ALBERT

Description: Precision medicine, taking account of human individuality in genes, environment, and lifestyle for early disease diagnosis and individualized therapy, has shown great promise to transform medical care. Nontargeted metabolomics, with the ability to detect broad classes of biochemicals, can provide a comprehensive functional phenotype integrating clinical phenotypes with genetic and nongenetic factors. To test the application of metabolomics in individual diagnosis, we conducted a metabolomics analysis on plasma samples collected from 80 volunteers of normal health with complete medical records and three-generation pedigrees. Using a broad-spectrum metabolomics platform consisting of liquid chromatography and GC coupled with MS, we profiled nearly 600 metabolites covering 72 biochemical pathways in all major branches of biosynthesis, catabolism, gut microbiome activities, and xenobiotics. Statistical analysis revealed a considerable range of variation and potential metabolic abnormalities across the individuals in this cohort. Examination of the convergence of metabolomics profiles with whole-exon sequences (WESs) provided an effective approach to assess and interpret clinical significance of genetic mutations, as shown in a number of cases, including fructose intolerance, xanthinuria, and carnitine deficiency. Metabolic abnormalities consistent with early indications of diabetes, liver dysfunction, and disruption of gut microbiome homeostasis were identified in several volunteers. Additionally, diverse metabolic responses to medications among the volunteers may assist to identify therapeutic effects and sensitivity to toxicity. The results of this study demonstrate that metabolomics could be an effective approach to complement next generation sequencing (NGS) for disease risk analysis, disease monitoring, and drug management in our goal toward precision care.

Description: In prokaryotic systems, the initiation phase of protein synthesis is governed by the presence of initiation factors that guide the transition of the small ribosomal subunit (30S) from an unlocked preinitiation complex (30S preIC) to a locked initiation complex (30SIC) upon the formation of a correct codon–anticodon interaction in the peptidyl (P) site. Biochemical and structural characterization of GE81112, a translational inhibitor specific for the initiation phase, indicates that the main mechanism of action of this antibiotic is to prevent P-site decoding by stabilizing the anticodon stem loop of the initiator tRNA in a distorted conformation. This distortion stalls initiation in the unlocked 30S preIC state characterized by tighter IF3 binding and a reduced association rate for the 50S subunit. At the structural level we observe that in the presence of GE81112 the h44/h45/h24a interface, which is part of the IF3 binding site and forms ribosomal intersubunit bridges, preferentially adopts a disengaged conformation. Accordingly, the findings reveal that the dynamic equilibrium between the disengaged and engaged conformations of the h44/h45/h24a interface regulates the progression of protein synthesis, acting as a molecular switch that senses and couples the 30S P-site decoding step of translation initiation to the transition from an unlocked preIC to a locked 30SIC state.

Description: Elevated levels of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) are thought to contribute to cognitive and behavioral impairments observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) participates in multiple molecular pathways implicated in AD, and its expression and activity are reduced in postmortem brains of AD patients. PP2A is regulated by protein methylation, and impaired PP2A methylation is thought to contribute to increased AD risk in hyperhomocysteinemic individuals. To examine further the link between PP2A and AD, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress the PP2A methylesterase, protein phosphatase methylesterase-1 (PME-1), or the PP2A methyltransferase, leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT-1), and examined the sensitivity of these animals to behavioral and electrophysiological impairments caused by exogenous Aβ exposure. We found that PME-1 overexpression enhanced these impairments, whereas LCMT-1 overexpression protected against Aβ-induced impairments. Neither transgene affected Aβ production or the electrophysiological response to low concentrations of Aβ, suggesting that these manipulations selectively affect the pathological response to elevated Aβ levels. Together these data identify a molecular mechanism linking PP2A to the development of AD-related cognitive impairments that might be therapeutically exploited to target selectively the pathological effects caused by elevated Aβ levels in AD patients.

Description: Field studies were conducted over a three-year period (2011, 2012, and 2013) in Louisiana to evaluate the effect of glufosinate rate and timing on glyphosate-resistant (GR) rhizomatous johnsongrass control in glufosinate-resistant soybean. Treatments included glufosinate (0.5, 0.6, or 0.7 kg ai ha−1) applied alone POST1 (46 cm tall johnsongrass) and sequentially 3 (POST2) or 4 (POST3) wk after POST1 at 0.5 or 0.6 kg ha−1. Glufosinate (0.7 kg ha−1) applied POST1 controlled johnsongrass 77% at soybean harvest. Averaged across sequential application rate, delaying the sequential application from POST2 to POST3 increased control from 65 to 78% at harvest. Increasing sequential application rate from 0.5 to 0.6 kg ha−1 reduced johnsongrass heights 15% at harvest. Furthermore, delaying the sequential application from POST2 to POST3 reduced GR rhizomatous johnsongrass heights to 63% of the nontreated at harvest. Soybean yields were maximized following the POST1 application of glufosinate at 0.7 kg ha−1 (2670 kg ha−1) and by applying 0.6 kg ha−1 of glufosinate sequentially (2620 kg ha−1), regardless of sequential application timing. Maximum control and soybean yield were observed following glufosinate POST1 at 0.7 kg ha−1 followed by 0.6 kg ha−1 at POST3. This data indicates that glufosinate is an option for management of GR rhizomatous johnsongrass.

Description: Nerve growth factor (NGF) was discovered because of its neurotrophic actions on sympathetic and sensory neurons in the developing chicken embryo. NGF was subsequently found to influence and regulate the function of many neuronal and non neuronal cells in adult organisms. Little is known, however, about the possible actions of NGF during early embryonic stages. However, mRNAs encoding for NGF and its receptors TrkA and p75NTR are expressed at very early stages of avian embryo development, before the nervous system is formed. The question, therefore, arises as to what might be the functions of NGF in early chicken embryo development, before its well-established actions on the developing sympathetic and sensory neurons. To investigate possible roles of NGF in the earliest stages of development, stage HH 11–12 chicken embryos were injected with an anti-NGF antibody (mAb αD11) that binds mature NGF with high affinity. Treatment with anti-NGF, but not with a control antibody, led to a dose-dependent inversion of the direction of axial rotation. This effect of altered rotation after anti NGF injection was associated with an increased cell death in somites. Concurrently, a microarray mRNA expression analysis revealed that NGF neutralization affects the expression of genes linked to the regulation of development or cell proliferation. These results reveal a role for NGF in early chicken embryo development and, in particular, in the regulation of somite survival and axial rotation, a crucial developmental process linked to left–right asymmetry specification.

Description: In prokaryotic systems, the initiation phase of protein synthesis is governed by the presence of initiation factors that guide the transition of the small ribosomal subunit (30S) from an unlocked preinitiation complex (30S preIC) to a locked initiation complex (30SIC) upon the formation of a correct codon–anticodon interaction in the...

Description: Abstract 1860 Background: ARRY-520 is a potent, selective inhibitor of kinesin spindle protein (KSP, eg5) which is required for cell cycle progression through mitosis. Treatment with ARRY-520 arrests cells in mitosis with subsequent induction of apoptosis due to degradation of survival signals during mitotic arrest. Cancers, such as multiple myeloma (MM), that depend on the short-lived survival protein Myeloid cell leukemia (MCL)-1 are highly sensitive to treatment with ARRY-520 in preclinical MM models, providing a strong rationale for its clinical investigation in this disease. Methods: This Phase 1 study was designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), preliminary efficacy and biological activity of ARRY-520 administered intravenously on Days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks without/with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. Eligible patients (pts) had relapsed or refractory MM with ≥ 2 prior lines of therapy (including both bortezomib [BTZ] and an immunomodulatory [IMiD] agent), unless refusing or ineligible for this therapy. Cohorts were enrolled in a classical 3+3 dose escalation design. Results: Enrollment in this Phase 1 study is complete. Thirty-one pts have been treated, with a median age of 60 years (range 43–79) and a median of 6 prior regimens (range 2–16). All pts received a prior proteasome inhibitor (30 pts BTZ, 4 pts carfilzomib) and an IMiD-based agent (28 pts lenalidomide, 23 pts thalidomide). Twenty-four pts had an autologous stem cell transplant. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined to be 1.25 mg/m2/day without G-CSF. As neutropenia was the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), dose escalation with G-CSF support was conducted and the MTD for ARRY-520 with G-CSF was determined to be 1.5 mg/m2/day. At the MTD, 1 of 7 pts had a DLT of febrile neutropenia. At doses above the MTD, additional DLTs of Grade 3 mucositis and Grade 3 corneal disorder were observed. ARRY-520 demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. The most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events (AEs) included hematologic events (anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), as well as anorexia, blurred vision, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, febrile neutropenia, mucositis, nausea and rash. No treatment-related AEs of neuropathy or alopecia were reported at the MTD. ARRY-520 has been dosed over extended periods of time (to date, median 7 cycles [range 1–44]), with no evidence of cumulative toxicity. The plasma concentrations of ARRY-520 were determined over a 7-day period during Cycle 1 following the Day 1 and 2 infusions of ARRY-520. The preliminary noncompartmental PK parameter estimates in this population were similar to those observed in prior oncology studies. The PK was characterized by low clearance (CL = 2.2 L/hr/m2) and a large volume of distribution (Vss = 232 L/m2). The t1/2 of elimination was very long (67 hrs). Concentrations were typically maintained above the in vitro IC50 for KSP inhibition for ≥ 7 days suggesting therapeutically active concentrations of drug were maintained in pts for sustained periods. Further analyses of PK relative to safety and activity are on-going. ARRY-520 showed activity as a single agent across a range of doses in this heavily pretreated population (31 evaluable pts) with 3 confirmed partial responses (PR) and 1 confirmed minimal response (MR) per International Melanoma Working Group (IMWG) and European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EMBT) criteria. PRs had a median of 7 prior therapies (range 2–8). Responses were durable; to date, the durations of responses for PRs were 3.4+ months (mos), 11.9+ mos and 12.0 mos, respectively. Of interest, the time to response with ARRY-520 was prolonged, with a median time to PR of 3.7 mos (range 3.7–8.1). Notably, responses were observed in pts refractory to multiple standard-of-care agents. In addition, 4 pts experienced a best response of stable disease (SD) lasting ≥ 10 mos. To date, 5 pts remain on study, including 2 of 3 PRs. Conclusions: In this Phase 1 study, ARRY-520 shows promising evidence of clinical activity, with a long duration of response and an acceptable safety profile in heavily pretreated MM Patients. A Phase 2 portion of the study is ongoing to obtain additional information on the efficacy, safety and biological effects of ARRY-520 at 1.5 mg/m2/day with G-CSF support. Disclosures: Shah: Array BioPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding. Off Label Use: ARRY-520. Zonder:Millenium: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Medtronics: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy. Cohen:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Millenium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria. Orlowski:Array BioPharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Alexanian:Array BioPharma: Research Funding. Thomas:Array BioPharma: Research Funding; Centecor: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Immunomedics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Millenium: Research Funding. Weber:Array BioPharma: Research Funding. Kaufman:Keryx: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding. Walker:Array BioPharma: Employment, Equity Ownership. Litwiler:Array BioPharma: Employment. Karan:Array BioPharma: Employment. Hilder:a: Employment. Ptaszynski:Array BioPharma Inc.: Consultancy. Lonial:Millenium: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Merck: Consultancy.

Description: Abstract 4082 Background: ARRY-520, a novel kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor, has been studied as a single agent and in combination with dexamethasone, and demonstrated promising clinical activity in patients with bortezomib- and lenalidomide-refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Carfilzomib, a novel irreversible proteasome inhibitor (PI), has also demonstrated single agent activity in relapsed and refractory MM, and recently received regulatory approval for this indication. Preclinical data support the presence of synergy with the combination of a PI and a KSP inhibitor via the latter's ability to down-regulate Mcl-1, supporting our hypothesis that the combination of carfilzomib and ARRY-520 (Car-ARRY) would be highly active in relapsed and/or refractory myeloma. We therefore aimed to combine these two agents for the first time, and here report the initial findings from the phase I dose-escalation in patients with relapsed and/or refractory MM. Methods: The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the safety/tolerability of the Car-ARRY combination. Secondary objectives were to determine efficacy as measured by the overall response rate, time to progression, progression free survival and time to next therapy. Patients had to have myeloma that was relapsed and/or refractory, be ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant, bortezomib refractory/intolerant, and prior lenalidomide exposure. ARRY-520 was administered intravenously over 1 hour on days 1, 2, 15 and 16, while carfilzomib was administered intravenously over 30 minutes on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 on a 28 day cycle. All patients received growth factor support with filgrastim. Dose-escalation used a standard 3+3 schema proceeded based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during cycle 1, with planned escalation of the dose of ARRY-520. Dose level 1 was ARRY-520 0.75 mg/m2, and carfilzomib was dosed at 20 mg/m2 for cycle 1 on days 1 and 2 and all subsequent dose were at 27 mg/m2. Adverse events (AEs) were graded by NCI-CTCAE v4, while responses were assessed by the modified International Uniform Response Criteria. Results: To date, 8 patients have been enrolled in the ongoing dose escalation phase. The median age was 66 (range 47–80), 6/8 were males, and the median number of prior therapies was 4 (range 2–10). 7/8 patients had undergone prior autologous stem cell transplant, and all patients were bortezomib refractory or intolerant. In the first cohort, 3 patients were enrolled and no dole limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed. During the second cohort, ARRY-520 was escalated to 1 mg/m2 with carfilzomib at 20/27 mg/m2, and among the first 3 patients, one patient suffered a DLT in the form of an admission for influenza pneumonia with non-neutropenic fever. Expansion of cohort 2 is currently underway. Among the 6 patients who completed the first cycle of therapy, 5 remain on study. In the first cohort, one patient remains on study with 6 cycles and achieved a near complete remission, 1 patient achieved stable disease, and 1 patient suffered disease progression after first cycle. In the second cohort, all three patients who completed the first cycle have stable disease and remain on trial. In the first 6 toxicity-evaluable patients who have completed one cycle, grade (G) 3 events included one each of pneumonia, diarrhea, and hyperglycemia. There was limited hematologic toxicity with 4/6 patients with G1/2 thrombocytopenia, 3/6 patients with G1/2 anemia, and 1/6 patient with G1/2 neutropenia. Additional G1/2 non-hematologic toxicity included 3/6 patients with diarrhea, 3/6 patients with dyspnea, 3/6 patients with transient elevations in creatinine and 3/6 patients with aspartate aminotransferase elevations. An MTD has not been established and enrollment is ongoing in cohort 2 with carfilzomib at 20/27mg/m2 and ARRY-520 at 1.0 mg/m2. Conclusions: The combination of ARRY-520 and carfilzomib is well tolerated with limited hematologic toxicity and a manageable side effect profile. Notably, in this patient population, with patients who have bortezomib refractory/intolerant myeloma, the combination has demonstrated early signals of activity. Updated safety and efficacy data for all patients will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures: Shah: Onyx: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Array BioPharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Off Label Use: This presentation will include information about Arry-520 which is not yet approved for use in patients with multiple myeloma. Wang:Pharmacyclic: Research Funding; onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Hilder:Array BioPharma: Employment. Orlowski:onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; array biopharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Description: Background: We undertook a large multisite observational study collecting prospective data on health care utilization of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). No prospective examination of symptom burden has been undertaken in SCD since the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease, and none in the modern era, since the widespread adoption of hydroxyurea therapy. The ESCAPED trial aims to compare patient centered outcomes following management of acute painful vaso-occlusive (VOC) events in the emergency department or in the infusion center. Here, we examine acute care utilization patterns in the first 223 subjects who have completed at least 6 months of follow-up and test determinants of utilization. Methods: This is an ongoing, prospective cohort study that is recruiting across four sites (Baltimore, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Baton Rouge). 500 adults with SCD who live in proximity to one of the study sites are being recruited and followed for 18 months. Data from visits for all acute, uncomplicated VOC are collected by chart review and patient interview. To ensure that acute visits are not missed, subjects are contacted on a monthly basis and where available statewide health information exchanges are queried. We tested for associations between subject characteristics upon enrollment and the number of acute visits during follow up using Poisson regression. Results: The average length of follow-up to date is 9.1 months with a range of 6.1-14.2 months for the 223 subjects who have been enrolled for at least 6 months. The mean number of acute visits per month for uncomplicated VOC by the cohort was 0.65 (SD 0.87) with a median of 0.35, minimum of 0 and maximum of 5. 43 subjects have had no acute visits. 59% of the cohort are female, the mean age is 35.6 (SD 12.1). 74.3% have sickle cell anemia, 42% are employed and 52% reported having chronic pain. In a multivariate model, factors associated with an independent decrease in likelihood of an acute visit were increasing age, a history of leg ulcers, graduating high school and being employed, while an increase in likelihood of an acute visit was associated with chronic complications (kidney disease, retinopathy, stroke, and avascular necrosis) and chronic pain. Conclusions: In this cohort, chronic complications like renal disease and AVN are associated with increased acute care visits. The association of chronic pain as an independent risk factor for acute visits, while intuitive, suggests that understanding and managing chronic pain may be central to mitigating pain and decreasing the need for acute care visits in the long term. The prevalence of chronic pain is high in this cohort, which likely well represents the contemporary US sickle cell community. The development of therapeutic strategies that address this significant complication of SCD are imperative if we are to both decrease symptom burden and the need for health care utilization in this population. Disclosures Lanzkron: NKT therapeutics: Research Funding; Prolong: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Selexys: Research Funding; NHLBI: Research Funding; PCORI: Research Funding; GBT: Consultancy. Haywood:PCORI: Research Funding; NHLBI: Research Funding. Little:PCORI: Research Funding. Field:PCORI: Research Funding; NKT Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding. Shows:PCORI: Employment, Research Funding. Segal:PCORI funded: Research Funding. Saheed:PCORI: Research Funding. Robertson:PCORI: Research Funding. Proudford:PCORI: Research Funding. Kincaid:PCORI funded: Research Funding. Burgess:PCORI: Research Funding. Green:PCORI: Research Funding. Wang:PCORI: Research Funding. Seufert:PCORI: Research Funding. Brooks:PCORI: Research Funding. Griffin:PCORI: Research Funding. Piehet:PCORI: Research Funding. Frymark:PCORI: Research Funding. Varadhan:PCORI: Research Funding.