Revision of the stag beetle genus Ryssonotus MacLeay (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), with descriptions of a new genus and three new species

The Australian lucanid genus Ryssonotus MacLeay, 1819 is redefined and reduced to one species: R. nebulosus (Kirby, 1819). The supposed senior synonym of this species, Lucanus foveolatus Thunberg, 1806 is a junior synonym of the North American species Lucanus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1763) (new synonym). Safrina new genus, is described for the remaining species formerly in Ryssonotus and three new species: S. dekeyzeri new species, S. grandis (Lea, 1915) new combination, S. jaedoni new species, S. jugularis (Westwood, 1863) new combination, S. laticeps (Macleay, 1885) new combination, S. moorei new species, S. parallela (Deyrolle, 1881) new combination, and S. polita (Carter, 1921) new combination. Safrina grandis is a senior synonym of S. costata (Carter, 1929) new synonym. The type species of Safrina is Rhyssonotus laticeps Macleay, 1885. All species of Safrina are described and a key is provided to the adults of Ryssonotus and Safrina. The species are confined to the ranges of eastern mainland Australia. Diagnostic descriptions of the larvae of Ryssonotus and Safrina are provided. Safrina and Ryssonotus are placed in the tribe Chiasognathini and their systematic position is discussed.

Disentangling a taxonomic nightmare: a revision of the Australian, Indomalayan and Pacific species of Altica Geoffroy, 1762 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

The genus Altica Geoffroy, 1762, is revised for Australia, the west Pacific region and the Indomalayan Archipelago, with 6 valid species: A. aenea (Olivier, 1808); A. birmanensis (Jacoby, 1896); A. caerulea (Olivier, 1791); A. corrusca (Erichson, 1842); A. cyanea Weber, 1801; A. gravida (Blackburn, 1896). The following new synonymy is recognised, in original combinations, senior synonym first: Galeruca aenea Olivier = Haltica ignea Blackburn, 1889, syn. nov., = Haltica bicolora Jacoby, 1904, syn. nov., = Altica jussiaeae Gressitt, 1955, syn. nov.; Galeruca caerulea Olivier = Haltica elongata Jacoby, 1884, syn. nov., = Altica brevicosta Weise, 1922; Haltica corrusca Erichson = Haltica pagana Blackburn, 1896, syn. nov.; Haltica birmanensis Jacoby = Haltica indica Shukla, 1960, syn. nov. Altica brevicosta and A. birmanensis are removed from synonymy with A. cyanea and A. indica is removed from synonymy with A. caerulea. The Altica caerulea of Maulik and subsequent authors (not Olivier) is a misidentification of two species, correctly named A. cyanea and A. birmanensis. The Altica cyanea of Maulik and subsequent authors (not Weber) is a misidentification, correctly named A. aenea. Altica bicosta Shukla, 1960, is removed from synonymy with A. brevicosta and regarded as a valid species. Altica splendida Olivier, 1808, and Haltica ferruginis Blackburn, 1889, are transferred to Sutrea Baly, 1876, as S. splendida (comb. nov.) and S. ferruginis (comb. nov.). The type species of Sutrea is designated as S. elegans Baly, 1876. Altica albicornis Medvedev, 2004, is transferred to Phygasia Dejean, 1836, as P. albicornis (comb. nov.). Lectotypes are designated for A. australis, A. birmanensis, A. caerulea, A. cyanea, A. elongata, A. ignea and A. pagana. A neotype is designated for A. aenea. Altica caerulea is newly recorded from Australia and A. cyanea is removed from the Australian fauna. Altica corrusca and A. gravida are endemic to Australia; all published records of these species from outside Australia refer to the widespread Asian-Pacific species A. aenea. The single record of the European Altica oleracea (L., 1758) from New Caledonia is regarded as a label error and this species removed from the Pacific fauna. A key, based primarily on genitalic structures, is provided for the six regional species and all are redescribed. Host plant records are reviewed: A. corrusca is a minor agricultural pest; A. aenea, A. caerulea and A. cyanea may be useful for biocontrol of weeds.

Abstract CT415: A Phase I/IIA multicenter clinical trial of the chimeric monoclonal antibody NEO102 (NPC-1C) in adults with refractory pancreatic and colorectal cancer

Background:NPC-1C, (NEO-101 and NEO102, Precision Biologics, Inc) is a novel chimeric monoclonal antibody being developed as a treatment for pancreatic and colorectal cancers. NPC-1C recognizes a variant form of MUC5AC expressed specifically by human pancreatic and colorectal tumors. A Phase I trial of NEO-101 has been completed and reported previously. This Phase IIA study utilizes NEO-102, a glycoengineered form of NEO-101 with improved stability and decreased red cell agglutination.

Methods: This is a Phase Ib/IIa, open label, multicenter dose escalation clinical trial with Neo-102 for patients with refractory pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The primary objective is to determine safety, tolerability of escalating doses of NEO-102. Secondary objectives are to assess pharmacokinetics as well as immune response at each dose level, evaluate clinical benefit as measured by RECIST criteria and overall survival, and to explore the immunologic correlates associated with NEO-102. Analyses of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and immune cytokine profiling utilizing the Milliplex MAP Human Cytokine/Chemokine Panel are planned to assess for immunologic outcome, and for correlation with clinical benefit. Patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who have progressed after front line chemotherapy; or metastatic colorectal cancer who have progressed after at least 2 chemotherapy regimens; whose tumors express the target NEO-102 antigen as defined as ≥ 20% positive stain by NPC-1C immunohistochemistry (IHC) are eligible. Patients have good performance status (KPS ≥ 50%) and adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal function are eligible. Major exclusion criteria include uncontrolled brain metastases, ascites, or other uncontrolled medical illness. Dose escalation was performed in a standard 3+3 design at doses of 1.5mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg.

Results: A total of 12 patients (2 pancreatic and 10 colon cancer) have been enrolled. Preplanned dose escalation to the 4 mg/kg dose has been completed and no dose limiting toxicity was observed. Median age is 58 years, 7 are male, median number of prior treatment regimens are 4+ (range 1+ to 8+) Treatment related AEs include grade 1 and 2 diarrhea, fatigue, mucositis, nausea, pruritus, epigastric pain, nasal congestion, insomnia, mouth ulcers, back pain, congestion, weight loss, chills facial flushing and fever, and grade 3 diarrhea and anemia. No severe adverse events (SAE) have been deemed to be drug related. Overall response rate includes 4 patients with PD and 5 patients have achieved SD and 3 patients are too early to evaluate. Median duration of treatment is 56+ days (Range 29 to131+). Conclusions: We have completed dose escalation with NEO-102, a first in man monoclonal antibody with a unique mechanism of action. Treatment is well tolerated with manageable safety profile. Due to encouraging preliminary clinical activity, as demonstrated by disease stabilization in a heavily pretreated population, a Phase II study of NEO-102 monotherapy in pancreatic and colon cancer is now enrolling patients. In addition, a combination study using NEO102 with cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer is underway.

Citation Format: Muhammad Shaalan Beg, Michael Morse, Sandip P. Patel, Sharon Mavroukakis, Melony Beatson, Philip M. Arlen, Nilofer S. Azad. A Phase I/IIA multicenter clinical trial of the chimeric monoclonal antibody NEO102 (NPC-1C) in adults with refractory pancreatic and colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr CT415. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-CT415

Phase II study of satraplatin and prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a pharmacogenetic assessment of outcome and toxicity

BACKGROUND

We assessed the effect of excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) and x-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene polymorphisms on treatment outcomes with satraplatin and prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel-based therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this single arm study. The primary objective was to determine if the presence of ERCC1 Asn118Asn (N118N, 500C>T, rs11615) and XRCC1 Arg399Gln (R399Q, 1301G>A, rs25487) genetic variants might be associated with an impact on progression-free survival (PFS); secondary objectives included overall response, survival, and toxicity.

RESULTS

After population stratification by race, white patients carrying heterozygous or variant genotypes at the ERCC1 C>T locus had a >3-fold longer median PFS (5.8 vs. 1.8 months; 2P = .18, adjusted) and 5-fold longer median overall survival (OS) (15.7 vs. 3.2 months; 2P = .010, adjusted) than did patients carrying only wild-type alleles. For the XRCC1 G>A variant, without regard to race, patients carrying the wild-type GG alleles had a longer PFS (9.3 months) than those carrying GA or AA alleles (2.7 months; 2P = .02). Similarly, those carrying GG alleles did not reach median OS, whereas those carrying GA or AA alleles had a median OS of 9.6 months (2P = .12, adjusted). Multivariable analysis by using Cox proportional hazards modeling demonstrated that only XRCC1 was associated with PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to date in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that describes predictive germline polymorphisms of ERCC1 and XRCC1 for assessing the clinical activity of satraplatin.

A new genus and species of Bruchinae, with a key to the genera from Australia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A new genus of Bruchinae, Buburra Reid & Beatson, is erected for a single new species, B. jeanae Reid & Beatson. Buburra is endemic to Australia where it is known from a single site at high altitude in Victoria. The hostplant is unknown. Buburra is placed in the tribe Pachymerini. A key is provided for identification of the 12 genera of Bruchinae in Australia, including Caryotrypes Decelle, 1968, recorded from Australia for the first time. Five Australian species described in Bruchus Linneus, 1767, are newly transferred to Bruchidius Schilsky, 1905: Bruchidius diversipes (Lea, 1899) comb. nov.; B. maestus (Lea, 1899) comb. nov.; B. oodnadattae (Blackburn, 1900) comb. nov.; B. persimulans (Blackburn, 1900) comb. nov.; B. quornensis (Blackburn, 1900) comb. nov. A checklist is provided for the species of Bruchinae in Australia.

Dual antiangiogenic therapy using lenalidomide and bevacizumab with docetaxel and prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

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Background: Previously, we had shown the potent anti−tumor activity of dual anti-angiogenic therapy by combining bevacizumab (B) and thalidomide (T) with docetaxel (D) and prednisone (P) in mCRPC (Ning JCO 2010). We hypothesized that combining lenalidomide (L), an analogue of T, with B, D, and P would have a more favorable efficacy/toxicity profile. Methods: All patients (pts) had chemotherapy−naïve mCRPC. Among the first 52 pts, 3 received L 15 mg daily, 3 had 20 mg daily, and the rest had 25 mg daily for 14 days of every 21−day cycle (C). The protocol was recently amended to enroll 11 more pts at L 15 mg; 2 pts have now been enrolled in this expansion cohort. All pts received D 75 mg/m2 and B 15 mg/kg on day 1 with P 10 mg and enoxaparin daily throughout each C. Pegfilgrastim was given on day 2. PSA each C with imaging after C2 and after every 3C. Dental exams with mandible CT scan at baseline, after C5, and every 6C. Results: 54 of 62 pts have been enrolled. Median age 65.5 (51−82), Gleason score 8 (5−10), on−study PSA 85.2 ng/ml (0.15−3520), and pre−study PSA doubling time 1.49 months (0.52−6.73). Median number of Cs was 16 (3−38). PFS was 22 months and probability of survival at 12 months was 90%. Forty-six (85.2%) and 42 (77.8%) pts had PSA declines of ≥50% and ≥75%, respectively. Of 30 pts with measurable disease there were 1 CR and 25 PR (86.7% overall RR). 17/54 pts were off study for radiographic disease progression and 8/54 for other reasons. Grade ≥2 toxicities included neutropenia (34/54), anemia (23/54), thrombocytopenia (7/54), hypertension (12/54), perianal fistula (3/54), rectal fissure (1/54), myocardial infarction (1/54), and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) (12/54, 22.0%). At the time of diagnosis of ONJ, 7/12pts were on bisphosphonates (BP), 2/12 had used BP previously, and 3/12 never used BP. The incidence of ONJ was comparable to 18.3% reported by Ning et al. A recent study of carboplatin plus weekly docetaxel reported an incidence of 29.3%. Conclusions: Dual anti-angiogenic therapy with, B and L, plus D and P was associated with high PSA (85.2%) and tumor (86.7%) responses in mCRPC, with manageable toxicities. The incidence of ONJ is comparable to other studies.

Abstract 5379: Combination treatment with Bevacizumab, Lenalidomide, Docetaxel and Prednisone (ART-P) does not impact the immune response in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Purpose: Investigation of the effect of combination therapy for 5 cycles with bevacizumab, lenalidomide, docetaxel and prednisone (ART-P) on the immune response in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The aim was to ascertain if treatment containing prednisone and docetaxel would impact immune responses, which could compromise the efficacy of subsequent immunotherapy. Experimental Design: We report here a study of immune responses in 12 patients enrolled in a phase II trial of ART-P at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). We compared peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum samples collected at baseline and post 5 3-week cycles of ART-P treatment. PBMCs were analyzed using flow cytometry to characterize phenotypes of T-cells, regulatory T-cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and natural killer (NK) cells, and T-cell proliferation as well as NK-cell functional activity were evaluated. Serum samples were analyzed for levels of cytokines, chemokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with ELISA assays. Results: The baseline characteristics for the 12 patients were: median age 65.7 years, Gleason score 8, and PSA 74 ng/ml. Greater than 50% decreases in PSA were seen in 9/12 patients, with a median decrease of 74%. Of the 12 patients 7 had a partial response, and 5 had stable disease by RECIST criteria. After 5 cycles of ART-P treatment we found no significant differences from baseline in T-cell proliferation and NK-cell function, or the frequencies of T-cells, regulatory T-cells, MDSC and NK-cells. There was also no change in the serum levels of cytokines and chemokines except for IL-6, which decreased. As expected, the serum levels of VEGF substantially decreased with therapy. Conclusions: Treatment of mCRPC patients with ART-P for 5 cycles did not alter the immune response in a way that would decrease the likelihood of successful immunotherapy, pre or post treatment with ART-P.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5379. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5379

Phase II trial of bevacizumab and lenalidomide with docetaxel and prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

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Background: Angiogenesis may be vital to mCRPC. Previously, we had shown the potent anti−tumor activity of dual antiangiogenic therapy by combining thalidomide (T) and bevacizumab (B) with docetaxel (D) and prednisone (P) in mCRPC (Ning JCO 2010). We hypothesized that combining lenalidomide (L), an analogue of T, with B, D, and P would have a more favorable efficacy/toxicity profile.

Methods: All patients (pts) had chemotherapy−naïve mCRPC. 3 pts received R 15 mg daily, 3 pts had 20 mg daily, and the rest had 25 mg daily for 14 days of every 21−day cycle (C). All pts received D 75 mg/m2 and B 15 mg/kg on day 1 with P 10 mg and enoxaparin daily throughout each C. Pegfilgrastim was given on day 2. PSA was assayed each C with imaging after C2 and then after every 3C.

Results: 47 of the planned 51 pts have been enrolled. Median age was 66 (51−82), Gleason score 8 (5−10), on−study PSA 91.6 ng/ml (0.15−3520), pre−study PSA doubling time 1.43 months (0.52−6.73), number of Cs 14 (1−31), and PFS was 19.3 months as of this analysis. Among 45 pts who have completed ≥2 cycles, 39 (86.7%) and 30 (66.7%) had PSA declines of ≥50% and ≥75%, respectively. Of 29 pts with measurable disease there were 2 CR, 21 PR, and 6 SD (79.3% overall RR). 10/47 pts were taken off study for radiographic disease progression and 5/47 for other reasons. Grade ≥3 toxicities included neutropenia (24/47), anemia (9/47), thrombocytopenia (5/47), weight loss (1/47), hypertension (3/47), and febrile neutropenia (4/47). Other toxicities included perianal fistula (3/47), rectal fissure (1/47), myocardial infarction (1/47), and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) (16/47, 34.0%). At the time of diagnosis of ONJ, 9/16 pts were on bisphosphonates and 3/16 had used bisphosphonates previously. Although the incidence of ONJ was higher than the 18.3% reported by Ning, a recent study of carboplatin plus weekly docetaxel reported an incidence of 29.3%.

Conclusions: Dual antiangiogenic therapy with, B and L, plus D and P was associated with high PSA (86.7%) and tumor (79.3%) responses with manageable toxicities. Further studies are underway to explore the high incidence of ONJ.