Development of an IgG-Fc fusion COVID-19 subunit vaccine,AKS-452

AKS-452 is a biologically-engineered vaccine comprising an Fc fusion protein of the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein receptor binding domain antigen (Ag) and human IgG1 Fc (SP/RBD-Fc) in clinical development for the induction and augmentation of neutralizing IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fc moiety is designed to enhance immunogenicity by increasing uptake via Fc-receptors (FcγR) on Ag-presenting cells (APCs) and prolonging exposure due to neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) recycling. AKS-452 induced approximately 20-fold greater neutralizing IgG titers in mice relative to those induced by SP/RBD without the Fc moiety and induced comparable long-term neutralizing titers with a single dose vs. two doses. To further enhance immunogenicity, AKS-452 was evaluated in formulations containing a panel of adjuvants in which the water-in-oil adjuvant, Montanide™ ISA 720, enhanced neutralizing IgG titers by approximately 7-fold after one and two doses in mice, including the neutralization of live SARS-CoV-2 virus infection of VERO-E6 cells. Furthermore, ISA 720-adjuvanted AKS-452 was immunogenic in rabbits and non-human primates (NHPs) and protected from infection and clinical symptoms with live SARS-CoV-2 virus in NHPs (USA-WA1/2020 viral strain) and the K18 human ACE2-trangenic (K18-huACE2-Tg) mouse (South African B.1.351 viral variant). These preclinical studies support the initiation of Phase I clinical studies with adjuvanted AKS-452 with the expectation that this room-temperature stable, Fc-fusion subunit vaccine can be rapidly and inexpensively manufactured to provide billions of doses per year especially in regions where the cold-chain is difficult to maintain.     

补肾壮督方联合阿仑膦酸钠及骨水泥分期灌注椎体后凸成形术对kummell病远期临床疗效和血清标志物的影响＊

目的 探讨补肾壮督方联合阿仑膦酸钠及骨水泥分期灌注椎体后凸成形术对kummell病远期临床疗效和血清标志物的影响。方法 选取90例2019年1月-2020年3月因kummell病住院手术治疗的患者，随机分为试验组45例和对照组45例。对照组给予骨水泥分期灌注椎体后凸成形术，术后口服阿仑膦酸钠治疗，试验组术后加用补肾壮督方口服治疗。记录两组术中骨水泥注入量。采用VAS疼痛评分标准评估术后疼痛改善情况，采用ODI评分评估功能障碍改善情况。采用伤椎前缘高度比值和伤椎椎体楔形角评估脊柱稳定性。采用碱性磷酸酶（ALP），骨钙素（OC），骨保护素（OPG）评估治疗前后血清骨形成情况。结果 与对照组比较，试验组术后第3天VAS疼痛评分明显低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；试验组术后第3天、术后6个月和术后12个月ODI评分明显低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；试验组术后6个月和术后12个月伤椎前缘高度比值明显高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；试验组术后6个月和术后12个月伤椎椎体楔形角明显低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。试验组术后6个月和术后12个月碱性磷酸酶（ALP），骨钙素（OC），骨保护素（OPG）明显高于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 补肾壮督方联合阿仑膦酸钠及骨水泥分期灌注椎体后凸成形术治疗kummell病可加快术后患者疼痛改善和功能恢复，促进骨形成，有效抑制患者中远期椎体压缩塌陷，维持脊柱稳定性。     

丹青胶囊联合他扎罗汀倍他米松治疗银屑病的临床研究

目的 探讨丹青胶囊联合他扎罗汀倍他米松治疗银屑病的临床疗效.方法 选取2019年6月—2021年6月在天津市职业病防治院门诊皮肤科就诊治疗的114例银屑病患者,根据随机数字法分为对照组和治疗组,每组各57例.对照组患者给予他扎罗汀倍他米松乳膏,洗净患处,待皮肤干爽后,将适量本品均匀涂抹于患处,1次/d.治疗组患者在对照组治疗基础上口服丹青胶囊,4粒/次,3次/d.两组患者均连续治疗7 d.观察两组患者的临床疗效和临床症状好转时间,比较两组治疗前与治疗1、4、8周的皮损面积和严重程度指数(PASI)评分和血清炎性因子水平.结果 治疗后,治疗组总有效率是98.25％,显著高于对照组的82.46％(P<0.05).治疗后,治疗组患者皮损暗红、皮损肥厚、皮肤瘙痒、皮肤疼痛等症状好转时间均显著短于对照组(P<0.05).治疗后,两组PASI评分均较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05);治疗1、4、8周治疗组PASI评分显著低于对照组(P<0.05).治疗后,两组患者血清炎性因子白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素17(IL-17)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)水平均较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05);治疗后,治疗组血清炎性因子水平显著低于对照组(P<0.05).结论 丹青胶囊联合他扎罗汀倍他米松治疗银屑病效果明显,能显著降低炎性因子水平,并有助于改善皮损情况,值得临床推广应用.     

The increase in bone mineral density by bisphosphonate with active vitamin D analog is associated with the serum calcium level within the reference interval in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Objectives: To examine the factors associated with increase in lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD) by bisphosphonates (BPs) with active vitamin D analog (aVD).

Methods: Two independent postmenopausal osteoporotic patients treated by BPs with aVD for 24 months (Study 1: n?=?93, Study 2: n?=?99) were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: In Study 1, LS-BMD of the patients significantly increased for 24 m (5.4%, p?r²: 0.088, p?=?.02). While average sCa of the patients was 9.2?mg/dL before treatment, it increased time-dependently to 9.6?mg/dL for 24 m by treatment. As each patient had their LS-BMD five times during the study, there were four instances of %LS-BMD in each patient, resulting in 372 instances of %LS-BMD in Study 1. The smallest Akaike’s information criterion value for the most appropriate cut-off levels of sCa for %LS-BMD by treatment every 6 m was 9.3?mg/dL. The %LS-BMD by treatment for 6 m during 24 m period in patients with sCa ≥9.3?mg/dL (1.5%) was significantly higher than that in patients with sCa <9.3?mg/dL (0.8%, p?=?.038). The results of Study 2 were similar to those of Study 1, confirming the phenomena observed.

Conclusion: sCa was associated with an increased LS-BMD by BPs with aVD.     

华蟾素胶囊联合TN化疗方案对中晚期宫颈癌放疗患者血清SCC、TSGF水平及生存质量的影响

目的:探讨华蟾素胶囊联合TN化疗方案(紫杉醇+奈达铂)在中晚期宫颈癌放疗患者中的应用效果。方法:选取中晚期宫颈癌放疗患者71例，按照随机数字表法分组，对照组35例给予TN化疗方案治疗，观察组36例给予TN化疗方案+华蟾素胶囊治疗，观察比较两组临床疗效及治疗前后血清鳞状细胞癌相关抗原（SCC）、肿瘤特异性生长因子（TSGF）水平及生存质量各维度评分变化情况，并统计两组毒副反应发生情况及1年、2年、3年生存率。结果:观察组临床缓解率为83.33%（30/36），高于对照组57.14%（20/35）（P＜0.05）；治疗4个疗程后观察组血清SCC、TSGF水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组便秘、腹泻及恶心呕吐发生率与对照组比较，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）；观察组白细胞下降发生率为11.11%（4/36），低于对照组31.43%（11/35）（P＜0.05）；治疗4个疗程后观察组认知、角色、躯体、社会及情绪功能生存质量评分高于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组1年生存率为91.67%（33/36）、2年生存率为86.11%（31/36）、3年生存率为77.78%（28/36），与对照组（91.43%、85.71%、74.29%）比较，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论:TN化疗方案联合华蟾素胶囊可降低中晚期宫颈癌放疗患者血清TSGF、SCC水平，提高其生存质量，疗效确切，安全性高。     

Investigation of the mechanisms of Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity by a cell metabolomics strategy combined with serum pharmacology in HL-7702 liver cells

1. To investigate Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity, a cell metabolomics strategy combined with serum pharmacology was performed on human HL-7702 liver cells in this study.

2. Firstly, cell viability and biochemical indicators were determined and the cell morphology was observed to confirm the cell injury and develop a cell hepatotoxicity model. Then, with the help of cell metabolomics based on UPLC-MS, the Genkwa Flos group samples were completely separated from the blank group samples in the score plots and seven upregulated as well as two down-regulated putative biomarkers in the loading plot were identified and confirmed. Besides, two signal molecules and four enzymes involved in biosynthesis pathway of lysophosphatidylcholine and the sphingosine kinase/sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway were determined to investigate the relationship between Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity and these two classic pathways. Finally, the metabolic pathways related to specific biomarkers and two classic metabolic pathways were analyzed to explain the possible mechanism of Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity.

3. Based on the results, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, phospholipase A₂/lysophosphatidylcholine pathway, the disturbance of sphingosine-1-phosphate metabolic profile centered on sphingosine kinase/sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway and fatty acid metabolism might be critical participators in the progression of liver injury induced by Genkwa Flos.     

Stabilization and formulation of a recombinant Human Cytomegalovirus vector for use as a candidate HIV-1 vaccine

Live attenuated viral vaccine/vector candidates are inherently unstable and infectivity titer losses can readily occur without defining appropriate formulations, storage conditions and clinical handling practices. During initial process development of a candidate vaccine against HIV-1 using a recombinant Human Cytomegalovirus vector (rHCMV-1), large vector titer losses were observed after storage at 4 °C and after undergoing freeze-thaw. Thus, the goal of this work was to develop candidate frozen liquid formulations of rHCMV-1 with improved freeze-thaw and short-term liquid stability for potential use in early clinical trials. To this end, a virus stability screening protocol was developed including use of a rapid, in vitro cell-based immunofluorescence focus assay to quantitate viral titers. A library of ∼50 pharmaceutical excipients (from various known classes of additives) were evaluated for their effect on vector stability after freeze-thaw cycling or incubation at 4 °C for several days. Certain additives including sugars and polymers (e.g., trehalose, sucrose, sorbitol, hydrolyzed gelatin, dextran 40) as well as removal of NaCl (lower ionic strength) protected rHCMV-1 against freeze-thaw mediated losses in viral titers. Optimized solution conditions (e.g., solution pH, buffers and sugar type) slowed the rate of rHCMV-1 titer losses in the liquid state at 4 °C. After evaluating various excipient combinations, three new candidate formulations were designed and rHCMV-1 stability was benchmarked against both the currently-used and a previously reported formulation. The new candidate formulations were significantly more stable in terms of reducing rHCMV-1 titer losses after 5 freeze-thaw cycles or incubation at 4 °C for 30 days. This case study highlights the utility of semi-empirical design of frozen liquid formulations of a live viral vaccine candidate, where protection against infectivity titer losses due to freeze-thaw and short-term liquid storage are sufficient to enable more rapid initiation of early clinical trials.     

弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤患者血清IL-24及IL-6浓度检测 的临床意义

目的：探讨弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）患者外周血清IL-24及IL-6的浓度及其临床意义。方法：收集43例DLBCL患者和33例正常对照人群外周血血清，ELISA法检测IL-24及IL-6的浓度，分析血清IL-24及IL-6浓度与患者临床病理指标之间的关系；并计算患者的国际预后指数（IPI）。结果：与正常对照组[IL-24浓度为（58.32±11.81）μg/mL，IL-6为（24.63±7.73）μg/mL]相比，DLBCL患者血清IL-24浓度[（42.18±8.48）μg/mL]明显降低（P<0.01），而IL-6浓度[（45.29±12.71）μg/mL]明显升高（P<0.01），且二者浓度呈明显负相关（r=-0.414，P<0.05）；同时血清IL-24及IL-6浓度与患者临床分期、肿瘤细胞侵犯骨髓状态及IPI均密切相关（P<0.01），而与患者年龄及性别均无明显相关关系（P>0.05）。发生骨髓转移组患者血清中IL-24较正常对照组和未转移组均明显降低（P<0.01），而IL-6浓度明显升高（P<0.01）；同时随着骨髓转移程度的增加，该趋势更为明显。IPI指数>2的患者，外周血IL-24浓度较IPI指数<2的患者明显降低，而IL-6浓度明显升高（P<0.01）。结论：DLBCL患者血清IL-24浓度较低及IL-6浓度较高可能是患者临床症状较重，预后较差的预测指标。血清IL-24及IL-6浓度测定可作为DLBCL的辅助诊断及监测指标，为临床治疗提供科学依据。     

Serum deprivation‐response protein regulates aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 through integrin‐linked kinase signaling in endometrioid carcinoma cells

Endometrioid carcinoma (EC) is one of the most common malignancies of the female genital system. We reported previously that aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), a predominant isoform of the ALDH family in mammals and a potential marker of normal and malignant stem cells, is related to the tumorigenic potential of EC. We compared the levels of various proteins in human EC cells with high and low ALDH1 expression using shotgun proteomics and found that serum deprivation‐response protein (SDPR) was preferentially expressed in cells with high ALDH1 expression. Also known as cavin‐2, SDPR is a member of the cavin protein family, which is required for the formation of caveolae. Using SDPR‐knockout EC cells generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we revealed that SDPR was correlated with invasion, migration, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, and colony formation, as well as the expression of ALDH1. RNA sequencing showed that integrin‐linked kinase (ILK) signaling is involved in the effect of SDPR on ALDH1. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the localization of ILK at the cell cortex was disrupted by SDPR knockout, potentially interfering with ILK signaling. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples showed that SDPR is related to histological characteristics associated with invasiveness, such as poor differentiation, lymphatic invasion, and the microcystic, elongated, and fragmented histopathological pattern. This is, to our knowledge, the first report that SDPR is related to tumor progression.