Bardoxolone methyl methyl-2-cyano-3, 12-dioxooleana-1, 9(11)dien-28-oate (CDDO-Me), an activator of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor2 pathway, is a potential therapeutic ...candidate for the treatment of kidney diseases. However, its effect against cellular senescence remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether CDDO-Me protects cells against cisplatin-induced cellular senescence using an in vitro model. The human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 was treated with cisplatin for 6 h, followed by treatment with or without CDDO-Me (0.1 or 0.2 μmol/L). Senescence markers were analyzed using western blotting and real-time PCR. Apoptosis was evaluated through TUNEL staining. Cisplatin induced changes in the levels of markers specific for proliferation, cell cycle, and senescence in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the culture medium increased markedly. These data suggested that cellular senescence-like alterations occurred in HK-2 cells exposed to cisplatin. CDDO-Me treatment reversed the cisplatin-mediated alterations in the levels of cellular senescence markers. The antioxidant enzymes,
HO1
,
NQO1
,
GPX1
, and
CAT
were upregulated by CDDO-Me treatment. Furthermore, CDDO-Me treatment induced apoptosis in cisplatin-exposed HK-2 cells. Pretreatment with Ac-DEVD-CHO, the caspase inhibitor, suppressed the reversal effect of CDDO-Me against cisplatin-induced cellular senescence-like alterations. This study showed that CDDO-Me attenuated cisplatin-induced premature senescence of HK-2 cells. This beneficial effect may be related to Nrf2 activation. Our findings also showed that CDDO-Me induced apoptosis in cisplatin-treated HK-2 cells, potentially protecting the kidneys from cellular senescence. CDDO-Me appears to be a candidate treatment for acute kidney injury.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Oligometastasis is a state in which cancer patients have a limited number of metastatic tumors; patients with oligometastases survive longer than those with polymetastases. Extensive disease ...(ED)-small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is considered a systemic disease and a poor survival. This study investigated whether the concept of oligometastases is prognostic factor also applicable to patients with ED-SCLC.
We performed a retrospective study of 141 consecutive patients with ED-SCLC between 2008 and 2016. The patients were divided into four subgroups: group 1; patients with solitary metastatic site in one organ (n = 31), group 2; patients with 2-5 metastatic sites in one organ (n = 18), group 3; patients with over 6 metastases in one organ (n = 15), and group 4; patients with 2 or more metastatic organs (n = 77).
It was identified that 49 patients with ED-SCLC had oligometastases (groups 1 + 2) and 92 had polymetastases (groups 3 + 4). The prognoses of patients with ED-SCLC and oligometastases, defined as ≤5 metastases in a single organ, were significantly superior to those of patients with polymetastases 16.0 (95% CI, 11.0-21.0) months vs. 6.9 (95% CI, 6.0-7.8) months; p<0.001. 43 of 49 patients with ED-SCLC and oligometastases were relapsed after initial chemotherapy, and 38 (88%) experienced local recurrence.
Patients with ED-SCLC and oligometastases may have improved survival than those with polymetastases. As oligometastatic ED-SCLC tends to recur locally, local therapy combined with systemic chemotherapy may be a treatment option.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Inhaled granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a promising therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) but has not been adequately studied.
To evaluate safety and efficacy ...of inhaled GM-CSF in patients with unremitting or progressive PAP.
We conducted a national, multicenter, self-controlled, phase II trial at nine pulmonary centers throughout Japan. Patients who had lung biopsy or cytology findings diagnostic of PAP, an elevated serum GM-CSF antibody level, and a Pa(O(2)) of less than 75 mm Hg entered a 12-week observation period. Those who improved (i.e., alveolar-arterial oxygen difference A-aDO(2) decreased by 10 mm Hg) during observation were excluded. The rest entered sequential periods of high-dose therapy (250 microg Days 1-8, none Days 9-14; x six cycles; 12 wk); low-dose therapy (125 microg Days 1-4, none Days 5-14; x six cycles; 12 wk), and follow-up (52 wk).
Fifty patients with PAP were enrolled in the study. During observation, nine improved and two withdrew; all of these were excluded. Of 35 patients completing the high- and low-dose therapy, 24 improved, resulting in an overall response rate of 62% (24/39; intention-to-treat analysis) and reduction in A-aDO(2) of 12.3 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 8.4-16.2; n = 35, P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred, and serum GM-CSF autoantibody levels were unchanged. A treatment-emergent correlation occurred between A-aDO(2) and diffusing capacity of the lung, and high-resolution CT revealed improvement of ground-glass opacity. Twenty-nine of 35 patients remained stable without further therapy for 1 year.
Inhaled GM-CSF therapy is safe, effective, and provides a sustained therapeutic effect in autoimmune PAP. Clinical trial registered with www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn (ISRCTN18931678), www.jmacct.med.or.jp/english (JMA-IIA00013).
Summary
Background
. The optimal second and subsequent lines of chemotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have preexisting interstitial lung disease (ILD) are unclear. ...Hence, we examined the clinical efficacy and safety of second-line chemotherapy in such patients, including any exacerbation of preexisting ILD.
Methods.
The medical records of patients with NSCLC and preexisting ILD who received both first- and second-line chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed.
Results.
Twenty-four patients with a median age of 71 years who were treated between April 2013 and March 2021 were included. The response rate after second-line chemotherapy with S-1 (n = 13), docetaxel (n = 8), pemetrexed (n = 2), or docetaxel plus ramucirumab (n = 1) was 12.5%, with a median progression-free survival (2nd line PFS) of 3.8 months. The overall survival from a start of first-line chemotherapy (1
st
line OS) and post-progression survival (PPS) post-first-line chemotherapy were 18.7 and 9.7 months, respectively. Spearman rank correlation and linear regression analyses showed that PPS was strongly correlated with 1st line OS (R = 0.85, P < 0.00001). Importantly, the 2nd line PFS was also significantly correlated with 1st line OS (R = 0.71, P = 0.0001). While second-line chemotherapy-related acute exacerbation of ILD was observed in 7 patients (29.2%), there were no treatment-related fatalities.
Conslusions.
Second-line chemotherapy has a strong positive impact on the OS of patients with NSCLC who have preexisting ILD. Given the findings of this study, second-line chemotherapy may be valuable in terms of prolonging long-term OS.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Megalin, an endocytic receptor expressed in proximal tubule cells, plays a critical role in renal tubular protein reabsorption and is associated with the albuminuria observed in diabetic nephropathy. ...We have previously reported increased oxidant production in the renal cortex during the normoalbuminuric stage of diabetes mellitus (DM); however, the relationship between oxidative stress and renal megalin expression during the normoalbuminuric stage of DM remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated whether oxidative stress affects megalin expression in the normoalbuminuric stage of DM in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and in immortalized human proximal tubular cells (HK-2). We demonstrated that increased expression of renal megalin accompanies oxidative stress during the early stage of DM, before albuminuria development. Telmisartan treatment prevented the diabetes-induced elevation in megalin level, possibly through an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. In HK-2 cells, hydrogen peroxide significantly increased megalin levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner; however, the elevation in megalin expression was decreased following prolonged exposure to severe oxidative stress induced by 0.4 mmol/l hydrogen peroxide. High-glucose treatment also significantly increased megalin expression in HK-2 cells. Concurrent administration of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine blocked the effects of high glucose on megalin expression. Furthermore, the hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in megalin expression was blocked by treatment with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt inhibitors. Increase of phosphorylated Akt expression was also seen in the renal cortex of diabetic rats. Taken together, our results indicate that mild oxidative stress increases renal megalin expression through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway in the normoalbuminuric stage of DM.
Summary
Background
Exon 19 deletion and L858R point mutation in exon 21 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (
EGFR
) are the most commonly encountered mutations in patients with non-small cell ...lung cancer (NSCLC) and predict better clinical outcomes following treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The inflammatory indicator neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood serves as a predictive factor for NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. Here, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between NLR and clinical efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC patients harboring
EGFR
mutations.
Methods
We retrospectively collected information of 205 patients with advanced NSCLC harboring exon 19 deletion or L858R point mutation and receiving gefitinib or erlotinib. The clinical outcomes in the NSCLC patients were evaluated based on NLR level before EGFR-TKI therapy.
Results
The optimal cut-off value for NLR was 3.55. The response rates in the low-NLR and high-NLR groups were 69.2% and 51.5%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) in the low-NLR and high-NLR groups were 15.7 months and 6.7 months, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) in the low-NLR and high-NLR groups were 37.6 months and 19.2 months, respectively. The multivariate analysis identified performance status (PS), NLR, stage, and smoking status as independent predictors of PFS. Moreover, the PS and NLR were identified as independent predictors of OS.
Conclusions
NLR was a significant predictor of clinical efficacy and OS in NSCLC patients harboring
EGFR
mutations treated with gefitinib or erlotinib.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
This multicenter, phase II study was conducted to evaluate the activity of amrubicin, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, against refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
SCLC patients with ...measurable disease who had been treated previously with at least one platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2 were eligible. Two groups of patients were selected: patients who experienced first-line treatment failure less than 60 days from treatment discontinuation (refractory group), and patients who responded to first-line treatment and experienced disease progression > or = 60 days after treatment discontinuation (sensitive group). Amrubicin was administered as a 5-minute daily intravenous injection at a dose of 40 mg/m2 for 3 consecutive days, every 3 weeks.
Between June 2003 and December 2004, 60 patients (16 refractory and 44 sensitive) were enrolled. The median number of treatment cycles was four (range, one to eight). Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities comprised neutropenia (83%), thrombocytopenia (20%), and anemia (33%). Febrile neutropenia was observed in three patients (5%). Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. No treatment-related death was observed. The overall response rates were 50% (95% CI, 25% to 75%) in the refractory group, and 52% (95% CI, 37% to 68%) in the sensitive group. The progression-free survival, overall survival, and 1-year survival in the refractory group and the sensitive group were 2.6 and 4.2 months, 10.3 and 11.6 months, and 40% and 46%, respectively.
Amrubicin exhibits significant activity against SCLC, with predictable and manageable toxicities; this agent deserves to be studied more extensively in additional trials.
Summary
Introduction
Afatinib is used to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring common
EGFR
mutations; however, the clinicopathological factors that predict this ...drug’s effectiveness in real-world settings remain unclear. We therefore evaluated the effectiveness of afatinib in such patients and assessed potential prognostic factors.
Methods
We retrospectively investigated patients with NSCLC who received first-line afatinib between July 2014 and August 2018. Variables (including sex, age, performance status, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,
EGFR
genotype, smoking status, clinical stage prior to treatment stage IV vs.. postoperative recurrence, presence or absence of brain metastases, body surface area, any afatinib dose reductions, and afatinib starting dose 40 vs.. 20 or 30 mg) were subjected to a Cox proportional hazards regression model to estimate progression-free survival (PFS).
Results
Forty-eight patients with a median age of 67 years were included; the objective response rate was 62.5% (30 patients). The median PFS was 14.1 months; the PFS periods were 11.8 and 15.9 months for patients receiving 40 mg versus 20–30 mg of afatinib (
P
= 0.41), respectively, and were 14.5 and 13.8 months for patients who required afatinib dose reduction and those who did not, respectively (
P
= 0.80). The PFS tended to be longer in patients without brain metastases (albeit not significantly). Ultimately, no significant predictive values for PFS were identified.
Conclusions
Afatinib is effective for patients with NSCLC harboring common
EGFR
mutations irrespective of their clinicopathological backgrounds. A direct comparison of afatinib and osimertinib in treatment-naïve patients is warranted to determine the optimal standard of care.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Background Treatment of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) by subcutaneous injection or inhaled therapy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been ...demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in several reports. However, some reports of subcutaneous injection described transient benefit in most instances. The durability of response to inhaled GM-CSF therapy is not well characterized. Methods To elucidate the risk factors for recurrence of aPAP after GM-CSF inhalation, 35 patients were followed up, monitoring for the use of any additional PAP therapies and disease severity score every 6 months. Physiologic, serologic, and radiologic features of the patients were analyzed for the findings of 30-month observation after the end of inhalation therapy. Results During the observation, 23 patients remained free from additional treatments, and twelve patients required additional treatments. There were no significant differences in age, sex, symptoms, oxygenation indexes, or anti-GM-CSF antibody levels at the beginning of treatment between the two groups. Baseline vital capacity (% predicted, %VC) were higher among those who required additional treatment ( P < .01). Those patients not requiring additional treatment maintained the improved disease severity score initially achieved. A significant difference in the time to additional treatment between the high %VC group (%VC ≥ 80.5) and the low %VC group was seen by a Kaplan-Meier analysis and a log-rank test ( P < .0005). Conclusions These results demonstrate that inhaled GM-CSF therapy sustained remission of aPAP in more than one-half of cases, and baseline %VC might be a prognostic factor for disease recurrence. Trial registry ISRCTN Register and JMACCT Clinical Trial Registry; No.: ISRCTN18931678 and JMAIIA00013; URL: http://www.isrctn.org and http://www.jmacct.med.or.jp
Objective. The post-progression survival (PPS) following first-line chemotherapy has been shown to influence the overall survival (OS) of patients with malignant diseases, including lung cancer. The ...aim of this study was to compare the influence of the PPS on the OS of elderly or poor performance status (PS) patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) to that of the progression-free survival (PFS) on the OS. Methods. The medical records of patients with ED-SCLC who were elderly (≥70 years old) or had a poor PS and who received chemotherapy between March 2010 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-five such patients who were treated with carboplatin-based chemotherapy or amrubicin monotherapy as first-line intervention were included, and the relationships between the OS and the PFS and PPS were analyzed. Results. The median age of the 75 patients was 72 years old. The median PFS and OS intervals were 6.1 and 11.8 months, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression analyses showed that the PPS was more strongly correlated with the OS (r = 0.91, R2 = 0.83, P = 0.0001) than with the PFS (r = 0.81, R2 = 0.65, P = 0.017). In the multivariate analysis, a good PS, using carboplatin-based chemotherapy as the first-line chemotherapy, achieving a response to first-line chemotherapy, and implementation of second-line chemotherapy were independent favorable predictors of the PPS. Conclusion. The PPS after first-line chemotherapy has a strong impact on the OS in elderly or poor PS patients with ED-SCLC. Given the findings of this study, the development of novel anti-cancer drugs that are effective against SCLC is warranted to improve the PPS in such patients.