An updated patent review of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors (2014-2019)

Introduction: During the first half of the last decade the p38 MAP kinase family was a very popular target in academic as well as industrial research programs. Many attempts to achieve marketing authorization for a p38 MAPK inhibitor for the treatment of pro-inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), failed at the state of clinical trials, mostly due to selectivity and/or toxicity issues.Areas covered: Herein, the patents and corresponding publications of international companies, universities and other research institutions, which focus on the development, identification and optimization of new selective p38 inhibitors and their fields of use are summarized.Expert opinion: p38 MAP kinase inhibitors are a mature field with many pre-clinically validated structural classes, more than 20 candidates in clinical trials but still (except the weak and unselective p38 inhibitor pirfenidone) no approved drug. Big Pharma hasn't contributed much to the patents of the last five years but remarkable contribution have come from academic environment or small biotech companies. Three general punchlines of innovation have shown up. Tailor-made molecules with properties for local application, mainly type-II (Urea-type) inhibitors for lung- or skin diseases, isoform p38γ,δ-selective inhibitors for the treatment of cutaneous t-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and substrate-specific inhibitors (e.g. p38/MK2).

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Patients with High Risk Mutation Profiles Survived 16 Months Longer with Individualized Therapies

Personalized treatment vs. standard of care is much debated, especially in clinical practice. Here we investigated whether overall survival differences in metastatic colorectal cancer patients are explained by tumor mutation profiles or by treatment differences in real clinical practice. Our retrospective study of metastatic colorectal cancer patients of confirmed European ancestry comprised 54 Americans and 54 gender-matched Germans. The Americans received standard of care, and on treatment failure, 35 patients received individualized treatments. The German patients received standard of care only. Tumor mutations, tumor mutation burden and microsatellite status were identified by using the FoundationOne assay or the IDT Pan-Cancer assay. High-risk patients were identified according to the mutational classification by Schell and colleagues. Results: Kaplan–Meier estimates show the high-risk patients to survive 16 months longer under individualized treatments than those under only standard of care, in the median (p < 0.001). Tumor mutation profiles stratify patients by risk groups but not by country. Conclusions: High-risk patients appear to survive significantly longer (p < 0.001) if they receive individualized treatments after the exhaustion of standard of care treatments. Secondly, the tumor mutation landscape in Americans and Germans is congruent and thus warrants the transatlantic exchange of successful treatment protocols and the harmonization of guidelines.

Rapid response of stage IV colorectal cancer with APC/TP53/KRAS mutations to FOLFIRI and Bevacizumab combination chemotherapy: a case report of use of liquid biopsy

Background

Liquid biopsies of blood plasma cell free DNA can be used to monitor treatment response and potentially detect mutations that are present in resistant clones in metastatic cancer patients.

Case presentation

In our non-interventional liquid biopsy study, a male patient in his fifties diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer and polytope liver metastases rapidly progressed after completing chemotherapy and deceased 8 months after diagnosis. Retrospective cell free DNA testing showed that the APC/TP53/KRAS major clone responded quickly after 3 cycles of FOLFIRI + Bevacizumab. Retrospective exome sequencing of pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy tissue samples including metastases confirmed that the APC/TP53/KRAS and other major clonal mutations (GPR50, SLC5A, ZIC3, SF3A1 and others) were present in all samples. After the last chemotherapy cycle, CT imaging, CEA and CA19–9 markers validated the cfDNA findings of treatment response. However, 5 weeks later, the tumour had rapidly progressed.

Conclusion

As FOLFIRI+Bevacizumab has recently also been associated with sustained complete remission in a APC/TP53/KRAS triple-mutated patient, these driver genes should be tested and monitored in a more in-depth manner in future patients. Patients with metastatic disease should be monitored more closely during and after chemotherapy, ideally using cfDNA.

Well-defined, linear, wholly aromatic polymers with controlled content and position of pyridine moieties in macromolecules from one-pot, room temperature, metal-free step-polymerizations

Synthesis of processable, aromatic pyridine-containing polymers has always been a great challenge.

Leptin induces TNFα-dependent inflammation in acquired generalized lipodystrophy and combined Crohn's disease

Leptin has been shown to modulate intestinal inflammation in mice. However, clinical evidence regarding its immune-stimulatory potential in human Crohn’s disease remains sparse. We here describe a patient with the unique combination of acquired generalized lipodystrophy and Crohn’s disease (AGLCD) featuring a lack of adipose tissue, leptin deficiency and intestinal inflammation. Using mass and flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and functional metabolic analyses, the AGLCD patient was compared to healthy individuals and Crohn’s disease patients regarding immune cell composition, function and metabolism and the effects of recombinant N-methionylleptin (rLeptin) were evaluated. We provide evidence that rLeptin exerts diverse pro-inflammatory effects on immune cell differentiation and function, including the metabolic reprogramming of immune cells and the induction of TNFα, ultimately aggravating Crohn’s disease in the AGLCD patient, which can be reversed by anti-TNFα therapy. Our results indicate that leptin is required for human immune homeostasis and contributes to autoimmunity in a TNFα-dependent manner.

The adipokine leptin modulates intestinal inflammation in mice. Here the authors describe a patient with inflammatory bowel disease and lipodystrophy, providing evidence that leptin aggravates intestinal inflammation with proinflammatory effects on leukocytes that are reversible by TNFα blockade.

Effects of Quantification Methods, Isolation Kits, Plasma Biobanking, and Hemolysis on Cell-Free DNA Analysis in Plasma

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has become a promising noninvasive clinical marker widely studied in early disease detection, monitoring, and therapy selection. However, there is lack of data on a number of cfDNA-associated procedural features such as blood plasma biobanking conditions, isolation, and quantification methods that should be taken into account as they can affect downstream applications. In this study cfDNA from 125 plasma samples from healthy individuals were isolated using three different commercial kits (bead and vacuum based). Yield of cfDNA, distribution of cfDNA fragments and absolute amount of miR-223 were estimated. Moreover, the impact of different plasma biobanking conditions and hemolytic plasma were evaluated. In conclusion, results showed that quantification method (fluorescence or microcapillary electrophoresis based) has a major impact in estimating cfDNA amount. Samples isolated by QIAamp showed a higher amount of larger (around 300 bp) DNA fragments and miRNA yield, suggesting possible applications for multiomics approach. On the other hand, the highest cfDNA yield was obtained in samples isolated by the MagMAX Isolation Kit. This kit also showed lowest coefficient of variation and low miRNA yield. Plasma storage conditions and hemolysis affected performance of isolation kits differently.

Does Gallery Lighting Really Have an Impact on Appreciation of Art? An Ecologically Valid Study of Lighting Changes and the Assessment and Emotional Experience With Representational and Abstract Paintings

We report two studies considering the potential for gallery lighting conditions to modulate appraisals and emotional experience with works of visual art. As recently documented in a number of papers, art appreciation represents a complex blend of formal artwork factors, personalities and backgrounds of viewers, and multiple aspects of context regarding where and how art is experienced. Among the latter, lighting would be expected to play a fundamental role. However, surprisingly, this has received little empirical assessment, with almost no ecologically valid gallery analyses and no between-participant designs which would minimize awareness of lighting changes themselves. Here, we employed a controlled paradigm using a spontaneous art viewing context, a gallery-like setting, and a proprietary lighting system which allowed the minute adjustment of lighting intensity/temperature (CCT). Participants viewed a selection of original representational and abstract art under three different CCT conditions (Study 1), modulated between participants, and then reported on their artwork appraisal and emotional experience. The selected lighting temperatures were chosen based on an initial investigation of existing art museums within the Vienna area, addressing how these institutions themselves light their art—a question which, also somewhat surprisingly, has not often been considered. We also allowed the same participants to set the light temperature themselves in order to test hypotheses regarding what might be an ‘ideal’ lighting condition for art. In Study 2, we explored the question of whether artworks made by an artist to match specific lighting conditions show a resulting connection to the ratings of viewers when shown in the same or different light. Results showed almost no effects from lighting changes in both studies. Viewers’ self-set light temperature (mean = 3777 K) did roughly coincide with the suggested most enjoyable conditions for everyday living and some past research on art viewing, but again showed wide interpersonal variance. Results, and a general review of lighting factors are considered in order to provide art researchers and curators with a tool for conducting future study.

Metformin Alters Locomotor and Cognitive Function and Brain Metabolism in Normoglycemic Mice

Metformin is currently the most effective treatment for type-2 diabetes. The beneficial actions of metformin have been found even beyond diabetes management and it has been considered as one of the most promising drugs that could potentially slow down aging. Surprisingly, the effect of metformin on brain function and metabolism has been less explored given that brain almost exclusively uses glucose as substrate for energy metabolism. We determined the effect of metformin on locomotor and cognitive function in normoglycemic mice. Metformin enhanced locomotor and balance performance, while induced anxiolytic effect and impaired cognitive function upon chronic treatment. We conducted in vitro assays and metabolomics analysis in mice to evaluate metformin’s action on the brain metabolism. Metformin decreased ATP level and activated AMPK pathway in mouse hippocampus. Metformin inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and elevated glycolysis by inhibiting mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPDH) in vitro at therapeutic doses. In summary, our study demonstrated that chronic metformin treatment affects brain bioenergetics with compound effects on locomotor and cognitive brain function in non-diabetic mice.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 7-Chloro-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-based Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Inhibitors

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) represents a relevant drug target for the treatment of neurodegenerative pathologies including Alzheimer's disease. We herein report on the optimization of a novel class of GSK-3β inhibitors based on the tofacitinib-derived screen hit 3-((3R,4R)-3-((7-chloro-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indol-4-yl)(methyl)amino)-4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (1). We synthesized a series of 19 novel 7-chloro-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-based derivatives and studied their structure-activity relationships with focus on the cyanoacetyl piperidine moiety. We unveiled the crucial role of the nitrile group and its importance for the activity of this compound series. A successful rigidization approach afforded 3-(3aRS,7aSR)-(1-(7-chloro-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indol-4-yl)octahydro-6H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-6-yl)-propanenitrile (24), which displayed an IC₅₀ value of 130 nM on GSK-3β and was further characterized by its metabolic stability. Finally, we disclosed the putative binding modes of the most potent inhibitors within the ATP binding site of GSK-3β by 1 µs molecular dynamics simulations.

Quantifying cell free DNA in urine: comparison between commercial kits, impact of gender and inter-individual variation

DNA can enter the blood circulation from living cells by extracellular vesicles or at cell death, and pass into urine through the kidney barrier. Urine can be collected non-invasively, making it an interesting source of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for research studies and ultimately for clinical diagnostics. However, there is currently a lack of data on the quantity and variability of cfDNA in urine. Here, we benchmark two commercial urine cfDNA isolation kits with respect to the quantity of DNA, the labor time, and cost. The results show distinctive differences between each kit. Furthermore, the cfDNA amount from the same probands varied strongly from day to day and may be higher in female samples than in male samples (p = 0.003).

Missense variants in NOX1 and p22phox in a case of very-early-onset inflammatory bowel disease are functionally linked to NOD2

Whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing of individual patients allow the study of rare and potentially causative genetic variation. In this study, we sequenced DNA of a trio comprising a boy with very-early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (veoIBD) and his unaffected parents. We identified a rare, X-linked missense variant in the NAPDH oxidase NOX1 gene (c.C721T, p.R241C) in heterozygous state in the mother and in hemizygous state in the patient. We discovered that, in addition, the patient was homozygous for a common missense variant in the CYBA gene (c.T214C, p.Y72H). CYBA encodes the p22phox protein, a cofactor for NOX1. Functional assays revealed reduced cellular ROS generation and antibacterial capacity of NOX1 and p22phox variants in intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, the identified NADPH oxidase complex variants affected NOD2-mediated immune responses, and p22phox was identified as a novel NOD2 interactor. In conclusion, we detected missense variants in a veoIBD patient that disrupt the host response to bacterial challenges and reduce protective innate immune signaling via NOD2. We assume that the patient's individual genetic makeup favored disturbed intestinal mucosal barrier function.

USP44 is dispensable for normal hematopoietic stem cell function, lymphocyte development, and B-cell-mediated immune response in a mouse model

Ubiquitin-specific protease 44 (USP44) is a nuclear protein with deubiquitinase (DUB) catalytic activity that has been implicated as an important regulator of cell cycle progression, gene expression, and genomic stability. Dysregulation in the molecular machinery controlling cell proliferation, gene expression, and genomic stability in human or mouse is commonly linked to hematopoietic dysfunction, immunodeficiency, and cancer. We therefore set out to explore the role of USP44 in hematopoietic and immune systems through characterization of a Usp44-deficient mouse model. We report that USP44 is dispensable for the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell numbers and function under homeostatic conditions, and also after irradiation or serial transplantation. USP44 is also not required for normal lymphocyte development. Usp44-deficient B cells show normal activation, proliferation, and immunoglobulin class switching in response to in vitro stimulation, and Usp44-deficient mice mount normal antibody response to immunization. We also tested the effects of USP44 deficiency on disease progression and survival in the Emu-myc model of mouse B-cell lymphoma and observed a trend toward earlier lethality of Usp44^-/- Emu-myc mice; however, this did not reach statistical significance. Overall, we conclude that USP44 is dispensable for the normal physiology of hematopoietic and immune systems, and its functions in these systems are likely redundant with other USP family proteins.

Scope and Limitations of the Dehydrogenative Generation of Graphenic Nanoribbons from Methylene-Bridged, Aromatic Ladder Polymers

A synthetic route to solubilized graphenic nanoribbons (GNRs) by oxidation of methylene-bridged, aromatic ladder polymers is presented. Hereby, the ladder polymer precursors are finally 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (or DDQ) oxidized into the desired GNRs. However, a detailed UV-vis analysis shows already partial oxidation/dehydrogenation during aqueous work-up under loss of ≈50% of the bridgehead hydrogens as well as some indications for overoxidation with DDQ under formation of quinoid carbonyl defects, additionally driven by a reduction of the number of quinoid (quinodimethane) structural units.

Grow With the Challenge - Microbial Effects on Epithelial Proliferation, Carcinogenesis, and Cancer Therapy

The eukaryotic host is in close contact to myriads of resident and transient microbes, which influence the crucial physiological pathways. Emerging evidence points to their role of host-microbe interactions for controlling tissue homeostasis, cell fate decisions, and regenerative capacity in epithelial barrier organs including the skin, lung, and gut. In humans and mice, it has been shown that the malignant tumors of these organs harbor an altered microbiota. Mechanistic studies have shown that the altered metabolic properties and secreted factors contribute to epithelial carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Exciting recent work points toward a crucial influence of the associated microbial communities on the response to chemotherapy and immune-check point inhibitors during cancer treatment, which suggests that the modulation of the microbiota might be a powerful tool for personalized oncology. In this article, we provide an overview of how the bacterial signals and signatures may influence epithelial homeostasis across taxa from cnidarians to vertebrates and delineate mechanisms, which might be potential targets for therapy of human diseases by either harnessing barrier integrity (infection and inflammation) or restoring uncontrolled proliferation (cancer).