Anti-hepatitis C Virus Natural Product from a Fungus, Penicillium herquei

New diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives, peniciherquamides A-C (1-3), and a novel herqueinone derivative, neoherqueinone (5), were isolated from a fungal culture broth of Penicillium herquei. The structures of these novel compounds were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data (1D/2D NMR, MS, and IR). Four known compounds, preparaherquamide (4), peniciherqueinone (6), and herqueinone/isoherqueinone (7/7a), were also obtained. The isolated compounds were tested for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity, and peniciherquamide C (3) was found to display an IC50 value of 5.1 μM. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivative with anti-HCV activity.

Abstract OT3-02-01: Randomized phase II study of Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) for chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer (Hangesha-B study)

Background: Oral mucositis is a common complication of systemic chemotherapy for cancer, and is associated with higher risk of infection, pain, chemotherapy dose reduction. Severe mucositis impairs oral function and seriously affects nutrition and quality of life of the patients.

Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) is a traditional Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine reduces the level of prostaglandin E2 and affects the cyclooxygenase activity, and alleviates chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. We conducted a randomized phase II trial to investigate whether Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) prevents or controls chemotherapy induced oral mucositis.

Patients and Methods: Patients who develop moderate to severe chemotherapy induced oral mucositis (WHO grade>1) during any cycle of chemotherapy are randomly assigned to receive either Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) (n=25) or placebo (n=25). Patients receive the administration of Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) or placebo for 3 weeks at the beginning of the next course of chemotherapy. The patients are advised to dissolve 2.5g of Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) or placebo in 50ml drinking water, and divide it into twice or three times in an oral cavity. Patients rinse their oral cavity with it three times daily. The signs of oral mucositis is assessed by the investigator during the screening cycle. The CTCAE v4.0 grading is used to assess the severity of oral mucositis. The primary endpoint is duration time of oral mucositis, and secondary endpoints include incidence of oral mucositis, incidence of diarrhea, blood levels of CRP, The change of body weight, and blood levels of albumin.

Accrual: This study began in June 2015. The expected end of accrual of 50 patients will be the last quarter 2017.

Citation Format: Iwamoto M, Umezaki N, Matsuda J, Kawaguchi K, Terasawa R, Sato N, Fyjioka H, Kimura K, Tanaka S, Uchiyama K. Randomized phase II study of Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) for chemotherapy induced oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer (Hangesha-B study). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-02-01.

Catalysts for direct H2O2 synthesis taking advantage of the high H2 activating ability of Pt: kinetic characteristics of Pt catalysts and new additives for improving H2O2 selectivity

To develop efficient catalysts for the direct H₂O₂ synthesis from H₂ and O₂ by taking advantage of the high H₂ activating ability of Pt, kinetic studies of the H₂–O₂ reaction were performed using a Pt-PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) colloid and Pt supported on carbon (Pt/C) as catalysts, and new additives were explored.

Preparation of a Three-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide Film by Using the Langmuir-Blodgett Method

The Langmuir-Blodgett method has always been traditionally utilized in the deposition of two-dimensional structures. In this work, however, we employed the method to deposit three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide layers using an unconventional protocol for the first time. This was achieved by carrying out the dipping process after the collapse pressure or breaking point, which results in the formation of a highly porous three-dimensional surface topography. By varying the number of deposition layers, the porosity could be optimized from nanometer to micrometer dimensions. Employed as bioelectrodes, these three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide layers may allow improved adhesion and biocompatibility compared to the conventional two-dimensional surfaces. A larger number of pores also improves the mass transport of materials and therefore increases the charge-sustaining capacity and sensitivity. This could ultimately improve the performance of biofuel cells and other electrode-based systems.

Dysregulation of retinoic acid receptor diminishes hepatocyte permissiveness to hepatitis B virus infection through modulation of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) expression

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is an entry receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is regarded as one of the determinants that confer HBV permissiveness to host cells. However, how host factors regulate the ability of NTCP to support HBV infection is largely unknown. We aimed to identify the host signaling that regulated NTCP expression and thereby permissiveness to HBV. Here, a cell-based chemical screening method identified that Ro41-5253 decreased host susceptibility to HBV infection. Pretreatment with Ro41-5253 inhibited the viral entry process without affecting HBV replication. Intriguingly, Ro41-5253 reduced expression of both NTCP mRNA and protein. We found that retinoic acid receptor (RAR) regulated the promoter activity of the human NTCP (hNTCP) gene and that Ro41-5253 repressed the hNTCP promoter by antagonizing RAR. RAR recruited to the hNTCP promoter region, and nucleotides -112 to -96 of the hNTCP was suggested to be critical for RAR-mediated transcriptional activation. HBV susceptibility was decreased in pharmacologically RAR-inactivated cells. CD2665 showed a stronger anti-HBV potential and disrupted the spread of HBV infection that was achieved by continuous reproduction of the whole HBV life cycle. In addition, this mechanism was significant for drug development, as antagonization of RAR blocked infection of multiple HBV genotypes and also a clinically relevant HBV mutant that was resistant to nucleoside analogs. Thus, RAR is crucial for regulating NTCP expression that determines permissiveness to HBV infection. This is the first demonstration showing host regulation of NTCP to support HBV infection.

Antioxidant effects of carnitine supplementation on 14-3-3 protein isoforms in the aged rat hippocampus detected using fully automated two-dimensional chip gel electrophoresis

We here described the antioxidant effects of carnitine supplementation on 14-3-3 protein isoforms in the aged rat hippocampus detected using the fully automated two-dimensional chip gel electrophoresis system (Auto2D). This system was easy and convenient to use, and the resolution obtained was more sensitive and higher than that of conventional two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). We separated and identified five isoforms of the 14-3-3 protein (beta/alpha, gamma, epsilon, zeta/delta, and eta) using the Auto2D system. We then examined the antioxidant effects of carnitine supplementation on the protein profiles of the cytosolic fraction in the aged rat hippocampus, demonstrating that carnitine supplementation suppressed the oxidation of methionine residues in these isoforms. Since methionine residues are easily oxidized to methionine sulfoxide, the convenient and high-resolution 2-D PAGE system can be available to analyze methionine oxidation avoiding artifactual oxidation. We showed here that the Auto2D system was a very useful tool for studying antioxidant effects through proteomic analysis of protein oxidation.

Cyclosporin A and its analogs inhibit hepatitis B virus entry into cultured hepatocytes through targeting a membrane transporter, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. Although nucleos(t)ide analogs inhibiting viral reverse transcriptase are clinically available as anti-HBV agents, emergence of drug-resistant viruses highlights the need for new anti-HBV agents interfering with other targets. Here we report that cyclosporin A (CsA) can inhibit HBV entry into cultured hepatocytes. The anti-HBV effect of CsA was independent of binding to cyclophilin and calcineurin. Rather, blockade of HBV infection correlated with the ability to inhibit the transporter activity of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). We also found that HBV infection-susceptible cells, differentiated HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes expressed NTCP, while nonsusceptible cell lines did not. A series of compounds targeting NTCP could inhibit HBV infection. CsA inhibited the binding between NTCP and large envelope protein in vitro. Evaluation of CsA analogs identified a compound with higher anti-HBV potency, having a median inhibitory concentration <0.2 μM.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a proof of concept for the novel strategy to identify anti-HBV agents by targeting the candidate HBV receptor, NTCP, using CsA as a structural platform.

Three cases of distomolars

The Frequency with which impacted supernumerary teeth are encountered in a clinical setting is relatively high, with the majority of such cases occurrig in the median maxillary region, and very few in the molar region. In the molar region, mandibular distomolars (fourth molars) are very rare. Although a small number of case reports have described impacted supernumerary distomolars, very few have compared third molars and distomolars. Herein, the authors report two cases involving mandibular distomolars and one case a maxillary distomolar. In each of these cases, the third molar and distomolar were extracted and a macroscopic morphological analysis conducted. The results were then compared with those of the latest available literature.

Discontinuation of leisure time impact-loading exercise is related to reduction of a calcaneus quantitative ultrasound parameter in young adult Japanese females: a 3-year follow-up study

A 3-year follow-up study on 334 young Japanese females enrolled in a university at the age of 18 years revealed that discontinuation of leisure time impact-loading exercises performed in junior high and/or high school was associated with increased risk of reduction in calcaneus osteo-sono assessment index (OSI).

INTRODUCTION

Bone strength rapidly increases during puberty and reaches its peak by the end of adolescence. The aim of this study was to determine the lifestyle factors that influence the maintenance of calcaneus OSI in young adult females around the time when peak bone mass is attained.

METHODS

Annual health checkups including OSI measurements, anthropometrics, lifestyle analysis, and blood examination were performed 4 times on 334 Japanese females enrolled in a university at the age of 18 years. According to the slope of OSI change during the 3-year follow-up, the subjects were grouped into two categories: OSI loss (the lowest tertile) and OSI gain/stable (the second and third tertiles).

RESULTS

At the baseline assessment, the OSI loss group had higher OSI and height and an earlier menarche age than the OSI gain/stable group. Performing leisure time impact-loading exercise in junior high and/or high school but discontinuing it at university was associated with increased risk of OSI loss, independent of OSI, height and weight at the age of 18 years, weight change during follow-up, age of menarche, energy-adjusted nutrient intake, and alcohol drinking; the odds ratios were 4.1-4.9 compared with those performing impact-loading exercise at university. In particular, duration, frequency, and subjective intensity of impact-loading exercise during high school were positively associated with OSI loss.

CONCLUSION

Discontinuation of leisure time impact-loading exercises performed during late adolescence is associated with an increased risk of OSI loss in young adult females during the 3-year follow-up period.

Schwannoma derived from lingual nerve occurring in floor of mouth

A schwannoma is a benign tumor composed of schwann cells which forms on the periphery of nerves. We report a case of a schwannoma derived from a lingual nerve occurring in the floor of the mouth. The patient was a 27-year-old woman who presented with the complaint of a swelling in the floor of the mouth. It is difficult to distinguish a swelling from a sublingual gland tumor, cyst, or malignant tumor by MRI alone. Therefore, a biopsy and cytological examination were performed one week prior to surgery to determine whether the growth represented a malignancy. The results revealed a class II growth which was suspected to be a schwannoma. Intraoperatively, it became clear that the tumor and lingual nerve were inseparable, making excision of the nerve unavoidable. On the other hand, there was a clear border between the tumor and the sublingual gland, so it was possible to preserve the sublingual gland. In the postoperative pathological diagnosis, a definitive diagnosis was difficult based solely on H-E staining. Therefore, immunohistochemical staining was performed, resulting in a diagnosis of schwannoma. Currently, the patient is still being followed up. The results of this case indicate that preoperative aspiration biopsy cytology is useful in deciding the operative method to be employed.

Abstract P2-19-06: Breast conserving surgery using volume replacement with oxidized regenerated cellulose: A cosmetic outcome analysis

Background: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) is a standard procedure for patients with early stage breast cancer. However, as the objective of BCS is to obtain both local control and a cosmetic outcome, it may lead to unsatisfying cosmetic results when the volume of resected tissue is large in order to secure an adequate oncological safety margin. Autologous flaps or artifact implants are commonly used when performing a replacement for a defect in the breast during BCS. Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) is composed primarily of vegetable nitrocellulose and was originally developed as a styptic for surgery. We expected that the ORC would help induce granulation and fibrous tissue with reactive tissue fluid, and finally ORC would prevent adhesion between skin and pectoralis major muscle. In this study, we focused on short-term cosmetic outcomes after volume replacement with ORC after BCS.

Materials and Methods: Inclusion criteria of this study were the patients with early breast cancer indicated BCS that did not required breast reconstruction, or the patients who did not wish to undergo breast reconstruction with autologous flaps after BCS. We evaluated the cosmetic outcome of volume replacement with ORC after BCS, and also examined factors that may have influenced the results. The cosmetic outcomes of these patients were evaluated using scores based on the criteria of the Japan Breast Cancer Society.

Results: Ninety-four patients who underwent this procedure between January 2010 and August 2012 were reviewed. We evaluated cosmetic scores with regards to several clinical factors and the occurrence of complications after this procedure. The mean score of the cosmetic outcome of all patients was 9.5 points out of 12 points. Thirty-seven patients were categorized as “Excellent”, 34 were “Good”, 22 were “Fair”, and 1 was “Poor”. Patient age, body mass index, weight of the specimen, and ORC amount were not significantly different between patients with favorable cosmetic scores and those without.

Table 1. Univariate analyses of clinical factors according to the cosmetic outcome E/G* (n = 71)F/P# (n = 23)P valueAge52.5±12.656.0±10.30.23Body mass index22.0±3.723.3±4.10.15Specimen weight54.0±23.961.4±39.10.27ORC amount$3.2±1.23.2±1.20.95Values are expressed as the mean±SD. *Categorized as “Excellent” and “Good”. #Categorized as “Fair” and “Poor”. $ORC amount used for volume replacement.

However, the weight of the removed specimen was slightly higher in patients with an unfavorable cosmetic score. Although acute dermatitis and eczema was observed in 15% and 3% of patients, all of them were improved with conservative treatment. Cosmetic scores were significantly higher in patients without complications than in patients with complications.

Table 2. Cosmetic scores between patients with and without acute complications Cosmetic scores (mean±SD)P valusWithout9.8±2.00.003With8.0±2.4 

Conclusions: ORC replacement after BCS is a simple and reliable procedure. The selection of indication and prevention of complications are important for obtaining a better cosmetic outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first report to cosmetically evaluate a relatively large number of patients that have undergone ORC replacement after BCS.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-19-06.

Abstract OT3-1-01: A randomized phase II study of maintenance hormone therapy with or without capecitabine after induction chemotherapy with bevacizumab plus paclitaxel in hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer (KBCSG-TR1214)

Background: The combination therapy of Bevacizumab (B) and Paclitaxel (P) has demonstrated to prolong progression free survival (PFS) in E2100 study. Because its PFS is very long, developing optimal therapeutic strategy of B+P, including management of toxicity is crucial. At the 1st International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer, most experts agreed the maintenance endocrine therapy after effective induction chemotherapy. In KBCSG-TR 1214 study, we planned to examine the following clinical questions. 1. As a maintenance therapy, which is more effective either endocrine therapy alone (E) or endocrine therapy with Capecitabine (E+C)? 2. Can maintenance therapy reduce toxicity of B+P and restore patient's QOL.? 3. How effective is B+P re-challenge after failure of maintenance therapy?

Methods: KBCSG-TR 1214 study is multicenter open-labeled randomized phaseII trial for HR-positive and HER2-nagative metastatic breast cancer(MBC) patients. Patients will receive B (10mg/kg q2w) in combination with P (90mg/m2 on day 1, 8, and 15 q4w) as an induction therapy. Patients without progression after 6 cycles of B+P will be randomized to E or E+C. Endocrine therapy will be chosen by their physician (treatment of physician's choice). Patients in E+C will receive endocrine therapy with Capecitabine 1657mg/m2 on day1 to 21 q4w. Stratification factors for randomization are menopausal status, presence of target lesion, number of prior endocrine therapies for MBC, with or without 1st line chemotherapy for MBC. After progression of maintenance therapy (E or E+C), B+P will be started again as a reintroduction therapy. Primary end point is PFS of maintenance therapy. Secondary end points include time to failure of strategy from randomization, efficacy of reintroduction therapy, overall survival and safety of induction therapy. Translational research is also planned. VEGF, angiopoetin-1, and apelin in plasma will be measured at four points (before induction therapy, at the beginning of the maintenance therapy and the re-induction therapy, and at the end of the trial). This study has just begun and planned 120 patients will be enrolled. (UMIN000008662).

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr OT3-1-01.

Evaluation and identification of hepatitis B virus entry inhibitors using HepG2 cells overexpressing a membrane transporter NTCP

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) entry has been analyzed using infection-susceptible cells, including primary human hepatocytes, primary tupaia hepatocytes, and HepaRG cells. Recently, the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) membrane transporter was reported as an HBV entry receptor. In this study, we established a strain of HepG2 cells engineered to overexpress the human NTCP gene (HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells). HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells were shown to be susceptible to infection by blood-borne and cell culture-derived HBV. HBV infection was facilitated by pretreating cells with 3% dimethyl sulfoxide permitting nearly 50% of the cells to be infected with HBV. Knockdown analysis suggested that HBV infection of HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells was mediated by NTCP. HBV infection was blocked by an anti-HBV surface protein neutralizing antibody, by compounds known to inhibit NTCP transporter activity, and by cyclosporin A and its derivatives. The infection assay suggested that cyclosporin B was a more potent inhibitor of HBV entry than was cyclosporin A. Further chemical screening identified oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, as inhibitors of HBV infection. Thus, the HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cell line established in this study is a useful tool for the identification of inhibitors of HBV infection as well as for the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of HBV infection.

Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α trigger restriction of hepatitis B virus infection via a cytidine deaminase activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)

Virus infection is restricted by intracellular immune responses in host cells, and this is typically modulated by stimulation of cytokines. The cytokines and host factors that determine the host cell restriction against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are not well understood. We screened 36 cytokines and chemokines to determine which were able to reduce the susceptibility of HepaRG cells to HBV infection. Here, we found that pretreatment with IL-1β and TNFα remarkably reduced the host cell susceptibility to HBV infection. This effect was mediated by activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. A cytidine deaminase, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), was up-regulated by both IL-1β and TNFα in a variety of hepatocyte cell lines and primary human hepatocytes. Another deaminase APOBEC3G was not induced by these proinflammatory cytokines. Knockdown of AID expression impaired the anti-HBV effect of IL-1β, and overexpression of AID antagonized HBV infection, suggesting that AID was one of the responsible factors for the anti-HBV activity of IL-1/TNFα. Although AID induced hypermutation of HBV DNA, this activity was dispensable for the anti-HBV activity. The antiviral effect of IL-1/TNFα was also observed on different HBV genotypes but not on hepatitis C virus. These results demonstrate that proinflammatory cytokines IL-1/TNFα trigger a novel antiviral mechanism involving AID to regulate host cell permissiveness to HBV infection.

Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α trigger restriction of hepatitis B virus infection via a cytidine deaminase activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)

Virus infection is restricted by intracellular immune responses in host cells, and this is typically modulated by stimulation of cytokines. The cytokines and host factors that determine the host cell restriction against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are not well understood. We screened 36 cytokines and chemokines to determine which were able to reduce the susceptibility of HepaRG cells to HBV infection. Here, we found that pretreatment with IL-1β and TNFα remarkably reduced the host cell susceptibility to HBV infection. This effect was mediated by activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. A cytidine deaminase, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), was up-regulated by both IL-1β and TNFα in a variety of hepatocyte cell lines and primary human hepatocytes. Another deaminase APOBEC3G was not induced by these proinflammatory cytokines. Knockdown of AID expression impaired the anti-HBV effect of IL-1β, and overexpression of AID antagonized HBV infection, suggesting that AID was one of the responsible factors for the anti-HBV activity of IL-1/TNFα. Although AID induced hypermutation of HBV DNA, this activity was dispensable for the anti-HBV activity. The antiviral effect of IL-1/TNFα was also observed on different HBV genotypes but not on hepatitis C virus. These results demonstrate that proinflammatory cytokines IL-1/TNFα trigger a novel antiviral mechanism involving AID to regulate host cell permissiveness to HBV infection.

Abstract P3-09-04: The associations between body mass index and breast cancer intrinsic subtypes in Japanese women

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI) and breast cancer intrinsic subtypes in Japanese women. A more complete understanding of the subtypes of breast cancer may help elucidate mechanisms affecting etiology and mortality associated with each subtype.

Methods: Tumor data on 531 invasive breast cancer cases subtyped by estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) status were obtained (luminal A, luminal B, TN, and Her2-type). Demographics (age at diagnosis, menopausal status, and BMI) were collected from medical records. Case-only odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for age at diagnosis.

Results: In all cases, the patients were Japanese. Of the 531 cases with IHC marker data, 333 (62.7%) were classified as luminal A, 85 (16.0%) were luminal B, 43 (8.1%) were Her2-type, and the remaining 70 cases (13.2%) were TN. The distribution of patient demographics (age at diagnosis, menopausal status, and BMI) did not differ significantly by breast cancer tumor subtype. Case-only ORs comparing each subtype to luminal A were caluculated. Of the TN cases, postmenopausal TN cases were more likely to be underweight (OR = 3.14, 95% CI = 1.19 to 8.01). Although some epidemiological studies have reported that higher BMI was associated with premenopausal TN cases compared with luminal A cases, this association was not found among premenopausal TN cases analyzed using BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 as the reference in this analysis. However, there were no underweight cases (BMI &lt; 18.5 kg/m2) among the premenopausal TN cases in the present study. Therefore, the association between BMI and the TN subtype was also analyzed using BMI &lt; 25 kg/m2 as the reference. Compared to luminal A cases, premenopausal TN cases were more likely to be obese (OR = 4.11, 95% CI = 1.10 to 14.40), similar to reports from Western countries. Compared to luminal A cases, premenopausal luminal B cases were likely to be underweight (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 0.88 to 11.39) or obese (≥ 25 kg/m2) (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 0.98 to 10.81), yet this association was of borderline significance. Compared to luminal A cases, luminal B and Her2-type cases were likely to be underweight (BMI &lt; 18.5 kg/m2), yet this association was of borderline significance (luminal B: OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 0.97 to 4.46; Her2-type: OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 0.92 to 6.36).

Conclusions: In the present study, significant heterogeneity of associations between BMI and tumor subtypes was observed. Breast cancer subtypes may have different etiologies associated with each subtype.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-09-04.

Abstract P3-02-02: Use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography in clinical staging of asymptomatic breast cancer patients to detect asymptomatic distant metastases

Objective: The use of computed tomography (CT) with regards to the clinical staging of breast cancer (BC) patients has been on the increase in clinical practice. However, NCCN guidelines recommended the use of imaginng only in cases with locally advanced disease or signs of distant metastases (DM), and the benefits of routine CT have yet to be fully clarified. This study investigated the value of employing contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) to screen for DM in patients with asymptomatic BC.

Methods: The clinical records of 483 patients with asymptomatic BC who underwent CECT, also in order to detect BC spread, between April 2006 and January 2011 were reviewed. The CECT results were classified into normal, true-positive (metastases) or false-positive findings.

Results: Abnormal CECT findings, including true- and false-positive results, were detected in 65 patients (13.5%). Of these, 26 patients (5.4%) showed confirmed true metastatic disease, including 18 lung metastases, 11 liver metastases and 13 bone metastases. Upstaging to stage IV due to the results of the CECT was significantly associated with only larger tumos size (odds ratio, 33.4; 95% CI 12.1–92.5; P &lt; 0.0001) and lymph node status (odds ratio, 37.1; 95% CI 14.2–96.8; P &lt; 0.0001.)

UGT2B17 genetic polymorphisms dramatically affect the pharmacokinetics of MK-7246 in healthy subjects in a first-in-human study

MK-7246, an antagonist of the chemoattractant receptor on T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, is being developed for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In a first-in-human study, we investigated whether genetic polymorphisms contributed to the marked intersubject variability in the pharmacokinetics of MK-7246 and its glucuronide metabolite M3. Results from in vitro enzyme kinetic studies suggested that UGT2B17 is probably the major enzyme responsible for MK-7246 metabolism in both the liver and the intestine. As compared with those with the UGT2B17*1/*1 wild-type genotype, UGT2B17*2/*2 carriers, who possess no UGT2B17 protein, had 25- and 82-fold greater mean dose-normalized values of area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and peak concentration of MK-7246, respectively, and a 24-fold lower M3-to-MK-7246 AUC ratio. The apparent half-life of MK-7246 was not as variable between these two genotypes. Therefore, the highly variable pharmacokinetics of MK-7246 is attributable primarily to the impact of UGT2B17 genetic polymorphisms and extensive first-pass metabolism of MK-7246.

OT1-02-01: Phase II Neoadjuvant Trial of Anthracycline Based Regimens Followed by a Combination with Nanoparticle Almumin-Bound Paclitaxel and Trastuzumab in Patients with Operable T2-3,N0-1,Her2 Positive Breast Cancer

Background: Anthracycline and taxane have been widely used and studied in neoadjuvant setting for treatment of locally advanced breast cancer. Various regimens have explored the addition of newer agents to determine safety and efficacy, and pathological complete response(pCR) has been demonstrated to be associated with favorable overall survival in primary breast cancer. In addition, Three year median follow-up data of the TECHNO Trial revealed that the neoadjuvant combination of trastuzumab and chemotherapy resulted in a high chance for a pCR. We conducted a clinical Phase II neoadjuvant trial of Anthracycline based regimens(EC,AC,FEC) followed by a combination with nanoparticle albumin-bound Paclitaxel and Trastuzumab in patients with operable T2-3,N0-1,Her2 positive breast cancer.

Patients and Methods: The study is designed to evaluate EC or AC or FEC followed a combination of nanoparticle almumin-bound Paclitaxel and Trastuzumab as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with Her2 positive locally advanced(T2-3,N0-1) breast cancer. Patients are treated with neoadjuvant EC(Epirubicin 90 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) or AC(Doxorubicin 90 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) or FEC(Fluorouracil 500mg/m2, Epirubicin 100 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) q21d x 4, follosed by a combination with nanoparticle almumin-bound Paclitaxel(260 mg/m2) and Trastuzumab q21d x 4.

Patients undergo surgery 4–6 weeks later from completing chemotherapy. pCR, the primary endpoint is defined as no evidence of invasive tumors in the final surgical sample both in the breast and axillary lymph nodes. Secondary endpoints include objective clinical response rate, disease-free interval, overall survival, rate of breast concerving surgery, and the safety of the treatment.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-02-01.

Multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections associated with a national fast-food chain, 2006: a study incorporating epidemiological and food source traceback results

A multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections occurred in the USA in November-December 2006 in patrons of restaurant chain A. We identified 77 cases with chain A exposure in four states - Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Fifty-one (66%) patients were hospitalized, and seven (9%) developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome; none died. In a matched analysis controlling for age in 31 cases and 55 controls, illness was associated with consumption of shredded iceberg lettuce [matched odds ratio (mOR) 8·0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·1-348·1] and shredded cheddar cheese (mOR 6·2, CI 1·7-33·7). Lettuce, an uncooked ingredient, was more commonly consumed (97% of patients) than cheddar cheese (84%) and a single source supplied all affected restaurants. A single source of cheese could not explain the regional distribution of outbreak cases. The outbreak highlights challenges in conducting rapid multistate investigations and the importance of incorporating epidemiological study results with other investigative findings.

Electrophoretic fabrication of chitosan-zirconium-oxide nanobiocomposite platform for nucleic acid detection

The present work describes electrophoretic fabrication of nanostructured chitosan-zirconium-oxide composite (CHIT-NanoZrO(2)) film (180 nm) onto indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated glass plate. This nanobiocomposite film has been explored as immobilization platform for probe DNA specific to M. Tuberculosis as model biomolecule to investigate its sensing characteristics. It is revealed that pH-responsive behavior of CHIT and its cationic skeleton is responsible for the movement of CHIT-NanoZrO(2) colloids toward cathode during electrophoretic deposition. The FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and EDX techniques have been employed for the structural, morphological, and composition analysis of the fabricated electrodes. The morphological studies clearly reveal uniform inter-linking and dispersion of hexagonal nanograins of ZrO(2) (30-50 nm) into the chitosan matrix, resulting in homogeneous nanobiocomposite formation. Electrochemical response measurements of DNA/CHIT-NanoZrO(2)/ITO bioelectrode, carried out using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, reveal that this bioelectrode can specifically detect complementary target DNA up to 0.00078 μM with sensitivity of 6.38 × 10(-6) AμM(-1).

Self-assembled monolayer based impedimetric platform for food borne mycotoxin detection

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 11-amino-1-undecanethiol (AUT) has been fabricated onto a gold (Au) substrate to co-immobilize anti-ochratoxin-A antibodies (AO-IgGs) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to detect food borne mycotoxin [i.e., ochratoxin-A (OTA)]. AUT/Au electrode, AO-IgGs/AUT/Au immunoelectrode and BSA/IgGs/AUT/Au immunoelectrode have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical studies such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical studies reveal that the AUT-SAM with NH2 groups provide favorable conditions to immobilize AO-IgGs with better orientation, resulting in enhanced electron transport to obtain improved sensing characteristics. The EIS response studies of the BSA/AO-IgGs/AUT/Au immunoelectrode obtained as a function of OTA concentration reveal that the value of the charge transfer resistance (RCT) increases with increased OTA concentration. The BSA/AO-IgGs/AUT/Au immunoelectrode exhibits linearity over 0.5-6.0 ng/dl, detection limit of 0.08 ng/dl using 3σb/m criteria, response time of 30 s and sensitivity of ∼36.83 Ω/ng dl(-1) cm(-2) with a regression coefficient of 0.999. Attempts have been made to monitor the change in RCT of BSA/AO-IgGs/AUT/Au immunoelectrode on addition of coffee samples.

ACO1, a gene for aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase: effects on internode elongation at the heading stage in rice

Although reports on a gene for 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase (ACO1) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) suggest that high levels of its transcript are associated with internode elongation of deep-water rice during submergence, the role of ACO1 in rice development is largely unknown. The tissue-specificity of ACO1 expression indicated that its transcript significantly accumulated in lower parts of elongating internodes at the heading stage. Histochemical analysis and in situ hybridization showed that the ACO1 expression was localized in the basal parts of leaf sheaths immediately above nodes or the lower parts of elongating internodes. To further examine the role of ACO1, ACO1-deficient (aco1) and overexpressing (ACO1-OX) mutants were characterized. The total length of the elongated internodes of aco1 mutants was slightly shorter than that of wild-type plants and that of ACO1-OX mutants was longer. Interestingly, expression of the ACC synthase gene ACS1 and ethylene signalling gene OsEIN2 was up-regulated in the aco1 mutants. This study suggests that the ACO1 has a little effect on internode elongation at the heading stage, and that up-regulation of the ACS1 and OsEIN2 expression may attenuate inhibition of internode elongation.

Tau Expression and Efficacy of Paclitaxel Treatment in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Purpose: Paclitaxel is widely used for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), such as in anthracycline-based combinations as a first-line chemotherapy. Although several mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance have been demonstrated, useful markers of paclitaxel resistance have not been available in clinical practice. A recent study revealed that low tau expression in cases of early breast cancer can predict susceptibility to paclitaxel administration in neoadjuvant therapy.Methods: In this study, the clinical significance of tau expression in MBC cases was established by identifying candidates with paclitaxel administration. Tissue specimens obtained from 35 patients who had received neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy before surgery were examined. Status of tau expression was determined by immunohistochemistry.Results: Based on a previously reported classification scheme, 15 cases were classified as tau-negative (0, 1+) and 20 cases were classified as tau-positive (2+, 3+).Nine (60%) of 15 cases with tau-negative expression showed favorable response. Conversely, 17 (85%) of 20 cases with tau-positive expression showed progressive or stable disease after paclitaxel administration.Table 1 Relationship between tau expression and response to paclitaxel  nNumber of responses (%)PTaunegative159 (60%)  positive203 (15%)0.01 Time to disease progression in tau-negative and tau-positive groups was 9.4 ± 6.6 months and 6.0 ± 3.7 months, respectively. Although no significant differences were apparent, this period tended to be longer in the tau-negative group.Discussion: Patients with tau-positive expression may derive less benefit than tau-negative from paclitaxel therapy in MBC. This suggests that tau expression could be used at diagnosis to select patients for whom paclitaxel treatment is likely to be of most benefit. However, this study has some clear limitations in terms of the modest sample size and the heterogeneity of eligible patients (e.g., different numbers and regimens for adjuvant and MBC chemotherapy). Many more cases must be examined before tau expression can be applied to practical clinical treatment.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1138.

Electrostatic origin of the Frank elastic energy and anisotropic line tension of the domains in monolayers at the air-water interface

The free energy of condensed phase domains in monolayers at the air-water interface has been analyzed by taking into account the surface pressure, line tension, and electrostatic energy due to the normal and in-plane spontaneous polarization. We found that this free energy was reduced to the sum of the Frank elastic energy and anisotropic line tension, which were used to reproduce the shapes of domains in fatty acid monolayers, in the limit of small orientational deformation. Domains in monolayers are interesting systems as a meeting point between the physics of liquid crystals and electrostatics.

Pharmacokinetics of raltegravir in individuals with UGT1A1 polymorphisms

Raltegravir is a human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase strand transfer inhibitor metabolized by glucuronidation via UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1). In this study, 30 subjects with a UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype (associated with decreased activity of UGT1A1) and 27 UGT1A1*1/*1 control subjects (matched by race, age, gender, and body mass index) received a single 400-mg dose of raltegravir after fasting. No serious adverse experiences were reported, and there were no discontinuations due to adverse experiences. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) (UGT1A1*28/*28 to UGT1A1*1/*1) and 90% confidence interval (CI) were 1.41 (0.96, 2.09) for raltegravir area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)), 1.40 (0.86, 2.28) for maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), and 1.91 (1.43, 2.55) for concentration at the 12-h time point (C(12 h)). No clinically important differences in time to maximum concentration (T(max)) or half-life were observed. Plasma concentrations of raltegravir are modestly higher in individuals with the UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype than in those with the UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype. This increase is not clinically significant, and therefore no dose adjustment of raltegravir is required for individuals with the UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype.