A Phase I Dose Escalation Study of the Safety,Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Ipilimumab in Chinese Patients with Select Advanced Solid Tumors

Lessons Learned

• The overall safety profiles of ipilimumab 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg administered every 3 weeks, were consistent between Chinese patients with solid tumors in the current study and patients from previous U.S. ipilimumab monotherapy studies. No new safety signals were identified.
• The mean systemic exposures to ipilimumab (assessed by first dose area under the curve during the dosing interval and maximum serum concentration) were numerically lower in the Chinese patient population than in U.S. patients for both 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg doses; however, the range of serum concentrations in the Chinese and U.S. populations overlapped (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg), suggesting that ipilimumab pharmacokinetics was ethnically insensitive in this study.

BackgroundThis phase I, open‐label study assessed ipilimumab safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, and antitumor activity in Chinese patients with unresectable, metastatic, recurrent malignant melanoma (MM) or nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).MethodsOf 39 patients enrolled, 25 received ipilimumab (11 patients received 3 mg/kg, and 14 patients received 10 mg/kg). Reasons for not receiving treatment were withdrawal of consent (3 patients), no longer meeting the criteria (10 patients), and one recorded as “other.” During the induction phase, patients received ipilimumab (3 mg/kg, i.v.), on day 1 of a 3‐week cycle, to a maximum of four doses or progressive disease (PD). During the maintenance phase at week 24, patients received ipilimumab (3 mg/kg, i.v.) on day 1 of a 12‐week cycle, to a maximum of 3 years or PD. Considering the co‐primary safety and PK endpoints, the successive dosing required nine patients with two or fewer dose‐limiting toxicities during the 42‐day observation period to proceed with a new cohort of nine patients at 10 mg/kg.ResultsIpilimumab safety and PK profiles were similar in Chinese and predominantly White populations. Ipilimumab was well tolerated. Most adverse events (AEs) were grades 1–2 and experienced by 11 patients treated with 3 mg/kg and 14 patients treated with 10 mg/kg. There were no new safety concerns. Incidence of anti‐ipilimumab antibodies was low (1 of 10 in the 3 mg/kg patients and 2 of 13 in the 10 mg/kg patients) and without safety implications. In the 3 mg/kg group, 8 of 11 patients had PD. In the 10 mg/kg group (all NPC, 0 MM patients), 11 of 14 patients had PD. Three patients had stable disease (one at 3 mg/kg and two at 10 mg/kg).ConclusionIpilimumab was well tolerated in Chinese patients, showing similar safety and PK to previous studies in predominantly White populations.     

The role of exosomes in metastasis and progression of melanoma

The mechanisms of melanoma metastasis have been the subject of extensive research for decades. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are of increasing importance for the treatment of melanoma due to its high burden of mortality in the advanced stages of the disease. Intercellular communication is a critical event for the progression of cancer. Collective evidence suggests that exosomes, small extracellular membrane vesicles released by the cells, are important facilitators of intercellular communication between the cells and the surrounding environment. Although the emerging field of exosomes is rapidly gaining traction in the scientific community, there is limited knowledge regarding the role of exosomes in melanoma. This review discusses the multifaceted role of melanoma-derived exosomes in promoting the process of metastasis by modulating the invasive and angiogenic capacity of malignant cells. The future implications of exosome research and the therapeutic potential of exosomes are also discussed.     

Study of skin neoplasms in a university hospital: integration of anatomopathological records and its interface with the literature

BackgroundSkin cancer is a highly prevalent condition with a multifactorial etiology resulting from genetic alterations, environmental and lifestyle factors. In Brazil, among all malignant tumors, skin cancers have the highest incidences.ObjectiveTo retrospectively evaluate the incidence, prevalence and profile of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma in Campos dos Goytacazes and region.Methods:In total, 2,207 histopathological reports of a local reference hospital were analyzed between January 2013 and December 2015, of which 306 corresponded to the neoplasms studied.Results:Of the 306 reports evaluated, 232 basal cell carcinomas (75.9%), 55 squamous cell carcinomas (18%) and 19 cutaneous melanomas (6.5%) were identified. The face was the most involved anatomical site (58.8%) and women (51%) were the most affected gender. The temporal analysis revealed a decrease in the overall incidence of 3.4% from 2013 to 2014 and 5.4% from 2014 to 2015. There was a 10.1% increase in basal cell carcinomas and 38% in melanomas in this period; however, there was a decrease in the number of squamous cell carcinomas of 14.8% during the studied years.Study limitations:Some samples of cutaneous fragments had no identification of the anatomical site of origin.Conclusion:Research that generates statistical data on cutaneous tumors produces epidemiological tools useful in the identification of risk groups and allows the adoption of more targeted and efficient future prevention measures.     

Sentinel lymph node localization and staging with a low-dose of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) enhanced MRI and magnetometer in patients with cutaneous melanoma of the extremity - The MAGMEN feasibility study

BackgroundIn patients with melanoma, sentinel lymph node (SLN) status is pivotal for treatment decisions. Current routine for SLN detection combines Technetium^99m (Tc⁹⁹) lymphoscintigraphy and blue dye (BD). The primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a low dose of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) injected intracutaneously to detect and identify the SLN, and the secondary aim was to investigate if a low dose of SPIO would enable a preoperative MRI-evaluation of SLN status.MethodsPatients with melanoma of the extremities were eligible. Before surgery, a baseline MRI of the nodal basin was followed by an injection of a low dose (0.02–0.5 mL) of SPIO and then a second MRI (SPIO-MRI). Tc⁹⁹ and BD was used in parallel and all nodes with a superparamagnetic and/or radioactive signal were harvested and analyzed.ResultsFifteen patients were included and the SLNB procedure was successful in all patients (27 SLNs removed). All superparamagnetic SLNs were visualized by MRI corresponding to the same nodes on scintigraphy. Micrometastatic deposits were identified in four SLNs taken from three patients, and SPIO-MRI correctly predicted two of the metastases. There was an association between MRI artefacts in the lymph node and the dose SPIO given.DiscussionIt is feasible to detect SLN in patients with melanoma using a low dose of SPIO injected intracutaneously compared with the standard dual technique. A low dose of SPIO reduces the lymph node MRI artefacts, opening up for a non-invasive assessment of SLN status in patients with cancer.     

外源性p53对不同LET辐射诱导人黑色素瘤细胞系A375死亡途径的影响

目的 观察外源性P53蛋白对不同传能线密度(LET)射线辐照诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡和坏死的影响,并探讨其可能的机制。方法 人黑色素瘤细胞系A375(wild-type p53)经携带人野生型p53基因的腺病毒载体(AdCMV-p53)感染后分别给予X射线和碳离子束照射,采用克隆形成法测定细胞辐射敏感性,Hoechst 33258和吖啶橙-溴化乙锭双染荧光显微镜下观察细胞凋亡和坏死。结果1高LET辐照时,A375细胞和转导人野生型p53基因的A375细胞(A375/p53)的辐射敏感性没有明显差异;2虽然辐射诱导细胞凋亡比例的增加依赖于LET升高,但是无论高LET或低LET,外源性P53蛋白均可有效诱导细胞凋亡。3高LET辐照时,A375细胞的坏死细胞明显高于A375/p53细胞。结论 尽管高LET辐射对A375和A375/p53细胞的存活无明显影响,但是对细胞凋亡的诱导却部分依赖于P53蛋白的功能,P53蛋白可能在调节细胞死亡类型中发挥重要作用。这对临床应用高LET辐射联合p53基因治疗恶性黑色素瘤有一定参考意义。     

直肠肛管恶性黑色素瘤的临床特征分析

目的了解原发性直肠肛管恶性黑色素瘤的临床特点。方法回顾性分析9例原发性直肠肛管恶性黑色素瘤的临床资料,并复习文献。结果直肠肛管恶性黑色素瘤以女性多见,平均发病年龄56岁,病程5.8个月;首发症状以血便为最常见,其次为肛门肿物突出。94.7%的直肠肛管恶性黑色素瘤在距离肛缘5.0cm范围内;肿瘤最大径(3.3±2.1)cm;其中54.5%可活动;有19.1%的肿瘤表面光滑;6.6%的肿瘤质地软;14.0%同期发现转移,肝转移最常见,腹股沟淋巴结转移其次;的病例出现误诊,超过者被误诊为良性疾病;手术治疗中以Miles术为主,经肛门局部切除术其次。结论直肠肛管恶性黑色素瘤极易误诊。手术治疗为主。     

口腔粘膜恶性黑色素瘤的超微结构

目的：探讨口腔粘膜恶性黑色素瘤超微结构特征及其对诊断的意义。方法：对５例肿瘤的手术标本，采用透射电镜技术进行研究。结果：瘤细胞表面有丰富的微绒毛样突起，细胞间连接很少见。胞质内可见特征性的黑色素小体。胞核不规则，核仁大且数目多。结论：电镜观察有助于判断口腔恶性黑色素瘤的恶性程度及淋巴结转移。     

膜表达热休克蛋白70真核表达载体的构建及其对肿瘤细胞的转染

目的构建普遍适合性的膜表达热休克蛋白70(HSP70)的真核表达载体,修饰并建立HSP 70表达并结合在细胞膜表面的肿瘤细胞.方法RT-PCR法从人胚肾中获取HSP 70的cDNA,扩增成带酶切位点的目的基因.选择载体pDisplay,将目的基因插入载体多克隆酶位点中.DNA测序证实后,以脂质体转染的方法,将载体转染到黑色素瘤细胞.用G418抗性筛选获得阳性克隆.结果酶切电泳和DNA测序证实载体构建正确;目的基因的上游带信号肽序列,下游带跨膜序列.RT-PCR产物电泳、Westem Blotting、激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞术证实大量HSP 70表达并结合在转染的黑色素瘤细胞膜表面.结论成功地构建了膜表达HSP 70的真核表达载体;转染到黑色素瘤细胞后,细胞膜表面表达丰富的HSP70.转染细胞可以进一步制备新型瘤苗.     

In vivo anti-melanoma activities of the Melan-A/MART-1101–115 T CD4+ cell peptide

Malignant melanoma causes significant health problems. The identification of tumour-associated antigens has led to novel approaches to increase T cell mediated anti-tumour immune response. Melan-A/MART-1 has been use as target antigen for several T cell based immunotherapeutic treatments. More recently, the critical role of CD4+ T cells in inducing and maintaining anti-tumour immunity has been increasingly recognized. In order to optimize tumour immunotherapy, greater efforts have been concentrated on the identification of tumour antigens presented by MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells. In a publication, Tiwari et al. (2004) [1] have identified by a computational approach the 15-mer amino-acid sequence 101–115 (PPAYEKLSAEQSPPP) of the Melan-A/MART-1 as a good target for a vigorous and safe immunotherapy. Therefore, we have investigated the in vivo anti-tumour activity of this peptide in a murine melanoma model. For the prophylactic treatment, 20 μg or 50 μg peptide was subcutaneously injected in mice once a week during 3 weeks before tumour induction. Treatment with 50 μg peptide significantly affected tumour development. Thus, our preliminary data demonstrate potential in vivo prophylactic activity of the 101–115 peptide-based vaccine to control melanoma growth.