Exposure-response modeling of the effect of glasdegib on cardiac repolarization in patients with cancer

Targeting cancer hallmark vulnerabilities in hematologic malignancies by interfering with Hedgehog/GLI signaling

Understanding the genetic alterations, disrupted signaling pathways, and hijacked mechanisms in oncogene-transformed hematologic cells is critical for the development of effective and durable treatment strategies against liquid tumors. In this review, we focus on the specific involvement of the Hedgehog (HH)/GLI pathway in the manifestation and initiation of various cancer features in hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, T- and B-cell lymphomas, and lymphoid and myeloid leukemias. By reviewing canonical and noncanonical, Smoothened-independent HH/GLI signaling and summarizing preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies in hematologic malignancies, we elucidate common molecular mechanisms by which HH/GLI signaling controls key oncogenic processes and cancer hallmarks such as cell proliferation, cancer stem cell fate, genomic instability, microenvironment remodeling, and cell survival. We also summarize current clinical trials with HH inhibitors and discuss successes and challenges, as well as opportunities for future combined therapeutic approaches. By providing a bird's eye view of the role of HH/GLI signaling in liquid tumors, we suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the general oncogenic effects of HH/GLI signaling on the formation of cancer hallmarks is essential to identify critical vulnerabilities within tumor cells and their supporting remodeled microenvironment, paving the way for the development of novel and efficient personalized combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.

Assessing QTc Effects of Vericiguat Using Two Different Concentration-QTc Modeling Approaches

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization due to heart failure. A dedicated QTc study in patients with chronic coronary syndromes demonstrated no clinically relevant QTc effect of vericiguat for exposures across the therapeutic dose range (2.5-10 mg). Interval prolongation concentration-QTc (C-QTc) modeling was performed to complement the statistical evaluations of QTc in the dedicated QTc study.

METHODS

Individual time-matched, baseline- and placebo-corrected Fridericia-corrected QT interval values (ΔΔQTcF) were derived. Two approaches for ΔΔQTcF calculation were investigated: (1) ΔΔQTcF correction with data from a single baseline (as in the primary statistical analysis); and (2) ΔΔQTcF correction with a modeled baseline (considering all available individual non-treatment baselines). The ΔΔQTcF values were related to observed vericiguat concentrations with linear mixed-effects modeling.

RESULTS

For both modeling approaches, a positive relationship was found between ΔΔQTcF and vericiguat concentration; however, the slope for the single-baseline approach was not statistically significant, whereas the slope from the modeled-baseline approach was statistically significant. The upper bound of the two-sided 90% confidence interval for model-derived QTc was < 10 ms at the highest observed exposure (745 μg/L; investigated dose range 2.5-10 mg).

CONCLUSION

By applying a single-baseline approach and a modeled-baseline approach that integrated all available QTc data across doses to characterize the QTc prolongation potential, this study showed that vericiguat 2.5-10 mg is not associated with clinically relevant QTc effects, in line with the conclusion from the primary statistical analysis.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03504982.