which is lower than that reported in western populations. The marked increase in grade 3-4 diarrhea is related with (TA)6/(TA)7 genotype of UGT1A1 in patients receiving irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

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Abstract PD02-03: Regulation of Mammary Stem Cell Population with Dietary Intake of Soy Protein Isolate Reveals Novel Mechanisms for Diet-Mediated Control of Mammary Tumorigenesis

Breast cancer risk is highly modified by environmental factors including diet. Previously, we showed that dietary intake of soy protein isolate (SPI) decreased mammary tumor incidence and increased mammary tumor latency in rats relative to those fed a control casein (CAS) diet, when exposed to the chemical carcinogen NMU. Mammary tumor preventive effects by SPI were associated with up-regulation of the tumor suppressor PTEN and down-regulation of the oncogenic Wnt-signaling components in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) leading to enhanced differentiation. Given that breast cancer is considered to be initiated by stem cells (SCs) with tumorigenic potential, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), and mammary over-expression of Wnt-1 in mice causes spontaneous breast tumors due to the expansion of mammary CSCs, we hypothesized that diet may alter the mammary SC population to effect mammary tumor prevention. Here, we investigated SPI effects relative to CAS, on mammary tumor development in MMTV-Wnt 1-Transgenic (Tg) female mice and on the mammary SC population in virgin wildtype (WT) and pre-neoplastic Tg female mice. Tumor incidence at 8 months of age of Tg mice fed SPI (n=30) post-weaning was lower than in those fed CAS (48.3% vs.73.5%; P<0.05) (n=34). Interestingly, tumor latency in SPI-fed Tg mice was shorter than for the CAS-fed group (4.65 vs. 5.88 months; P<0.05). Tumor weight and growth rate was similar for the diet groups. To evaluate SPI effects relative to CAS, on mammary SC population, epithelial cells from mammary tissues were isolated from WT (PND 100) and Tg (PND75) mice. The percentage of mammary SCs was quantified by fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis of MECs based on their expression of mouse mammary SC markers (CD29 and CD24) within the Lineage negative (Lin-) population (CD45-, TER119-, CD31-). The Lin-CD29hiCD24hi subpopulation in MECs was decreased by 50% in Tg mice fed SPI post-weaning relative to those fed CAS, decreasing the likelihood of mutations that convert normal to cancer SC and could explain the protective effects of SPI on tumor incidence. Interestingly, the SC population was expanded by 2-fold in MECs of WT mice fed SPI relative to the CAS group, which could be beneficial for mammary gland development and tissue homeostasis. Our findings provide the first report of dietary effects on the SC population in MECs in vivo. The dichotomy of SPI effects on tumor outcome in mammary tissues with dysregulated Wnt signaling maybe related to the loss of the complex regulatory grid between PTEN and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, both of which control stem cell fate. The possibility that diet can influence tumor progression at the level of the SC population suggests the important contribution of nutrition to the etiology of breast cancer and to the early management of breast health. Supported by USDA-ARS and Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD02-03.

PHD3 regulates differentiation, tumour growth and angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer

Purpose:

Tumour hypoxia activates hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and indluences angiogenesis, cell survival and invasion. Prolyl hydroxylase-3 (PHD3) regulates degradation of HIF-1α. The effects of PHD3 in tumour growth are largely unknown.

Experimental design:

PHD3 expression was analysed in human pancreatic cancer tissues and cancer cell lines by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. PHD3 overexpression was established by stable transfection and downregulation by short interfering RNA technology. VEGF was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Matrigel invasion assays were performed to examine tumour cell invasion. Apoptosis was measured by annexin-V staining and caspase-3 assays. The effect of PHD3 on tumour growth in vivo was evaluated in an established orthotopic murine model.

Results:

PHD3 was upregulated in well-differentiated human tumours and cell lines, and regulated hypoxic VEGF secretion. PHD3 overexpression mediated tumour cell growth and invasion by induction of apoptosis in a nerve growth factor-dependent manner by the activation of caspase-3 and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase HIF-1 independently. In vivo, PHD3 inhibited tumour growth by abrogation of tumour angiogenesis.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate essential functions of PHD3 in tumour growth, apoptosis and angiogenesis and through HIF-1-dependent and HIF-1-independent pathways.

Relation of early antibiotic use to childhood asthma: confounding by indication?

BACKGROUND

Findings from studies of the relation between early antibiotic use and subsequent asthma have been inconsistent, which may be attributable to methodologic issues.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to assess the impact of confounding by indication on the relation of early antibiotic use to childhood asthma through age 5 in a non-selected birth cohort (n=424).

METHODS

Oral antibiotic use was assessed by frequent nurse interviews in the first 9 months of life. Physician-diagnosed active asthma and eczema were assessed by questionnaire at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, and were considered as ever asthma or ever eczema if positive at any age. Allergen-specific IgE was assessed in plasma at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. Confounding by indication was investigated by considering the relation of asthma to antibiotic use while controlling for the number of illness visits to a physician in early life.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant relation of early antibiotic use with physician-diagnosed eczema or allergen-specific IgE. A dose-response relation was evident for antibiotic use with ever asthma (odds ratio [OR]=1.5, P=0.047). Ever asthma also increased significantly with the number of illness visits to a physician (P<0.001). After adjustment for number of illness visits, antibiotic use showed no relation with asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

The relation of asthma to antibiotics in this cohort appears to be an artefact of the strong relation of number of physician visits for illness with both antibiotic use and risk for asthma.

Changes in the bacterial communities of vacuum-packaged pork during chilled storage analyzed by PCR-DGGE

In this study, PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to investigate the bacterial communities of vacuum-packaged pork during chilled storage. Eight kinds of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were identified from the strains isolated from MRS plates by PCR-DGGE of the V3 region, and Lactobacillus sakei was the representative isolate at the end of the monitoring. By means of the direct meat analysis of PCR-DGGE, LAB increased gradually and Carnobacterium sp./Car. divergens, Lactobacillus sakei and Lactococcus sp./Lc. piscium, became the predominant bacteria at the end of the storage. The results of Lactobacillus-specific PCR and DGGE showed that different Lactobacillus populations were present at different storage periods and Lb. sakei became the predominant bacteria in the end. In conclusion, the PCR-DGGE technique as a culture-independent method is applicable to monitoring bacterial population dynamics in vacuum-packaged pork.

Comparative analysis of time-scaling properties about water pH in Poyang Lake Inlet and Outlet on the basis of fractal methods

Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and multifractal methods are applied to the time-scaling properties analysis of water pH series in Poyang Lake Inlet and Outlet in China. The results show that these pH series are characterised by long-term memory and multifractal scaling, and these characteristics have obvious differences between the Lake Inlet and Outlet. The comparison results suggest that monofractal and multifractal parameters can be quantitative dynamical indexes reflecting the capability of anti-acidification of Poyang Lake. Furthermore, we investigated the frequency-size distribution of pH series in Poyang Lake Inlet and Outlet. Our findings suggest that water pH is an example of a self-organised criticality (SOC) process. The results show that it is different SOC behaviours that result in the differences of power-law relations between pH series in Poyang Lake Inlet and Outlet. This work can be helpful to improvement of modelling of lake water quality.

Correlative fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy: an elegant tool to study the actin cytoskeleton of whole-mount (breast) cancer cells

Elucidating the structure and dynamics of lamellipodia and filopodia in response to different stimuli is a topic of continuing interest in cancer cells as these structures may be attractive targets for therapeutic purposes. Interestingly, a close functional relationship between these actin-rich protrusions and specialized membrane domains has been recently demonstrated. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the fine organization of these actin-rich structures and examine how they structurally may relate to detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) domains in the MTLn3 EGF/serum starvation model. For this reason, we designed a straightforward and alternative method to study cytoskeleton arrays and their associated structures by means of correlative fluorescence (/laser)- and electron microscopy (CFEM). CFEM on whole mounted breast cancer cells revealed that a lamellipodium is composed of an intricate filamentous actin web organized in various patterns after different treatments. Both actin dots and DRM's were resolved, and were closely interconnected with the surrounding cytoskeleton. Long actin filaments were repeatedly observed extending beyond the leading edge and their density and length varied after different treatments. Furthermore, CFEM also allowed us to demonstrate the close structural association of DRMs with the cytoskeleton in general and the filamentous/dot-like structural complexes in particular, suggesting that they are all functionally linked and consequently may regulate the cell's fingertip dynamics. Finally, electron tomographic modelling on the same CFEM samples confirmed that these extensions are clearly embedded within the cytoskeletal matrix of the lamellipodium.

Measurement of anomalous phonon dispersion of CaFe2As2 single crystals using inelastic neutron scattering

We measured phonon dispersions of CaFe2As2 using inelastic neutron scattering and compared our results to predictions of density functional theory in the local density approximation. The calculation gives correct frequencies of most phonons if the experimental crystal structure is used, except observed linewidths/frequencies of certain modes were larger/softer than predicted. Strong temperature dependence of some phonons near the structural phase transition near 172 K may indicate strong electron-phonon coupling and/or anharmonicity, which may be important for superconductivity.

Health-related quality of life/patient-reported outcomes in relapsed ovarian cancer: Results from a randomized phase III study of trabectedin with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) versus PLD alone

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Background: In an open-label, multicenter, randomized phase III study comparing the combination of trabectedin and PLD to PLD alone in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer, the combination demonstrated significantly improved progression free survival and response rates, manageable non-cumulative toxicity, and fewer PLD-associated adverse events. We studied the impact of the combination of trabectedin with PLD on the quality of life (QoL)/patient-reported outcomes (PRO) evaluated as part of the trial. Methods: QoL/PRO questionnaires, EORTC-QLQ C30, OV28, and EQ-5D were completed by patients at screening and on Day 1 of every other treatment cycle starting with Cycle 1, and at the end-of-treatment visit. Global health status/QoL, fatigue, rain subscales from QLQ C30, and abdominal pain/GI symptoms scale from OV28 were chosen a priori for primary analyses. Other scales of the three questionnaires were analyzed on a supportive basis. Results: A total of 672 patients were randomized. 663 (98%) completed at least the baseline questionnaires. Median cycles of treatment was 6 (131 days) for the combination arm and 5 (143 days) for the monotherapy arm. Mixed effects models (using a covariance structure of AR[1]) predicting the score at baseline and follow-up scores as a function of treatment, days after baseline, and interaction between treatment and days after baseline showed no significant differences between the treatment arms for any of the prespecified scales. Similar analyses of other scales, including EQ-5D Health Index scores and Health State on the Visual Analog Scale, support the findings. Conclusions: The addition of trabectedin to PLD results in superior efficacy in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer, with no added decrement to overall health status as assessed by PRO.

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Multi-modality imaging of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary tumors by MRI and small animal PET

Abstract #6008

Background: We evaluated the use of high resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and small animal Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging in assessing tumor proliferation and response to therapy in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary tumors.&#x2028; Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 30 untreated MNU rats, 6 Targretin-treated MNU rats, and 6 Vorozole-treated MNU rats. Rats received a baseline imaging session when they developed their first palpable mammary tumor and were subsequently randomized into a control group or a treatment group with either Targretin (220mg/kg in the diet) or Vorozole (1.25mg/kg body weight by gavage). Treatment lasted for 8 weeks following the baseline imaging session. Each rat was imaged for 10-weeks at 2-week intervals with a) FDG to assess the metabolic state of tumors, b) MRI to monitor tumor volume, and c) [18F]ISO-1, a Sigma-2 radiolabeled ligand, to assess the proliferative status of MNU-induced tumors. Static images (10-minute) were obtained 60-minutes post-injection of FDG and [18F]ISO-1. In untreated tumors, a minimum of 40 PET outcome measures were assessed for their ability to predict changes in MRI-derived volume measurements between consecutive imaging sessions. In addition, regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation (R) between the measures. In treated tumors, the time-course of changes in PET outcome measures relative to baseline was evaluated to assess the efficacy of Targretin and Vorozole, in particular in characterizing short-term response (initial 2-weeks) and response to treatment withdrawal (weeks 8-10).&#x2028; Results: An index characterizing a MRI-normalized [18F]ISO-1 uptake significantly correlated (R=0.7, P&lt;0.0003) with changes in tumor volume between consecutive imaging sessions in untreated tumors. In contrast, there was no correlation between FDG outcome measures and changes in tumor volume. Targretin had the strongest short-term efficacy with a reduction in tumor load, on average, by as much as 60% compared with Vorozole's 20% reduction in tumor load. We observed higher rate of tumor resurgence in rats treated with Vorozole compared with Targretin, suggesting a residual effect of Targretin. In general, PET outcome measures of both FDG and [18F]ISO-1 delineated short-term response to treatment and non-responding tumors. [18F]ISO-1 was more sensitive than FDG in capturing tumor growth following treatment withdrawal at week 8.&#x2028; Conclusion: MRI and small animal PET provide a platform to assess MNU-induced tumor proliferation and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions non-invasively, as demonstrated in this work.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6008.