gdc-0449 and Neoplasm-Metastasis

Cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of human tumor, and its incidence rate is increasing worldwide. Up until a few years ago, therapeutic options have been limited for patients with advanced BCC (including metastatic and locally-advanced BCC). Over the last few years, promising systemic therapies have been investigated for the treatment of advanced BCC. In particular, the Hedgehog signaling inhibition has shown remarkable results for this population. Hedgehog inhibitors, represented by vismodegib and sonidegib, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of both locally advanced and metastatic BCC, with, generally, a good safety profile. Notwithstanding the late onset of BCC in the global population, associated with life expectancy increase, only a few clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety profile of Hedgehog inhibitors in this complex and neglected population. Herein, we review the major mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of BCC focusing on the Hedgehog signaling pathway and its therapeutic role in the elderly population. Finally, we report two case reports of BCC elderly patients in order to demonstrate both efficacy and safety of the Hedgehog inhibitors.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Female; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Proteins; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Skin Neoplasms

Topics: Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Asthenia; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Disease Progression; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pyridines; Skin Neoplasms; Weight Loss

The most common cancer in both men and women is basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Although most primary and recurrent BCCs have high cure rates with standard therapies, advanced BCCs present a greater treatment challenge, especially in cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas. In patients unable to undergo surgery or radiation therapy, hedgehog inhibitors can be used neoadjuvantly to reduce tumor size, decreasing the extent and complexity of any subsequent surgery and providing either a cure or palliation. The goal of this review is to summarize the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of systemic hedgehog inhibitors, as well as their role in daily practice as neoadjuvant therapy. Relevant English-language literature was identified and evaluated based on results from database searches of PubMed. Terms searched included, but were not limited to, "vismodegib," "Erivedge," "sonidegib," "DE225," "BCC," and "neoadjuvant treatment." Additional literature was identified from the reference lists of previously identified articles. The authors' personal experience in treating advanced BCC using hedgehog inhibitors has been incorporated into the recommendations made herein.

Topics: Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biphenyl Compounds; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Standard of Care; Treatment Outcome

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common malignancy in humans, with a basal/squamous cell carcinoma incidence ratio of 4:1 in immunocompetent patients. Basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes but commonly causes significant local tissue destruction and disfigurement, whereas squamous cell carcinoma is associated with a substantial risk of recurrence and metastasis; the prognosis in metastatic patients is poor. Surgical approaches give a cure rate greater than 90% if appropriately applied, on the basis of the characteristics of the primary tumors and of the patients, but in selected cases, medical treatment (5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac and, more recently, ingenol mebutate) is preferable to invasive procedures and provides a good chance of cure, with generally excellent cosmetic outcomes. In case of advanced and metastatic non-melanoma skin cancer, newly developed molecularly targeted therapy represents a reasonably promising alternative to classical cytostatics. In particular, the monoclonal antibody cetuximab, directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor, is effective and well-tolerated in squamous cell carcinoma patients. Moreover, the recent identification of mutations in the Hedgehog signaling pathway in basal cell carcinoma lead to the development of the smoothened Hedgehog pathway inhibitor vismodegib, that was recently approved for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma. In this review we provide an overview of the molecular pathways involved in NMSC pathogenesis, focusing on the mechanisms of action, indications, efficacy, side effects and contraindications of new medical treatments that specifically tackle molecular targets of these pathways.

Topics: Anilides; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cetuximab; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Prognosis; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Skin Neoplasms

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human malignancy. Treatment options for the minority of patients presenting with locally advanced inoperable or metastatic BCC are very limited. The hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of BCC. Recent advances in targeting this pathway have led to the development of a first-in-class, small-molecule oral Hh inhibitor, vismodegib (Erivedge®, Genentech).. In this article, we review vismodegib with regard to its mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability, and we consider the causes of emerging resistance to the drug.. Vismodegib is a welcome addition to the treatment paradigm for BCC. Approval was based on Phase II evidence, the patient number was relatively small, there was no control group or a comparator group and survival data have not been presented so longer term follow-up and larger exposure to the drug is required to fully appreciate its clinical utility into the future. With ongoing use of the drug in the nontrial population and further studies investigating its use in both early- and later-stage disease, we will get a better understanding of the drug and determine its place in the armamentarium against BCC.

Topics: Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Drug Approval; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pyridines; Skin Neoplasms

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common cancer in the United States, and the overwhelming majority of BCCs are the result of hedgehog pathway activation. While locally advanced and metastatic BCC are rare, currently available treatments remain limited and are often unsuccessful. Vismodegib inhibits a key regulatory protein in the hedgehog pathway and was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2012. This orally-administered medication offers a novel approach for treating locally advanced and metastatic BCC. The following review will address vismodegib's mechanism of action, published clinical trial data, and the questions that still remain unanswered about this new medication.

Topics: Anilides; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Drug Approval; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Skin Neoplasms; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

The need for effective treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC), in conjunction with major advances in the elucidation of the molecular basis of this tumor has led to the advent of new targeted therapies - namely, hedgehog inhibitors. The rationale for their use in patients with advanced BCC is based on their inhibitory effect on the hedgehog pathway, which is aberrantly activated in BCCs due to mutations of its primary components, PTCH1 and SMO genes. Vismodegib (GDC-0449) is an orally bioavailable hedgehog pathway inhibitor that selectively inhibits SMO. The ERIVANCE BCC study is a Phase II, international, multicenter clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of vismodegib 150 mg once daily in patients with locally advanced or metastatic BCC. Vismodegib has been approved for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic BCC, or with locally advanced BCC that has recurred following surgery or who are not candidates for surgery or radiation therapy. This article will outline the rationale, design and available results from the ERIVANCE BCC study and discuss the clinical implications of vismodegib in the management of patients with BCC. Challenges regarding vismodegib use include the recurrence of BCC after drug discontinuation, the development of acquired resistance, the dramatic efficacy in patients with Gorlin syndrome, and class-related drug toxicity. Ongoing clinical trials aim to explore the role of vismodegib in the neoadjuvant setting prior to surgery, the potential use of alternate dosing regimens in order to limit chronic adverse events, as well as the identification of patients with BCC that are more likely to respond to this targeted therapy based on genotypic and/or phenotypic characteristics.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Pyridines; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is a key regulator in tumorigenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and is upregulated in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer stem cells (CSCs). GDC-0449 is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of the HH pathway. This study assessed the effect of GDC-0449-mediated HH inhibition in paired biopsies, followed by combined treatment with gemcitabine, in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.. Twenty-five patients were enrolled of which 23 underwent core biopsies at baseline and following 3 weeks of GDC-0449. On day 29, 23 patients started weekly gemcitabine while continuing GDC-0449. We evaluated GLI1 and PTCH1 inhibition, change in CSCs, Ki-67, fibrosis, and assessed tumor response, survival and toxicity.. On pretreatment biopsy, 75% of patients had elevated sonic hedgehog (SHH) expression. On posttreatment biopsy, GLI1 and PTCH1 decreased in 95.6% and 82.6% of 23 patients, fibrosis decreased in 45.4% of 22, and Ki-67 in 52.9% of 17 evaluable patients. No significant changes were detected in CSCs pre- and postbiopsy. The median progression-free and overall survival for all treated patients were 2.8 and 5.3 months. The response and disease control rate was 21.7% and 65.2%. No significant correlation was noted between CSCs, fibrosis, SHH, Ki-67, GLI1, PTCH1 (baseline values or relative change on posttreatment biopsy), and survival. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events were noted in 56% of patients.. We show that GDC-0449 for 3 weeks leads to downmodulation of GLI1 and PTCH1, without significant changes in CSCs compared with baseline. GDC-0449 and gemcitabine were not superior to gemcitabine alone in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Deoxycytidine; Female; Gemcitabine; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Treatment Outcome

Vismodegib, a first-in-class oral hedgehog pathway inhibitor, is an effective treatment for advanced basal cell carcinoma. Based on in vitro data, a clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) assessment of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 was necessary; vismodegib's teratogenic potential warranted a DDI study with oral contraceptives (OCs).. This single-arm, open-label study included two cohorts of patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid malignancies [Cohort 1: rosiglitazone 4 mg (selective CYP2C8 probe); Cohort 2: OC (norethindrone 1 mg/ethinyl estradiol 35 μg; CYP3A4 substrate)]. On Day 1, patients received rosiglitazone or OC. On Days 2-7, patients received vismodegib 150 mg/day. On Day 8, patients received vismodegib plus rosiglitazone or OC. The effect of vismodegib on rosiglitazone and OC pharmacokinetic parameters (primary objective) was evaluated through pharmacokinetic sampling over a 24-h period (Days 1 and 8).. The mean ± SD vismodegib steady-state plasma concentration (Day 8, N = 51) was 20.6 ± 9.72 μM (range 7.93-62.4 μM). Rosiglitazone AUC(0-inf) and C(max) were similar with concomitant vismodegib [≤8% change in geometric mean ratios (GMRs); N = 24]. Concomitant vismodegib with OC did not affect ethinyl estradiol AUC(0-inf) and C(max) (≤5% change in GMRs; N = 27); norethindrone C(max) and AUC(0-inf) GMRs were higher (12 and 23%, respectively) with concomitant vismodegib.. This DDI study in patients with cancer demonstrated that systemic exposure of rosiglitazone (a CYP2C8 substrate) or OC (ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone) is not altered with concomitant vismodegib. Overall, there appears to be a low potential for DDIs when vismodegib is co-administered with other medications.

Topics: Aged; Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Area Under Curve; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Cohort Studies; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; Drug Interactions; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Norethindrone; Pyridines; Rosiglitazone; Thiazolidinediones

Vismodegib, a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, has preclinical activity in colorectal cancer (CRC) models. This trial assessed the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of adding vismodegib to first-line treatment for metastatic CRC (mCRC).. Patients were randomized to receive vismodegib (150 mg/day orally) or placebo, in combination with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) every 2 weeks until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Key secondary objectives included evaluation of predictive biomarkers and pharmacokinetic drug interactions.. A total of 199 patients with mCRC were treated on protocol (124 FOLFOX, 75 FOLFIRI). The median PFS hazard ratio (HR) for vismodegib treatment compared with placebo was 1.25 (90% CI: 0.89-1.76; P = 0.28). The overall response rates for placebo-treated and vismodegib-treated patients were 51% (90% CI: 43-60) and 46% (90% CI: 37-55), respectively. No vismodegib-associated benefit was observed in combination with either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI. Increased tumor tissue Hedgehog expression did not predict clinical benefit. Grade 3 to 5 adverse events reported for more than 5% of patients that occurred more frequently in the vismodegib-treated group were fatigue, nausea, asthenia, mucositis, peripheral sensory neuropathy, weight loss, decreased appetite, and dehydration. Vismodegib did not alter the pharmacokinetics of FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, or bevacizumab.. Vismodegib does not add to the efficacy of standard therapy for mCRC. Compared with placebo, treatment intensity was lower for all regimen components in vismodegib-treated patients, suggesting that combined toxicity may have contributed to lack of efficacy.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Camptothecin; Colorectal Neoplasms; Female; Fluorouracil; Humans; Leucovorin; Male; Maximum Tolerated Dose; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organoplatinum Compounds; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Pyridines; ras Proteins; Treatment Outcome

Alterations in hedgehog signaling are implicated in the pathogenesis of basal-cell carcinoma. Although most basal-cell carcinomas are treated surgically, no effective therapy exists for locally advanced or metastatic basal-cell carcinoma. A phase 1 study of vismodegib (GDC-0449), a first-in-class, small-molecule inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway, showed a 58% response rate among patients with advanced basal-cell carcinoma.. In this multicenter, international, two-cohort, nonrandomized study, we enrolled patients with metastatic basal-cell carcinoma and those with locally advanced basal-cell carcinoma who had inoperable disease or for whom surgery was inappropriate (because of multiple recurrences and a low likelihood of surgical cure, or substantial anticipated disfigurement). All patients received 150 mg of oral vismodegib daily. The primary end point was the independently assessed objective response rate; the primary hypotheses were that the response rate would be greater than 20% for patients with locally advanced basal-cell carcinoma and greater than 10% for those with metastatic basal-cell carcinoma.. In 33 patients with metastatic basal-cell carcinoma, the independently assessed response rate was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16 to 48; P=0.001). In 63 patients with locally advanced basal-cell carcinoma, the independently assessed response rate was 43% (95% CI, 31 to 56; P<0.001), with complete responses in 13 patients (21%). The median duration of response was 7.6 months in both cohorts. Adverse events occurring in more than 30% of patients were muscle spasms, alopecia, dysgeusia (taste disturbance), weight loss, and fatigue. Serious adverse events were reported in 25% of patients; seven deaths due to adverse events were noted.. Vismodegib is associated with tumor responses in patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal-cell carcinoma. (Funded by Genentech; Erivance BCC ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00833417.).

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Female; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome

Vismodegib (GDC-0449), an orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of Hedgehog signaling, was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma that is either metastatic or locally advanced in patients who are not candidates for surgical resection or radiation. Given the absence of previously defined effective drug therapy for this disease, approval was granted primarily on the basis of outcome of a nonrandomized parallel cohort phase II study of 99 patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, with a primary endpoint of objective response rate. Response rates of 30.3% and 42.9% were observed in metastatic and locally advanced cohorts in this study, respectively, associated with median progression-free survival in both cohorts of 9.5 months. Ongoing clinical investigations include evaluation of the potential efficacy of vismodegib in a variety of diseases and in combination with other agents. The mechanism of action, preclinical and clinical data, and potential utility in other disease contexts are reviewed here.

Topics: Anilides; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Disease-Free Survival; Drug Approval; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Patched Receptors; Pyridines; Receptors, Cell Surface; Signal Transduction; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration

In a phase I trial for patients with refractory solid tumors, hedgehog pathway inhibitor vismodegib (GDC-0449) showed little decline in plasma concentrations over 7 days after a single oral dose and nonlinearity with respect to dose and time after single and multiple dosing. We studied the role of GDC-0449 binding to plasma protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) to better understand these unusual pharmacokinetics.. Sixty-eight patients received GDC-0449 at 150 (n = 41), 270 (n = 23), or 540 (n = 4) mg/d, with pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling at multiple time points. Total and unbound (dialyzed) GDC-0449 plasma concentrations were assessed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, binding kinetics by surface plasmon resonance-based microsensor, and AAG levels by ELISA.. A linear relationship between total GDC-0449 and AAG plasma concentrations was observed across dose groups (R(2) = 0.73). In several patients, GDC-0449 levels varied with fluctuations in AAG levels over time. Steady-state, unbound GDC-0449 levels were less than 1% of total, independent of dose or total plasma concentration. In vitro, GDC-0449 binds AAG strongly and reversibly (K(D) = 13 μmol/L) and human serum albumin less strongly (K(D) = 120 μmol/L). Simulations from a derived mechanistic PK model suggest that GDC-0449 pharmacokinetics are mediated by AAG binding, solubility-limited absorption, and slow metabolic elimination.. GDC-0449 levels strongly correlated with AAG levels, showing parallel fluctuations of AAG and total drug over time and consistently low, unbound drug levels, different from previously reported AAG-binding drugs. This PK profile is due to high-affinity, reversible binding to AAG and binding to albumin, in addition to solubility-limited absorption and slow metabolic elimination properties.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Binding, Competitive; Biological Availability; Chromatography, Liquid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Male; Metabolic Clearance Rate; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Orosomucoid; Protein Binding; Pyridines; Serum Albumin; Signal Transduction; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, a key regulator of cell growth and differentiation during development is implicated in pathogenesis of certain cancers. Vismodegib (GDC-0449) is a small-molecule inhibitor of smoothened, a key component of Hh signaling. This phase I trial assessed GDC-0449 treatment in patients with solid tumors refractory to current therapies or for which no standard therapy existed.. Sixty-eight patients received GDC-0449 at 150 mg/d (n = 41), 270 mg/d (n = 23), or 540 mg/d (n = 4). Adverse events, tumor responses, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic down-modulation of GLI1 expression in noninvolved skin were assessed.. Thirty-three of 68 patients had advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 8 had pancreatic cancer, 1 had medulloblastoma; 17 other types of cancer were also represented. GDC-0449 was generally well-tolerated. Six patients (8.8%) experienced 7 grade 4 events (hyponatremia, fatigue, pyelonephritis, presyncope, resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and paranoia with hyperglycemia), and 27.9% of patients experienced a grade 3 event [most commonly hyponatremia (10.3%), abdominal pain (7.4%), and fatigue (5.9%)]. No maximum tolerated dose was reached. The recommended phase II dose was 150 mg/d, based on achievement of maximal plasma concentration and pharmacodynamic response at this dose. Tumor responses were observed in 20 patients (19 with BCC and 1 unconfirmed response in medulloblastoma), 14 patients had stable disease as best response, and 28 had progressive disease. Evidence of GLI1 down-modulation was observed in noninvolved skin.. GDC-0449 has an acceptable safety profile and encouraging anti-tumor activity in advanced BCC and medulloblastoma. Further study in these and other cancer types is warranted.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anilides; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Fatigue; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Hyponatremia; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms; Pyridines; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors; Treatment Outcome; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

Preclinical data indicated a functional and molecular interaction between Hedgehog (HH)/GLI and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways promoting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A phase I study was conducted of Vismodegib and Sirolimus combination to evaluate maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and preliminary anti-tumor efficacy.. Cohort I included advanced solid tumors patients following a traditional 3 + 3 design. Vismodegib was orally administered at 150 mg daily with Sirolimus starting at 3 mg daily, increasing to 6 mg daily at dose level 2. Cohort II included only metastatic PDAC patients. Anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated every two cycles and target assessment at pre-treatment and after a single cycle.. Nine patient were enrolled in cohort I and 22 patients in cohort II. Twenty-eight patients were evaluated for dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). One DLT was observed in each cohort, consisting of grade 2 mucositis and grade 3 thrombocytopenia. The MTD for Vismodegib and Sirolimus were 150 mg daily and 6 mg daily, respectively. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were fatigue, thrombocytopenia, dehydration, and infections. A total of 6 patients had stable disease. No partial or complete responses were observed. Paired biopsy analysis before and after the first cycle in cohort II consistently demonstrated reduced GLI1 expression. Conversely, GLI and mTOR downstream targets were not significantly affected.. The combination of Vismodegib and Sirolimus was well tolerated. Clinical benefit was limited to stable disease in a subgroup of patients. Targeting efficacy demonstrated consistent partial decreases in HH/GLI signaling with limited impact on mTOR signaling. These findings conflict with pre-clinical models and warrant further investigations.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anilides; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Maximum Tolerated Dose; Middle Aged; Negative Results; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pyridines; RNA, Neoplasm; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Treatment Outcome

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HER2-positive breast cancer are particularly aggressive and associated with unfavorable prognosis. TNBC lacks effective treatments. HER2-positive tumors have treatment options but often acquire resistance to HER2-targeted therapy after initial response. To address these challenges, we determined whether novel combinations of JAK2-STAT3 and SMO-GLI1/tGLI1 inhibitors synergistically target TNBC and HER2 breast cancer since these two pathways are concurrently activated in both tumor types and enriched in metastatic tumors. Herein, we show that novel combinations of JAK2 inhibitors (ruxolitinib and pacritinib) with SMO inhibitors (vismodegib and sonidegib) synergistically inhibited in vitro growth of TNBC and HER2-positive trastuzumab-resistant BT474-TtzmR cells. Synergy was also observed against breast cancer stem cells. To determine if the combination is efficacious in inhibiting metastasis, we treated mice with intracardially inoculated TNBC cells and found the combination to inhibit lung and liver metastases, and prolong host survival without toxicity. The combination inhibited orthotopic growth, VEGF-A expression, and tumor vasculature of both TNBC and HER2-positive trastuzumab-refractory breast cancer. Lung metastasis of orthotopic BT474-TtzmR xenografts was suppressed by the combination. Together, our results indicated that dual targeting of JAK2 and SMO resulted in synergistic suppression of breast cancer growth and metastasis, thereby supporting future clinical testing.

Topics: Alternative Splicing; Anilides; Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biphenyl Compounds; Bridged-Ring Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Drug Synergism; Female; Humans; Janus Kinase 2; Mice; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Nitriles; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Pyrimidines; Receptor, ErbB-2; Signal Transduction; Smoothened Receptor; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Trastuzumab; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

Some patients with metastatic medulloblastoma can be successfully treated with targeted therapy. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman who was diagnosed with sonic hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma. She was treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. She then developed bone pain. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan confirmed widespread bone metastases from her medulloblastoma. She was started on vismodegib, an oral smoothened inhibitor that targets her tumour type. Her bone pain resolved. A repeat PET scan showed resolution of almost all metastases. Fourteen months after starting vismodegib, her disease recurred and she was transitioned to temozolomide chemotherapy. We document an important case of prolonged response to vismodegib in a patient with systemic SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma metastases.

Topics: Adult; Anilides; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Cerebellum; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medulloblastoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Pyridines; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Although most children with medulloblastoma are cured of their disease, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subgroup medulloblastoma driven by. The ability of this CK1α activator to block SHH signaling was determined. SSTC3 inhibited SHH activity. Using a newly described small-molecule, SSTC3, we show that CK1a activators could address a significant unmet clinical need for patients with SMO inhibitor-resistant medulloblastoma, including those harboring mutations in TRP53.

Topics: Anilides; Animals; Benzoates; Brain; Casein Kinase Ialpha; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Heterografts; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Mice; N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Smoothened Receptor; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

Vismodegib (Erivedge, Genentech-Roche) is the first in class of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors approved for treatment of metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC), or locally advanced BCC that has recurred after surgery or is not amenable to surgery or radiation. Its path to discovery has been unique and traces its origin to corn lilies, sheep, Drosophila flies, and the Hedgehog signaling pathway. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(5):506-508.

Topics: Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pyridines; Skin Neoplasms; United States

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common skin cancer and its incidence is on the rise worldwide. Clinical presentation and histologic examination are used for diagnosis and to stratify BCCs as either low- or high-risk for recurrence or development of advanced disease. A number of surgical and nonsurgical options are available for BCC. BCC is most often managed with a surgical approach, but not all tumors and patients are suitable for surgery. Vismodegib is a recently approved first-in-class hedgehog pathway inhibitor that has expanded options for patients who have locally advanced or metastatic BCC.

Topics: Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Drug Approval; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pyridines; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms

Vismodegib is the first Hedgehog pathway inhibitor to be approved in the USA, where it is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC), or with locally advanced BCC that has recurred following surgery or who are not candidates for surgery, and who are not candidates for radiation. In an ongoing, noncomparative, phase II trial, oral vismodegib was effective in and had an acceptable tolerability profile in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic BCC.

Topics: Adult; Anilides; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Drug Approval; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pyridines; Skin Neoplasms

Aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) pathway signaling has been suggested to play a role in the development of multiple solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. GDC-0449 is a novel first-in-human, first-in-class smoothened (SMO) inhibitor, which has completed its phase I evaluation and achieved proof of concept in tumors with Hh pathway mutations.

Topics: Anilides; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Metabolic Clearance Rate; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Orosomucoid; Protein Binding; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors; Treatment Outcome; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is inappropriately activated in certain human cancers, including medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. GDC-0449, a drug that inhibits Hh signaling by targeting the serpentine receptor Smoothened (SMO), has produced promising anti-tumor responses in early clinical studies of cancers driven by mutations in this pathway. To evaluate the mechanism of resistance in a medulloblastoma patient who had relapsed after an initial response to GDC-0449, we determined the mutational status of Hh signaling genes in the tumor after disease progression. We identified an amino acid substitution at a conserved aspartic acid residue of SMO that had no effect on Hh signaling but disrupted the ability of GDC-0449 to bind SMO and suppress this pathway. A mutation altering the same amino acid also arose in a GDC-0449-resistant mouse model of medulloblastoma. These findings show that acquired mutations in a serpentine receptor with features of a G protein-coupled receptor can serve as a mechanism of drug resistance in human cancer.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Amino Acid Substitution; Anilides; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Cinnamates; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutant Proteins; Mutation, Missense; Neoplasm Metastasis; Patched Receptors; Protein Conformation; Pyridines; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction; Smoothened Receptor; Veratrum Alkaloids