Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor dyslipidemia in kidney transplant recipients

Carvacrol ameliorates skin allograft rejection through modulating macrophage polarization by activating the Wnt signalling pathway

Post-transplantation immune rejection remains an important factor for transplant patients. However, conventional immunosuppressants are associated with substantial adverse effects. Natural immunosuppressants present a promising alternative to conventional counterparts, boasting exceptional biological activity, minimal toxicity and reduced side effects. We identified carvacrol as a prospective immunosuppressive agent following T cell proliferation experiment and validated carvacrol's immunosuppressive efficacy in the murine allogeneic skin graft model. T cell proliferation assay was used to screen natural small molecule compounds and the immunosuppressive effect of compounds was evaluated in MHC-mismatched murine allogeneic skin graft model. H&E and immunohistochemical staining were applied to evaluate the pathological grade. Furthermore, flow cytometry was uitlized to analyse the immunophenotype changes of immune cells. Western blotting and q-PCR were used to detect the expression of key molecules in macrophages. In vitro, carvacrol demonstrates significant inhibition of the proliferation of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells. It notably reduces inflammatory factor expression within the allografts, suppresses T cell differentiation toward Th1 phenotype and expansion. Furthermore, carvacrol prominently hinders M1-type macrophages polarization by activating Wnt signaling. Notably, the anti-rejection efficacy of carvacrol was significantly weakened upon the removal of macrophages in mice using chlorophosphate liposomes. Carvacrol could significantly inhibit T cell proliferation, alleviate graft rejection and has outstanding toxicological safety. The molecular mechanism of the anti-rejection effect of carvacrol is closely related to its mediating activation of macrophage Wnt pathway, inhibiting M1 polarization and inducing T cell differentiation.

Developing a genetic testing panel for evaluation of morbidities in kidney transplant recipients

Cardiovascular disease, infection, malignancy, and thromboembolism are major causes of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Prospectively identifying monogenic conditions associated with post-transplant complications may enable personalized management. Therefore, we developed a transplant morbidity panel (355 genes) associated with major post-transplant complications including cardiometabolic disorders, immunodeficiency, malignancy, and thrombophilia. This gene panel was then evaluated using exome sequencing data from 1590 KTR. Additionally, genes associated with monogenic kidney and genitourinary disorders along with American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) secondary findings v3.2 were annotated. Altogether, diagnostic variants in 37 genes associated with Mendelian kidney and genitourinary disorders were detected in 9.9% (158/1590) of KTR; 25.9% (41/158) had not been clinically diagnosed. Moreover, the transplant morbidity gene panel detected diagnostic variants for 56 monogenic disorders in 9.1% KTRs (144/1590). Cardiovascular disease, malignancy, immunodeficiency, and thrombophilia variants were detected in 5.1% (81), 2.1% (34), 1.8% (29) and 0.2% (3) among 1590 KTRs, respectively. Concordant phenotypes were present in half of these cases. Reviewing implications for transplant care, these genetic findings would have allowed physicians to set specific risk factor targets in 6.3% (9/144), arrange intensive surveillance in 97.2% (140/144), utilize preventive measures in 13.2% (19/144), guide disease-specific therapy in 63.9% (92/144), initiate specialty referral in 90.3% (130/144) and alter immunosuppression in 56.9% (82/144). Thus, beyond diagnostic testing for kidney disorders, sequence annotation identified monogenic disorders associated with common post-transplant complications in 9.1% of KTR, with important clinical implications. Incorporating genetic diagnostics for transplant morbidities would enable personalized management in pre- and post-transplant care.

Managing dyslipidemia in solid organ transplant patients

Solid organ transplant recipients face an increased risk of dyslipidemia, which contributes to cardiovascular complications. Commonly used drugs such as ciclosporin and tacrolimus can aggravate and cause dyslipidemia. Immunosuppressive drugs particularly ciclosporin and tacrolimus are also known to worsen dyslipidemia in transplant recipients. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors like sirolimus and everolimus also alter lipid metabolism. Lifestyle and dietary modifications should be encouraged. Careful consideration of immunosuppressant choices is also vital to control dyslipidemia. Statins are recommended as first-line agents for lipid-lowering therapy, with consideration for potential drug interactions. Other options, such as ezetimibe and nicotinic acid, may be considered as alternatives. The management of dyslipidemia in renal transplant patients mainly involves statin therapy, although the clinical effectiveness in this population is not well-documented. Lifestyle modifications, careful drug selection, and statin therapy are key components in managing dyslipidemia in solid organ transplant patients.

Statins in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Usage, All-Cause Mortality, and Interactions with Maintenance Immunosuppressive Agents

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Cardiovascular diseases account for 32% of deaths among kidney transplant recipients. Statin therapy is common in this population. However, its effect on mortality prevention remains unclear among kidney transplant recipients, whose clinical risk profile might be unique because of concomitant immunosuppressive therapy. In this national study of 58,264 single-kidney transplant recipients, statin use was associated with a 5% decrease in mortality. More importantly, this protective association was stronger among those who used a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor for immunosuppression (27% decrease in mTOR inhibitor users versus 5% in nonusers). Our results suggest that statin therapy may reduce mortality in kidney transplant recipients and that the strength of this protective association may vary by immunosuppression regimen.

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in kidney transplant (KT) recipients, accounting for 32% of deaths. Statins are widely used in KT recipients, but effectiveness for preventing mortality remains unclear in this population, especially because of interaction between statins and immunosuppressive agents. We analyzed a national cohort to assess the real-world effectiveness of statins for reducing all-cause mortality in KT recipients.

METHODS

We studied statin use and mortality among 58,264 adults (18 years or older) who received single kidneys between 2006 and 2016 and had Medicare part A/B/D. Statin use was ascertained from Medicare prescription drug claims and deaths from Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services records. We estimated the association of statin use with mortality using multivariable Cox models, with statin use as a time-varying exposure and immunosuppression regimen as effect modifiers.

RESULTS

Statin use increased from 45.5% at KT to 58.2% at 1-year post-KT to 70.9% at 5-year post-KT. We observed 9785 deaths over 236,944 person-years. Overall, statin use was significantly associated with lower mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 0.99). The strength of this protective association varied by calcineurin inhibitor use (among tacrolimus users, aHR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.03 versus among calcineurin nonusers, aHR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.87; interaction P =0.002), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor use (among mTOR inhibitor users, aHR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.92 versus among nonusers, aHR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.00; interaction P =0.03), and mycophenolate use (among mycophenolate users, aHR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.02 versus among nonusers, aHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.89; interaction P =0.002).

CONCLUSION

Real-world evidence supports statin therapy for reducing all-cause mortality in KT recipients. Effectiveness might be greater when combined with mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression.

mTOR-inhibitors and post-transplant diabetes mellitus: a link still debated in kidney transplantation

The mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTOR-Is, Sirolimus, and Everolimus) are immunosuppressive drugs widely employed in kidney transplantation. Their main mechanism of action includes the inhibition of a serine/threonine kinase with a pivotal role in cellular metabolism and in various eukaryotic biological functions (including proteins and lipids synthesis, autophagy, cell survival, cytoskeleton organization, lipogenesis, and gluconeogenesis). Moreover, as well described, the inhibition of the mTOR pathway may also contribute to the development of the post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), a major clinical complication that may dramatically impact allograft survival (by accelerating the development of the chronic allograft damage) and increase the risk of severe systemic comorbidities. Several factors may contribute to this condition, but the reduction of the beta-cell mass, the impairment of the insulin secretion and resistance, and the induction of glucose intolerance may play a pivotal role. However, although the results of several in vitro and in animal models, the real impact of mTOR-Is on PTDM is still debated and the entire biological machinery is poorly recognized. Therefore, to better elucidate the impact of the mTOR-Is on the risk of PTDM in kidney transplant recipients and to potentially uncover future research topics (particularly for the clinical translational research), we decided to review the available literature evidence regarding this important clinical association. In our opinion, based on the published reports, we cannot draw any conclusion and PTDM remains a challenge. However, also in this case, the administration of the lowest possible dose of mTOR-I should also be recommended.

Combination of everolimus and low-dose tacrolimus controls histological liver allograft injury as sufficiently as high-dose tacrolimus

Introduction

The combination of everolimus (EVR) and low-dose tacrolimus (lowTAC) prevents T cell-mediated rejection of liver grafts as sufficiently as high-dose tacrolimus (highTAC) and mycophenolate, but is associated with a preserved kidney function within the first years after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, none of the available studies assessed the histological pattern of graft injury or fibrosis in surveillance biopsies (svLbx).

Methods

All svLbx taken under at least one month of stable immunosuppression with either EVR (aim 3-8 ng/ml) combined with lowTAC (aim 3-5 ng/ml) or highTAC (aim 5-8 ng/ml) combined with mycophenolate (500-1500 mg/day) within the first three to four years after OLT at our center were included. Patients who were switched to EVR because of insufficient control of alloreactivity were excluded.

Results

Reasons for switches to EVR were mainly malignancies before or after OLT, or chronic kidney injury. We were able to include 20 svLbx with EVR/lowTAC and 49 with highTAC/mycophenolate. Both groups had similar liver enzymes and similar kidney function. The EVR/lowTAC group exhibited lower TAC trough levels at svLbx (4.4 vs. 6.6 ng/ml; p<.001) in comparison to highTAC/mycophenolate. Histological graft injury quantified by the rejection activity index and hepatitis activity index (Ishak), as well as fibrosis were not significantly different between the EVR/lowTAC and highTAC/mycophenolate groups. Likewise, subclinical TCMR, histological criteria justifying immunosuppression minimization, and steatosis had equal prevalence in both regimens. Immunosuppression was adjusted according to the svLbx findings. Immunosuppression regimens had similarly low rates of rejection after immunosuppression reduction, when relevant graft injury was absent in the biopsy.

Discussion

In conclusion, EVR/lowTAC seems to control alloreactivity and histological graft injury as sufficiently as highTAC/mycophenolate within the first 3-4 years after OLT.

mTORC1 inhibition uncouples lipolysis and thermogenesis in white adipose tissue to contribute to alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND

Adipose tissue thermogenic activities use fatty acids from lipolysis for heat generation. Therefore, a tight coupling between lipolysis and thermogenesis is physiologically imperative in maintaining not only body temperature but also lipids homeostasis. Adipose tissue dysfunction contributes to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Here, studies were conducted to examine how alcohol intake affects adipose tissue thermogenic activities and whether altered adipose tissue thermogenesis contributes to ALD.

METHODS

Both the Lieber-DeCarli and the NIAAA mouse models of ALD were used. Denervation surgery in epididymal fat pads was performed. CL316,243, a selective β3-adrenoceptor agonist, SR59230A, a selective β3 adrenoceptor (ADRB3) antagonist, and rapamycin, a selective mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitor, were administrated through i.p. injection. Adipocyte-specific Prdm16 knockout mice were subjected to alcohol-containing diet chronically.

RESULTS

Chronic alcohol consumption, which enhances adipose tissue lipolysis, inhibits thermogenic activities of beige adipocytes in inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT), leading to an uncoupling status between lipolysis and thermogenesis in WAT at both basal and ADRB3 stimulation states. CL316,243 administration exacerbates liver pathologies of ALD. Alcohol intake inhibits mTORC1 activities in WAT. In mice, mTORC1 inhibition by rapamycin inhibits the thermogenesis of iWAT, whereas enhancing WAT lipolysis. Further investigations using adipocyte-specific Prdm16 knockout mice revealed that functional deficiency of beige adipocytes aggravates liver pathologies of ALD, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of alcohol on WAT browning/thermogenesis contributes to ALD pathogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Chronic alcohol consumption induces an "uncoupling status" between lipolysis and browning/thermogenesis in WAT by inhibiting mTORC1 activation. Diminished WAT browning/thermogenesis, concomitant with enhanced lipolysis, contributes to ALD pathogenesis.

Lipid management to mitigate poorer postkidney transplant outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lipid disorder is a prevalent complication in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) resulting in cardiovascular disease (CVD), which influences on patient outcomes. Immunosuppressive therapy demonstrated the major detrimental effects on metabolic disturbances. This review will focus on the effect of immunosuppressive drugs, lipid-lowering agents with current management, and future perspectives for lipid management in KTRs.

RECENT FINDINGS

The main pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia indicates an increase in lipoprotein synthesis whilst the clearance of lipid pathways declines. Optimization of immunosuppression is a reasonable therapeutic strategy for lipid management regarding immunologic risk. Additionally, statin is the first-line lipid-lowering drug, followed by a combination with ezetimibe to achieve the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal. However, drug interaction between statins and immunosuppressive medications should be considered because both are mainly metabolized through cytochrome P450 3A4. The prevalence of statin toxicity was significantly higher when concomitantly prescribed with cyclosporin, than with tacrolimus.

SUMMARY

To improve cardiovascular outcomes, LDL-C should be controlled at the target level. Initiation statin at a low dose and meticulous titration is crucial in KTRs. Novel therapy with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, which is highly effective in reducing LDL-C and cardiovascular complications, and might prove to be promising therapy for KTRs with statin resistance or intolerance.

Immunosuppressive Drugs in Liver Transplant: An Insight

Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard of care for end-stage liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Over the years, immunosuppression regimens have improved, resulting in enhanced graft and patient survival. At present, the side effects of immunosuppressive agents are a significant threat to post-LT quality of life and long-term outcome. The role of personalized immunosuppression is to reach a delicate balance between optimal immunosuppression and minimal side effects. Today, immunosuppression in LT is more of an art than a science. There are no validated markers for overimmunosuppression and underimmunosuppression, only a few drugs have therapeutic drug monitoring and immunosuppression regimens vary from center to center. The immunosuppressive agents are broadly classified into biological agents and pharmacological agents. Most regimens use multiple agents with different modes of action to reduce the dosage and minimize the toxicities. The calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-related toxicities are reduced by antibody induction or using mTOR inhibitor/antimetabolites as CNI sparing or CNI minimization strategies. Post-liver transplant immunosuppression has an intensive phase in the first three months when alloreactivity is high, followed by a maintenance phase when immunosuppression minimization protocols are implemented. Over time some patients achieve "tolerance," defined as the successful stopping of immunosuppression with good graft function and no indication of rejection. Cell-based therapy using immune cells with tolerogenic potential is the future and may permit complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents.

Cardiometabolic Consequences of Targeted Anticancer Therapies

ABSTRACT

Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) is the most common preventable cause of death in the world. A number of components are included in the spectrum of CMD, such as metabolic syndrome/obesity, hyperglycemia/diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, which are independently associated with cardiovascular disease risk. These conditions often occur together, and patients with cancer frequently undergo treatments that can generate or worsen CMD. This review highlights and presents mechanistic and epidemiological evidence regarding CMD in 4 categories of anticancer medications, namely, mTOR/PI3K-Akt inhibitors, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and endocrine therapy. Patients taking these medications need careful monitoring during therapy. There is a role for cardio-oncology and onco-primary care specialists in optimally managing patients at risk to mitigate CMD during treatment with these and other investigational anticancer medications.

Cardiovascular effects of immunosuppression agents

Immunosuppressive medications are widely used to treat patients with neoplasms, autoimmune conditions and solid organ transplants. Key drug classes, namely calcineurin inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, and purine synthesis inhibitors, have direct effects on the structure and function of the heart and vascular system. In the heart, immunosuppressive agents modulate cardiac hypertrophy, mitochondrial function, and arrhythmia risk, while in vasculature, they influence vessel remodeling, circulating lipids, and blood pressure. The aim of this review is to present the preclinical and clinical literature examining the cardiovascular effects of immunosuppressive agents, with a specific focus on cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus, mycophenolate, and azathioprine.

Cancer therapy's impact on lipid metabolism: Mechanisms and future avenues

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a growing threat among cancer patients. Not surprisingly, cancer-targeting therapies have been linked to metabolic dysregulation including changes in local and systemic lipid metabolism. Thus, tumor development and cancer therapeutics are intimately linked to cholesterol metabolism and may be a driver of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population. Chemotherapeutic agents affect lipid metabolism through diverse mechanisms. In this review, we highlight the mechanistic and clinical evidence linking commonly used cytotoxic therapies with cholesterol metabolism and potential opportunities to limit atherosclerotic risk in this patient population. Better understanding of the link between atherosclerosis, cancer therapy, and cholesterol metabolism may inform optimal lipid therapy for cancer patients and mitigate cardiovascular disease burden.

The long-term effect of mTOR inhibition on lipid and glucose metabolism in tuberous sclerosis complex: data from the Dutch TSC registry

Background

MTOR inhibition is an effective treatment for many manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex. Because mTOR inhibition is a disease modifying therapy, lifelong use will most likely be necessary. This study addresses the long-term effects of mTOR inhibitors on lipid and glucose metabolism and aims to provide better insight in the incidence and time course of these metabolic adverse effects in treated TSC patients.

Methods

All patients who gave informed consent for the nationwide TSC Registry and were ever treated with mTOR inhibitors (sirolimus and/or everolimus) were included. Lipid profiles, HbA1c and medication were analysed in all patients before and during mTOR inhibitor treatment.

Results

We included 141 patients, the median age was 36 years, median use of mTOR inhibitors 5.1 years (aimed serum levels 3.0–5.0 µg/l). Total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels at baseline were similar to healthy reference data. After start of mTOR inhibition therapy, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides increased significantly and were higher compared to healthy reference population. Mean total cholesterol levels increased by 1.0 mmol/L after 3–6 months of mTOR inhibition therapy but did not increase further during follow-up. In this study, 2.5% (3/118) of patients developed diabetes (defined as an HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol) during a median follow-up of 5 years.

Conclusions

Hypercholesterolemia is a frequent side effect of mTOR inhibition in TSC patients, and predominantly occurs within the first year of treatment. Although hyperglycemia is a frequent side effect in other indications for mTOR inhibition, incidence of diabetes mellitus in TSC patients was only 2.5%. This may reflect the difference of mTOR inhibition in patients with normal mTOR complex pathway function versus patients with overactive mTOR complex signaling due to a genetic defect (TSC patients).

New Approaches to Cardiovascular Disease and Its Management in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Cardiovascular events, including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia, are common complications after kidney transplantation and continue to be leading causes of graft loss. Kidney transplant recipients have both traditional and transplant-specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In the general population, modification of cardiovascular risk factors is the best strategy to reduce cardiovascular events; however, studies evaluating the impact of risk modification strategies on cardiovascular outcomes among kidney transplant recipients are limited. Furthermore, there is only minimal guidance on appropriate cardiovascular screening and monitoring in this unique patient population. This review focuses on the limited scientific evidence that addresses cardiovascular events in kidney transplant recipients. Additionally, we focus on clinical management of specific cardiovascular entities that are more prevalent among kidney transplant recipients (ie, pulmonary hypertension, valvular diseases, diastolic dysfunction) and the use of newer evolving drug classes for treatment of heart failure within this cohort of patients. We note that there are no consensus documents describing optimal diagnostic, monitoring, or management strategies to reduce cardiovascular events after kidney transplantation; however, we outline quality initiatives and research recommendations for the assessment and management of cardiovascular-specific risk factors that could improve outcomes.

Dyslipidemia in Renal Transplant Recipients

Dyslipidemia is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation (KT) and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are considered at high, or very high, risk of CVD, which is a leading cause of death in this patient group. Despite many factors of post-transplant dyslipidemia, the immunosuppressive treatment has the biggest influence on a lipid profile. There are no strict dyslipidemia treatment guidelines for RTRs, but the ones proposing an individual approach regarding CVD risk seem most suitable. Proper diet and physical activity are the main general measures to manage dyslipidemia and should be introduced initially in every patient after KT. In the case of an insufficient correction of lipemia, statins are the basis for hypolipidemic treatment. Statins should be introduced with caution to avoid serious side-effects (e.g., myopathy) or drug-drug interactions, especially with immunosuppressants. To lower the incidence of adverse effects, and improve medication adherence, ezetimibe in combination with statins is recommended. Fibrates and bile sequestrants are not recommended due to their side-effects and variable efficacy. However, several new lipid-lowering drugs like Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may have promising effects in RTRs, but further research assessing efficacy and safety is yet to be carried out.

New insight into dyslipidemia‐induced cellular senescence in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, characterized by lipid‐rich plaques in the arterial wall, is an age‐related disorder and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, the specific mechanisms remain complex. Recently, emerging evidence has demonstrated that senescence of various types of cells, such as endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), macrophages, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) contributes to atherosclerosis. Cellular senescence and atherosclerosis share various causative stimuli, in which dyslipidemia has attracted much attention. Dyslipidemia, mainly referred to elevated plasma levels of atherogenic lipids or lipoproteins, or functional impairment of anti‐atherogenic lipids or lipoproteins, plays a pivotal role both in cellular senescence and atherosclerosis. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for dyslipidemia‐induced cellular senescence during atherosclerosis, with a focus on low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and its modifications, hydrolysate of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins (TRLs), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), respectively. Furthermore, we describe the underlying mechanisms linking dyslipidemia‐induced cellular senescence and atherosclerosis. Finally, we discuss the senescence‐related therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis, with special attention given to the anti‐atherosclerotic effects of promising geroprotectors as well as anti‐senescence effects of current lipid‐lowering drugs.

Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibitors

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are macrocyclic lactone antibiotics derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus that prevent T lymphocyte activation and B cell differentiation. Unlike calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) that inhibit cytokine production, mTOR inhibitors block the cytokine signal transduction to arrest cells in the G1 to S phase. This class of drugs is commonly used for post-transplantation and cancer management because of its immunosuppressive and antiproliferative properties, respectively. The potential uses of mTOR inhibitors are heavily explored because of their impact on cell growth and proliferation. However, mTOR inhibitors have a broad range of effects that can result in adverse reactions, but side effects can occur with other immunosuppressive agents as well. Thus, the performance of mTOR inhibitors is compared to the outcomes and adverse effects of other immunosuppressive drugs or the combination of other immunosuppressants and mTOR inhibitors. Because mTOR regulates many downstream pathways, mTOR inhibitors can affect these pathways to manage various diseases. Sirolimus (rapamycin) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat post-renal transplantation and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Everolimus is approved by the FDA to treat postmenopausal advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in women, progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin (PNET), advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with TSC as well as renal and liver transplantation. Temsirolimus is approved by the FDA to treat advanced RCC. Opportunities to use mTOR inhibitors as therapy for other transplantation, metabolic disease, and cancer management are being researched. mTOR inhibitors are often called proliferation signal inhibitors (PSIs) because of their effects on proliferation pathways.

Comparative metabolomics and lipidomics study to evaluate the metabolic differences between first- and second-generation mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors

Mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) drives its fundamental cellular functions through two distinct catalytic subunits, mTORC1 and mTORC2, and is frequently dysregulated in most cancers. To treat cancers, developed mTOR inhibitors have been classified into first and second generations based on their ability to inhibit single (first-generation) and dual (second-generation) mTOR subunits. However, the underlying metabolic differences due to the effects of first- and second-generation mTOR inhibitors have not been clearly evaluated. In this study, rapamycin (sirolimus) and AZD8055 and PP242 were selected as first- and second-generation mTOR inhibitors, respectively, to evaluate the metabolic differences due to these two generations of mTOR inhibitors after a single oral dose using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics approaches. The metabolic differences at each time point were compared using multivariate analysis. The multivariate and data analyses showed that metabolic disparity was more prominent within 8 h after drug administration and a broad class of metabolites were affected by the administration of both generations of mTOR inhibitors. Among the metabolite classes, changes in the pattern of fatty acids and glycerophospholipids were opposite, specifically at 4 and 8 h between the two generations of mTOR inhibitors. We speculate that the inhibition of the mTORC2 subunit by the second-generation mTOR inhibitor may have resulted in a distinct metabolic pattern between the first- and second-generation inhibitors. Finally, the findings of this study could assist in a more detailed understanding of the key metabolic differences caused by first- and second-generation mTOR inhibitors.

Berberine Prolongs Mouse Heart Allograft Survival by Activating T Cell Apoptosis via the Mitochondrial Pathway

Berberine, which is a traditional Chinese medicine can inhibit tumorigenesis by inducing tumor cell apoptosis. However, the immunoregulatory of effects berberine on T cells remains poorly understood. Here, we first examined whether berberine can prolong allograft survival by regulating the recruitment and function of T cells. Using a major histocompatibility complex complete mismatch mouse heterotopic cardiac transplantation model, we found that the administration of moderate doses (5 mg/kg) of berberine significantly prolonged heart allograft survival to 19 days and elicited no obvious berberine-related toxicity. Compared to that with normal saline treatment, berberine treatment decreased alloreactive T cells in recipient splenocytes and lymph node cells. It also inhibited the activation, proliferation, and function of alloreactive T cells. Most importantly, berberine treatment protected myocardial cells by decreasing CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell infiltration and by inhibiting T cell function in allografts. In vivo and in vitro assays revealed that berberine treatment eliminated alloreactive T lymphocytes via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, which was validated by transcriptome sequencing. Taken together, we demonstrated that berberine prolongs allograft survival by inducing apoptosis of alloreactive T cells. Thus, our study provides more evidence supporting the potential use of berberine in translational medicine.

IsoSearch: An Untargeted and Unbiased Metabolite and Lipid Isotopomer Tracing Strategy from HR-LC-MS/MS Datasets

Stable isotopic tracer analysis is a technique used to determine carbon or nitrogen atom incorporation into biological systems. A number of mass spectrometry based approaches have been developed for this purpose, including high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HR-LC-MS/MS), selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). We have developed an approach for analyzing untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic datasets using high-resolution mass spectrometry with polarity switching and implemented our approach in the open-source R script IsoSearch and in Scaffold Elements software. Using our strategy, which requires an unlabeled reference dataset and isotope labeled datasets across various biological conditions, we traced metabolic isotopomer alterations in breast cancer cells (MCF-7) treated with the metabolic drugs 2-deoxy-glucose, 6-aminonicotinamide, compound 968, and rapamycin. Metabolites and lipids were first identified by the commercial software Scaffold Elements and LipidSearch, then IsoSearch successfully profiled the ¹³C-isotopomers extracted metabolites and lipids from ¹³C-glucose labeled MCF-7 cells. The results interpreted known models, such as glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway inhibition, but also helped to discover new metabolic/lipid flux patterns, including a reactive oxygen species (ROS) defense mechanism induced by 6AN and triglyceride accumulation in rapamycin treated cells. The results suggest the IsoSearch/Scaffold Elements platform is effective for studying metabolic tracer analysis in diseases, drug metabolism, and metabolic engineering for both polar metabolites and non-polar lipids.

Immunosuppressive Drug-Associated Adverse Event Profiles in De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients Receiving Everolimus and Reduced Tacrolimus Doses

BACKGROUND

The safety of immunosuppressive regimens is influenced by the induction agent, maintenance drug combination, and prophylactic strategy for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Herein, this safety analysis compares rabbit antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG) or basiliximab (BAS) combined with everolimus (EVR) versus BAS combined with mycophenolate sodium (MPS) in kidney transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus, prednisone, and preemptive CMV therapy.

METHODS

In this single-center, prospective, randomized study, adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), viral infections, laboratory abnormalities, dose reductions, and temporary or permanent discontinuation of the immunosuppressant were compared among patients receiving r-ATG/EVR (n = 85), BAS/EVR (n = 102), and BAS/MPS (n = 101).

RESULTS

A total of 2741 AEs and 344 SAEs were observed. There were no differences in the proportion of patients with at least one AE (96% versus 98% versus 96%, respectively; P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with at least one SAE was highest in the BAS/MPS group (33% versus 48% versus 69%, respectively; P < 0.05). This difference was due primarily to a high incidence of CMV infection in the BAS/MPS group (4.7% versus 10.8% versus 37.6%, respectively). The incidence of mild/moderate abnormalities in creatinine, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels was higher in both EVR groups. The cumulative freedom from dose reduction or treatment discontinuation due to an AE was higher in both EVR groups than in the BAS/MPS group (89.2% versus 92.8% versus 76.3%, respectively, P = 0.003). There was no difference in the incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (9.4% versus 18.6 versus 15.8%, respectively; P = 0.403).

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis suggests that r-ATG induction combined with EVR is associated with a comparable incidence of acute rejection, lower incidence of CMV infection, and fewer changes in initial immunosuppressive regimen due to AEs in kidney transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus, prednisone, and preemptive CMV therapy.

Sirolimus and mTOR Inhibitors: A Review of Side Effects and Specific Management in Solid Organ Transplantation

Inhibitors of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR inhibitors) are used as antiproliferative immunosuppressive drugs and have many clinical applications in various drug combinations. Experience in transplantation studies has been gained regarding the side effect profile of these drugs and the potential benefits and limitations compared with other immunosuppressive agents. This article reviews the adverse effects of mTOR inhibitors in solid organ transplantation, with special attention given to mechanisms hypothesized to cause adverse events and their management strategies.

Lipid management in patients with chronic kidney disease

An increased risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of conventional risk factors, is present even at minor levels of renal impairment and is highest in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis. Renal dysfunction changes the level, composition and quality of blood lipids in favour of a more atherogenic profile. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or ESRD have a characteristic lipid pattern of hypertriglyceridaemia and low HDL cholesterol levels but normal LDL cholesterol levels. In the general population, a clear relationship exists between LDL cholesterol and major atherosclerotic events. However, in patients with ESRD, LDL cholesterol shows a negative association with these outcomes at below average LDL cholesterol levels and a flat or weakly positive association with mortality at higher LDL cholesterol levels. Overall, the available data suggest that lowering of LDL cholesterol is beneficial for prevention of major atherosclerotic events in patients with CKD and in kidney transplant recipients but is not beneficial in patients requiring dialysis. The 2013 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline for Lipid Management in CKD provides simple recommendations for the management of dyslipidaemia in patients with CKD and ESRD. However, emerging data and novel lipid-lowering therapies warrant some reappraisal of these recommendations.

SNPs Within the MTOR Gene Are Associated With an Increased Risk of Developing De Novo Diabetes Mellitus Following the Administration of Everolimus in Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

The impact of immunosuppressive drugs in patients following liver transplantation (LT) is very individual. Despite the multiple beneficial effects of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus (EVR) in LT recipients, some patients do not benefit from EVR administration. We investigated whether the presence of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mTOR gene are predictive for adverse events following the introduction of EVR after LT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The feasibility and efficacy of EVR in 127 liver transplant recipients who were converted to EVR-based immunosuppression was documented retrospectively. Blood samples of these patients were analyzed for the occurrence of 4 SNPs in the mTOR promoter region (mTOR3099/rs2295079 C>G, mTOR3162/rs2295080 A>C) and the mTOR 3' untranslated regio (mTOR8167/rs12139042 C>T, mTOR8600/rs2536 A>G); the specific allele variants were also associated with the incidence of adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Of all patients, 21 (16.5%) did not tolerate the medication and had to discontinue. Of those patients who continued, 37% developed signs of reduced tolerance within the first 6 months, resolving after 12 months. When the cohort was divided according to genotype and allele frequency, patients with the mTOR3162/rs2295080 CC variant had a significantly higher risk (odds ratio = 5.89; 95% confidence interval = 1.48-23.40; P = .012) of developing new-onset diabetes mellitus following EVR treatment than AA or AC genotype carriers.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the SNP mTOR3162/rs2295080 CC genotype is associated with the development of new-onset diabetes mellitus following EVR treatment.

The Effect of Concomitant Sirolimus and Propofol Therapy on Triglyceride Concentrations in Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND

Sirolimus and propofol are both independently associated with the development of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) during therapy. To date, there are no published reports describing synergistic or additive drug interaction resulting in HTG with concomitant use of these medications.

STUDY QUESTION

To identify the occurrence of HTG in patients receiving concomitant sirolimus and propofol infusion therapy.

METHODS

Adult patients receiving sirolimus and a continuous propofol infusion for at least 12 hours from January 2005 to August 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Data included Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, weight, length of propofol therapy, and baseline triglyceride (TG) concentrations. The major outcome was incidence of HTG (TGs ≥500 mg/dL). Minor outcomes included the change in TG concentration from therapy initiation and manifestations of propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS).

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were included in the analysis, with 8 (50%) of the patients developing HTG. The patients in this case series had the following mean values: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 20.2 ± 5.3, weight of 76.3 ± 21.2 kg, and baseline TG concentrations of 181.3 ± 89.7 mg/dL. Indications for sirolimus therapy included hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (n = 15) and heart transplantation (n = 1). Mean length of propofol infusion was 99.8 ± 88.5 hours. The mean TG concentration during infusion was 515.6 ± 468.1 mg/dL. Fourteen (87.5%) patients had an increase of ≥100 mg/dL, 12 (75%) patients had an increase of ≥200 mg/dL, and 6 (37.5%) patients had an increase of ≥300 mg/dL in TG concentrations during therapy. Eleven patients developed one manifestation of PRIS, excluding HTG, and one patient had more than 2 new onset PRIS manifestations during propofol therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Coadministration of propofol and sirolimus can potentially result in HTG, which may warrant more frequent monitoring. Further analysis is needed to examine the mechanism and clinical impact of this interaction.

Shikonin Prolongs Allograft Survival via Induction of CD4+FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells

A transplanted organ is usually rejected without any major immunosuppressive treatment because of vigorous alloimmune responsiveness. However, continuous global immunosuppression may cause severe side effects, including nephrotoxicity, tumors, and infections. Therefore, it is necessary to seek novel immunosuppressive agents, especially natural ingredients that may provide sufficient efficacy in immunosuppression with minimal side effects. Shikonin is a bioactive naphthoquinone pigment, an ingredient originally extracted from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Previous studies have shown that shikonin regulates immunity and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, it can ameliorate arthritis in animal models. However, it is unclear whether shikonin inhibits alloimmunity or allograft rejection. In this study and for the first time, we demonstrated that shikonin significantly prolonged the survival of skin allografts in wild-type mice. Shikonin increased the frequencies of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) post-transplantation and induced CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs in vitro as well. Importantly, depleting the Tregs abrogated the extension of skin allograft survival induced by shikonin. It also decreased the frequencies of CD8⁺CD44^highCD62L^low effector T cells and CD11c⁺CD80⁺/CD11c⁺CD86⁺ mature DCs after transplantation. Moreover, we found that shikonin inhibited the proliferation of T cells in vitro and suppressed their mTOR signaling. It also reduced the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFNγ, IL-6, TNFα, and IL-17A, while increasing the gene expression of anti-inflammatory mediators IL-10, TGF-β1, and indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) in skin allografts. Further, shikonin downregulated IDO protein expression in skin allografts and DCs in vitro. Taken together, shikonin inhibits allograft rejection via upregulating CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs. Thus, shikonin is a novel immunosuppressant that could be potentially used in clinical transplantation.

Management of dyslipidemia in adult solid organ transplant recipients

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) has revolutionized treatment of end-stage disease. Improvements in the SOT continuum of care have unmasked a significant burden of cardiovascular disease, manifesting as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Although several risk factors for development of post-transplant cardiovascular disease exist, dyslipidemia remains one of the most frequent and modifiable risks. An important contributor to dyslipidemia in SOT recipients is the off-target metabolic effects of immunosuppressive medications, which may alter lipoproteins and their metabolism. Dyslipidemia management is paramount as lipid-lowering therapy with statins has demonstrated reductions in graft vasculopathy, decreased rejection rates, and improved survival. Several nonstatin medication options are available, but data supporting their benefit in the SOT population are minimal, typically extrapolated from studies in the general population. Further compounding dyslipidemia management is the complex interplay of drug interactions between lipid-lowering and immunosuppressant medications, which can result in serious toxicity and/or therapeutic failure.

Hypertriglyceridemia-Associated Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to investigate the cases of drug-induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP) with hypertriglyceridemia as the mechanism of injury.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search (1963-2018) of the English language literature was performed looking for all human case reports of adults (>18 years old) with hypertriglyceridemia as the mechanism of DIAP. The latest search date was February 28, 2018. Drugs were classified into probability groups based on a classification used by Badalov et al (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007;5:648-661).

RESULTS

The search revealed a total of 76 cases in 59 published reports. A total of 25 medications were found to be implicated in DIAP secondary to hypertriglyceridemia mechanism. Most of acute pancreatitis cases were mild or moderately severe with favorable outcomes. In 3 cases involving tamoxifen, pagaspargase, and quetiapine, patient death was the outcome. Plasmapheresis was only used in 9 cases in an effort to decrease triglyceride levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertriglyceridemia-associated DIAP is a rare phenomenon, and the current systematic review provides a summary of drugs that have been implicated in this phenomenon, which allow physicians to be oriented about this adverse effect when these drugs are used.

Chronic oral rapamycin decreases adiposity, hepatic triglycerides and insulin resistance in male mice fed a diet high in sucrose and saturated fat

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Whether chronic oral rapamycin promotes beneficial effects on glucose/lipid metabolism and energy balance when administered to mice with an obesogenic diet rich in saturated fat and sucrose has not been explored. What is the main finding and its importance? Chronic oral rapamycin reduces body weight and fat gain, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces hepatic steatosis when administered to mice with a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. In addition, we make the new observation that there appear to be tissue-specific effects of rapamycin. Although rapamycin appears to impart its effects mainly on visceral adipose tissue, its effects on insulin sensitivity are mediated by subcutaneous adipose tissue.

ABSTRACT

Excess adiposity is commonly associated with insulin resistance, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the exact molecular mechanisms by which obesity results in insulin resistance are yet to be understood clearly. The intracellular nutrient-sensing protein, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), is a crucial signalling component in the development of obesity-associated insulin resistance. Given that increased tissue activation of mTOR complex-1 (mTORC1) occurs in obesity, diabetes and ageing, we hypothesized that pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 would improve metabolic dysregulation in diet-induced obesity. We administered continuous rapamycin, a specific mTORC1 inhibitor, orally to C57BL/6J mice concurrently with a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet for 20 weeks. The control group received placebo microcapsules. Rapamycin-treated mice showed significantly reduced weight gain and adiposity (33.6 ± 4.9 versus 40.4 ± 3.0% body fat, P < 0.001, n = 8 mice per group), despite increased or equivalent food intake compared with the placebo group. The rapamycin-fed mice also demonstrated reduced plasma glucose (252 ± 57 versus 297 ± 67 mg dl^-1 , P < 0.001) and improved insulin sensitivity during insulin and glucose tolerance testing. Rapamycin-treated mice also had lower plasma triglycerides (48 ± 13 versus 67 ± 11 mg/dL, P < 0.01) and hepatic triglyceride content (89 ± 15 versus 110 ± 19 mg/g liver, P < 0.05) compared with the placebo group. A moderately low dose of rapamycin decreased adiposity and improved the metabolic profile in a model of diet-induced obesity. These data suggest that low-grade chronic mTORC1 inhibition might be a potential strategy for anti-obesity therapies.

Immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplantation in children and adolescents: systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease is a long-term irreversible decline in kidney function requiring kidney transplantation, haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The preferred option is kidney transplantation followed by induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy to reduce the risk of kidney rejection and prolong graft survival.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review and update the evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of basiliximab (BAS) (Simulect,(®) Novartis Pharmaceuticals) and rabbit antihuman thymocyte immunoglobulin (Thymoglobuline,(®) Sanofi) as induction therapy and immediate-release tacrolimus [Adoport(®) (Sandoz); Capexion(®) (Mylan); Modigraf(®) (Astellas Pharma); Perixis(®) (Accord Healthcare); Prograf(®) (Astellas Pharma); Tacni(®) (Teva); Vivadex(®) (Dexcel Pharma)], prolonged-release tacrolimus (Advagraf,(®) Astellas Pharma); belatacept (BEL) (Nulojix,(®) Bristol-Myers Squibb), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) [Arzip(®) (Zentiva), CellCept(®) (Roche Products), Myfenax(®) (Teva), generic MMF is manufactured by Accord Healthcare, Actavis, Arrow Pharmaceuticals, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Mylan, Sandoz and Wockhardt], mycophenolate sodium, sirolimus (Rapamune,(®) Pfizer) and everolimus (Certican,(®) Novartis Pharmaceuticals) as maintenance therapy in children and adolescents undergoing renal transplantation.

DATA SOURCES

Clinical effectiveness searches were conducted to 7 January 2015 in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (via Wiley Online Library) and Web of Science [via Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)], Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) (The Cochrane Library via Wiley Online Library) and Health Management Information Consortium (via Ovid). Cost-effectiveness searches were conducted to 15 January 2015 using a costs or economic literature search filter in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE (via Ovid), NHS Economic Evaluation Databases (via Wiley Online Library), Web of Science (via ISI), Health Economic Evaluations Database (via Wiley Online Library) and EconLit (via EBSCOhost).

REVIEW METHODS

Titles and abstracts were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria, as were full texts of identified studies. Included studies were extracted and quality appraised. Data were meta-analysed when appropriate. A new discrete time state transition economic model (semi-Markov) was developed; graft function, and incidences of acute rejection and new-onset diabetes mellitus were used to extrapolate graft survival. Recipients were assumed to be in one of three health states: functioning graft, graft loss or death.

RESULTS

Three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and four non-RCTs were included. The RCTs only evaluated BAS and tacrolimus (TAC). No statistically significant differences in key outcomes were found between BAS and placebo/no induction. Statistically significantly higher graft function (p < 0.01) and less biopsy-proven acute rejection (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.57) was found between TAC and ciclosporin (CSA). Only one cost-effectiveness study was identified, which informed NICE guidance TA99. BAS [with TAC and azathioprine (AZA)] was predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) versus no induction (BAS was dominant). BAS (with CSA and MMF) was not predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY versus no induction (BAS was dominated). TAC (with AZA) was predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY versus CSA (TAC was dominant). A model based on adult evidence suggests that at a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000-30,000 per QALY, BAS and TAC are cost-effective in all considered combinations; MMF was also cost-effective with CSA but not TAC.

LIMITATIONS

The RCT evidence is very limited; analyses comparing all interventions need to rely on adult evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

TAC is likely to be cost-effective (vs. CSA, in combination with AZA) at £20,000-30,000 per QALY. Analysis based on one RCT found BAS to be dominant, but analysis based on another RCT found BAS to be dominated. BAS plus TAC and AZA was predicted to be cost-effective at £20,000-30,000 per QALY when all regimens were compared using extrapolated adult evidence. High-quality primary effectiveness research is needed. The UK Renal Registry could form the basis for a prospective primary study.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014013544.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research HTA programme.

Prognostic factors of refractory NSCLC patients receiving anlotinib hydrochloride as the third- or further-line treatment

Objective:

Anlotinib hydrochloride is a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, c-Kit, and c-MET; therefore, it exhibits both antitumor and anti-angiogenetic activities. A phase III trial has shown that anlotinib improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who presented with progressive disease or intolerance after standard chemotherapy. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients receiving anlotinib treatment to determine the dominant populations who are fit for the treatment.

Methods:

Data were collected from March 2015 to January 2017 from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase III trial of anlotinib (ALTER0303). A total of 437 patients were enrolled and randomly allocated (2:1) to the anlotinib and placebo groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were performed to compare PFS and OS. Cox proportional hazards model was adopted for multivariate prognostic analysis.

Results:

Multivariate analysis indicated that high post-therapeutic peripheral blood granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were independent risk factors for PFS. Meanwhile, elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels; hypertension; and hand–foot syndrome were independent protective factors of PFS. High post-therapeutic peripheral blood granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score ≥ 2, and the sum of the maximal target lesion length at baseline were independent risk factors of OS, and hypertriglyceridemia was an independent protective factor of OS.

Conclusions:

This study preliminarily explored the possible factors that affected PFS and OS after anlotinib treatment in patients with advanced refractory NSCLC, and the baseline characteristics of the therapeutically dominant populations were then identified.

Negative Cardiovascular Consequences of Small Molecule Immunosuppressants

Immunosuppressants are critical after transplantation and prescribed as immune-modulators for autoimmune disorders and glomerulonephritides. Immunosuppressants include large (e.g., thymoglobulin, alemtuzumab, and rituximab) and small molecules (e.g., corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors). The majority of the small molecules worsen traditional cardiovascular risks. This review describes cardiovascular risks of small molecule immunosuppressants: corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and cyclosporine), and mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin), by categorizing these risks into two categories: ischemic heart disease and nonischemic cardiac effects.

Blackcurrant anthocyanins stimulated cholesterol transport via post-transcriptional induction of LDL receptor in Caco-2 cells

PURPOSES

We previously showed that polyphenol-rich blackcurrant extract (BCE) showed a hypocholesterolemic effect in mice fed a high fat diet. As direct cholesterol removal from the body via the intestine has been recently appreciated, we investigated the effect of BCE on the modulation of genes involved in intestinal cholesterol transport using Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model.

METHODS

Caco-2 cells were treated with BCE to determine its effects on mRNA and protein expression of genes important for intestinal cholesterol transport, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake, cellular cholesterol content, and cholesterol transport from basolateral to apical membrane of Caco-2 cell monolayers. Cells were also treated with anthocyanin-rich or -poor fraction of BCE to determine the role of anthocyanin on BCE effects.

RESULTS

BCE significantly increased protein levels of LDL receptor (LDLR) without altering its mRNA, which consequently increased LDL uptake into Caco-2 cells. This post-transcriptional induction of LDLR by BCE was markedly attenuated in the presence of rapamycin, an inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). In addition, BCE altered genes involved in cholesterol transport in the enterocytes, including apical and basolateral cholesterol transporters, in such a way that could enhance cholesterol flux from the basolateral to apical side of the enterocytes. Indeed, BCE significantly increased the flux of LDL-derived cholesterol from the basolateral to the apical chamber of Caco-2 monolayer. LDLR protein levels were markedly increased by anthocyanin-rich fraction, but not by anthocyanin-free fraction.

CONCLUSION

mTORC1-dependent post-transcriptional induction of LDLR by BCE anthocyanins drove the transport of LDL-derived cholesterol to the apical side of the enterocytes. This may represent a potential mechanism for the hypocholesterolemic effect of BCE.

Use of Everolimus in Liver Transplantation: Recommendations From a Working Group

Immunosuppression after liver transplantation (LT) is presently based on use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), although they are associated with an increased incidence of renal dysfunction, cardiovascular complications, and de novo and recurrent malignancies. Over the past decade, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have received considerable attention as immunosuppressants because they are associated with a more favorable renal profile versus CNI, as well as antiproliferative activity in clinical studies. Comprehensive guidelines on use of everolimus (EVR) in LT are still lacking. In Italy, a project, named Everolimus: the road to long-term functioning, was initiated to collect the experience on EVR after LT with the aim of providing guidance for transplant clinicians. Herein, recommendations by this national consensus group, based on Delphi methodology, are presented. Consensus was reached on 20 of the 23 statements proposed, and their level of evidence, grade of recommendation, and percent of agreement are reported. Statements are grouped into 4 areas: (A) renal function; (B) time of EVR introduction, CNI reduction and elimination, and risk for graft rejection; (C) antiproliferative effects of EVR; and (D) management of EVR-related adverse events. The high level of consensus shows that there is good agreement on the routine use of EVR in predefined clinical scenarios, especially in light of posttransplant nephrotoxicity and other adverse events associated with long-term administration of CNIs.

The authors summarize the recommendations reached by an Italian National Consensus group using the Delphi methodology on the use of everolimus in liver transplantation, particularly its role in renal function, antiproliferative effects, adverse events, timing of introduction, and rejection risk.

mTORC1 signaling and the metabolic control of cell growth

mTOR [mechanistic target of rapamycin] is a serine/threonine protein kinase that, as part of mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1), acts as an important molecular connection between nutrient signals and the metabolic processes indispensable for cell growth. While there has been pronounced interest in the upstream mechanisms regulating mTORC1, the full range of downstream molecular targets through which mTORC1 signaling stimulates cell growth is only recently emerging. It is now evident that mTORC1 promotes cell growth primarily through the activation of key anabolic processes. Through a diverse set of downstream targets, mTORC1 promotes the biosynthesis of macromolecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleotides to build the biomass underlying cell, tissue, and organismal growth. Here, we focus on the metabolic functions of mTORC1 as they relate to the control of cell growth. As dysregulated mTORC1 underlies a variety of human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders, understanding the metabolic program downstream of mTORC1 provides insights into its role in these pathological states.

A relative quantitative positive/negative ion switching method for untargeted lipidomics via high resolution LC-MS/MS from any biological source

INTRODUCTION

Advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry have created renewed interest for studying global lipid biochemistry in disease and biological systems.

OBJECTIVES

Here, we present an untargeted 30 min. LC-MS/MS platform that utilizes positive/negative polarity switching to perform unbiased data dependent acquisitions (DDA) via higher energy collisional dissociation (HCD) fragmentation to profile more than 1000-1500 lipid ions mainly from methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or chloroform:methanol extractions.

METHODS

The platform uses C18 reversed-phase chromatography coupled to a hybrid QExactive Plus/HF Orbitrap mass spectrometer and the entire procedure takes ~10 h from lipid extraction to identification/quantification for a data set containing 12 samples (~4 h for a single sample). Lipids are identified by both accurate precursor ion mass and fragmentation features and quantified using Lipid-Search and Elements software.

RESULTS

Using this approach, we are able to profile intact lipid ions from up to 18 different main lipid classes and 66 subclasses. We show several studies from different biological sources, including cultured cancer cells, resected tissues from mice such as lung and breast tumors and biological fluids such as plasma and urine.

CONCLUSIONS

Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we showed that TSC2-/- KD significantly abrogates lipid biosynthesis and that rapamycin can rescue triglyceride (TG) lipids and we show that SREBP-/- shuts down lipid biosynthesis significantly via mTORC1 signaling pathways. We show that in mouse EGFR driven lung tumors, a large number of TGs and phosphatidylmethanol (PMe) lipids are elevated while some phospholipids (PLs) show some of the largest decrease in lipid levels from ~ 2000 identified lipid ions. In addition, we identified more than 1500 unique lipid species from human blood plasma.

Complex role of autophagy in regulation of hepatic lipid and lipoprotein metabolism

Discovering new therapeutic interventions to treat lipid and lipoprotein disorders is of great interest and the discovery of autophagy as a regulator of lipid metabolism has opened up new avenues for targeting modulators of this pathway. Autophagy is a degradative process that targets cellular components to the lysosome and recent studies have indicated a role for autophagy in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism (known as lipophagy) as well as lipoprotein assembly. Autophagy directly targets apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB100), the structural protein component of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs), and further targets lipid droplets (LDs), the cellular storage for neutral lipids. Autophagy thus plays a complex and dual role in VLDL particle assembly by regulating apoB100 degradation as well as aiding the maturation of VLDL particles by hydrolyzing lipid from LDs. The purpose of this article is to review our current understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating authophagic control of hepatic lipid biogenesis and VLDL production as well as dysregulation in insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

Post-transplant dyslipidemia: Mechanisms, diagnosis and management

Post-transplant dyslipidemia is highly prevalent and presents unique management challenges to the clinician. The two major outcomes to consider with post-transplant therapies for dyslipidemia are preserving or improving allograft function, and reducing cardiovascular risk. Although there are other cardiovascular risk factors such as graft dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetes, attention to dyslipidemia is warranted because interventions for dyslipidemia have an impact on reducing cardiac events in clinical trials specific to the transplant population. Dyslipidemia is not synonymous with hyperlipidemia. Numerous mechanisms exist for the occurrence of post-transplant dyslipidemia, including those mediated by immunosuppressive drug therapy. Statin therapy has received the most attention in all solid organ transplant recipient populations, although the effect of proper dietary advice and adjuvant pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents should not be dismissed. At all stages of treatment appropriate monitoring strategies for side effects should be implemented so that the benefits from these therapies can be achieved. Clinicians have a choice when there is a conflict between various transplant society and lipid society guidelines for therapy and targets.

New perspectives on mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, rapalogs and TORKinibs) in transplantation

The macrolide rapamycin and its analogues (rapalogs) constitute the first generation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. Since the introduction of rapamycin as an immunosuppressant, there has been extensive progress in understanding its complex mechanisms of action. New insights into the function of mTOR in different immune cell types, vascular endothelial cells and neoplastic cells have opened new opportunities and challenges regarding mTOR as a pharmacological target. Currently, the two known mTOR complexes, mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 and mTORC2, are the subject of intense investigation, and the introduction of second-generation dual mTORC kinase inhibitors (TORKinibs) and gene knockout mice is helping to uncover the distinct roles of these complexes in different cell types. While the pharmacological profiling of rapalogs is advanced, much less is known about the properties of TORKinibs. A potential benefit of mTOR inhibition in transplantation is improved protection against transplant-associated viral infections compared with standard calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression. Preclinical and clinical data also underscore the potentially favourable antitumour effects of mTOR inhibitors in regard to transplant-associated malignancies and as a novel treatment option for various other cancers. Many aspects of the mechanisms of action of mTOR inhibitors and their clinical implications remain unknown. In this brief review we discuss new findings and perspectives of mTOR inhibitors in transplantation.

Pathophysiologic and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease and kidney transplantations

The inextricable link between the heart and the kidneys predestines that significant cardiovascular disease ensues in the face of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a point of fact, the leading cause of mortality of patients on dialysis is still from cardiovascular etiologies, albeit differing in particular types of disease from the general population. For example, sudden cardiac death outnumbers coronary artery disease in patients with ESRD, which is the reverse for the general population. In this review, we will focus on the pathophysiology and treatment options of important traditional and nontraditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease in ESRD patients such as hypertension, anemia, vascular calcification, hyperparathyroidism, uremia, and oxidative stress. The evidence of erythropoietin-stimulating agents, phosphate binders, calcimimetics, and dialysis modalities will be presented. We will then discuss how these risk factors may be changed and perhaps exacerbated after renal transplantation. This is largely due to the immunosuppressive agents that are both crucial yet potentially detrimental in the posttransplant state. Calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids, and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, the mainstay of transplant immunosuppression, are all known to increase the risks of developing new onset diabetes as well as the metabolic syndrome. Thus, we need to carefully negotiate between patients' cardiovascular profile and their risks of rejection. Finally, we end by considering strategies by which we may minimize cardiovascular disease in the transplant population, as this modality still confers the highest chance of survival in patients with ESRD.

Potential therapeutic effects of mTOR inhibition in atherosclerosis

Despite significant improvement in the management of atherosclerosis, this slowly progressing disease continues to affect countless patients around the world. Recently, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been identified as a pre-eminent factor in the development of atherosclerosis. mTOR is a constitutively active kinase found in two different multiprotein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. Pharmacological interventions with a class of macrolide immunosuppressive drugs, called rapalogs, have shown undeniable evidence of the value of mTORC1 inhibition to prevent the development of atherosclerotic plaques in several animal models. Rapalog-eluting stents have also shown extraordinary results in humans, even though the exact mechanism for this anti-atherosclerotic effect remains elusive. Unfortunately, rapalogs are known to trigger diverse undesirable effects owing to mTORC1 resistance or mTORC2 inhibition. These adverse effects include dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, both known triggers of atherosclerosis. Several strategies, such as combination therapy with statins and metformin, have been suggested to oppose rapalog-mediated adverse effects. Statins and metformin are known to inhibit mTORC1 indirectly via 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and may hold the key to exploit the full potential of mTORC1 inhibition in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Intermittent regimens and dose reduction have also been proposed to improve rapalog's mTORC1 selectivity, thereby reducing mTORC2-related side effects.