12/05/2024


RAS gene mutations are the most frequent oncogenic event in lung cancer. They activate multiple RAS-centric signaling networks among them the MAPK, PI3K, and RB pathways. Within the MAPK pathway, ERK1/2 proteins exert a bottleneck function for transmitting mitogenic signals and activating cytoplasmic and nuclear targets. In view of disappointing antitumor activity and toxicity of continuously applied MEK inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant lung cancer, research has recently focused on ERK1/2 proteins as therapeutic targets and on ERK inhibitors for their ability to prevent bypass and feedback pathway activation. Here, we show that intermittent application of the novel and selective ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitor LY3214996 exerts single-agent activity in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of RAS-mutant lung cancer. Combination treatments were well tolerated and resulted in synergistic (ERKi plus PI3K/mTORi LY3023414) and additive (ERKi plus CDK4/6i abemaciclib) tumor growth inhibition in PDX models. Future clinical trials are required to investigate if intermittent ERK inhibitor-based treatment schedules can overcome toxicities observed with continuous MEK inhibition and-equally important-to identify biomarkers for patient stratification.Gain-of-function point mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase RET, a driver oncogene in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), prevent apoptosis through inhibition of ATF4, a critical transcriptional regulator of endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the critical regulatory mechanisms driving RET-dependent oncogenesis remain elusive, and there is a clinical need to identify a transcriptional RET inhibitor. Here, we found that RET depletion decreased IGFBP2 and VEGFR2 mRNA and protein expression in MTC cells. IGFBP2 knockdown decreased cell survival and migration of MTC cells. In patients, IGFBP2 expression increased in metastatic MTC, and high IGFBP2 associated with poor overall survival. VEGFR2 protein levels were positively associated with RET expression in primary tumors, and VEGF-mediated increased cell viability was RET dependent. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bai1.html The small-molecule ONC201 treatment of MTC cells caused apoptotic cell death, decreased transcription of RET, VEGFR2, IGFBP2, increased mRNA levels of ATF4, and ATF4 target genes including DDIT3, BBC3, DUSP8, MKNK2, KLF9, LZTFL1, and SESN2 Moreover, IGFBP2 depletion increased ONC201-induced cell death. ONC201 inhibited tumor growth at a well-tolerated dose of 120 mg/kg/week administered by oral gavage and decreased MTC xenograft cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The protein levels of RET, IGFBP2, and VEGFR2 were decreased in ONC201-treated xenografts. Our study uncovered a novel ONC201 mechanism of action through regulation of RET and its targets, VEGFR2 and IGFBP2; this mechanism could be translated into the clinic and represent a promising strategy for the treatment of all patients with MTC, including those with TKI-refractory disease and other cancer with RET abnormalities.The uveitides are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by inflammation inside the eye. The uveitides are classified as infectious or non-infectious. The non-infectious uveitides, which are presumed to be immune mediated, can be further divided into those that are associated with a known systemic disease and those that are eye limited,-ie, not associated with a systemic disease. The ophthalmologist identifies the specific uveitic entity by medical history, clinical examination, and ocular imaging, as well as supplemental laboratory testing, if indicated. Treatment of the infectious uveitides is tailored to the particular infectious organism and may include regional and/or systemic medication. First line treatment for non-infectious uveitides is corticosteroids that can be administered topically, as regional injections or surgical implants, or systemically. Systemic immunosuppressive therapy is used in patients with severe disease who cannot tolerate corticosteroids, require chronic corticosteroids at >7.5 mg/day prednisone, or in whom the disease is known to respond better to immunosuppression. Management of many of these diseases is optimized by coordination between the ophthalmologist and rheumatologist or internist.
To assess the risk of meningioma associated with use of high dose cyproterone acetate, a progestogen indicated for clinical hyperandrogenism.

Observational cohort study.

Data from SNDS, the French administrative healthcare database, between 2007 and 2015.

253 777 girls and women aged 7-70 years living in France who started cyproterone acetate between 2007 and 2014. Participants had at least one reimbursement for high dose cyproterone acetate and no history of meningioma or benign brain tumour, or long term disease status. Participants were considered to be exposed when they had received a cumulative dose of at least 3 g during the first six months (139 222 participants) and very slightly exposed (control group) when they had received a cumulative dose of less than 3 g (114 555 participants). 10 876 transgender participants (male to female) were included in an additional analysis.

Surgery (resection or decompression) or radiotherapy for one or more intracranial meningiomas.

Overall, 69 meningiomas d of the middle skull base, involving the spheno-orbital region, appeared to be specific to cyproterone acetate. An additional analysis of transgender participants showed a high risk of meningioma (three per 14 460 person years; 20.7 per 100 000 person years).

A strong dose-effect relation was observed between use of cyproterone acetate and risk of intracranial meningiomas. A noticeable reduction in risk was observed after discontinuation of treatment.
A strong dose-effect relation was observed between use of cyproterone acetate and risk of intracranial meningiomas. A noticeable reduction in risk was observed after discontinuation of treatment.
To investigate prevalence and correlates of medical use and misuse of psychoactive prescription medications among US youth and young adults.

Cross-sectional, self-reported surveys from the 2015-2018 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Sampling was probabilistic and nationally representative.

The target population included individuals from households, non-institutional group quarters (eg, college dormitories) and civilians living on military bases. Questionnaires were completed using computer-assisted self-interview methods.

Our analytical sample included youth and young adults aged 12-25 years (n=110 556). Psychoactive prescription medication misuse was a report by the respondent that they had used psychoactive prescription medications in the past year in any way not directed or prescribed for them. Medical use was defined as past-year use without a report of misuse. Because certain variables were assessed only among adults, our multivariable analysis to identify correlates of misuse was restricted to young adults aged 18-25 years (n=55 690).