Rationally designed nanoparticle delivery of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein for effective gene editing

Programmable endonucleases such as CRISPR/Cas9 system emerge as a promising tool to treat genetic and non-genetic diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and cancer. However, the lack of safe and efficient vehicles that enable intracellular delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 endonuclease is a big hurdle for its therapeutic applications. Here, we employed porous nanoparticle for the Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery and achieved efficient knockout of target genes in vitro and in vivo. The porous nanoparticle, called 'BALL', enabled safe and direct intracellular Cas9 RNP delivery by improving bioavailability and serum stability. The BALL-mediated delivery of Cas9 RNP showed superior indel efficiency of about 40% in vitro and 20% in vivo in a model system employing green fluorescent protein (GFP). More importantly, intramuscular injection of the Cas9 RNP-BALL complex targeting the myostatin (MSTN) gene which is known to suppress muscle growth achieved successful knockout of the MSTN gene, resulting in the increase of muscle and the improved motor functions. Thus, we believe that the BALL is a promising delivery system for CRISPR-based genome editing technology, which can be applied to the treatment of various genetic diseases.

Graphene oxide-based fluorescent biosensors and their biomedical applications in diagnosis and drug discovery

Graphene oxide (GO), an oxidized derivative of graphene, has received much attention for developing novel fluorescent bioanalytic platforms due to its remarkable optical properties and biocompatibility. The reliable performance and robustness of GO-based biosensors have enabled various applications in the biomedical field including diagnosis and drug discovery. Here, recent advances in the development of GO-based fluorescent biosensors are overviewed, particularly nucleic acid detection and enzyme activity assay. In addition, practical applications in biomarker detection and high-throughput screening are also examined. Lastly, basic design principles and remaining challenges of these types of biosensors are discussed for further progress.

A fluorescent nanobiosensor for the facile analysis of m6A RNA demethylase activity

RNA demethylase has recently been known to be associated with cancer development but its selective inhibitors as anti-cancer agents have rarely been investigated to date. Herein, we have developed a fluorescent nanobiosensor which enables efficient quantitative analysis of RNA demethylase ALKBH5 activity and shows a high potential for robust inhibitor screening.

Dual-Wavelength Irradiation and Dox Delivery for -Cancer Cell Ablation with Photocatalytic Pr Doped TiO2 /NGO -Hybrid Nanocomposite

Herein, hybrid nanocomposite of praseodymium doped TiO2 nanocrystals and graphene oxide nanosheets are prepared by facile hydrothermal treatment. As-synthesized Pr-TiO2 /NGO hybrid nanocomposite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation by the intact graphene oxide and doped lanthanide mediated band gap narrowing compared to TiO2 . Moreover, high payload and controlled release of doxorubicin by charge reversal of hybrid nanocomposite at endosomal pH and near-infrared irradiation mediated efficient photothermal conversion provide highly favorable features in therapeutic applications. Through the combination of these three distinctive therapeutic modalities, highly efficient trimodal cancer cell ablation is demonstrated.

Treatment patterns and health care resource utilization of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who received bevacizumab or cetuximab in second-line regimen

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Background: Targeted therapies such as bevacizumab (BV) and cetuximab (CX) are important treatment options in mCRC. Real-world treatment patterns and resource utilization of mCRC patients (Pts) receiving BV and CX in second-line (2L) treatment are not well studied.

Methods: Pts with mCRC were identified from the PharMetrics pharmacy and medical insurance claims database (2002-2009). Included Pts received BV or CX in 2L therapy. 2L was defined as change in therapy from first-line (1L) at least 4 weeks after 1L initiation. Healthcare resource utilization and costs were evaluated during the 6 months following 2L start.

Results: A total of 2,188 Pts were included in the analysis, including 1,808 2L BV Pts and 380 2L CX Pts. Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Pts' mean age was 61 years and 56% were male. Among all study Pts, 34.1% and 2.7% received BV and CX in 1L, respectively. 60.1% of Pts received oxaliplatin-based regimens in 1L. In 2L, irinotecan and oxaliplatin containing regimens were most commonly used. During the 6 months period following 2L therapy start, BV vs. CX Pts incurred significantly lower risk-adjusted total costs (difference: -$10,231, p=0.020) and inpatient costs ($-3,681, p<0.001). Mean targeted therapy cost was significantly higher for CX ($33,425) than BV ($23,622) (-$10,260, p<0.001). BV Pts incurred significantly less inpatient visits (0.5 vs. 0.7, p<0.001) compared to CX Pts and shorter duration of total hospital stay (3.6 vs. 5.6 days, p=0.007).

Conclusions: In 2L treatment of mCRC Pts in the real world setting, BV was most used with oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based regimens, whereas CX was commonly used with irinotecan-based regimens. Overall, less healthcare resource utilization and costs were observed in patients treated with 2L BV compared to 2L CX. Use of BV in 2L treatment of mCRC was associated with lower number of claims for targeted agents, lower healthcare costs and fewer hospitalizations than CX.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Patient (Pt)-reported symptoms of chemotherapy (chemo) and VEGFR/EGFR antibody therapies for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) in a U.S. community-based oncology practice network

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Background: Targeted therapies for MCRC have increased treatment (Tx) options in multiple therapy lines. Symptoms associated with MCRC Tx have not been well studied from the Pt perspective. Objective: To characterize symptoms reported by MCRC Pts treated with chemotherapy and/or targeted drugs at a large US oncology network.

Methods: Pt reported symptom data were linked to electronic medical records and Pt charts from Georgia Cancer Specialists in Southeast US. MCRC Pts aged ≥18 years with ≥1 administration of chemo or targeted therapy between 1/2007-3/2009 were included. Pt reports captured 13 symptoms, onset, and severity. Due to small sample sizes, no statistical comparisons were conducted.

Results: 332 MCRC Pts were included (median age 62 years, 47% male, median weight 74 kg, 48% ECOG PS 0 or 1). Amongst Pts receiving 1L Tx (n=299), 78% received bevacizumab (BV) +/- chemo, 4% cetuximab (CX) +/- chemo, 15% chemo only, and 2% other. 162 Pts received 2L Tx: 49% BV +/- chemo, 17% chemo only, 28% CX +/- chemo, and 6% other. The 5 most common symptoms in 1L Tx for all severity ratings were 36% fatigue, 20% nausea, 17% weight (wt) loss, 15% diarrhea, and 9% constipation. The 5 most common symptoms in all 2L Tx groups were 44% fatigue, 27% nausea, 19% diarrhea, 16% wt loss, and 11% abdomen pain. 2L moderate, severe, or disabling symptoms reported in >10% Pts receiving BV +/- chemo, CX +/- chemo, and chemo only Tx are shown in the table.

Conclusions: The most commonly reported symptoms by 1L and 2L MCRC Pts were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss. Overall, a numerically higher % of 2L Pts treated with CX +/- chemo reported moderate, severe, and disabling symptoms than Pts receiving BV +/- chemo and chemo alone. Rash was not observed in the BV +/- chemo group. Further research of MCRC Pt reported symptoms in a larger sample size are warranted.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Patterns of care and survival trends in elderly metastatic colorectal cancer patients: A SEER-Medicare analysis

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Background: Over the last decade, the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has changed dramatically as new drugs and hepatic resection have been incorporated into practice. The goal of this study is to examine treatment patterns and survival trends for older patients (pts) with mCRC.

Methods: Pts ≥ age 65 with mCRC diagnosed (dx) 2001-2005 were identified from the SEER-Medicare database. Pts were excluded for lack of Medicare parts A and B in the year prior to dx, second malignancy, or non- adenocarcinoma histology. First-line (1L) chemotherapy (CTx) use was identified by claims within 3 months of dx. Metastatectomy was identified by various claims for liver resection. Comorbidity was assessed by Klabunde index. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the effect of demographic and treatment factors on survival.

Results: A total of 5,725 pts (median age 77) met inclusion criteria. 274 pts (5%) underwent hepatic resection and 2,647 (46%) received CTx. From 2001-2003, 43% of pts received 1L CTx (34% and 1% with regimens containing irinotecan (Iri) and oxaliplatin (Ox) and 49% with 5-FU/cap alone). From 2004-2005, 51% of pts received 1L CTx (25%, 14%, and 37% with regimens containing bevacizumab (Bv), Iri, and Ox and 40% with 5-FU/cap alone). In the multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, survival was significantly improved in pts receiving CTx or hepatic resection and in pts dx 2004-2005 (Table).

Conclusions: In an older mCRC population, hepatic resection, CTx use, and mCRC dx in 2004-2005 are associated with improved survival. Improved survival of pts dx in 2004-2005 coincides with the 2004 approval dates and uptake of Bv and Ox, and may be associated with the use of these therapies. Further analysis will examine the associations between specific Ctx regimens, Bv, and survival and will include pts dx through 2007.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

The Effect of Disease Progression on Patient Reported Outcomes in HER-2 Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Patients with HER-2 neg metastatic breast cancer (MBC) often experience a wide range of cancer related symptoms, which may impact their quality of life (QoL). We conducted a retrospective analysis to characterize the differences between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of MBC patients prior to progression of disease (PD) and following PD, and examined the effect of metastases in bone, lung, liver, peritoneum and central nervous system (CNS) on PROs.Methods: 102 HER-2 neg MBC patients were enrolled from 7 community oncology practices within the U.S. The source data comprised data abstracted from medical records and PROs from the 38-item Patient Care Monitor (PCM). The PCM consists of 6 indices including impaired ambulation, impaired performance, general physical symptoms, treatment-related side effects, despair and depression, and acute distress. Linear mixed-effect models were used to analyze change in PCM index scores over time, controlling for individual, disease, and treatment characteristics. Minimum important difference for PCM index scores was estimated to be 1.5 to 3 points (Ringash 2000).Results: The sample (n=102) consists of 72% Caucasian, 25% African American, 3% other race patients, with mean age of 57 years. The ECOG performance status (PS) was unknown in 58% of the cases. Among those with known PS, 79% had a status of 0 or 1. Most patients (87%) had previous surgery, and 62% had received adjuvant chemotherapy. The mean time from metastatic diagnosis to first PD was 14 months. The predominant sites of metastasis were bone (66%), lung (35%), and liver (33%). First line treatment was hormone therapy only for 29%, no treatment recorded for 4%, taxane based for 42%, and non-taxane based for 25%. Linear mixed-effect model results showed modest but statistically significant (p&lt;0.005) worsening for General Physical Symptoms (2.4 points), Acute Distress (2.3 points), and Impaired Performance (1.7 points) scores following PD. The effect of PD was non significant for other index scores. Changes in symptoms severity following PD varied depending on metastasis location, being on chemotherapy, and ECOG status at baseline. There were marked detrimental effects of liver metastasis on Treatment related Side Effects, and of brain metastasis on Acute Distress. The most consistent effect on PROs was associated with PS. Patients with PS of 2 – 4 had worse scores in all areas except Acute Distress and Treatment Side effects.Conclusions: PD was associated with modest but significant worsening of general physical symptoms, acute distress, and impaired performance scores. Patients with poor ECOG PS at baseline were most affected. These findings suggest that delaying disease progression may have a positive impact on patients' QoL.Reference: Ringash J et al. Minimal important difference for quality of life measures is about five to ten percent of the instrument range. Presented at Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol. May 20-23, 2000. New Orleans, LA.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5050.

Patient out-of-pocket payments for oral oncologic therapies: Updated results from a U.S. claims data analysis

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Background: Oral oncologic therapies are increasingly becoming part of treatment options for cancer. These agents often fall within the pharmacy benefit, with the potential for increased out-of-pocket (OOP) cost burden to patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate patient OOP payments for oral oncologic therapies in U.S. managed care plans. Methods: Patients aged 18+ years with 1 of 13 oral oncologics (bexarotene, capecitabine, dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, imatinib, lapatinib, lenalidomide, sorafenib, sunitinib, temozolomide, thalidomide, vorinostat) were identified in 2007 from a nationally representative database of medical and pharmacy claims from over 90 U.S. health plans. OOP payments were calculated as the allowed amount (dollar amount a health plan allows for a therapy, including any member liability) minus the paid amount (dollar amount paid by a health plan for a therapy). Results: 10,400 patients with evidence of at least 1 of 13 oral oncologic therapies were identified in 2007. The mean age was 59.2 years, 48% were male, and 83% had a commercial payer; 26% of patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, 14% with breast cancer, and 13% with colorectal cancer at the time of the first evidence of therapy use in 2007. Mean and median OOP payments for the 13 oral oncologic therapies are provided in the table below. Medicare Advantage and Medicaid had higher mean OOP payments for most therapies compared to commercial payers and self-insured patients. Conclusions: This study evaluated OOP payments for oral oncologic therapies using current claims data. Among the 13 oral oncologics studied, the average OOP costs ranged from $117 to $1,014. As costs for therapy become a greater part of treatment decisions, an understanding of patient OOP costs will be critical in informing choices.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Development of an integrated laboratory information management system for the maize mapping project

MOTIVATION

The development of an integrated genetic and physical map for the maize genome involves the generation of an enormous amount of data. Managing this data requires a system to aid in genotype scoring for different types of markers coming from both local and remote users. In addition, researchers need an efficient way to interact with genetic mapping software and with data files from automated DNA sequencing. They also need ways to manage primer data for mapping and sequencing and provide views of the integrated physical and genetic map and views of genetic map comparisons.

RESULTS

The MMP-LIMS system has been used successfully in a high-throughput mapping environment. The genotypes from 957 SSR, 1023 RFLP, 189 SNP, and 177 InDel markers have been entered and verified via MMP-LIMS. The system is flexible, and can be easily modified to manage data for other species. The software is freely available.

AVAILABILITY

To receive a copy of the iMap or cMap software, please fill out the form on our website. The other MMP-LIMS software is freely available at http://www.maizemap.org/bioinformatics.htm.

iMap: a database-driven utility to integrate and access the genetic and physical maps of maize

MOTIVATION

Because of the unique biological features, a bioinformatic platform for the integrated genetic and physical map of maize is required for storing, integrating, accessing and visualizing the underlying data.

RESULTS

The goal of the Maize Mapping Project is to develop a fully integrated genetic and physical map for maize. To display this integrated map, we have developed iMap. iMap has three main components: a relational database (iMapDB), a map graphic browser (iMap Viewer) and a search utility (iMap Search). iMapDB is populated with current genetic and physical map data, describing relationships among genetic loci, molecular markers and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs. The database also contains integrated information produced by applying a set of anchoring rules to assign BAC contigs to specific locations on the genetic map. The iMap Viewer and iMap Search functions are combined in the user interface to allow viewing and retrieving many types of genetic and physical map data. The iMap Viewer features side-by-side chromosome-based displays of the genetic map and associated BAC contigs. For each genetic locus, information about marker type or contig can be viewed via pop-up windows that feature links to external data resources. Searches can be conducted for genetic locus, probe or sequence accession number; search results include relevant map positions, anchored BAC contigs and links to the graphical display of relevant chromosomes. iMap can be accessed at http://www.maizemap.org

AVAILABILITY

The iMap utility package is available for non-commercial use upon request from the authors.