Nhận xét đặc điểm lâm sàng, cận lâm sàng và kết quả hóa trị bệnh u lá nuôi thời kỳ thai nghén tại Bệnh viện K

TÓM TẮT Mục tiêu: Nhận xét một số đặc điểm lâm sàng, cận lâm sàng và kết quả hóa trị bệnh u lá nuôi thời kỳ thai nghén. Phương pháp: Nghiên cứu mô tả hồi cứu kết hợp tiến cứu. 36 bệnh nhân nữ được chẩn đoán xác định là u lá nuôi thời kỳ thai nghén từ tháng 01/2015 đến 10/2020, được phân loại thành nhóm nguy cơ thấp và cao. Nhóm nguy cơ thấp được điều trị bằng Methotrexate đơn trị. Nhóm nguy cơ cao được điều trị phác đồ EMA/CO (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D/leucovorin calcium, vincristine, cyclophosphamide). Kết quả: Tuổi hay gặp nhất là > 40 tuổi. Số bệnh nhân vào viện vì ra máu âm đạo chiếm cao nhất 52,8%. Đa số bệnh nhân có Beta - HCG ban đầu < 100000 chiếm 83,3%. Thể mô bệnh học hay gặp nhất là ung thư nhau thai với 50%. Tổn thương di căn phổi chiếm cao nhất 53,8%. Tỷ lệ bệnh nhân có nguy cơ thấp và cao là như nhau chiếm 50%. Phác đồ Methotrexate đơn thuần: đáp ứng hoàn toàn là 83,3%. Phác đồ EMA/CO: tỷ lệ đáp ứng chung là 83,3%. Tỷ lệ bệnh nhân có độc tính độ 3,4 chiếm tỷ lệ nhỏ, chủ yếu trên huyết học. Kết luận: Các phác đồ cho kết quả tốt, tỷ lệ đáp ứng cao và an toàn. ABSTRACT REMARKS ON CHARACTERISTICS OF CLINICAL, SUBCLINICAL, AND RESULTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY ON GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC NEOPLASIA PATIENTS IN K HOSPITAL Objective: To remark characteristics of clinical, subclinical, and results of chemotherapy on gestational trophoblastic neoplasia patients. Methods: A retrospective combined prospective study was conducted on 36 women with low and high risks of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia from January 2015 to October 2020. The low - risk group was treated with methotrexate alone. The high - risk group was treated with EMA/CO (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D/ leucovorin calcium, vincristine, cyclophosphamide). Results: The most common age was > 40 years old. Patients admitted to the hospital because of vaginal bleeding accounted for the highest rate of 52.8%. Most of the patients (83.3%) had initial Beta - HCG < 100000. The most common histopathological form is choriocarcinoma, with 50%. Lung metastatic lesions accounted for the highest (53.8%). The proportion of low - risk and high - risk patients was about 50%. The complete response rate was 83,3% with the methotrexate regimen and was 83,3% with EMA/CO regimen. The proportion of patients with grade 3.4 toxicity accounted for a small proportion, mainly in hematology. Conclusion: The regimens had good results, high response rates, and safety. Keyword: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, methotrexate, EMA/CO.

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in children: clinical characteristics and treatment results

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is a rare malignant renal tumor in children, which accounts for 2–5% of pediatric kidney malignancies. The aim of the study was to analyze the results of therapy of patients with CCSK treated in Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center оf Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. Retrospective analysis of patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of CCSK treated for the period 01.2012–02.2020 (98 months) was done. The study was approved by the Independent Ethics Committee and the Scientific Council of the D. Rogachev NMRCPHOI of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and treatment modalities were analyzed. Patients were treated according to the protocols of the SIOP-RTSG group (SIOP 93-01, SIOP-2001, SIOP-RTSG-2016). The stage was assigned according to the SIOP classification. Overall and event-free survival was assessed by the Kaplan–Mayer method. The analysis of the results was carried out on 01.03.2021. The analysis included 10 patients with CCSK. The median age at the time of diagnosis of CCSK was 30.1 months (range 13.5–70.8 months). All patients were male. The duration from the onset of the first symptoms/detection of the tumor to the diagnosis was 0.8 months (range 0.1–3.2 months). The diagnosis was established on the basis of clinical and radiological data (n = 9) and biopsy (n = 1). Distant metastases at the time of diagnosis were detected in 1 (10%) patient (localization of metastases - lungs). The median tumor volume was 439 cm3 (range 256–996 cm3 ). Preoperative chemotherapy was performed in all patients (AV regimen (actinomycin D, doxorubicin) in 7 (70%) patients). Assessment of response after preoperative chemotherapy showed tumor regression in 3/10 (in 1/7 with AV regimen), tumor progression in 5 and stable disease in 2 patients. Surgical treatment in the extent of nephrectomy was performed in all patients. In 1 (10%) case, intraoperative tumor rupture was documented. Distribution of patients by local stages: I – 4/10 (40%), II – 2/10 (20%), III – 4/10 (40%) (including 1 patient with distant metastases). In 1 patient, a left thoracotomy was performed to exclude lung metastases. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in all patients in accordance with the relevant protocols of the high-risk group: 7 – 4–5-drug regimen, 3 – AVD regimen (actinomycin D, vincristine, doxorubicin). Radiation therapy was performed in 6/10 (60%) patients. Outcomes: 9/10 (90%) – alive, 1/10 (10%) patient died (non-tumor-related death). 3-year event-free survival and overall survival were 78.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 52.5–100) and 90.0% (95% CI 71.4–100) respectively. Intensive program therapy in patients with CCSK allows to achieve satisfactory results of treatment.

CircFOXM1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating miR-1179/SPAG5 axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predominantly occurs in patients with chronic liver disease, accounting for 70–90% of all liver cancer cases. The role of circFOXM1/miR-1179/SPAG5 axis in HCC has not been reported. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of circFOXM1 in HCC proliferation and metastasis. RNA polymerase inhibitor actinomycin D and RNase R exonuclease were used to identify circFOXM1 in HCC cells. The qRT-PCR was used to detect circFOXM1 expression. Specific siRNA for circFOXM1 was designed, and the sequence of circFOXM1 was inserted in pLCDH-ciR to overexpress circFOXM. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 in vitro, by tumor volume and tumor weight of HCC xenograft in vivo. Cell migration was detected by transwell test. Binding status of circFOXM1 with miR-1179 was detected by luciferase reporter gene assay. Rescue experiments were applied to identify the oncogenic mechanism of circFOXM1 in HCC cells. Actinomycin D assay confirmed the cyclization of circFOXM1. RNase R treatment showed that circFOXM1 was not affected by RNase R exonuclease. CCK8 assay, tumor volume and tumor weight showed that circFOXM1 effectively promoted HCC cell proliferation. Transwell assay showed that circFOXM effectively promoted migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells. Luciferase reporter gene activity assay showed that miR-1179 had complementary binding sites with circFOXM1 and SPAG5. CircFOXM1 silencing inhibited malignant phenotypes in HCC cells were partly rescued by either miR-1179 silencing or SPAG5 overexpression. CircFOXM1 promoted HCC cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating miR-1179/SPAG5 axis.

Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Activity of Actinomycin D Originating from Streptomyces parvulus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common pathogen that causes various serious diseases, including chronic infections. Discovering new antibacterial agents is an important aspect of the pharmaceutical field because of the lack of effective antibacterial drugs. In our research, we found that one anti-S. aureus substance is actinomycin D, originating from Streptomyces parvulus (S. parvulus); then, we further focused on the anti-S. aureus ability and the omics profile of S. aureus in response to actinomycin D. The results revealed that actinomycin D had a significant inhibitory activity on S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 μg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 64 μg/mL. Bacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased 3.5-fold upon treatment with actinomycin D, as was measured with the oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe DCFH-DA, and H2O2 increased 3.5 times with treatment by actinomycin D. Proteomics and metabolomics, respectively, identified differentially expressed proteins in control and treatment groups, and the co-mapped correlation network of proteomics and metabolomics annotated five major pathways that were potentially related to disrupting the energy metabolism and oxidative stress of S. aureus. All findings contributed to providing new insight into the mechanisms of the anti-S. aureus effects of actinomycin D originating from S. parvulus.

Venetoclax, Actinomycin D and Low Dose Cytarabine for Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Clinical Practice Setting

Background Venetoclax based therapies have produced varying results in the relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) setting. Highest response rates were demonstrated after Venetoclax in combination with high dose chemotherapy. However, this approach is feasible mainly in fit, younger patients. Herein, we present a lower intensity combination therapy consisting of Venetoclax, low dose Cytarabine and Actinomycin D (ACTIVE) in patients with R/R AML administered in real-life clinical practice setting. Methods We performed an observational, retrospective, single centre study. The patients were at least 18 years of age and had R/R AML. All patients provided informed consent for treatment as well as data collection. Venetoclax ramp-up was administered over either 3 or 5 days until the daily dose of 600mg/d was reached. The ACTIVE regimen consisted of Venetoclax 600mg/d p/o on days 1-28, Cytarabine 20mg/m 2 s/c on days 1-10, Actinomycin D 12.5 µg/kg i/v on days 1, 2 and 3 (on days 1 and 2 for patients ≥65 years). Strong/moderate CYP3A inhibitors/inducers or Venetoclax dose reductions were not allowed. Indications for stopping Venetoclax before Day 28 were life threatening infectious complications or faster hematological recovery with the addition of G-CSF in responders. A second ACTIVE cycle was administered in non-responders without evidence of progressive disease after Cycle 1 or in responders with positive minimal residual disease (MRD). We evaluated baseline characteristics, composite CR (CRc = CR + CRi + CRp), overall response (ORR = CRc + MLFS), MRD negativity rates, overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), event-free survival (EFS), Grade 3-5 non-hematological toxicities and Day 30 and Day 60 mortality rates. Results Fifty R/R AML patients were treated with ACTIVE and 56% (28/50) were male. The median age was 65 years (20-84). The median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status was 1 (0-3) and 40% (20/50) had ECOG status of 2 or 3. Secondary AML was confirmed in 48% (24/50) of cases. Adverse cytogenetics were identified in 28% (14/50) of patients whereas 60% (30/50) were stratified to adverse risk group in accordance with ELN 2017 guidelines. The most common gene mutations were IDH1/2 30% (15/50), FLT3 28% (14/50), ASXL1 22% (11/50), NPM1 14% (7/50), N/KRAS 12% (6/50) and RUNX1 12% (6/50). The median number of prior therapies was 2 (1-5). Intensive chemotherapy was administered in 80% (40/50) of whom 38% (15/40) had primary refractory disease and 48% (19/40) had previously received Fludarabine + Cytarabine + Idarubicin (FLAG-Ida) or Cytarabine + Mitoxantrone (HAM). Eight percent (4/50) had had prior Venetoclax exposure. Thirty-six percent (18/50) had relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) with a median time of 7.4 months (1.6-37.3) from transplant to relapse. One cycle of ACTIVE therapy was administered in 76% (38/50) of cases, whereas 24% (12/50) received 2 cycles. The median number of Venetoclax 600mg/d days per cycle was 18 (8-28). Additional FLT3/RAS/BCR-ABL1 inhibitors Gilteritinib, Trametinib or Dasatinib were administered in 12% (6/50). Forty-nine patients were evaluable for response and one patient died of sepsis before response evaluation (Table 1). The ORR was 73% (36/49) and the CRc rate was 67% (31/46). MRD negativity was confirmed in 61% (19/31) of CRc patients. Sixteen patients had undergone additional early bone marrow evaluations. Blast count reduction to &lt;5% was observed in 50% (8/16) after Venetoclax ramp-up and in 88% (14/16) on Day 4. Half of the ACTIVE responders (18/36) continued maintenance therapy with Venetoclax + low dose Cytarabine and optional DLI, whereas 36% (13/36) proceeded to either first or second alloSCT. After 16.4 months of median follow-up, the median OS, RFS and EFS were 13.1, 7.2 and 4.5 months, respectively (Figure 1A). Median OS was not reached in MRD negative patients (Figure 1B). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, adverse cytogenetics (HR 3.48, 95% CI 1.39 -8.55) and primary refractory disease (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.05-6.12) were associated with worse OS. The most common grade 3-5 non-hematological adverse events were febrile neutropenia (54%, 27/50) and bacteremia/sepsis (34%, 17/50). Day 30 and Day 60 mortality rates were 8% (4/50) and 16% (8/50), respectively. Conclusions ACTIVE was effective and well tolerated in this unselected prognostically unfavourable older R/R AML patient population. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Zucenka: Jannsen: Honoraria, Other: Travel-expenses; Takeda: Other: Travel Expenses; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Pfizer: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses; Astellas: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses. Maneikis: Abbvie: Honoraria. Pileckytė: Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Travel Expenses. Griškevičius: Abbvie: Other: Travel Expenses. OffLabel Disclosure: Venetoclax has been used off-label for the treatment of R/R AML

Antimicrobial Profile of Actinomycin D Analogs Secreted by Egyptian Desert Streptomyces sp. DH7

Egyptian deserts are an underexplored ecological niche, especially the Sinai Peninsula. In our recent study, we explored this extreme environment and shed light on the bioactive capabilities of desert Actinobacteria isolated from Sinai. Fifty desert Actinobacteria were isolated from the Sinai desert using mineral salt media, basal media, and starch casein media. The filtrate of Streptomyces sp. DH 7 displayed a high inhibitory effect against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The 16S rDNA sequencing confirmed that isolate DH7 belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The NJ phylogenetic tree showed relatedness to the Streptomyces flavofuscus strain NRRL B-2594 and Streptomyces pratensis strain ch24. The minimum inhibitory concentrations against MRSA were 16 and 32 μg/μL. Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp. DH7 led to the isolation and purification of natural products 1–4. Structure elucidation of the purified compounds was performed using detailed spectroscopic analysis including 1 and 2D NMR, and ESI-MS spectrometry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for the isolation of compounds 1–4 from a natural source, while synthetic analogs were previously reported in the literature. Compounds 3–4 were identified as actinomycin D analogues and this is the first report for the production of actinomycin D analogs from the Sinai desert with an inhibitory effect against MRSA. We indorse further study for this analog that can develop enhanced antimicrobial activities. We confirm that the desert ecosystems in Egypt are rich sources of antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria.

Direct comparisons of efficacy and safety between actinomycin-D and methotrexate in women with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a meta-analysis of randomized and high-quality non-randomized studies

Background Actinomycin-D (Act-D) and Methotrexate (MTX) are both effective first-line agents for low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (LRGTN) with no consensus regarding which is more effective or less toxic. The primary objective of this meta-analysis is to compare Act-D with MTX in the treatment of LRGTN. Methods We systematically searched electronic databases, conferences abstracts and trial registries for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high-quality non-randamized controlled trials (non-RCTs), comparing Act-D with MTX for patients with LRGTN. Studies were full-text screened for quality assessment and data extraction. Eligible studies must have reported complete remission rate. A fixed-effects meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the efficacy and safety of Act-D and MTX on odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), respectively. Results A total of 8 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs (1674 patients) were included. In terms of efficacy, Act-D is superior to MTX in complete remission (80.2% [551/687] vs 65.1% [643/987]; OR 2.15, 95%CI 1.70 to 2.73). In the stratified analysis, patients from RCTs and non-RCTs both had a better complete remission from Act-D-based regimen (RCTs: 81.2% [259/319] vs 66.1% [199/301], OR 2.17, 95%CI 1.49 to 3.16; non-RCTs: 79.3% [292/368] vs 65.0% [444/686], OR 2.14, 95%CI 1.57 to 2.92). In terms of safety, patients receiving Act-D had higher risks of suffering nausea (OR 2.35, 95%CI 1.68 to 3.27), vomiting (OR 2.40, 95%CI 1.63 to 3.54), and alopecia (OR 2.76, 95%CI 1.60 to 4.75). Notably, liver toxicity (OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.19 to 0.76) was the only one that was conformed to have a higher risk for patients receiving MTX. In addition, the pooled results showed no significant difference of anaemia, leucocytopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopnia, constipation, diarrhea, anorexia, and fatigue between Act-D and MTX. Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that Act-D had better efficacy profile in general, and MTX had less toxicities in LRGTN. Future clinical trials should be better orchestrated to provide more valid data on efficacy and toxicity.

Transcriptome Analysis of Cells Exposed to Actinomycin D and Nutlin-3a Reveals New Candidate p53-Target Genes and Indicates That CHIR-98014 Is an Important Inhibitor of p53 Activity

Co-treatment with actinomycin D and nutlin-3a (A + N) strongly activates p53. Previously we reported that CHIR-98014 (GSK-3 kinase inhibitor), acting in cells exposed to A + N, prevents activation of TREM2-an innate immunity and p53-regulated gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In order to find novel candidate p53-target genes and genes regulated by CHIR-98014, we performed RNA-Seq of control A549 cells and the cells exposed to A + N, A + N with CHIR-98014 or to CHIR-98014. We validated the data for selected genes using RT-PCR and/or Western blotting. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology we generated p53-deficient cells. These tools enabled us to identify dozens of candidate p53-regulated genes. We confirmed that p53 participates in upregulation of BLNK, APOE and IRF1. BLNK assists in activation of immune cells, APOE codes for apolipoprotein associated with Alzheimer’s disease and IRF1 is activated by interferon gamma and regulates expression of antiviral genes. CHIR-98014 prevented or inhibited the upregulation of a fraction of genes stimulated by A + N. Downregulation of GSK-3 did not mimic the activity of CHIR-98014. Our data generate the hypothesis, that an unidentified kinase inhibited by CHIR-98014, participates in modification of p53 and enables it to activate a subset of its target genes, e.g., the ones associated with innate immunity.