First Report of Imported Fire Ants, Solenopsis invicta, S. richteri, and S. invicta X richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Kentucky

Since their introduction into the United States in the early 1900's, imported fire ants, namely Solenopsis invicta Buren (Red Imported Fire Ant), S. richteri Forel (Black Imported Fire Ant), and their hybrid form Solenopsis invicta X richteri have spread throughout portions of the USA, especially in the southeastern region. Imported fire ants are a serious invasive and economically significant species in the USA and elsewhere, and their spread into new parts of the country is of great concern. Although early models predicted that the fire ants would not be able to survive very far north into the USA, these ants have nonetheless successfully continued their spread into higher latitudes. Based on Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) samples, the Mississippi Entomological Museum Invasive Insect Screening Center, at Mississippi State University, has verified the presence of imported fire ants collected in Kentucky at multiple locations from 2014 to 2022.

Phase I trial of FOLFIRI in combination with sorafenib and bevacizumab in patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies

BACKGROUND

A previous phase II trial in patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer demonstrated a 63 % disease control rate with a combination of bevacizumab and sorafenib. This phase I trial sought to determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of bevacizumab and sorafenib combined with standard cytotoxic therapy for advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

METHODS

A standard 3 + 3 trial design utilized 3 escalating sorafenib dose levels: (1) 200 mg daily, days 3-7, 10-14; (2) 200 mg twice daily, days 3-6, 10-13; and (3) 200 mg twice daily, days 3-7, 10-14 combined with standard dose FOLFIRI (5-fluouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) and bevacizumab (5 mg/kg), repeated every 14 days.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were evaluable for safety and response assessment. There were no dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) at dose level 1 or 2. At dose level 3, two patients experienced DLTs (asymptomatic grade 3 hypophosphatemia, grade 3 dehydration and diarrhea). The MTD was determined to be dose level 2: sorafenib 200 mg twice daily, days 3-6, 10-13 combined with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab at standard doses. Four patients had a partial response and 8 had stable disease as best response (disease control rate of 80 %). Three patients with CRC had disease control >12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The MTD of this regimen is sorafenib 200 mg twice daily, days 3-6, 10-13 combined with standard doses of FOLFIRI and bevacizumab. Dual antiangiogenic treatment combined with cytotoxic therapy may provide prolonged disease stabilization for select patients with advanced GI malignancies.

Phase I trial of FOLFIRI in combination with sorafenib and bevacizumab in patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies

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Background: Sorafenib inhibits various pro-angiogenesis pathways including PDGFR-B, a factor associated with resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. A previous phase II trial in patients with chemorefractory metastatic CRC demonstrated a 63% disease control rate with a combination of bevacizumab (BEV) and sorafenib. This phase I trial sought to determine the MTD of BEV and sorafenib combined with standard cytotoxic therapy for advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Methods: Patients with advanced GI malignancies appropriate for irinotecan-based therapy were enrolled (14 with CRC, 3 gastroesophageal). A standard 3 + 3 design was used with 3 escalating sorafenib dose levels (DL): (1) 200 mg po daily, days 3-7, 10-14; (2) 200 mg po twice daily, days 3-6, 10-13; and (3) 200 mg po twice daily, days 3-7, 10-14. FOLFIRI: irinotecan 180 mg/m2 d1, leucovorin 400 mg/m2 d1, 5-fluorouracil (FU) bolus 400 mg/m2 d1, 5-FU infusion 2400 mg/m2d1-2 and BEV 5 mg/kg d1. 1 cycle = 14 days. Results: Seventeen pts were enrolled, median age of 56 (range 32 and 81). Two pts were replaced, as they did not complete DLT evaluation, leaving 15 evaluable pts. Four evaluable pts at DL1 and 6 pts at DL2 had no DLTs. At DL 3, the first cohort of 3 pts did not experience any DLTs. In the second cohort of 3 pts, 2 pts experienced DLTs (asymptomatic G3 hypophosphatemia, G3 dehydration and diarrhea). MTD was determined to be DL2: sorafenib 200 mg PO twice daily, days 3-6, 10-13 combined with FOLFIRI and BEV at standard doses. Of the 15 evaluable pts, 4 pts had PR, 8 pts had SD as best response, 1 pt had PD, and 2 pts discontinued treatment prior to first tumor assessment. The median number of cycles was 10 (range 1-37). Three pts with CRC had disease control > 12 months. Conclusions: The MTD of this regimen is sorafenib 200 mg PO twice daily, days 3-6,10-13 combined with standard doses of FOLFIRI and BEV. Dual VEGF inhibition combined with cytotoxic therapy may provide prolonged disease stabilization for select patients with advanced GI malignancies. Supported by CA69912 and CA15083. Clinical trial information: NCT01383343.

A first-in-human phase I study of the oral p38 MAPK inhibitor LY2228820 dimesylate in patients with advanced cancer

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Background: p38 MAPK regulates production of cytokines by the tumor microenvironment and its activation enables cancer cells to survive in the presence of oncogenic stress, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. LY2228820 is a selective small-molecule inhibitor of p38 MAPK and preclinical studies demonstrate antitumor activity as a single agent and in combination with standard agents. We performed a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of LY2228820 and to characterize its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Methods: Dose escalation was performed in a 3+3 design. LY2228820 was taken orally every 12 hours on days 1-14 of a 28-day cycle. Results: 54 patients received either capsules at 8 dose levels (10, 20, 40, 65, 90, 120, 160, and 200mg) or tablets at 5 dose levels (160, 200, 300, 420, and 560mg). For both formulations, Cmax and AUC increased in a dose-dependent manner. LY2228820 inhibited p38 MAPK induced phosphorylation of MAPKAP-K2 in peripheral blood with dose-dependent maximum inhibition from 10 to 70% across the dose range 10-200mg. The most common drug-related adverse events included fatigue, nausea, rash, constipation, vomiting, and pruritus. 1 patient (200mg) had DLT of erythema multiforme (Gr3) and 2 patients (560mg) had DLT of ataxia (Gr3) and dizziness (Gr2), respectively. Although the MTD was 420mg, the frequency of Gr1/2 adverse events (mainly rash, dizziness, and tremor) and observation of clinical activity at lower dose levels led to a recommended dose of 300mg (mean AUC0-24 = 11.7ug-hr/ml at steady state). Early clinical activity has been observed in ovary, breast, and kidney cancers. One patient with metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the kidney refractory to sorafenib, sunitinib, and temsirolimus had confirmed near partial response (29% decrease) after 8 cycles and remains on therapy. 15 patients (28%) achieved best overall response of stable disease, which in 12 patients (22%) was prolonged (≥4 cycles). Conclusions: LY2228820 demonstrates acceptable pharmacokinetics, safety, and early clinical activity as a single agent in advanced cancer. A phase II study for patients with ovary cancer is planned.