scholarly journals The Present Status of Immuno-Oncolytic Viruses in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1318
Author(s):  
Scott D. Haller ◽  
Michael L. Monaco ◽  
Karim Essani

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries. The incidence of PDAC has increased over the last 40 years and is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030. Despite aggressive treatment regimens, prognosis for patients diagnosed with PDAC is very poor; PDAC has the lowest 5-year survival rate for any form of cancer in the United States (US). PDAC is very rarely detected in early stages when surgical resection can be performed. Only 20% of cases are suitable for surgical resection; this remains the only curative treatment when combined with adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment regimens excluding surgical intervention such as chemotherapeutic treatments are associated with adverse effects and genetherapy strategies also struggle with lack of specificity and/or efficacy. The lack of effective treatments for this disease highlights the necessity for innovation in treatment options for patients diagnosed with early- to late-phase PDAC and immuno-oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been of particular interest since 2006 when the first oncolytic virus was approved as a therapy for nasopharyngeal cancers in China. Interest resurged in 2015 when T-Vec, an oncolytic herpes simplex virus, was approved in the United States for treatment of advanced melanoma. While many vectors have been explored, few show promise as treatment for pancreatic cancer, and fewer still have progressed to clinical trial evaluation. This review outlines recent strategies in the development of OVs targeting treatment of PDAC, current state of preclinical and clinical investigation and application.

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1360-1360
Author(s):  
Dong Dai ◽  
Ji Haeng Heo ◽  
Andrew Rava ◽  
Etienne Jousseaume ◽  
Roberto Ramos ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To determine treatment regimens used in clinical practice and the associated clinical outcomes among third line (3L) follicular lymphoma (FL) patients in the United States (US). Methods: This non-interventional, retrospective study used Optum electronic health records (EHR) database for FL patients in the US between 1 Jan 2007 and 31 Dec 2020. The start of this period was selected to align with the Morrison et al. 2019, with 5 years of additional data. The identification period was 1 Jan 2008 to 31 Dec 2019, to ensure at least 1 year of baseline before and 60 days of follow-up (unless death happens before) after the index date, defined as start date of 3L treatment. Adult patients (≥18 years) treated in integrated delivery networks with at least one of the 3L treatments of interest (rituximab, bendamustine and rituximab, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K] inhibitors [copanlisib, duvelisib, idelalisib], lenalidomide and rituximab [R2], tazemetostat, and stem cell transplant) were included. Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) diagnosis or clinical trial enrollment on or before the index date or any other cancer diagnosis before the first FL diagnosis were excluded. All agents initiated within 90 days after the index diagnosis constituted the 1L treatment. A subsequent line of therapy (LOT) was defined as treatment initiated after ≥180 days following the runout date of all agents, or addition or substitution of a new agent in the prior LOT after 90 days. The primary endpoints were time to progression (DLBCL transformation, new LOT initiation, or supportive care), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), while time to next treatment (TTNT) and treatment patterns were the key secondary endpoints. The analyses were conducted for the overall cohort, patients with early progression within 24 months (POD24) after 1L treatment, patients with index date after and including year 2014, as well as for different 3L treatment regimens. The sub-group with 2014 as index date was selected based on idelalisib approval in 2014. Results: The final cohort of patients (used one of the 3L treatments of interest and met inclusion/exclusion criteria) consisted of 687 patients: mean age 62.9 years (range 18 - 86), female (46.9%), Caucasians (87.3%), non-Hispanics (92.1%), and median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) 3 (range 1 - 18). Rituximab-based regimens (73.7%) were the most common 3L treatments (mono 38.4%, combo 35.2%). Obinutuzumab was used as combination 3L therapy by 6 (0.87%) patients. Bendamustine, PI3K and lenalidomide monotherapies were administered to 3.1%, 2.2% and 1.9% patients, respectively (Figure 1). Rituximab-based regimens were also the most frequently used 1L, 2L, and 4L treatment options (50.8% moved to 4L and 33.6% had rituximab-based regimens). The median time to progression, PFS, and TTNT for 3L in the overall cohort were 16.6 (95% CI 14.4, 18.1), 12.5 (95% CI 11.3, 14.4), and 18 (95% CI 15.8, 19.9) months, respectively. The 1-, 2-and 5-year OS were 83.1%, 74.8% and 61.4%, respectively. The outcomes of 3L among POD24 , non-POD24, as well as patients with index date after and including year 2014 were similar to that of the overall cohort. The median time to progression, PFS, and TTNT with rituximab treatment were 19.1 (95% CI 16.7, 21.7), 15.7 (95% CI 14.2, 17.5), and 18.8 (95% CI 17, 21.7) months respectively. The median OS with rituximab therapy was not reached while the 5-year OS was 67% (Table 1). Moreover, we did not observe statistically significant differences in time to progression, OS, PFS, and TTNT for the 3L treatment between POD24 and non-POD24 patients using a Cox regression model with adjustment for baseline characteristics (age, gender, region, and CCI). The median time to progression, PFS, and TTNT among POD24 vs. non-POD24 were 15.7 vs. 17.9, 11.6 vs. 15.2, and 18 vs. 17.9 months, respectively. Conclusion: Rituximab-based regimens were the most common 3L treatment options for FL patients. Bendamustine, PI3K, and lenalidomide monotherapies were used by a smaller proportion of patients. R2 was used by a small number of patients for 3L treatment, but it is becoming an important option for FL treatment since its approval in 2019. The majority of outcomes observed could be considered poor, newer agents undergoing clinical trials could provide additional treatment choices to physicians to balance treatment effectiveness with safety and patients' quality of life. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Dai: Novartis: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Heo: Genesis Research: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Rava: Genesis Research: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Jousseaume: Novartis: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Ramos: Novartis: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Bollu: Novartis: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (27) ◽  
pp. 3432-3438 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Hoos ◽  
Porsha M. James ◽  
Lola Rahib ◽  
Anitra W. Talley ◽  
Julie M. Fleshman ◽  
...  

Purpose Pancreatic cancer clinical trials open in the United States and their accrual were examined to identify opportunities to accelerate progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Methods Pancreatic cancer–specific clinical trials open in the United States in the years 2011 and 2012 were obtained from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network database. Accrual information was obtained from trial sponsors. Results The portfolio of pancreatic cancer clinical trials identified by type (adenocarcinoma or neuroendocrine), phase, disease stage, and treatment approach is reported. More than half of trials for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma applied biologic insights to new therapeutic approaches, and 38% focused on optimization of radiation or chemotherapy delivery or regimens. In 2011, pancreatic cancer trials required total enrollment of 11,786 patients. Actual accrual to 93.2% of trials was 1,804 patients, an estimated 4.57% of the patients with pancreatic cancer alive in that year. The greatest need was for patients with resectable cancer. Trials open in 2011 enrolled an average of 15% of their total target accrual. Physician recommendations greatly influenced patients' decision to enroll or not enroll onto a clinical trial. Matching to a clinical trial within a 50-mile radius and identifying trials for recurrent/refractory disease were documented as challenges for patient accrual. Conclusion Overall trial enrollment indicates that pancreatic cancer trials open in 2011 would require 6.7 years on average to complete accrual. These results suggest that harmonizing patient supply and demand for clinical trials is required to accelerate progress toward improving survival in pancreatic cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 2585-2594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmalingam Subramaniam ◽  
Gaurav Kaushik ◽  
Prasad Dandawate ◽  
Shrikant Anant

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in United States. Regardless of the advances in molecular pathogenesis and consequential efforts to suppress the disease, this cancer remains a major health problem in United States. By 2030, the projection is that pancreatic cancer will be climb up to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly invasive and highly metastatic cancer, and does not respond to standard therapies. Emerging evidence supports that the presence of a unique population of cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs) as potential cancer inducing cells and efforts are underway to develop therapeutic strategies targeting these cells. CSCs are rare quiescent cells, and with the capacity to self-renew through asymmetric/symmetric cell division, as well as differentiate into various lineages of cells in the cancer. Studies have been shown that CSCs are highly resistant to standard therapy and also responsible for drug resistance, cancer recurrence and metastasis. To overcome this problem, we need novel preventive agents that target these CSCs. Natural compounds or phytochemicals have ability to target these CSCs and their signaling pathways. Therefore, in the present review article, we summarize our current understanding of pancreatic CSCs and their signaling pathways, and the phytochemicals that target these cells including curcumin, resveratrol, tea polyphenol EGCG (epigallocatechin- 3-gallate), crocetinic acid, sulforaphane, genistein, indole-3-carbinol, vitamin E δ- tocotrienol, Plumbagin, quercetin, triptolide, Licofelene and Quinomycin. These natural compounds or phytochemicals, which inhibit cancer stem cells may prove to be promising agents for the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1500-1521
Author(s):  
Shaloam Dasari ◽  
Clement G. Yedjou ◽  
Robert T. Brodell ◽  
Allison R. Cruse ◽  
Paul B. Tchounwou

Abstract Skin cancer (SC) is the most common carcinoma affecting 3 million people annually in the United States and millions of people worldwide. It is classified as melanoma SC (MSC) and non-melanoma SC (NMSC). NMSC represents approximately 80% of SC and includes squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. MSC, however, has a higher mortality rate than SC because of its ability to metastasize. SC is a major health problem in the United States with significant morbidity and mortality in the Caucasian population. Treatment options for SC include cryotherapy, excisional surgery, Mohs surgery, curettage and electrodessication, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Treatment is chosen based on the type of SC and the potential for side effects. Novel targeted therapies are being used with increased frequency for large tumors and for metastatic disease. A scoping literature search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cancer Registry websites revealed that traditional chemotherapeutic drugs have little effect against SC after the cancer has metastasized. Following an overview of SC biology, epidemiology, and treatment options, this review focuses on the mechanisms of advanced technologies that use silver nanoparticles in SC treatment regimens.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2090
Author(s):  
Dimitri Kasakovski ◽  
Marina Skrygan ◽  
Thilo Gambichler ◽  
Laura Susok

To date, the skin remains the most common cancer site among Caucasians in the western world. The complex, layered structure of human skin harbors a heterogenous population of specialized cells. Each cell type residing in the skin potentially gives rise to a variety of cancers, including non-melanoma skin cancer, sarcoma, and cutaneous melanoma. Cutaneous melanoma is known to exacerbate and metastasize if not detected at an early stage, with mutant melanomas tending to acquire treatment resistance over time. The intricacy of melanoma thus necessitates diverse and patient-centered targeted treatment options. In addition to classical treatment through surgical intervention and radio- or chemotherapy, several systemic and intratumoral immunomodulators, pharmacological agents (e.g., targeted therapies), and oncolytic viruses are trialed or have been recently approved. Moreover, utilizing combinations of immune checkpoint blockade with targeted, oncolytic, or anti-angiogenic approaches for patients with advanced disease progression are promising approaches currently under pre-clinical and clinical investigation. In this review, we summarize the current ‘state-of-the-art’ as well as discuss emerging agents and regimens in cutaneous melanoma treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S819-S820
Author(s):  
Jonathan Todd ◽  
Jon Puro ◽  
Matthew Jones ◽  
Jee Oakley ◽  
Laura A Vonnahme ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Over 80% of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the United States are attributed to reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI). Eliminating TB in the United States requires expanding identification and treatment of LTBI. Centralized electronic health records (EHRs) are an unexplored data source to identify persons with LTBI. We explored EHR data to evaluate TB and LTBI screening and diagnoses within OCHIN, Inc., a U.S. practice-based research network with a high proportion of Federally Qualified Health Centers. Methods From the EHRs of patients who had an encounter at an OCHIN member clinic between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016, we extracted demographic variables, TB risk factors, TB screening tests, International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 and 10 codes, and treatment regimens. Based on test results, ICD codes, and treatment regimens, we developed a novel algorithm to classify patient records into LTBI categories: definite, probable or possible. We used multivariable logistic regression, with a referent group of all cohort patients not classified as having LTBI or TB, to identify associations between TB risk factors and LTBI. Results Among 2,190,686 patients, 6.9% (n=151,195) had a TB screening test; among those, 8% tested positive. Non-U.S. –born or non-English–speaking persons comprised 24% of our cohort; 11% were tested for TB infection, and 14% had a positive test. Risk factors in the multivariable model significantly associated with being classified as having LTBI included preferring non-English language (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.09–4.32); non-Hispanic Asian (aOR 5.17, 95% CI 4.94–5.40), non-Hispanic black (aOR 3.02, 95% CI 2.91–3.13), or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander (aOR 3.35, 95% CI 2.92–3.84) race; and HIV infection (aOR 3.09, 95% CI 2.84–3.35). Conclusion This study demonstrates the utility of EHR data for understanding TB screening practices and as an important data source that can be used to enhance public health surveillance of LTBI prevalence. Increasing screening among high-risk populations remains an important step toward eliminating TB in the United States. These results underscore the importance of offering TB screening in non-U.S.–born populations. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-60
Author(s):  
Edward Chu ◽  
David Cunningham ◽  
David Watkins

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-334
Author(s):  
ARTHUR LAVIN ◽  
ALAN H. NAUSS

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the United States. Studies in adults have shown that intervention with combined diet and medication can reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation and, as a result, the incidence of symptomatic coronary artery disease.1-4 With a strong tradition of preventive medicine, the pediatric community has begun exploring the prevention of adult atherosclerosis through intervention in childhood. Although issues such as universal vs selective high-risk screening, ideal age for screening and intervention, and treatment regimens remain unresolved and controversial, many preventive cardiology clinics, as well as individual pediatricians, have been screening and treating children.5,6 As part of an initial evaluation of hypercholesterolemic children and prior to any intervention, it is important to determine whether other disease processes are contributing to the child's dyslipoproteinemia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. e2016904118
Author(s):  
Derek K. Cheng ◽  
Tobiloba E. Oni ◽  
Jennifer S. Thalappillil ◽  
Youngkyu Park ◽  
Hsiu-Chi Ting ◽  
...  

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with limited treatment options. Although activating mutations of the KRAS GTPase are the predominant dependency present in >90% of PDAC patients, targeting KRAS mutants directly has been challenging in PDAC. Similarly, strategies targeting known KRAS downstream effectors have had limited clinical success due to feedback mechanisms, alternate pathways, and dose-limiting toxicities in normal tissues. Therefore, identifying additional functionally relevant KRAS interactions in PDAC may allow for a better understanding of feedback mechanisms and unveil potential therapeutic targets. Here, we used proximity labeling to identify protein interactors of active KRAS in PDAC cells. We expressed fusions of wild-type (WT) (BirA-KRAS4B), mutant (BirA-KRAS4BG12D), and nontransforming cytosolic double mutant (BirA-KRAS4BG12D/C185S) KRAS with the BirA biotin ligase in murine PDAC cells. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that RSK1 selectively interacts with membrane-bound KRASG12D, and we demonstrate that this interaction requires NF1 and SPRED2. We find that membrane RSK1 mediates negative feedback on WT RAS signaling and impedes the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells upon the ablation of mutant KRAS. Our findings link NF1 to the membrane-localized functions of RSK1 and highlight a role for WT RAS signaling in promoting adaptive resistance to mutant KRAS-specific inhibitors in PDAC.


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