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Agresti N, Lalezari JP, Amodeo PP, Mody K, Mosher SF, Seethamraju H, Kelly SA, Pourhassan NZ, Sudduth CD, Bovinet C, ElSharkawi AE, Patterson BK, Stephen R, Sacha JB, Wu HL, Gross SA, Dhody K. Disruption of CCR5 signaling to treat COVID-19-associated cytokine storm: Case series of four critically ill patients treated with leronlimab. J Transl Autoimmun 2021; 4:100083. [PMID: 33521616 PMCID: PMC7823045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The number of confirmed cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 continues to escalate with over 70 million confirmed cases and over 1.6 million confirmed deaths. Severe-to-critical COVID-19 is associated with a dysregulated host immune response to the virus, which is thought to lead to pathogenic immune dysregulation and end-organ damage. Presently few effective treatment options are available to treat COVID-19. Leronlimab is a humanized IgG4, kappa monoclonal antibody that blocks C–C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5). It has been shown that in patients with severe COVID-19 treatment with leronlimab reduces elevated plasma IL-6 and chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), and normalized CD4/CD8 ratios. We administered leronlimab to 4 critically ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care. All 4 of these patients improved clinically as measured by vasopressor support, and discontinuation of hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation. Following administration of leronlimab there was a statistically significant decrease in IL-6 observed in patient A (p=0.034) from day 0–7 and patient D (p=0.027) from day 0–14. This corresponds to restoration of the immune function as measured by CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio. Although two of the patients went on to survive the other two subsequently died of surgical complications after an initial recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Leronlimab is a monoclonal antibody in clinical trials to treat the cytokine storm. Critically ill patients received leronlimab through compassionate use and had remarkable recoveries measured objectively. The CCR5 receptor is important in recruiting inflammatory cells mainly T cells and macrophages. Leronlimab disrupted this signal and may have been responsible for restoration of the immune system, improved survival and decrease in IL-6.
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Key Words
- ACE2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- BID, bis in die (twice a day)
- CCL2, chemokine C–C motif ligand 2
- CCL3, chemokine C–C motif ligand 3
- CCL4, chemokine C–C motif ligand 4
- CCL5, chemokine C–C motif ligand 5
- CCR1, C–C chemokine receptor type 1
- CCR5, C–C chemokine receptor type 5
- CDC, Centers for Disease Control
- CK, creatine kinase
- COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- CRP, C-reactive protein
- CXCL10, chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10
- CXCL2, chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 2
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- DPP4, dipeptidyl peptidase-4
- DVT, deep vein thrombosis
- EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- Fi02, fraction of inspired oxygen, IgG4
- Hydroxychloroquine, HLH
- Leronlimab (PRO 140)
- Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, MIG
- National Early Warning Score, NK
- RO, receptor occupancy
- RT–PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- SARS-CoV-2
- SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- T-reg RO, regulatory T cells – receptor occupancy
- TGF- α, transforming growth factor alpha
- TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha
- TNF-β, tumor necrosis factor beta
- Tregs, regulatory T cells
- VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor A
- WBC, white blood cell
- WHO, World Health Organization
- eIND, emergency investigational new drug application
- hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, HTN
- hypertension, ICU
- immunoglobulin G4, HCQ
- intensive care unit, IL-1β
- interferon gamma, IL-6
- interferon gamma-inducible protein (IP) 10 or CXCL10, LOA
- interleukin 1 beta, IFN-ƴ
- interleukin 6, IP-10
- letter of authorization, MCP
- macrophage Inflammatory Proteins 1-alpha, MIP-1β
- macrophage Inflammatory Proteins 1-beta, N/A
- macrophage colony stimulating factor, MDC (CCL22)
- macrophage colony-stimulating factor encoded by the CCL22 gene, MERS-CoV
- monocyte chemoattractant protein, M-CSF
- monokine induced by IFN-γ (interferon gamma), MIP-1α
- natural killer, OSA
- not applicable, NEWS2
- obstructive sleep apnea, PDGF-AA
- per os (taken by mouth), RANTES
- platelet-derived growth factor AA, PDGF-AA/BB
- platelet-derived growth factor AA/BB, PEEP
- positive end-expiratory pressure, PNA
- pulmonary nodular amyloidosis, po
- regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (also known as CCL5)
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Agresti
- Southeast Georgia Health System, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | | | - Phillip P Amodeo
- Southeast Georgia Health System, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | - Kabir Mody
- Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 3222, USA
| | - Steven F Mosher
- Southeast Georgia Health System, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | - Harish Seethamraju
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein University, 1695A Eastchester Rd, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
| | - Scott A Kelly
- CytoDyn, 1111 Main Street, Suite 660 Vancouver, WA, 98660, USA
| | | | - C David Sudduth
- Southeast Georgia Health System, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | - Christopher Bovinet
- Spine Center of Southeast Georgia, 1111 Glynco Pkwy Ste 300, Brunswick, GA, 31525, USA
| | - Ahmed E ElSharkawi
- Southeast Georgia Health System, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | | | - Reejis Stephen
- Southeast Georgia Health System, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA, 31520, USA
| | - Jonah B Sacha
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 N.W. 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Helen L Wu
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 N.W. 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Seth A Gross
- NYU Langone Gastroenterology Associates, 240 East 38th Street, 23rd Floor New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Kush Dhody
- Amarex Clinical Research, 20201 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD, 20874, USA
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Yao J, Gao W, Wang Y, Wang L, Diabakte K, Li J, Yang J, Jiang Y, Liu Y, Guo S, Zhao X, Cao Z, Chen X, Li Q, Zhang H, Wang W, Tian Z, Li B, Tian F, Wu G, Pourteymour S, Huang X, Tan F, Cao X, Yang Z, Li K, Zhang Y, Li Y, Zhang Z, Jin H, Tian Y. Sonodynamic Therapy Suppresses Neovascularization in Atherosclerotic Plaques via Macrophage Apoptosis-Induced Endothelial Cell Apoptosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 5:53-65. [PMID: 32043020 PMCID: PMC7000870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
DVDMS-SDT reduces neovascularization in late-stage atherosclerotic lesions in both rabbit and mouse models. DVDMS-SDT enhances macrophage foam cell apoptosis, which in turn induces neovessel endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibits its proliferation, migration, and tubulogenesis, termed apoptosis-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, DVDMS-SDT induces macrophage foam cell apoptosis via mitochondrial-caspase pathway, which activates caspase 3 to cleave SP-1, leading to the reduction of HIF-1α and VEGF-A. In the pilot translational study, DVDMS-SDT reduces plaque angiogenesis and inhibits vessel inflammation.
During atherosclerosis plaque progression, pathological intraplaque angiogenesis leads to plaque rupture accompanied by thrombosis, which is probably the most important cause of arteries complications such as cerebral and myocardial infarction. Even though few treatments are available to mitigate plaque rupture, further investigation is required to develop a robust optimized therapeutic method. In this study using rabbit and mouse atherosclerotic models, sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS)-mediated sonodynamic therapy reduced abnormal angiogenesis and plaque rupture. Briefly, DVDMS is injected to animals, and then the plaque was locally exposed to pulse ultrasound for a few minutes. Furthermore, a small size clinical trial was conducted on patients with atherosclerosis. Notably, a significant reduction of arterial inflammation and angiogenesis was recorded following a short period of DVDMS-mediated sonodynamic therapy treatment. This beneficial outcome was almost equivalent to the therapeutic outcome after 3-month intensive statin treatment.
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Key Words
- ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid
- ApoE, apolipoprotein E
- ChIP, chromatin immunoprecipitation
- DVDMS, sinoporphyrin sodium
- DVDMS-SDT, sinoporphyrin sodium-mediated sonodynamic therapy
- HIF, hypoxia inducible factor
- HUVEC, human umbilical vein endothelial cells
- MVE, normalized maximal video-intensity enhancement
- SDT, sonodynamic therapy
- SP, specificity protein
- TBR, target-to-background ratio
- VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor A
- apoptosis-induced apoptosis
- atherosclerotic plaque
- endothelial cell
- macrophage
- neovascularization
- sonodynamic therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianting Yao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kamal Diabakte
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research (Harbin Medical University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiemei Yang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongxing Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuerong Liu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuyuan Guo
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuezhu Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiannan Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiyu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Pathophysiology and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research (Harbin Medical University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bicheng Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fang Tian
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guodong Wu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Xi Huang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fancheng Tan
- Department of Pathophysiology and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research (Harbin Medical University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoru Cao
- Department of Pathophysiology and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research (Harbin Medical University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuowen Yang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Research Center for Computational Biology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Laboratory of Photo- and Sono-theranostic Technologies and Condensed Matter Science and Technology Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Jin
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Dr. Hong Jin, Molecular Vascular Medicine, Medicine Department, Bioclinicum, Akademiska Stråket 1, J8:20, Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pathophysiology and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research (Harbin Medical University), Ministry of Education, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
- Address for correspondence: Dr. Ye Tian, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Institute, Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Harbin 150001, China.
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Kong Z, Yan C, Zhu R, Wang J, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wang R, Feng F, Ma W. Imaging biomarkers guided anti-angiogenic therapy for malignant gliomas. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 20:51-60. [PMID: 30069427 PMCID: PMC6067083 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Antiangiogenic therapy is a universal approach to the treatment of malignant gliomas but fails to prolong the overall survival of newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma patients. Imaging biomarkers are quantitative imaging parameters capable of objectively describing biological processes, pathological changes and treatment responses in some situations and have been utilized for outcome predictions of malignant gliomas in anti-angiogenic therapy. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques (including perfusion-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging), positron emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy are imaging techniques that can be used to acquire imaging biomarkers, including the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), Ktrans, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Imaging indicators for a better prognosis when treating malignant gliomas with antiangiogenic therapy include the following: a lower pre- or post-treatment rCBV, less change in rCBV during treatment, a lower pre-treatment Ktrans, a higher vascular normalization index during treatment, less change in arterio-venous overlap during treatment, lower pre-treatment ADC values for the lower peak, smaller ADC volume changes during treatment, and metabolic changes in glucose and phenylalanine. The investigation and utilization of these imaging markers may confront challenges, but may also promote further development of anti-angiogenic therapy. Despite considerable evidence, future prospective studies are critically needed to consolidate the current data and identify novel biomarkers. Anti-angiogenic therapy only benefits specific populations of glioma patients. Advanced imaging techniques can produce quantitative imaging biomarkers. Physiological and metabolic parameter can predict outcome for anti-angiogenic therapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to provide further evidence.
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Key Words
- 18F-FDOPA, 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-l-phenylalanine
- 18F-FLT, [18F]-fluoro-3-deoxy-3-L-fluorothymidine
- ADC, apparent diffusion coefficient
- AVOL, arterio-venous overlap
- Anti-angiogenic
- BBB, blood brain barrier
- Biomarkers
- CBF, cerebral blood flow
- CBV, cerebral blood volume
- CNS, central nervous system
- CT, computed tomography
- D-2HG, D-2-hydroxypentanedioic acid
- DCE-MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
- DSC-MRI, dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging
- DWI, diffusion-weighted imaging
- FDG, fluorodeoxyglucose
- FLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
- FSE pcASL, fast spin echo pseudocontinuous artery spin labeling
- GBM, glioblastoma
- Glioma
- Imaging
- Ktrans, volume transfer constant between blood plasma and extravascular extracellular space
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MRS, magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- OS, overall survival
- PET, positron emission computed tomography
- PFS, progression-free survival
- PWI, perfusion-weighted imaging
- RANO, Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology
- ROI, region of interest
- RSI, restriction spectrum imaging
- SUV, standardized uptake value
- TMZ, temozolomide
- Therapy
- VAI, vessel architectural imaging
- VEGF-A, vascular endothelial growth factor A
- VNI, vascular normalization index.
- fDMs, functional diffusion maps
- nGBM, newly diagnosed glioblastoma
- rCBF, relative cerebral blood flow
- rCBV, relative cerebral blood volume
- rGBM, recurrent glioblastoma
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziren Kong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chengrui Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruizhe Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaru Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yaning Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Renzhi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Radiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China..
| | - Wenbin Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Indraccolo S, Randon G, Zulato E, Nardin M, Aliberti C, Pomerri F, Casarin A, Nicoletto MO. Metformin: a modulator of bevacizumab activity in cancer? A case report. Cancer Biol Ther 2015; 16:210-4. [PMID: 25607951 PMCID: PMC4623111 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2014.1002366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent type I endometrial cancer (EC) has poor prognosis and demands novel therapeutic approaches. Bevacizumab, a VEGF-A neutralizing monoclonal antibody, has shown clinical activity in this setting. To our knowledge, however, although some diabetic cancer patients treated with bevacizumab may also take metformin, whether metformin modulates response to anti-VEGF therapy has not yet been investigated. Here, we report the case of a patient with advanced EC treated, among other drugs, with bevacizumab in combination with metformin. The patient affected by relapsed EC G3 type 1, presented in march 2010 with liver, lungs and mediastinic metastases. After six cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin she underwent partial response. Later on, she had disease progression notwithstanding administration of multiple lines of chemotherapy. In march 2013, due to brain metastases with coma, she began steroid therapy with development of secondary diabetes. At this time, administration of Bevacizumab plus Metformin improved her performance status. CT scans performed in this time window showed reduced radiologic density of the lung and mediastinic lesions and of liver disease, suggestive of increased tumor necrosis. Strong 18F-FDG uptake by PET imaging along with high levels of monocarboxylate transporter 4 and lack of liver kinase B1 expression in liver metastasis, highlighted metabolic features previously associated with response to anti-VEGF therapy and phenformin in preclinical models. However, clinical benefit was transitory and was followed by rapid and fatal disease progression. These findings—albeit limited to a single case—suggest that tumors lacking LKB1 expression and/or endowed with an highly glycolytic phenotype might develop large necrotic areas following combined treatment with metformin plus bevacizumab. As metformin is widely used among diabetes patients as well as in ongoing clinical trials in cancer patients, these results deserve further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Indraccolo
- a Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit ; Istituto Oncologico Veneto-IOV-IRCCS ; Padova , Italy
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