pyrimidinones and Neoplasm-Metastasis

Present highlights from recent research examining the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.. Although debate remains about the optimal sequencing of docetaxel and novel androgen directed therapies in addition to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the treatment of men with new metastatic prostate cancer, the novel LHRH antagonist relugolix seems poised to become an appealing option in a choice of initial ADT. Novel radioisotopes, genomically selected therapies, and immune therapy combinations show progress in opening up new treatment options for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer.. Although no clear consensus has emerged, evolving data continue to refine the selection of systemic therapies in treatment naïve metastatic prostate cancer. With potentially less cardiotoxic androgen deprivation therapies, novel radioisotopes, targeted pharmaceuticals, and immune therapy combinations, progress appears to be on the horizon in improving outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Phenylurea Compounds; Prostatic Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Pyrimidinones; Radiopharmaceuticals; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a complex and potentially lethal complication of malignancy, in which the fundamental abnormality is excessive activation of the coagulation system. It is a rare complication of melanoma which can be difficult to diagnose in some circumstances, leading to delay in treatment. Herein, we describe the first case of disseminated intravascular coagulation occurring in BRAF and NRAS-mutant metastatic melanoma, and systematically review the literature regarding disseminated intravascular coagulation in melanoma. This review summarizes the reported cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation in melanoma and those secondary to the novel treatment of melanoma, and explores the pathophysiology of disseminated intravascular coagulation in melanoma, highlighting the key role of expression of markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in disseminated intravascular coagulation, as well as more widely in melanoma. Current limitations in the literature are also identified and discussed, particularly with respect to improving the management of this lethal complication. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a rare complication of melanoma that typically portends poor prognosis.

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Blood Coagulation; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Female; Fibrinolysis; GTP Phosphohydrolases; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Membrane Proteins; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome

BRAF and NRAS mutations can exert an oncogenic effect and are a target for novel therapeutic strategies. Selective MEK inhibitors inhibit growth and induce cell death in BRAF and NRAS mutated melanoma cell lines. The first MEK inhibitor (trametinib) has recently been approved for the treatment of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma not previously treated with BRAF inhibitors and several more are in clinical development.. MEK inhibition is associated with improved response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival in patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma. Less clinical benefit has been observed in patients previously treated with a BRAF inhibitor compared with BRAF-inhibitor-naïve patients. Data also suggest clinical activity in patients with NRAS-mutated melanoma. Combination therapy with a BRAF inhibitor may improve the efficacy and reduce BRAF-inhibition-associated side effects.. MEK inhibitors represent a new treatment option in BRAF and NRAS mutated melanoma. As monotherapy, MEK inhibitors appear to provide minimal benefit in patients previously treated with a BRAF inhibitor, so they should be reserved for BRAF-inhibitor-naïve patients. Combined BRAF and MEK inhibition seems to provide a greater benefit than BRAF inhibitor monotherapy. MEK inhibition has also shown efficacy in NRAS-mutated patients, for whom there is no specific targeted therapy.

Topics: GTP Phosphohydrolases; Humans; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Melanoma; Membrane Proteins; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Treatment Outcome

V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitors are emerging as the standard of care for treating advanced melanomas harboring the BRAF V600 oncogenic mutation. Dabrafenib is the second approved selective BRAF inhibitor (after vemurafenib) for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600-positive melanoma.. This review covers the current data on the efficacy and safety of the selective BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib in patients with metastatic BRAF V600 positive melanoma. The pharmacological, safety and efficacy data are discussed from Phase I, II, and III studies of dabrafenib monotherapy as well as in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib.. Dabrafenib has demonstrated comparable efficacy to vemurafenib in BRAF V600E mutant melanoma patients. Dabrafenib is well tolerated in patients with metastatic melanoma, including patients with brain metastases. Nevertheless side effects are common, but usually manageable. In the Phase III study testing dabrafenib, 53% of patients reported grade 2 or higher adverse events (AEs). Toxicities were similar to those seen in the early-phase trials, with the most common being cutaneous manifestations (hyperkeratosis, papillomas, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia), pyrexia, fatigue, headache, and arthralgia. Combining a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor, which may block paradoxical MAPK activation in BRAF wild type (skin) cells, may lower the incidence of squamoproliferative eruptions.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms

Outcomes in. Patients with newly diagnosed mCRC were registered into FOCUS4 and tested for. FOCUS4-C was conducted between April 2017 and Mar 2020 during which time 718 patients were registered; 247 (34%) were. In this phase II randomized trial, adavosertib improved PFS compared with AM and demonstrates potential as a well-tolerated therapy for

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cell Cycle Proteins; Colorectal Neoplasms; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Prognosis; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Pyrazoles; Pyrimidinones; Quality of Life; ras Proteins; Survival Rate; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Watchful Waiting

Adjuvant dabrafenib plus trametinib reduced the risk of relapse versus placebo in patients with resected, BRAF. COMBI-AD is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial comparing dabrafenib 150 mg orally twice daily plus trametinib 2 mg orally once daily versus two matched placebos. Study participants were at least 18 years of age and underwent complete resection of stage IIIA (lymph node metastases >1 mm), IIIB, or IIIC cutaneous melanoma, per American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition criteria, with a BRAF. Between Jan 31, 2013, and Dec 11, 2014, 870 patients were enrolled in the trial. Median follow-up at data cutoff (April 30, 2018) was 44 months (IQR 38-49) in the dabrafenib plus trametinib group and 42 months (21-49) in the placebo group. Intrinsic tumour genomic features were assessed in 368 patients (DNA sequencing set) and tumour microenvironment characteristics were assessed in 507 patients (NanoString biomarker set). MAPK pathway genomic alterations at baseline did not affect treatment benefit or clinical outcome. An IFNγ gene expression signature higher than the median was prognostic for prolonged relapse-free survival in both treatment groups. Tumour mutational burden was independently prognostic for relapse-free survival in the placebo group (high TMB, top third; hazard ratio [HR] 0·56, 95% CI 0·37-0·85, p=0·0056), but not in the dabrafenib plus trametinib group (0·83, 95% CI 0·53-1·32, p=0·44). Patients with tumour mutational burden in the lower two terciles seem to derive a substantial long-term relapse-free survival benefit from targeted therapy (HR [versus placebo] 0·49, 95% CI 0·35-0·68, p<0·0001). However, patients with high tumour mutational burden seem to have a less pronounced benefit with targeted therapy (HR [versus placebo] 0·75, 95% CI 0·44-1·26, p=0·27), especially if they had an IFNγ signature lower than the median (HR 0·88 [95% CI 0·40-1·93], p=0·74).. Tumour mutational burden alone or in combination with IFNγ gene expression signature or other markers for an adaptive immune response might be of relevance for identifying patients with stage III melanoma who might derive clinical benefit from targeted therapy. Further validation in prospective clinical trials is warranted.. Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Double-Blind Method; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Oximes; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Salvage Therapy; Skin Neoplasms; Survival Rate; Young Adult

In the previously reported primary analysis of this phase 3 trial, 12 months of adjuvant dabrafenib plus trametinib resulted in significantly longer relapse-free survival than placebo in patients with resected stage III melanoma with. We randomly assigned 870 patients who had resected stage III melanoma with. The minimum duration of follow-up was 59 months (median patient follow-up, 60 months for dabrafenib plus trametinib and 58 months for placebo). At 5 years, the percentage of patients who were alive without relapse was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48 to 58) with dabrafenib plus trametinib and 36% (95% CI, 32 to 41) with placebo (hazard ratio for relapse or death, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.61). The percentage of patients who were alive without distant metastasis was 65% (95% CI, 61 to 71) with dabrafenib plus trametinib and 54% (95% CI, 49 to 60) with placebo (hazard ratio for distant metastasis or death, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.70). No clinically meaningful between-group difference in the incidence or severity of serious adverse events was reported during the follow-up period.. In the 5-year follow-up of a phase 3 trial involving patients who had resected stage III melanoma with

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Disease-Free Survival; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Survival Analysis

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cohort Studies; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation, Missense; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Topics: Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Azetidines; CTLA-4 Antigen; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Immunotherapy; Ipilimumab; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Nivolumab; Oximes; Piperidines; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Treatment Outcome; Vemurafenib

Purpose We report the efficacy and safety of dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor) combination therapy in BRAF V600E-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer, a rare, aggressive, and highly lethal malignancy with poor patient outcomes and no systemic therapies with clinical benefit. Methods In this phase II, open-label trial, patients with predefined BRAF V600E-mutated malignancies received dabrafenib 150 mg twice daily and trametinib 2 mg once daily until unacceptable toxicity, disease progression, or death. The primary end point was investigator-assessed overall response rate. Secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. Results Sixteen patients with BRAF V600E-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer were evaluable (median follow-up, 47 weeks; range, 4 to 120 weeks). All patients had received prior radiation treatment and/or surgery, and six had received prior systemic therapy. The confirmed overall response rate was 69% (11 of 16; 95% CI, 41% to 89%), with seven ongoing responses. Median duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival were not reached as a result of a lack of events, with 12-month estimates of 90%, 79%, and 80%, respectively. The safety population was composed of 100 patients who were enrolled with seven rare tumor histologies. Common adverse events were fatigue (38%), pyrexia (37%), and nausea (35%). No new safety signals were detected. Conclusion Dabrafenib plus trametinib is the first regimen demonstrated to have robust clinical activity in BRAF V600E-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer and was well tolerated. These findings represent a meaningful therapeutic advance for this orphan disease.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Disease-Free Survival; Fatigue; Female; Fever; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Nausea; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic; Young Adult

Explore the heterogeneity in dynamics of tumour response to vemurafenib, dabrafenib and trametinib using routinely collected clinical trial imaging data.. Time-series imaging data from the phase III studies of vemurafenib, dabrafenib and trametinib were collected through a data repository. A mathematical model based on basic mechanisms of tumour growth was placed within a statistical modelling framework to analyse the data.. The analysis revealed: (1) existence of homogeneity in drug response and resistance development within a patient; (2) tumour shrinkage rate does not relate to rate of resistance development; (3) vemurafenib and dabrafenib, two BRAF inhibitors, have different variability in tumour shrinkage rates.. Overall these results show how analysis of the dynamics of individual lesions can shed light on the within and between patient differences in tumour shrinkage and resistance rates, which could be used to gain a macroscopic understanding of tumour heterogeneity.

Topics: Algorithms; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Models, Theoretical; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Vemurafenib

Specific treatment options are lacking for Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) despite treatment advances in other mutation-driven subgroups.. In this study we evaluated the multitargeted Janus kinase/TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) inhibitor momelotinib combined with the mitogen/extracellular signal-related kinase (MEK)1/MEK2 inhibitor trametinib in patients with platinum-treated, refractory, metastatic, KRAS-mutated NSCLC. Dose escalations (3 + 3 design) were conducted with momelotinib in combination with trametinib 1.0 mg once daily, then with trametinib in combination with the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of momelotinib. MTD was determined from dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) during patients' first 28-day cycle. Safety was the primary end point, and efficacy parameters, including disease control rate (DCR) at 8 weeks, were secondary end points.. Twenty-one patients were enrolled (median age: 68 years; 14 [66.7%] female). The MTD was momelotinib 150 mg twice daily in combination with trametinib 1.0 mg once daily. DLTs that determined the MTD were increased alanine aminotransferase and fatigue. The most common adverse events of any grade were nausea (n = 14 [66.7%]), diarrhea (n = 11 [52.4%]), and fatigue (n = 11 [52.4%]). The most common Grade ≥3 event was hypoxia (n = 3 [14.3%]). No patients achieved objective response. DCR at 8 weeks was 12 patients (57.1%) (90% confidence interval [CI], 37.2%-75.5%). Median progression-free and overall survival were 3.6 months (90% CI, 2.2-5.6 months) and 7.4 months (90% CI, 4.0-15.3 months), respectively. Maximum momelotinib plasma concentrations were reached 1 to 2 hours after dosing, but were insufficient to achieve significant TBK1 inhibition.. The additional use of momelotinib with trametinib does not improve on the activity of single-agent trametinib in KRAS-mutated NSCLC on the basis of historic data.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Benzamides; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Female; Humans; Janus Kinases; Lung Neoplasms; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Platinum; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Pyridones; Pyrimidines; Pyrimidinones; Treatment Failure

Understanding predictors of long-term benefit with currently available melanoma therapies is the key for optimising individualised treatments. A prior pooled analysis of dabrafenib plus trametinib (D + T)-randomised trials (median follow-up, 20.0 months) identified baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and number of organ sites with metastasis as predictive factors for progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival. However, longer-term follow-up analyses are needed to confirm which patients treated with D + T can achieve maximum benefit.. Three-year landmark data were retrospectively pooled for D + T patients in phase 3 trials (COMBI-d [NCT01584648]; COMBI-v [NCT01597908]). Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed prognostic values of predefined baseline factors; regression tree analysis determined hierarchy and interactions between variables.. Long-term pooled outcomes were consistent with individual trial results (N = 563; 3-year PFS, 23%; 3-year OS, 44%). Baseline LDH level and number of organ sites remained strongly associated with and/or predictive of PFS and OS. In addition, baseline sum of lesion diameters (SLD) was identified as a predictor for progression. In the most favourable prognostic group (normal LDH, SLD <66 mm, <3 organ sites; n = 183/563 [33%]), 3-year PFS was 42%. Baseline number of organ sites was also predictive of outcomes in patients with PFS ≥ 6 months.. Using the largest phase 3 data set available for BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination therapy in melanoma, these results demonstrate that durable responses lasting ≥3 years are possible in subsets of patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma receiving D + T. Although the best predictive model evolved with longer follow-up, factors predicting clinical outcomes with the combination remained consistent with previous analyses.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis

BRAF. In this phase 2, sequentially enrolled, multicohort, multicentre, non-randomised, open-label study, adults (≥18 years of age) with previously untreated metastatic BRAF. Between April 16, 2014, and Dec 28, 2015, 36 patients were enrolled and treated with first-line dabrafenib plus trametinib. Median follow-up was 15·9 months (IQR 7·8-22·0) at the data cutoff (April 28, 2017). The proportion of patients with investigator-assessed confirmed overall response was 23 (64%, 95% CI 46-79), with two (6%) patients achieving a complete response and 21 (58%) a partial response. All patients had one or more adverse event of any grade, and 25 (69%) had one or more grade 3 or 4 event. The most common (occurring in more than two patients) grade 3 or 4 adverse events were pyrexia (four [11%]), alanine aminotransferase increase (four [11%]), hypertension (four [11%]), and vomiting (three [8%]). Serious adverse events occurring in more than two patients included alanine aminotransferase increase (five [14%]), pyrexia (four [11%]), aspartate aminotransferase increase (three [8%]), and ejection fraction decrease (three [8%]). One fatal serious adverse event deemed unrelated to study treatment was reported (cardiorespiratory arrest).. Dabrafenib plus trametinib represents a new therapy with clinically meaningful antitumour activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with previously untreated BRAF. Novartis.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Confidence Intervals; Disease-Free Survival; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Imidazoles; Lung Neoplasms; Maximum Tolerated Dose; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Survival Rate

This is the first prospective study of a combination therapy involving a cardenolide and a MEK inhibitor for metastatic melanoma. Whereas BRAF mutant melanomas can exhibit profound responses to treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, there are fewer options for BRAF wild-type melanomas. In preclinical studies, we discovered that cardenolides synergize with MEK inhibitor to promote the regression of patient-derived xenografts irrespective of BRAF mutation status. We therefore conducted a phase 1B study of digoxin 0.25 mg and trametinib 2 mg given orally once daily in 20 patients with advanced, refractory, BRAF wild-type melanomas. The most common adverse events were rash, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. The response rate was 4/20 or 20% with response durations of 2, 4, 6, and 8 months. The disease control rate (including partial responses and stable disease) was 13/20 or 65% of patients, including 5/6 or 83% of patients with NRAS mutant melanomas and 8/14 or 57% of NRAS wild-type melanomas. Patients with stable disease had disease control for 2, 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 10 months. Xenografts from four patients recapitulated the treatment responses observed in patients. Based on these pilot results, an expansion arm of digoxin plus MEK inhibitor is warranted for NRAS mutant metastatic melanoma patients who are refractory or intolerant of immunotherapy.. Digoxin plus trametinib is well tolerated and achieves a high rate of disease control in BRAF wild-type metastatic melanoma patients.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Digoxin; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Male; Melanoma; Mice; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retreatment; Treatment Outcome; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

To report the overall survival (OS) and clinical characteristics of BRAF inhibitor-naive long-term responders and survivors treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib in a phase I and II study of patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma.. BRAF inhibitor-naive patients treated with dabrafenib 150 mg twice daily plus trametinib 2 mg daily (the 150/2 group) from the non-randomly assigned (part B) and randomly assigned (part C) cohorts of the study were analyzed for progression-free and OS separately. Baseline characteristics and factors on treatment were analyzed for associations with durable responses and OS.. For BRAF inhibitor-naive patients in the 150/2 groups (n = 78), the progression-free survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 44%, 22%, and 18%, respectively, for part B (n = 24) and 41%, 25%, and 21%, respectively, for part C (n = 54). Median OS was 27.4 months in part B and 25 months in part C. OS at 1, 2, and 3 years was 72%, 60%, and 47%, respectively, for part B and 80%, 51%, and 38%, respectively, for part C. Prolonged survival was associated with metastases in fewer than three organ sites and lower baseline lactate dehydrogenase. OS at 3 years was 62% in patients with normal baseline lactate dehydrogenase and 63% in patients with a complete response.. Dabrafenib plus trametinib results in a median OS of more than 2 years in BRAF inhibitor-naive patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma, and approximately 20% were progression free at 3 years. Durable responses occurred in patients with good prognostic features at baseline, which may be predictive.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Survival Rate

BRAF inhibitor-based therapies have been shown to induce cutaneous toxicities, with onset generally in the first 8-26 weeks of therapy.. To determine whether cutaneous toxicities persist in patients who have remained on BRAF inhibitor-based therapies for longer than 52 weeks, and therefore whether ongoing dermatology assessment is required.. All patients treated with the BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib or dabrafenib or combination BRAF inhibitor and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor therapy at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia underwent regular dermatological assessments for the duration of therapy. All patients enrolled in a clinical trial, and 18% of patients in the compassionate access scheme underwent a baseline assessment prior to commencement of therapy and every 4-8 weeks thereafter. Patients' adverse events were recorded in a specific database.. Patients continued to develop cutaneous adverse events after 52 weeks of continuous therapy. Patients on single-agent BRAF inhibitor therapy suffered from Grover disease (45%), plantar hyperkeratosis (45%), verrucal keratosis (18%) and even cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (16%). The most frequent adverse event seen in patients in the combination BRAF and MEK inhibitor group was an acneiform eruption (40%).. Patients on BRAF inhibitor-based therapies need to continue to have regular dermatological follow-up independent of the duration of their therapy.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Drug Eruptions; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Indoles; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Prospective Studies; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Sulfonamides; Vemurafenib

To present the impact of treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the double-blind, randomised phase III COMBI-d study that investigated the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib versus dabrafenib monotherapy in patients with BRAF V600E/K-mutant metastatic melanoma. COMBI-d showed significantly prolonged progression-free survival for the combination.. HRQoL was evaluated using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, a generic cancer questionnaire (completed at baseline, during study treatment, at progression and post progression) assessing various dimensions (global health/QoL, functional status, and symptom impact). A mixed-model, repeated-measures analyses of covariance evaluated differences between arms.. Questionnaire completion rates were >95% at baseline, >85% to week 40 and >70% at disease progression. Baseline scores across both arms were comparable for all dimensions. Global health dimension scores were significantly better at weeks 8, 16 and 24 for patients receiving the combination during treatment and at progression. The majority of functional dimension scores (physical, social, role, emotional and cognitive functioning) trended in favour of the combination. Pain scores were significantly improved and clinically meaningful (6-13 point difference) for patients receiving the combination for all follow-up assessments versus those receiving dabrafenib monotherapy. For other symptom dimensions (nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, and constipation), scores trended in favour of dabrafenib monotherapy.. This analysis demonstrates that the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib provides better preservation of HRQoL and pain improvements versus dabrafenib monotherapy while also delaying progression. (Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT01584648).

Topics: Amino Acid Substitution; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Health Status; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Pain Measurement; Proto-Oncogene Mas; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Quality of Life; Skin Neoplasms; Valine

The treatment of patients with metastatic melanomas that harbour BRAF V600E or V600K mutations with trametinib plus dabrafenib appears to be superior to treatment with vemurafenib alone. This treatment regimen is likely to become available in Switzerland in the near future.. To determine the cost-effectiveness of trametinib plus dabrafenib.. A Markov cohort simulation was conducted to model the clinical course of typical patients with metastatic melanoma. Information on response rates, clinical condition and follow-up treatments were derived and transition probabilities estimated based on the results of a clinical trial that compared treatment with trametinib plus dabrafenib vs. vemurafenib alone.. Treatment with trametinib plus dabrafenib was estimated to cost an additional CHF199 647 (Swiss francs) on average and yield a gain of 0·52 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CHF385 603 per QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that a willingness-to-pay threshold of CHF100 000 per QALY would not be reached at the current US price of trametinib.. The introduction of trametinib in Switzerland at US market prices for the treatment of metastatic BRAF V600-mutated melanoma with trametinib plus dabrafenib is unlikely to be cost-effective compared with vemurafenib monotherapy. A reduction in the total price of the combination therapy is required to achieve an acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio for this clinically promising treatment.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Disease Progression; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Costs; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Quality of Life; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Skin Neoplasms; Switzerland; Treatment Outcome

While response rates to BRAF inhibitiors (BRAFi) are high, disease progression emerges quickly. One strategy to delay the onset of resistance is to target anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL-2, known to be associated with a poor prognosis. We analyzed BCL-2 family member expression levels of 34 samples from 17 patients collected before and 10 to 14 days after treatment initiation with either vemurafenib or dabrafenib/trametinib combination. The observed changes in mRNA and protein levels with BRAFi treatment led us to hypothesize that combining BRAFi with a BCL-2 inhibitor (the BH3-mimetic navitoclax) would improve outcome. We tested this hypothesis in cell lines and in mice. Pretreatment mRNA levels of BCL-2 negatively correlated with maximal tumor regression. Early increases in mRNA levels were seen in BIM, BCL-XL, BID and BCL2-W, as were decreases in MCL-1 and BCL2A. No significant changes were observed with BCL-2. Using reverse phase protein array (RPPA), significant increases in protein levels were found in BIM and BID. No changes in mRNA or protein correlated with response. Concurrent BRAF (PLX4720) and BCL2 (navitoclax) inhibition synergistically reduced viability in BRAF mutant cell lines and correlated with down-modulation of MCL-1 and BIM induction after PLX4720 treatment. In xenograft models, navitoclax enhanced the efficacy of PLX4720. The combination of a selective BRAF inhibitor with a BH3-mimetic promises to be an important therapeutic strategy capable of enhancing the clinical efficacy of BRAF inhibition in many patients that might otherwise succumb quickly to de novo resistance. Trial registrations: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01006980; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01107418; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01264380; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01248936; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00949702; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01072175.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aniline Compounds; Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Imidazoles; Indoles; Melanoma; Mice; Middle Aged; Mutation, Missense; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Sulfonamides; Vemurafenib

Metastatic progression of tumors is driven by genetic alterations and tumor-stroma interaction. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the oncogene-induced gastric tumor progression, we have developed an organoid-based model of gastric cancer from GAstric Neoplasia (GAN) mice, which express Wnt1 and the enzymes COX2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 in the stomach. Both p53 knockout (GAN-p53KO) organoids and KRAS

Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Signal Transduction; Stomach Neoplasms; Tumor Hypoxia; Tumor Microenvironment; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Approximately 50% of melanomas are characterized by BRAF mutation (V600E in 90% of cases), that predicts more aggressive behaviour. This mutation is the target of dabrafenib, an anti-BRAF tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI), that together with trametinib, anti-MEK TKI, is approved for first-line treatment of metastatic melanoma due to significant benefit in overall and progression-free survival. Most common treatment-related adverse events are pyrexia, chills, fatigue, rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. This case report aims to present another less common adverse event of combined anti-BRAF and anti-MEK treatment. Our patient, after 4 months on target-therapy, experienced sudden deep abdominal pain. At the initial work-out at the emergency department, increase in serum lipase was detected and radiological findings were consistent with acute pancreatitis. Admitted to the hospital, other causes were ruled out and target-therapy was discontinued with symptoms improvement. Radiological and clinical follow-up was performed and a diagnosis of drug-induced pancreatitis was made. After few days of medical support with analgesia and antibiotic, the patient felt better and was discharged; target-therapy was permanently interrupted. Searching the literature, not so many cases of iatrogenic pancreatitis are described with this TKI combination, therefore, we have reported it as a rare but life-threatening adverse event that should be investigated whenever conceivable.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Pancreatitis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms

Topics: Choroid; Choroid Neoplasms; Drug Therapy, Combination; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Imidazoles; Immunotherapy; Injections, Intralesional; Male; Melanoma; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Tomography, Optical Coherence

Malignant melanoma is a well-known diagnostic pitfall, given its propensity to metastasize to different sites and mimic various entities. In this report, we present a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) of a metastatic melanoma with basaloid features that is occurring in the preauricular/parotid area. The patient is a 17-year-old male with a history of excision of melanoma of the left temple, and was undergoing adjuvant treatment with nivolumab. The prior excision was positive for S100, HMB-45, melan-A, and tyrosinase. On follow-up, he presented with non-FDG avid left preauricular area lesions. FNA was performed, and on-site evaluation demonstrated a cellular basaloid neoplasm with focal fibrillary stroma. Immunohistochemical stains revealed that the tumor cells were positive for SOX-10, S100, MITF, and HMGA2, and were negative for HMB-45, melan-A, tyrosinase, p63, cam 5.2 and PLAG1. The positive S100, SOX-10, and MITF results and negative cam 5.2 result supported the diagnosis of melanoma. Nivolumab was then stopped, Dabrafenib/Trametinib were started, and the patient underwent excision of the nodules. Nine-months later, he developed a rib metastasis that was positive for S100, SOX-10, melan-A, and tyrosinase. This report emphasizes that melanoma involving the parotid gland region has the potential to be misdiagnosed by FNA as a salivary gland neoplasm because of overlapping cytologic features and immunophenotypes. This pitfall is avoided by careful morphologic analysis and judicious use of ancillary studies.

Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Agents; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Nivolumab; Oximes; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Salivary Gland Neoplasms

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Myasthenia Gravis; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Scalp; Skin Neoplasms

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major driver of head and neck cancer, a devastating malignancy with a major sub-site in the oral cavity manifesting as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). EGFR is a glycoprotein receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) whose activity is upregulated in >80% OSCC. Current anti-EGFR therapy relies on the use of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR, although it has had only a limited response in patients. Here, we uncover a novel mechanism regulating EGFR activity, identifying a role of the nuclear branch of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the β-catenin/CBP axis, in control of post-translational modification of N-glycans on the EGFR. Genomic and structural analyses reveal that β-catenin/CBP signaling represses fucosylation on the antennae of N-linked glycans on EGFR. By employing nUPLC-MS/MS, we determined that malignant human OSCC cells harbor EGFR with a paucity of N-glycan antennary fucosylation, while indolent cells display higher levels of fucosylation at sites N420 and N579. Additionally, treatment with either ICG-001 or E7386, which are both small molecule inhibitors of β-catenin/CBP signaling, leads to increased transcriptional expression of fucosyltransferases FUT2 and FUT3, with a concomitant increase in EGFR N-glycan antennary fucosylation. In order to discover which fucosylated glycan epitopes are involved in the observed effect, we performed in-depth characterization of multiply-fucosylated N-glycans via tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the EGFR tryptic glycopeptides. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD017060. We propose that β-catenin/CBP signaling promotes EGFR oncogenic activity in OSCC by inhibiting its N-glycan antennary fucosylation through transcriptional repression of FUT2 and FUT3.

Topics: Animals; beta Catenin; Binding Sites; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Line, Tumor; CREB-Binding Protein; ErbB Receptors; Fucose; Fucosyltransferases; Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Mice; Models, Molecular; Mouth Neoplasms; Neoplasm Metastasis; Polysaccharides; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Pyrimidinones; Small Molecule Libraries; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive, difficult to treat brain tumour. Successful treatment, consisting of maximal safe tumour de-bulking, followed by radiotherapy and treatment with the alkylating agent Temozolomide (TMZ), can extend patient survival to approximately 15 months. Combination treatments based on the inhibition of the PI3K pathway, which is the most frequently activated signalling cascade in GB, have so far only shown limited therapeutic success. Here, we use the clinically approved MEK inhibitor Trametinib to investigate its potential use in managing GB. Trametinib has a strong anti-proliferative effect on established GB cell lines, stem cell-like cells and their differentiated progeny and while it does not enhance anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing properties of the standard treatment, i.e. exposure to radiation or TMZ, neither does MEK inhibition block their effectiveness. However, upon MEK inhibition some cell populations appear to favour cell-substrate interactions in a sprouting assay and become more invasive in the Chorioallantoic Membrane assay, which assesses cell penetration into an organic membrane. While this increased invasion can be modulated by additional inhibition of the PI3K signalling cascade, there is no apparent benefit of blocking MEK compared to targeting PI3K.

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Apoptosis; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Adhesion; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Chorioallantoic Membrane; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Glioblastoma; Humans; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Metastasis; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphorylation; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Signal Transduction; Temozolomide; Translational Research, Biomedical

Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin neoplasms and represents a major cause of neoplastic or cancer death in Europe. Without adequate therapy, the 5-year survival rate is 15% when the disease metastasizes to distant organs. The objective of our study was to evaluate the status quo of the current treatment standards in stage IV melanoma and rationale for therapy decisions in Germany and Austria between January 2016 and September 2018.. In this retrospective, anonymized registry, data of male and female patients with unresectable advanced/metastatic BRAF-positive cutaneous melanoma treated in the first, second, and third line with registered substances were analyzed using descriptive statistics.. Ninety-nine patients (50.5% male) received a total of 172 treatment lines. The first (99 patients), second (56 patients), and third (17 patients) treatment lines were documented. Within the 80.8% of patients with stage IV melanoma, targeted therapy (TT) was more frequently administered as a first-line treatment than immunotherapy (IO) with checkpoint inhibitors (59.6% TT vs. 40.4% IO). Across all lines, patients received TT in 54.7% and IO in 43.0% of the cases. As targeted agents, dabrafenib plus trametinib was predominantly prescribed (72.3%), whereas the monotherapy with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 antibodies or their combination was prescribed similarly often (50.0% vs. 47.3%). Most commonly, the treatment type was switched from TT to IO or vice versa upon disease progression. The most frequent rationales for prescribing either TT or IO were remission pressure (72.9%) or physician's preference (45.0%), respectively. Disease progression was a more frequent cause of treatment discontinuation than undesired events.. Patients in Germany and Austria with unresectable advanced or metastatic BRAF-mutant melanoma predominantly receive guideline-recommended treatments. TT was more frequently administered than IO while the rationale for prescribing a specific treatment type differed between the two.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents; Austria; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Germany; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms; Young Adult

More effective treatments are needed for low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). Our patient, who suffers from metastatic LGSOC, had received all established treatments. Sequencing analysis revealed an activating BRAF mutation. Therefore, combined treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, which is the gold standard in malignant melanoma, was initiated. After eight months of therapy, the response was assessed as complete and the treatment is still, 3.5 years after initiation, of benefit. To our knowledge, no complete response on combined BRAF and MEK inhibitor treatment of low-grade serous ovarian cancer has previously been reported.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Benzimidazoles; Bevacizumab; CA-125 Antigen; Carbamates; Carboplatin; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous; Disease Progression; Everolimus; Female; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Imidazoles; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Medroxyprogesterone; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Ovarian Neoplasms; Oximes; Paclitaxel; Progression-Free Survival; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Recurrence; Sulfonamides; Tamoxifen; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Current management of locoregional and oligometastatic melanoma is typically with surgery; however, some patients are unable to undergo resection due to location/size of their tumors and/or the anticipated morbidity of the surgery. While there are currently no established guidelines for neoadjuvant therapy in melanoma, neoadjuvant BRAF-targeted therapy may make resection more feasible. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 23 patients with BRAFV600-mutant, stage III/IV melanoma treated with BRAF-targeted therapy prior to surgery, with no adjuvant treatment. Surgical specimens, preoperative imaging, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: Ten of 23 patients (44%) attained a pathologic complete response (pCR), with no correlation between RECIST response based on preoperative imaging and pathologic response. After a median of 43-month follow-up, only 1 patient (10%) with a pCR recurred, while 8 of 13 (62%) patients without a pCR recurred. Patients with a pCR had significantly improved relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to patients with residual tumor. Neoadjuvant BRAF-targeted therapy is associated with a high pCR rate in patients with stage III-IV melanoma, which may correlate with improved RFS and OS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acrylamides; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Angiopoietin-Like Protein 6; Angiopoietin-like Proteins; Aniline Compounds; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; ErbB Receptors; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Exons; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Hepatitis C; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms

Topics: Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Imidazoles; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Remission Induction; Treatment Outcome

KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene) or BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1) constitutive activation leads to anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) therapy resistance of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. In this article we investigate the effects of anti-MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) antibody (trametinib) combined with anti-EGFR (cetuximab) on colon cancer cell lines with different RAS statuses. Even though cetuximab has no effect on RAS cell viability and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) phosphorylation (one of the last kinases of the EGFR pathway), trametinib can induce cell death and inhibit the activation of ERK alone or in combination with cetuximab. In a more pathologic context, we observed that KRAS colon cancer patient biopsies treated ex vivo with trametinib and cetuximab also present less ERK phosphorylation. Finally, nine ovarian, endometrial and colon cancer patients with different KRAS statuses were treated with anti-EGFR/anti-MEK combination off label after molecular tumor board decision. KRAS exon 2 patients have significantly longer PFS (progression-free survival) than with previous lines of treatments. We believe that such observations provide a rationale for designing a clinical trial to test this association in RAS exon 2 mutated cancers.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cetuximab; Colorectal Neoplasms; ErbB Receptors; Female; Humans; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Neoplasm Metastasis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Rats

Colorectal cancer remains a leading source of cancer mortality worldwide. Initial response is often followed by emergent resistance that is poorly responsive to targeted therapies, reflecting currently undruggable cancer drivers such as

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Colorectal Neoplasms; Disease Progression; Drosophila; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Female; Genes, ras; Genomics; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Precision Medicine; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Zoledronic Acid

BRAF and MEK inhibitors are highly active in the setting of

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Melanoma; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones

Genetic modifications during development of paediatric groups 3 and 4 medulloblastoma are responsible for their highly metastatic properties and poor patient survival rates. PRUNE1 is highly expressed in metastatic medulloblastoma group 3, which is characterized by TGF-β signalling activation, c-MYC amplification, and OTX2 expression. We describe the process of activation of the PRUNE1 signalling pathway that includes its binding to NME1, TGF-β activation, OTX2 upregulation, SNAIL (SNAI1) upregulation, and PTEN inhibition. The newly identified small molecule pyrimido-pyrimidine derivative AA7.1 enhances PRUNE1 degradation, inhibits this activation network, and augments PTEN expression. Both AA7.1 and a competitive permeable peptide that impairs PRUNE1/NME1 complex formation, impair tumour growth and metastatic dissemination in orthotopic xenograft models with a metastatic medulloblastoma group 3 cell line (D425-Med cells). Using whole exome sequencing technology in metastatic medulloblastoma primary tumour cells, we also define 23 common 'non-synonymous homozygous' deleterious gene variants as part of the protein molecular network of relevance for metastatic processes. This PRUNE1/TGF-β/OTX2/PTEN axis, together with the medulloblastoma-driver mutations, is of relevance for future rational and targeted therapies for metastatic medulloblastoma group 3.10.1093/brain/awy039_video1awy039media15742053534001.

Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Carrier Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Regulatory Networks; Humans; Infant; Male; Medulloblastoma; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Models, Molecular; Neoplasm Metastasis; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; PTEN Phosphohydrolase; Pyrimidinones; Signal Transduction; Snail Family Transcription Factors; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Father-Child Relations; Fathers; Female; Fertility; Humans; Imidazoles; Infant, Newborn; Male; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Pregnancy; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Semen Analysis; Skin Neoplasms

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Survival Rate

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by tumor heterogeneity, locoregional metastases, and resistance to existing treatments. Although a number of genomic and molecular alterations associated with HNSCC have been identified, they have had limited impact on the clinical management of this disease. To date, few targeted therapies are available for HNSCC, and only a small fraction of patients have benefited from these treatments. A frequent feature of HNSCC is the inappropriate activation of β-catenin that has been implicated in cell survival and in the maintenance and expansion of stem cell-like populations, thought to be the underlying cause of tumor recurrence and resistance to treatment. However, the therapeutic value of targeting β-catenin activity in HNSCC has not been explored.. We utilized a combination of computational and experimental profiling approaches to examine the effects of blocking the interaction between β-catenin and cAMP-responsive element binding (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) using the small molecule inhibitor ICG-001. We generated and annotated in vitro treatment gene expression signatures of HNSCC cells, derived from human oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), using microarrays. We validated the anti-tumorigenic activity of ICG-001 in vivo using SCC-derived tumor xenografts in murine models, as well as embryonic zebrafish-based screens of sorted stem cell-like subpopulations. Additionally, ICG-001-inhibition signatures were overlaid with RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for human OSCCs to evaluate its association with tumor progression and prognosis.. ICG-001 inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation and tumor growth in cellular and murine models, respectively, while promoting intercellular adhesion and loss of invasive phenotypes. Furthermore, ICG-001 preferentially targeted the ability of subpopulations of stem-like cells to establish metastatic tumors in zebrafish. Significantly, interrogation of the ICG-001 inhibition-associated gene expression signature in the TCGA OSCC human cohort indicated that the targeted β-catenin/CBP transcriptional activity tracked with tumor status, advanced tumor grade, and poor overall patient survival.. Collectively, our results identify β-catenin/CBP interaction as a novel target for anti-HNSCC therapy and provide evidence that derivatives of ICG-001 with enhanced inhibitory activity may serve as an effective strategy to interfere with aggressive features of HNSCC.

Topics: Animals; beta Catenin; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Adhesion; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Disease Progression; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genomics; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Nude; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Mouth Neoplasms; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Peptide Fragments; Phenotype; Pyrimidinones; Sialoglycoproteins; Survival Analysis; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Zebrafish

This observational study investigates the effectiveness and safety of dabrafenib/trametinib combination in patients with metastatic melanoma.. Seventy-six patients treated with dabrafenib/trametinib (150 mg twice daily/2 mg once daily) were included.. Median progression-free survival was 9 months (95% CI: 7-11) and median overall survival was 14 months (11-16); disease control rate was 72%. Nine patients (12%) experienced a complete response. Of these, seven presented one metastatic site, none had lung or CNS metastasis, and none had elevated baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Overall, subgroup analysis for patients with adverse prognostic features led to similar results. No new safety signals were reported.. Dabrafenib/trametinib combination can be effective and well-tolerated also in a heterogeneous 'real life' population comprising patients with adverse prognostic features.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Imidazoles; Italy; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms; Oximes; Prognosis; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitors (MEKi) are among the cornerstones of metastatic melanoma therapy demonstrating excellent response rates with duration of 7-12 m. Long-term benefit from these agents was reported in patients with normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and less than three disease sites. However, a treatment-dependent marker for long-term efficacy is lacking. Data suggest that immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are associated with clinical benefit in patients treated with immunotherapy and that response to BRAF/MEK therapy may have an underlying immune mechanism. We hypothesised that AEs with an underlying immune mechanism may be associated with a durable response to targeted therapy. We retrospectively identified a cohort of 78 BRAF V600-mutant metastatic melanoma patients treated with BRAFi or BRAFi + MEKi between November 2010 and November 2013. Four treatment-related AEs including vitiligo, uveitis, erythema nodosum and keratitis sicca were defined as irAEs of interest. Retrospective analysis of AEs in relationship to progression-free survival (PFS), disease burden and LDH levels was performed. Median PFS (mPFS) for all patients was 7.5 months with responses ongoing in eight patients as of April 2017. Ten patients were identified with the AEs defined previously. Cox regression analysis revealed a very strong association between those AEs and PFS; mPFS was 42.8 m in patients with at least one AE versus 6.1 m in those without an AE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.22, p = 0.002). This association was independent of LDH levels and disease burden (HR 0.24, p = 0.035). This analysis demonstrates a strong association between immune AEs and durable response to targeted therapy and may provide a treatment-related biomarker to estimate the outcome of therapy.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Arthralgia; Azetidines; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Piperidines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retrospective Studies; Skin Diseases; Skin Neoplasms; Vemurafenib; Young Adult

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Imidazoles; Ischemia; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Melanoma; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retinal Vasculitis; Retinal Vessels; Skin Neoplasms

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Remission Induction; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dabrafenib alone or combined with trametinib for compassionate use in patients with metastatic melanoma.This retrospective, observational study involved 135 patients with unresectable stage IIIC or stage IV melanoma from an expanded-access program at 30 Spanish centers.Forty-eight patients received dabrafenib monotherapy and 87 received combination dabrafenib and trametinib; 4.4% and 95.6% of the patients had stage IIIC and IV melanoma, respectively. All patients showed BRAF mutations in their primary or metastatic lesions; 3 were positive for V600K while the remainder had V600E or V600+. A positive response to treatment was reported in 89.3% of the patients. Overall survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 59.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.5-68.9%) and 36.4% (95% CI, 27.8-45%), respectively. Progression-free survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 39.3% (95% CI, 31.1-47.5%) and 21.6% (95% CI, 14.5-28.7%), respectively. Fifty-seven patients (42.2%) reported cutaneous toxicity of any type, mainly hyperkeratosis (14.8%) and rash (11.9%). The most frequent adverse events were pyrexia (27.4%), asthenia (19.3%), arthralgia (16.9%), and diarrhoea (13.2%).Our results suggest that both dabrafenib alone or in combination with trametinib are effective for compassionate use in terms of response and/or survival rates. However, differences in patients' prognostic features ought to be considered. No new findings were revealed regarding the safety profiles of either regimen. This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy of these 2 selective BRAF and mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors in a real-world setting in Spain.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Compassionate Use Trials; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retrospective Studies; Spain; Survival Analysis

Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer with a high mortality rate and the fastest growing global incidence rate of all malignancies. The introduction of BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations has yielded significant increases in PFS and OS for melanoma. However, at present, no direct comparisons between different BRAF/MEK combinations have been conducted. In light of this, an indirect treatment comparison was performed between two BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination therapies for metastatic melanoma, dabrafenib plus trametinib and vemurafenib plus cobimetinib, in order to understand the relative efficacy and toxicity profiles of these therapies.. A systematic literature search identified two randomized trials as suitable for indirect comparison: the coBRIM trial of vemurafenib plus cobimetinib versus vemurafenib and the COMBI-v trial of dabrafenib plus trametinib versus vemurafenib. The comparison followed the method of Bucher et al. and analyzed both efficacy (overall survival [OS], progression-free survival [PFS], and overall response rate [ORR]) and safety outcomes (adverse events [AEs]).. The indirect comparison revealed similar efficacy outcomes between both therapies, with no statistically significant difference between therapies for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68 - 1.30), PFS (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.79 - 1.40), or ORR (risk ratio [RR] 0.90, 95% CI 0.74 - 1.10). Dabrafenib plus trametinib differed significantly from vemurafenib plus cobimetinib with regard to the incidence of treatment-related AE (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 - 0.97), any AE grade ≥3 (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.60 - 0.85) or dose interruption/modification (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60 - 0.99). Several categories of AEs occurred significantly more frequently with vemurafenib plus cobimetinib, while some occurred significantly more frequently with dabrafenib plus trametinib. For severe AEs (grade 3 or above), four occurred significantly more frequently with vemurafenib plus cobimetinib and no severe AE occurred significantly more frequently with dabrafenib plus trametinib.. This indirect treatment comparison suggested that dabrafenib plus trametinib had comparable efficacy to vemurafenib plus cobimetinib but was associated with reduced adverse events.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Azetidines; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Indoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Piperidines; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sulfonamides; Treatment Outcome; Vemurafenib; Young Adult

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones

Metastatic malignant melanoma belongs to a group of cancers with high mortality. In recent years, advances in our knowledge of the pathogenesis of melanoma and the discovery of new drugs has resulted in significant progress in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma patients. The development of resistance to these drugs, however, remains a challenge. One way how to avoid resistance, or at least delay it, is to administer combination therapy.. This case study demonstrates that combination therapy with a BRAF and a MEK inhibitor can be used to successfully treat metastatic malignant melanoma patients and suggests they should be employed in therapeutic algorithms for patients with metastatic malignant melanoma and BRAF gene mutations.

Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones

Combination therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib is safer and more effective than BRAF inhibitor-based monotherapy for metastatic melanoma.. We retrospectively analyzed BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma patients treated at our institution with daily oral dabrafenib 300 mg and trametinib 2 mg from November 2013 to April 2016. This clinical record included both untreated and previously treated stage IV melanomas. Physical examination and laboratory examinations were performed monthly and disease re-evaluations were performed every 3 months.. A total of 48 patients (24 male, 24 female) with BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma received dabrafenib and trametinib; median age was 48 years (range 23-75). Median follow-up was 362.5 days (range 72-879). Best overall response rate consisted of 6.2% (3 patients) complete response, 64.6% (31) partial response, and 25% (12) stable disease; median time to best response was 11 weeks (range 5.7-125.5). Progression of disease was seen in 19 patients (39.6%), with median time to progression (TTP) of 26 weeks (range 8-54). A total of 15 patients (31.2%) died due to progression of disease. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival were not reached. To date, 30 patients (62.5%) are still under treatment. A total of 27 (56.2%) patients had at least one adverse event (AE); grade 3-4 AEs were seen in 4 cases (8.3%). The main toxicities were fever (25%), skin rash (14.6%), arthralgias (10.4%), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase increase (8.3%). Treatment dose was reduced in 7 subjects (14.6%), with only one case of discontinuation due to AE.. Our data, using combined targeted therapy, are in line with the scientific literature in terms of both safety and effectiveness in a real-life setting.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Brain Neoplasms; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Azetidines; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Drug Discovery; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Imidazoles; Indoles; Ipilimumab; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; MAP Kinase Kinase 2; Melanoma; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Nivolumab; Oximes; Piperidines; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Sulfonamides; Vemurafenib

Topics: Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Agents; Brain Neoplasms; Carrier Proteins; Disease Progression; DNA Mutational Analysis; Female; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Melanoma; Membrane Proteins; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome

The cutaneous adverse effects of the BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib mesylate in the treatment of metastatic melanoma have been well reported. The addition of a MEK inhibitor to a BRAF inhibitor improves the blockade of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The combination of dabrafenib with the MEK inhibitor trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide (CombiDT therapy) increases response rate and survival compared with a BRAF inhibitor alone. Clinical trials have suggested that CombiDT therapy induces fewer cutaneous toxic effects than a single-agent BRAF inhibitor. To our knowledge, a direct comparison has not been performed before.. To compare the cutaneous toxic effects of BRAF inhibitor monotherapy and CombiDT therapy in a large cohort of patients.. We performed a retrospective cohort study from September 1, 2009, through November 30, 2013. The study population included 185 Australian patients with unresectable stages IIIC and IV melanoma referred from Crown Princess Mary Cancer Care Centre who underwent review at the Department of Dermatology, Westmead Hospital. Of these, 119 patients received dabrafenib; 36, vemurafenib; and 30, CombiDT therapy. Data analysis were performed in December 2013.. Multiple cutaneous adverse effects between BRAF inhibitor monotherapy and CombiDT therapy were identified and compared in a cohort of patients who underwent the same dermatologic assessment.. The most common cutaneous adverse effects seen in patients receiving the single-agent BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib or vemurafenib included Grover disease (51 patients [42.9%] and 14 [38.9%], respectively [P = .67]), plantar hyperkeratosis (47 [39.5%] and 14 [38.9%], respectively [P = .95]), verrucal keratosis (79 [66.4%] and 26 [72.2%], respectively [P = .51]), and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (31 [26.1%] and 13 [36.1%], respectively [P = .54]). Photosensitivity was more common with vemurafenib (14 patients [38.9%]) compared with dabrafenib (1 [0.8%]; P < .001). Compared with dabrafenib, CombiDT therapy showed a higher frequency of folliculitis (12 patients [40.0%] vs. 8 [6.7%]; P < .001) and a significant decrease of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (0 vs. 31 [26.1%]; P < .001), verrucal keratosis (0 vs. 79 [66.4%]; P < .001), and Grover disease (0 vs. 51 [42.9%]; P < .001).. This study confirms that the prevalence of cutaneous toxic effects differs among vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and CombiDT therapies. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the most concerning cutaneous toxic effect related to BRAF inhibitor monotherapy that did not appear with CombiDT therapy. Although CombiDT therapy has an improved profile of cutaneous toxic effects, continuous dermatologic assessments should be provided for all patients when receiving these treatments.

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Imidazoles; Indoles; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Oximes; Prevalence; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retrospective Studies; Skin Diseases; Skin Neoplasms; Sulfonamides; Vemurafenib

BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitors (MEKi) increase survival in BRAF mutant metastatic melanoma patients; however, they induce a well-known spectrum of cutaneous side effects during treatment. Whereas the BRAFi dabrafenib induces cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and verrucal keratosis, the MEKi trametinib frequently induces acneiform eruptions that are reversible after drug discontinuation. Furthermore, when dabrafenib and trametinib are used in combination, there are fewer cutaneous toxicities. We report a patient with BRAF mutant metastatic melanoma treated with the BRAFi/MEKi combination therapy who developed an acneiform eruption after treatment discontinuation rather than during active therapy. Moreover, the eruption resolved when the combination treatment was reintroduced and recurred after increasing the dose of trametinib. The eruption may be explained by the longer half-life of trametinib (4.5 days) compared with dabrafenib (5.2 h). This is the first case reported with this particular side effect induced after stopping the treatment and could become more frequent as the BRAFi/MEKi combination of drugs is more frequently prescribed.

Topics: Acneiform Eruptions; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Disease Progression; Drug Administration Schedule; Fatal Outcome; Female; Fever; Humans; Imidazoles; Melanoma; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Skin Neoplasms; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

BRAF and MEK inhibitors are not established treatments for non-V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. We carried out a retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety in four patients with BRAF K601E and one patient with L597Q mutation-positive metastatic melanoma treated with the MEK inhibitor trametinib. Three patients achieved a RECIST partial response, including the patient with an L597Q mutation. Paired biopsies available in one of the five patients showed reduced phospho-ERK signalling and this corresponded to a metabolic response on F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET scanning. Trametinib toxicity was manageable. Trametinib has antitumour activity in patients with BRAF K601E and L597Q mutation-positive metastatic melanoma.

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Biopsy; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Male; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Phosphorylation; Positron-Emission Tomography; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Retrospective Studies; Signal Transduction; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome

The discovery that some melanoma tumours harbour mutations in the BRAF gene (e.g. V600E) and the subsequent development of specific BRAF inhibitors have greatly improved the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Resistance of tumour cells to BRAF inhibitors is reduced by the addition of an MEK inhibitor; both BRAF and MEK inhibitors have been reported to produce a variety of dermatological toxic effects. Benign naevi often harbour BRAF mutations but few reports exist that document the response of naevus cells to BRAF inhibition. We report sarcoidal-type granulomatous inflammation in two patients with metastatic melanoma undergoing treatment with combination BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy. This inflammation manifested in one patient as a nonspecific papular eruption; in the other, in association with clinical regression of multiple benign-appearing naevi during the course of therapy. The significance of sarcoidal-type inflammation occurring during treatment of metastatic melanoma with a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is unclear. Its association with the clinical regression of benign-appearing naevi suggests a possible exaggerated inflammatory response to degenerating naevus cells in these lesions.

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Mutation; Neoplasm Metastasis; Oximes; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Scalp; Skin Neoplasms

Several lines of evidence indicate that Sirt1, a class III histone deacetylase (HDAC) is implicated in the initiation and progression of malignancies and thus gained attraction as druggable target. Since data on the role of Sirt1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are sparse, we investigated the expression profile and prognostic significance of Sirt1 in vivo as well as cellular effects of Sirt1 inhibition in vitro.. Sirt1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of PDACs and correlated with clinicopathological and survival data. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of overexpression and small molecule inhibition on Sirt1 in pancreatic cancer cell culture models including combinatorial treatment with chemotherapy and EGFR-inhibition. Cellular events were measured quantitatively in real time and corroborated by conventional readouts including FACS analysis and MTT assays.. We detected nuclear Sirt1 expression in 36 (27.9%) of 129 PDACs. SIRT1 expression was significantly higher in poorly differentiated carcinomas. Strong SIRT1 expression was a significant predictor of poor survival both in univariate (p = 0.002) and multivariate (HR 1.65, p = 0.045) analysis. Accordingly, overexpression of Sirt1 led to increased cell viability, while small molecule inhibition led to a growth arrest in pancreatic cancer cells and impaired cell survival. This effect was even more pronounced in combinatorial regimens with gefitinib, but not in combination with gemcitabine.. Sirt1 is an independent prognosticator in PDACs and plays an important role in pancreatic cancer cell growth, which can be levered out by small molecule inhibition. Our data warrant further studies on SIRT1 as a novel chemotherapeutic target in PDAC.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Follow-Up Studies; Gefitinib; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Middle Aged; Naphthalenes; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Niacinamide; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Prognosis; Pyrimidinones; Quinazolines; Sirtuin 1