Abstract P3-06-26: Serum anti-p53 antibody titers predict pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy in women with HER2 positive or triple negative breast cancer

Background: In SABCS 2009, we reported that the high level of serum anti-p53 antibody titers was associated with response to preoperative chemotherapy in cases with primary breast cancer (SABCS 2009). Prognostic meaning of pathological complete response (pCR) after preoperative chemotherapy differs among various subtype, and there is a close relationship between pCR and prognosis in cases with HER2 positive or triple negative disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the high level of serum anti-p53 antibody titers and pCR in patients with HER2-positive or triple negative breast cancer.

Patients and Methods: In this study, we analyzed 196 women with operable early stage breast cancer (T1-T3, N0-1) treated with preoperative chemotherapy and definitive curative surgery since 2002 to 2011. All of the patients received four cycles of FEC (fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 100 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 q3w) followed by four cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m2 q3w). The serum anti-p53 antibody titers were assessed by ELISA with the anti-p53 EIA Kit II (MESACUP anti-53 Test: MBL) in the pre-treatment serum samples. The test's cut-off value was determined to be 1.3 IU/ml based on reference distribution in healthy control individuals. The association between serum anti-p53 antibody titers and pCR was analyzed.

Results: The subtype of tumors of 196 patients were classified to 86 of ER+/HER2−, 24 of ER+/HER2+, 29 of ER−/HER2+ and 57 of ER−/HER2−. The pCR was achieved 49 of 196 patients (25%). The pCR rate were 7%(6/86), 33%(8/24), 48%(14/29) and 37%(21/57) in the subtype of ER+/HER2−, ER+/HER2+, ER−/HER2+ and ER−/HER2− respectively. The range of serum anti-p53 antibody titers in the serum samples of 196 patients was between 0.40 and 5610 (the median was 0.40 and the average was 85.2). Excluding 86 cases with ER+/HER2−, relationship between serum anti-p53 antibody titers and pCR was evaluated. According to serum anti-p53 antibody titers with the patients of pCR, cut-off value of serum anti-p53 antibody titers was set to be 6 IU/ml. The pCR was observed in nine of 12 cases (75%) with high serum anti-p53 antibody titers, which was significantly higher than those with low titers (35%: 34/98; p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that the only high anti-p53 antibody titer was an independent predictive factor for pCR due to preoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: p53 mutation analysis using serum anti-p53 antibody titers might be a useful predictive test for response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients especially with HER2 positive or triple negative breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-26.

Effect of rifampicin and CYP2B6 genotype on long-term efavirenz autoinduction and plasma exposure in HIV patients with or without tuberculosis

We performed a prospective comparative study to examine, from a pharmacogenetics perspective, the effect of rifampicin (RIF) on long-term efavirenz (EFV) autoinduction and kinetics. In a study population of patients with HIV receiving EFV with RIF (arm 2, n = 54) or without RIF (arm 1, n = 128 controls), intraindividual and interindividual plasma EFV and 8-hydroxyefavirenz levels were compared at weeks 4 and 16 of EFV therapy. In arm 2, RIF was initiated 4 weeks before starting EFV. In controls (arm 1), the plasma EFV was significantly lower whereas 8-hydroxyefavirenz was higher at week 16 as compared to week 4. By contrast, there were no significant differences in plasma EFV and 8-hydroxyefavirenz concentrations over time in arm 2. At week 4, the plasma EFV concentration was significantly lower in arm 2 as compared to arm 1, but no significant differences were observed by week 16. When stratified by CYP2B6 genotype, significant differences were observed only with respect to CYP2B6*1/*1 genotypes. Ours is the first report of the CYP2B6 genotype-dependent effect of RIF on long-term EFV autoinduction.

Comparison of brain N-acetylaspartate levels and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were investigated. In addition, plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were compared between the two groups.

METHOD

Eighteen patients (nine males, nine females; age range: 13-52 years) were enrolled in the study, and 18 volunteers (nine males, nine females; age range: 15-49 years) with no current or past psychiatric history were also studied by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as sex- and age-matched controls.

RESULTS

Levels of NAA/Cr in the left basal ganglia (p=0.0065) and parieto-occipital lobe (p=0.00498), but not in the frontal lobe, were significantly lower in patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis than in control subjects. No difference was observed between the serum BDNF levels of patients with first-episode schizophrenia psychosis and control subjects. In regard to the plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites, plasma MHPG, but not HVA, was significantly lower in the patients with first-episode psychosis than in control subjects. In addition, a significantly positive correlation was observed between the levels of NAA/Cr of the left basal ganglia and plasma MHPG in all subjects.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that brain NAA levels in the left basal ganglia and plasma MHPG levels were significantly reduced at the first episode of schizophrenia psychosis, indicating that neurodegeneration via noradrenergic neurons might be associated with the initial progression of the disease.

Long-term efavirenz autoinduction and its effect on plasma exposure in HIV patients

We investigated the influence of gender and pharmacogenetic variations on long-term efavirenz autoinduction and disposition among patients with HIV in Tanzania (N = 129). Plasma concentrations (at 16 h) of efavirenz and 8-hydroxyefavirenz were quantified at weeks 4 and 16 of therapy. Genotyping was performed to identify cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6*6, CYP3A5*3, *6, and *7, and ABCB1-3435 C/T genotypes. There were reductions in the median efavirenz concentration (Wilcoxon matched-pair test P < 0.001) and efavirenz/8-hydroxyefavirenz ratio (P < 0.001) by 19 and 32%, respectively, at week 16 as compared with week 4. The proportion of patients with efavirenz concentration <1 µg/ml at week 16 was higher by 67, 25, and 5% in CYP2B6*1/*1, *1/*6, and *6/*6 genotypes, respectively. The defined therapeutic range based on observed plasma concentrations is affected by the time point of sampling and the CYP2B6 genotype. The effect of efavirenz autoinduction on reducing plasma exposure continues up to week 16 and predominantly affects CYP2B6 extensive metabolizers. Among CYP2B6 slow metabolizers, the presence of a CYP3A5 genotype allele is associated with greater effects of efavirenz autoinduction on plasma concentrations of the drug. The cumulative induction may influence the long-term antiretroviral therapy outcome, particularly in CYP2B6*1 carriers.

Protective role of palmitoylethanolamide in contact allergic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an anti-inflammatory mediator that enhances the activation by anandamide (AEA) of cannabinoid receptors and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels, and directly activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha). In mice, 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact allergic dermatitis (CAD) in inflamed ears is partly mediated by the chemokine Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-2 (MCP-2) and accompanied by elevation of AEA levels. No datum is available on PEA regulation and role in CAD.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether PEA is produced during DNFB-induced CAD, and if it has any direct protective action in keratinocytes in vitro.

METHODS

Eight- to ten-week-old female C57BL/6J wild-type and CB(1)/CB(2) double knock-out mice were used to measure PEA levels and the expression of TRPV1, PPAR-alpha receptors and enzymes responsible for PEA biosynthesis and degradation. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells were stimulated with polyinosinic polycytidylic acid [poly-(I:C)], and the expression and release of MCP-2 were measured in the presence of PEA and antagonists of its proposed receptors.

RESULTS

2,4-Dinitrofluorobenzene increased ear skin PEA levels and up-regulated TRPV1, PPAR-alpha and a PEA-biosynthesizing enzyme in ear keratinocytes. In HaCaT cells, stimulation with poly-(I:C) elevated the levels of both PEA and AEA, and exogenous PEA (10 microM) inhibited poly-(I:C)-induced expression and release of MCP-2 in a way reversed by antagonism at TRPV1, but not PPAR-alpha. PEA (5-10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) also inhibited DNFB-induced ear inflammation in mice in vivo, in a way attenuated by TRPV1 antagonism.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that PEA is an endogenous protective agent against DNFB-induced keratinocyte inflammation and could be considered for therapeutic use against CAD.

Three-dimensional visualization of renal artery stenosis by 64-channel multiple detector-row computed tomographical angiography: review of two paediatric cases

Three-dimensional visualization of renal arteries has recently been established by helical contrast-enhanced multiple detector-row computed tomographical angiography (MDCTA) in adults. So far, no information is available on its use in children. We reported two children with renal artery stenosis detected by 64-channel MDCTA. The first patient probably had fibromuscular dysplasia and the other neurofibromatosis type 1. The technique showed a left renal artery stenosis with a small left kidney in the first patient and a right renal artery stenosis in the second.

CONCLUSION

MDCTA is an accurate and noninvasive imaging technique, easily performed in children, and can be used as an alternative diagnostic modality in children with suspected renovascular hypertension.

Conservation and variation of the parapoxvirus GM-CSF-inhibitory factor (GIF) proteins

The GIF protein of orf virus (ORFV) binds and inhibits the ovine cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). An equivalent protein has so far not been found in any of the other poxvirus genera and we therefore investigated whether it was conserved in the parapoxviruses. The corresponding genes from both the bovine-specific pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) and bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) were cloned and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequences of the PCPV and BPSV proteins shared 88 and 37 % identity, respectively, with the ORFV protein. Both retained the six cysteine residues and the WSXWS-like motif that are required for biological activity of the ORFV protein. However, an analysis of the biological activity of the two recombinant proteins revealed that, whilst the PCPV GIF protein bound to both ovine and bovine GM-CSF and IL-2 with very similar binding affinities to the ORFV GIF protein, no GM-CSF- or IL-2-binding activity was found for the BPSV protein.

EGF-dependent enhancement of invasive ability in squamous cell carcinoma of the breast

Abstract #2061

The factors promoting the clinical aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is still not well understood. In order to examine whether the mechanism of cell motility is involved in the aggressive behavior of squamous cell carcinoma, we established a squamous cell carcinoma cell line from breast primary (HBC 9) and assayed its invasiveness. The number of HBC9 cells migrating through matrigel was significantly increased by stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF). This enhancement of cell motility was distinctly detected in comparison with four ductal carcinoma cell lines (MCF7, BT474, HBC5, and MDA-MB-231). EGF stimulation also induced surface protrusions of HBC9 cells. To examine the interaction between Arp2/3 complex and N-WASP which is the final intracellular signal of invadopodia formation that is downstream from EGF stimulation, we observed surface protrusion of HBC 9 by laser microscopy. Co-localization of Arp2 and N-WASP was detected with actin polymerization visualized by phalloidin. Furthermore, the localization of cortactin was found to agree with that of N-WASP and Arp2/3 complex in the invadopodia. The cortactin gene copy number was evaluated using real time PCR by comparison between 12 DNA samples extracted from primary mammary squamous cell cancer tissue and those from corresponding normal breast tissue. A higher level of cortactin was detected in cancer tissue than in normal tissue in 10 cases (83%). At a protein level, intense immunostaining of cortactin was detected in all 12 cases, among which expression was confirmed in 2 cases by Western blot analysis. These results suggest that one of the causes of clinical aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is the enhancement of cell motility by invadopodial formation. Overexpression of cortactin may result in the formation of invadopodium.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2061.

Species differences in hydrolase activities toward OT-7100 responsible for different bioavailability in rats, dogs, monkeys and humans

OT-7100 (5-n-butyl-7-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoylamino)pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine) is an amide moiety-bearing pyrazolopyrimidine derivative with a potential analgesic effect. To determine the factors responsible for observed species differences in the bioavailability of this drug, human and experimental animal samples were used to investigate in vitro microsomal and cytosolic hydrolase activities in the liver and small intestine vis-à-vis the pharmacokinetics of OT-7100. The AUC(0-t) values of OT-7100 after oral administration in rats, dogs and monkeys were 0.163, 0.0383 and 0.00147 microg h ml(-1) divided by mg kg(-1), respectively. The bioavailabilities of OT-7100 after oral administration in rats, dogs and monkeys were 36, 17 and 0.3%, respectively. The plasma concentration-time profiles of intravenously administrated OT-7100 in rats, dogs and monkeys were similar. The hydrolase activities toward OT-7100 in liver microsomes or cytosol were approximately similar in rats, dogs, monkeys and humans. In contrast, hydrolase activities of small intestinal microsomes from monkeys were higher (36.1 ng mg protein(-1) min(-1)) than those of rats, dogs and humans (5.4, 1.4 and 4.3 ng mg protein(-1) min(-1), respectively). These results suggest that the primary factor influencing first-pass metabolism for the OT-7100 is enzymatic hydrolysis in the small intestine. This information provides an important index for extrapolating the pharmacokinetics of drugs in humans using studies on monkeys.

The expression of osteopontin is increased in vessels with blood-brain barrier impairment

AIMS

We previously reported that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function was deteriorated in vessels located along hippocampal fissures in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). In this study, we examined changes of gene expression in the BBB-damaged vessels of SHRSP.

METHODS

Vascular samples were microdissected from the hippocampi of SHRSP and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) as a control and the difference in gene expression between the BBB-damaged vessels in SHRSP and vessels without BBB damage in WKY was examined by a microarray. The differences in gene and protein expression between brain tissues in the two strains of rats were examined using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The microarray assay revealed that the ratio of osteopontin gene expression in the vascular tissue of the hippocampi of SHRSP to that of WKY was the highest among 8435 genes. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that the gene expression of osteopontin was significantly increased in the hippocampal samples of SHRSP compared with that in the hippocampal samples of WKY rats or with that in the cortical samples of SHRSP. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses showed that the osteopontin protein expression was seen in perivascular ED1-positive macrophages/microglial cells located around hippocampal fissures and significantly increased in the hippocampi of SHRSP compared with that of WKY.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the expression of osteopontin is increased in BBB-damaged vessels in hypertensive SHRSP compared with that in vessels without BBB impairment in WKY rats, suggesting a role for osteopontin in BBB function.

Valproic acid improves psychotic agitation without influencing plasma risperidone levels in schizophrenic patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of valproic acid on plasma levels of risperidone and its active metabolite, 9-hydroxyrisperidone under steady state conditions in 12 schizophrenic patients.

METHODS

The efficacy and tolerability for the combination treatment of valproic acid and risperidone were examined.

RESULTS

The addition of valproic acid to risperidone significantly reduced total scores of PANSS positive symptoms, especially excitement and hostility scores, but did not change SAS scores. Addition of valproic acid did not alter plasma concentrations of risperidone or 9-hydroxyrisperidone or active moiety, and the risperidone/9-hydroxyrisperidone ratio. The combination of valproic acid with risperidone decreased plasma levels of HVA, but not those of MHPG; additionally, treatment with this combination was found to reduce dopaminergic activity.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the addition of valproic acid to risperidone is both effective and well tolerated for treating excitement and impulsiveness in schizophrenic patients without influencing the metabolism of risperidone, and treatment with valproic acid and risperidone.

Keyword extraction, ranking, and organization for the neuroinformatics platform

Brain-related researches encompass many fields of studies and usually involve worldwide collaborations. Recognizing the value of these international collaborations for efficient use of resources and improving the quality of brain research, the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) started to coordinate the effort of establishing neuroinformatics (NI) centers and portal sites among the different participating countries. These NI centers and portal sites will serve as the conduit for the interchange of information and brain-related resources among different countries. In Japan, several NI platforms under the support of NIJC (NI Japan Center) are being developed with one platform called, Visiome, already operating and publicly accessible at "http://www.platform.visiome.org". Each of these platforms requires their own set of keywords that represent important terms covering their respective fields of study. One important function of this predefined keyword list is to help contributors classify the contents of their contributions and group related resources. It is vital, therefore, that this predefined list should be properly chosen to cover the necessary areas. Currently, the process of identifying these appropriate keywords relies on the availability of human experts which does not scale well considering that different areas are rapidly evolving. This problem prompted us to develop a tool to automatically filter the most likely terms preferred by human experts. We tested the effectiveness of the proposed approach using the abstracts of the Vision Research Journal (VR) and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science Journal (IOVS) as source files.