Nonclinical Models Research Articles

A microvascularized in vitro liver model for disease modeling and drug discovery

Drug discovery for complex liver diseases faces alarming attrition rates. The lack of non-clinical models that recapitulate key aspects of liver (patho)-physiology is likely contributing to the inefficiency of developing effective treatments. Of particular notice is the common omission of an organized microvascular component despite its importance in maintaining liver function and its involvement in the development of several pathologies. Increasing the complexity ofin vitromodels is usually associated with a lack of scalability and robustness which hinders their implementation in drug development pipelines. Here, we describe a comprehensive liver microphysiological system comprising stellates, liver-derived endothelial cells and hepatocytes conceived within a scalable and automated platform. We show that endothelial cells self-organize in a microvascular network when co-cultured with stellates in a hydrogel. In a tri-culture, hepatocytes polarize accordingly, with a basolateral side facing blood vessels and an apical side facing bile-canaliculi-like structures. Stellates interact and surround the hollow microvessels. Steatosis was induced by exogenous administration of fatty acids which could be prevented by co-administration of firsocostat. Administration of TGF-βresulted in an activated stellate cells phenotype which could be prevented by the co-administration of SB-431542. The model was implemented on a microtiter plate format comprising 64 chips which enabled the development of a fully automated, multiplexed fibrosis assay with a robust Z' factor suitable for high-throughput applications.

Safety and tolerability of a Muse cell-based product in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with therapeutic hypothermia (SHIELD trial).

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), associated with high mortality and neurological sequelae, lacks established treatment except therapeutic hypothermia. Clinical-grade multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells (CL2020) demonstrated safety and efficacy in nonclinical HIE rat models, thereby leading to an investigator-initiated clinical trial to evaluate CL2020 safety and tolerability in neonatal HIE as a single-center open-label dose-escalation study with 9 neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia. Each patient received a single intravenous injection of CL2020 cells between 5 and 14 days of age. The low-dose (3 patients) and high-dose (6 patients) groups received 1.5 × 106 and 1.5 × 107 cells/dose, respectively. The occurrence of any adverse event within 12 weeks following CL2020 administration was the primary endpoint of this trial. No significant changes in physiological signs including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were observed during or after administration. The only adverse event that may be related to cell administration was a mild γ-glutamyltransferase level elevation in one neonate, which spontaneously resolved without any treatment. All patients enrolled in the trial survived, and normal developmental quotients (≥ 85) in all 3 domains of the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001 were observed in 67% of the patients in this trial. CL2020 administration was demonstrated to be safe and tolerable for neonates with HIE. Considering the small number of patients, a randomized controlled confirmatory study is warranted to verify these preliminary findings and evaluate the efficacy of this therapy.

Human enteroid monolayers as a potential alternative for Ussing chamber and Caco-2 monolayers to study passive permeability and drug efflux.

After oral administration, the intestine is the first site of drug absorption, making it a key determinant of the bioavailability of a drug, and hence drug efficacy and safety. Existing non-clinical models of the intestinal barrier in vitro often fail to mimic the barrier and absorption of the human intestine. We explore if human enteroid monolayers are a suitable tool for intestinal absorption studies compared to primary tissue (Ussing chamber) and Caco-2 cells. Bidirectional drug transport was determined in enteroid monolayers, fresh tissue (Ussing chamber methodology) and Caco-2 cells. Apparent permeability (Papp) and efflux ratios for enalaprilat (paracellular), propranolol (transcellular), talinolol (P-glycoprotein (P-gp)) and rosuvastatin (Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)) were determined and compared between all three methodologies and across intestinal regions. Bulk RNA sequencing was performed to compare gene expression between enteroid monolayers and primary tissue. All three models showed functional efflux transport by P-gp and BCRP with higher basolateral to apical (B-to-A) transport compared to apical-to-basolateral (A-to-B). B-to-A Papp values were similar for talinolol and rosuvastatin in tissue and enteroids. Paracellular transport of enalaprilat was lower and transcellular transport of propranolol was higher in enteroids compared to tissue. Enteroids appeared show more region- specific gene expression compared to tissue. Fresh tissue and enteroid monolayers both show active efflux by P-gp and BCRP in jejunum and ileum. Hence, the use of enteroid monolayers represents a promising and versatile experimental platform to complement current in vitro models.

Optimized J to T peak and T peak to T end measurements in nonclinical species administered moxifloxacin and amiodarone

IntroductionCardiovascular safety and the risk of developing the potentially fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmia, Torsades de Pointes (TdP), have long been major concerns of drug development. TdP is associated with a delayed ventricular repolarization represented by QT interval prolongation in the electrocardiogram (ECG), typically due to block of the potassium channel encoded by the human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG). Importantly however, not all drugs that prolong the QT interval are torsadagenic and not all hERG blockers prolong the QT interval. Recent clinical reports suggest that partitioning the QT interval into early (J to T peak; JTp) and late repolarization (T peak to T end; TpTe) components may be valuable for distinguishing low-risk mixed ion channel blockers (hERG plus calcium and/or late sodium currents) from high-risk pure hERG channel blockers. This strategy, if true for nonclinical animal models, could be used to de-risk QT prolonging compounds earlier in the drug development process. MethodsTo explore this, we investigated JTp and TpTe in ECG data collected from telemetered dogs and/or monkeys administered moxifloxacin or amiodarone at doses targeting relevant clinical exposures. An optimized placement of the Tpeak fiducial mark was utilized, and all intervals were corrected for heart rate (QTc, JTpc, TpTec). ResultsIncreases in QTc and JTpc intervals with administration of the pure hERG blocker moxifloxacin and an initial QTc and JTpc shortening followed by prolongation with the mixed ion channel blocker amiodarone were detected as expected, aligning with clinical data. However, anticipated increases in TpTec by both standard agents were not detected. DiscussionThe inability to detect changes in TpTec reduces the utility of these subintervals for prediction of arrhythmias using continuous single‑lead ECGs collected from freely moving dogs and monkeys.

Phase 1/2 trial of the HPK1 inhibitor NDI-101150 as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab: Clinical update.

3083 Background: NDI-101150 is a potent, selective, oral inhibitor of hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1), with a different immunotherapy mechanism to other checkpoint inhibitors. NDI-101150 reactivates anti-tumor activity of T-cells, B-cells and dendritic cells (DCs), even under immunosuppressive conditions. Methods: Safety and preliminary efficacy (primary endpoints) of NDI-101150 alone (50–200 mg once-daily in 28-day cycles) and in combination with pembrolizumab are being assessed in patients (pts) with relapsed or metastatic solid tumors. NDI-101150 monotherapy expansion cohorts in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric/gastroesophageal (G/GEJ) cancer are also being assessed. Results: Dose escalation/expansion data as of Dec 13, 2023 are presented. Treatment (tx)-related adverse effects (TRAEs) in the safety set (N=39) for NDI-101150 monotherapy are presented in the table. 30 (76.9%) pts reported ≥1 TRAE and 5 (12.8%) pts reported grade ≥3 TRAEs. Most common TRAEs were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. Combination tx TRAEs (N=7) recapitulate the monotherapy profile (data not shown). NDI-101150 induced clinical benefit in 4/24 (16.7%) response-evaluable pts: complete response in 1 pt with clear cell RCC; stable disease (SD) ≥6 months in 3 pts (RCC [21 months], pancreatic cancer and endometrial cancer). Unconfirmed SD was noted in 2 pts with RCC, and in 1 pt each with NSCLC and G/GEJ cancer. Nearly dose-proportional increases in exposure were observed on Day 1 of Cycle 1 (C1) across 50–200 mg, with steady state achieved between Days 15 and 28 of tx. Pharmacokinetic profiles of monotherapy and combination tx cohorts were similar. Sustained inhibition of pSLP76 of >50% relative to pre-tx levels (predicted to achieve efficacy in nonclinical models) was observed at all doses tested by Day 15 of C1. Using a custom 12-plex immunofluorescence assay to monitor changes in the tumor immune microenvironment, an on-tx biopsy assessment from a pt with RCC showed increased infiltration of activated CD8+ T-cells and DCs compared to archival biopsy, aligning with the proposed mechanism of action. Conclusions: The observed clinical benefit and safety profile support continued evaluation of NDI-101150 as a viable next-generation immunotherapeutic. Clinical trial information: NCT05128487 . [Table: see text]

A first-in-human (FIH), phase 1/2, dose-escalation, dose-optimization, and dose-expansion study of PARP1-selective inhibitor IMP1734 in participants with advanced solid tumors.

TPS3191 Background: PARP inhibitors (PARPi) selectively kill tumor cells harboring genetic mutations in critical DNA repair genes (e.g., BRCA1/2). While several approved nonselective PARPi have provided robust anti-tumor activity, they are associated with significant hematologic toxicities that limit dose intensity and clinical benefit. Drugs that selectively inhibit PARP1 but spare PARP2 may improve the risk-benefit profile for this class of therapies by retaining anti-tumor activity while avoiding PARP2-related toxicities. IMP1734 (EIK1003) is a potent PARP1-selective inhibitor that inhibits tumor growth in nonclinical models and may widen the therapeutic index in tumors where non-selective PARPi have demonstrated efficacy. Methods: Study EIK1003-001 (IMP1734-101) is a global, multi-center, Phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and potential antitumor activity of IMP1734 in participants with advanced solid tumors. The study has 3 parts: Part 1 (FIH; Dose Escalation), Part 2 (Dose Optimization), and Part 3 (Dose Expansion at the recommended dose for expansion [RDE]). Part 1 of this study is currently enrolling and consists of dose escalation of IMP1734 in study participants with advanced/recurrent/metastatic ovarian, breast, or prostate cancer with suspected deleterious/deleterious mutations in a pre-specified panel of homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes (n = 70). Eligible participants must be ≥ 18 years of age, have histologically or cytologically confirmed tumors as indicated in each study part, and at least 1 RECIST v1.1-measurable lesion and/or pre-specified serum tumor-specific marker. All participants must have a deleterious or suspected deleterious mutation in select HRR genes. Primary endpoints include safety and tolerability (evaluation of dose-limiting toxicities and determining the maximum tolerated dose, maximum achievable dose, and RDE). Secondary endpoints include evaluation of the pharmacokinetic parameters of IMP1734 and measures of efficacy, including overall response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Exploratory endpoints include analysis of pharmacodynamic biomarkers, serial ctDNA measurements, and patient quality-of-life measures. This study opened on 11 Dec 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT06253130 .

Non-clinical investigations about cytotoxic and anti-platelet activities of gamma-terpinene.

Gamma-terpinene (γ-TPN) is a cyclohexane monoterpene isolated from plant essential oils, such as tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), oregano (Origanum vulgare), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris Marchand), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.). Terpenes are widely studied molecules pharmacologically active on the cardiovascular system, hemostasis, and antioxidant actions. Herein, it was investigated the cytotoxic and antiplatelet activity of γ-TPN using different non-clinical laboratory models. For in silico evaluation, the PreADMET, SwissADME, and SwissTargetPrediction softwares were used. Molecular docking was performed using the AutoDockVina and BIOVIA Discovery Studio databases. The cytotoxicity of γ-TPN was analyzed by the MTT assay upon normal murine endothelial SVEC4-10 and fibroblast L-929 cells. Platelet aggregation was evaluated with platelet-rich (PRP) and platelet-poor (PPP) plasma from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), in addition to SVEC4-10 cells pre-incubated with γ-TPN (50, 100, and 200 µM) for 24 h. SHR animals were pre-treated by gavage with γ-TPN for 7 days and divided into four groups (negative control, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected to measure nitrite using the Griess reagent. Gamma-TPN proved to be quite lipid-soluble (Log P = +4.50), with a qualified profile of similarity to the drug, good bioavailability, and adequate pharmacokinetics. It exhibited affinity mainly for the P2Y12 receptor (6.450 ± 0.232 Kcal/mol), moderate cytotoxicity for L-929 (CC50 = 333.3 µM) and SVEC 4-10 (CC50 = 366.7 µM)cells. The presence of γ-TPN in SVEC 4-10 cells was also able to reduce platelet aggregation by 51.57 and 44.20% at lower concentrations (50 and 100 µM, respectively). Then, γ-TPN has good affinity with purinergic receptors and an effect on the reversal of platelet aggregation and oxidative stress, being promising and safe for therapeutic targets and subsequent studies on the control of thromboembolic diseases.

Challenges and gaps in immunosafety evaluation of therapeutics: An IQ DruSafe survey

Immunotoxicology/immunosafety science is rapidly evolving, with novel modalities and immuno-oncology among the primary drivers of new tools and technologies. The Immunosafety Working Group of IQ/DruSafe sought to better understand some of the key challenges in immunosafety evaluation, gaps in the science, and current limitations in methods and data interpretation. A survey was developed to provide a baseline understanding of the needs and challenges faced in immunosafety assessments, the tools currently being applied across the industry, and the impact of feedback received from regulatory agencies. This survey also focused on current practices and challenges in conducting the T-cell-dependent antibody response (TDAR) and the cytokine release assay (CRA). Respondents indicated that ICH S8 guidance was insufficient for the current needs of the industry portfolio of immunomodulators and novel modalities and should be updated. Other challenges/gaps identified included translation of nonclinical immunosafety assessments to the clinic, and lack of relevant nonclinical species and models in some cases. Key areas of emerging science that will add future value to immunotoxicity assessments include development of additional in vitro and microphysiological system models, as well as application of humanized mouse models. Efforts are ongoing in individual companies and consortia to address some of these gaps and emerging science.

Gastrointestinal Acute Radiation Syndrome: Mechanisms, Models, Markers, and Medical Countermeasures.

There have been a number of reported human exposures to high dose radiation, resulting from accidents at nuclear power plants (e.g., Chernobyl), atomic bombings (Hiroshima and Nagasaki), and mishaps in industrial and medical settings. If absorbed radiation doses are high enough, evolution of acute radiation syndromes (ARS) will likely impact both the bone marrow as well as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Damage incurred in the latter can lead to nutrient malabsorption, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, altered microbiome and metabolites, and impaired barrier function, which can lead to septicemia and death. To prepare for a medical response should such an incident arise, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funds basic and translational research to address radiation-induced GI-ARS, which remains a critical and prioritized unmet need. Areas of interest include identification of targets for damage and mitigation, animal model development, and testing of medical countermeasures (MCMs) to address GI complications resulting from radiation exposure. To appropriately model expected human responses, it is helpful to study analogous disease states in the clinic that resemble GI-ARS, to inform on best practices for diagnosis and treatment, and translate them back to inform nonclinical drug efficacy models. For these reasons, the NIAID partnered with two other U.S. government agencies (the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and the Food and Drug Administration), to explore models, biomarkers, and diagnostics to improve understanding of the complexities of GI-ARS and investigate promising treatment approaches. A two-day workshop was convened in August 2022 that comprised presentations from academia, industry, healthcare, and government, and highlighted talks from 26 subject matter experts across five scientific sessions. This report provides an overview of information that was presented during the conference, and important discussions surrounding a broad range of topics that are critical for the research, development, licensure, and use of MCMs for GI-ARS.

Abstract 2054: A sensitive and specific human primary stem cell-based in vitro assay for predicting the gastrointestinal toxicity risk of therapeutic agents

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities are the most common drug-induced adverse events in human clinical trials. Drugs that cause GI toxicities often affect the proliferative stem and progenitor cell populations responsible for maintaining the cellular composition, self-renewing capacity, and barrier function of the intestinal epithelium. This disruption leads to impaired GI barrier integrity, culminating in a broad range of clinical symptoms, including diarrhea, inflammation, and increased risk of infection. The impact of GI toxicity is substantial and can cause dose-limiting clinical side-effects that may affect patient compliance and dosing adherence. Common nonclinical animal models, including rats, mice and dogs are often poor predictors of human GI toxicity and safety outcomes. Furthermore, in vivo animal testing poses limited screening throughput, which is particularly important in fields such as oncology, where matrices of double or triple drug combinations represent the standard of care. Additionally, existing cell-based model systems, such as Caco-2 cells, are of limited predictive value as they are tumor-derived and do not reprise native epithelium. Thus, there is a need for the development of assay systems that more accurately recapitulate human biology, have higher throughput testing capabilities, and ultimately improve clinical predictability. To this end, we have developed an assay to assess GI toxicity potential using the RepliGut Planar platform, which consists of a primary human stem cell-derived epithelium in a 96-well Transwell format. Quantitative dose-response curves were generated on proliferative and/or differentiated GI cultures for various test articles utilizing endpoints that assess GI proliferative capacity, cell viability, and epithelial barrier formation and maintenance. An initial set of marketed drugs (including diverse anti-proliferative, cytotoxic, or anti-inflammatory mechanisms) with known clinical incidence of diarrhea were over a 5-log dose range to enable modeling of the Toxic Concentration 50% (TC50). When benchmarked against the known human plasma concentrations (Cmax), this model was able to accurately predict clinical outcomes for diarrheagenic-drugs, as well as non-toxic negative controls, within 30-fold of the clinical Cmax. Overall, this model system provides straightforward and informative screening for GI toxicity that integrates sensitive and robust endpoints, enables screening to support early nonclinical development, and uniquely allows for mechanistic insights. Citation Format: James Levi, Reganne Lorichon, Lauren Boone, Maureen Bunger, Elizabeth Boazak, William R. Thelin. A sensitive and specific human primary stem cell-based in vitro assay for predicting the gastrointestinal toxicity risk of therapeutic agents [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2054.

Abstract 7196: Evaluation of nab-sirolimus in combination with fulvestrant or PI3K pathway inhibitors to overcome resistance in breast cancer cell lines

Abstract Background: Endocrine therapy (ET) is the standard of care for hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC), but ET resistance develops in most patients (pts). One resistance mechanism involves cross talk between the PI3K-AKT-mTOR and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathways, resulting in increased ER signaling and tumor proliferation. This is mitigated by mTOR inhibition as demonstrated by improved outcomes with exemestane plus the mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) everolimus in pts with HR+ advanced BC. While PI3K inhibitors (PI3Ki [e.g. alpelisib]) are efficacious in pts with HR+, PIK3CA-mutated BC, resistance can occur due to acquired genomic alterations in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Combination therapy that targets a critical downstream node, mTOR, could delay or overcome acquired resistance due to activation of upstream components of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. nab-Sirolimus is an intravenously administered, albumin-bound nanoparticle form of the mTORi sirolimus, with significantly greater tumor accumulation, mTOR target suppression, and improved antitumor effects than oral mTORis in nonclinical tumor models. We evaluated the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of nab-sirolimus in combination with ET or PI3Kis in BC cell lines. Methods: HR+, PI3K-mutated BC cell lines (MCF7 or MDA-MB-361) were incubated for 5 days with increasing concentrations of nab-sirolimus and the selective ER degrader fulvestrant. MDA-MB-361 cells or HR-negative (HR−), PI3K-mutated BC cells, MDA-MD-453, were incubated for 5 days with increasing concentrations of nab-sirolimus and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway inhibitors gedatolisib or alpelisib. Antiproliferative/cytotoxic effects of single-agent and combination treatment were assessed via an automated trypan blue exclusion assay. Results: Addition of 20 or 80 nM nab-sirolimus to fulvestrant (12.5-500 nM) markedly decreased cell viability and nearly doubled cell death in MCF7 and MDA-MB-361 cells. Antiproliferative effects of low-dose gedatolisib (2.5-10 nM) were enhanced by 61-71% when nab-sirolimus (20 or 80 nM) was added to MDA-MB-453 cells. While low doses (2.5, 5, and 10 nM) of gedatolisib alone led to limited cytotoxicity (4.2-9.6%), up to 48.9% of cell death occurred when 20 or 80 nM nab-sirolimus was added. Results were similar with alpelisib (1 uM) plus nab-sirolimus (20 or 80 nM). Western blot showed increased p4EBP1 in response to fulvestrant or PI3Ki treatment, which was reversed with the addition of nab-sirolimus. Conclusions: nab-Sirolimus enhanced the cytotoxic effects of fulvestrant in HR+ BC cells and of PI3Kis in HR+ and HR− BC cells. Addition of nab-sirolimus to ET or other PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway inhibitors may overcome mechanisms of resistance; further exploration is warranted to elucidate clinical relevance. Citation Format: Khine Nyein Myint, Sean Wallace, Shihe Hou, Maria Zalath, Brian McMorran, Andrew Kwon, Igor Vivanco. Evaluation of nab-sirolimus in combination with fulvestrant or PI3K pathway inhibitors to overcome resistance in breast cancer cell lines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7196.

Abstract 4609: Plixorafenib (plixo) synergizes with MEK inhibitors (MEKi) in MAPK pathway inhibition in BRAF V600 and non V600 alterations, with higher potency compared to early generation BRAFi and pan-RAFi

Abstract The efficacy of BRAFi in V600 mutated tumors is established and requires effective inhibition of the MAPK pathway. However, the use approved BRAFi leads to paradoxical MAPK pathway activation associated with toxicities and to acquired resistance. Therefore, these inhibitors were combined with MEKi to mitigate toxicities, which has been shown to be more effective than monotherapy in some settings. Although effective, these combinations result in bothersome side effects, a high discontinuation rate, and risk of secondary malignancies, indicating a continued unmet need. Also, ~35% of all BRAF mutations occur outside the V600 codon, composed of a wide array of missense mutations, fusions, and in-frame deletions, which are not targeted by the earlier generation BRAFi. By design, plixo (FORE8394; PLX8394), a clinical stage BRAFi, binds the monomeric form of BRAF and inhibits its dimerization, while sparing the WT form, avoiding paradoxical MAPK pathway activation. We hypothesized that the combination of plixo with a MEKi will improve its efficacy and potency through maximal suppression of the MAPK pathway. Using ForeSight assay, a unique platform for testing MAPK signaling, we tested the efficacy of plixo and 4 MEKi (trametinib, cobimetinib, binimetinib and mirdametinib) across a cohort 18 BRAF alterations (V600E, 2 class II and 15 fusions) as single agents and in combinations. The combinations of plixo with the different MEKi were synergistic across all BRAF alterations tested. Furthermore, we compared the potency of a combination of plixo with binimetinib (bini) to that of another BRAFi (vemurafenib) or pan-RAFi’s (tovorafenib and lifirafenib) with bini in 2 class I, 3 class II and 7 BRAF fusions using the foresight assay. The IC:50 of BRAF V600E expressing cells treated with plixo + bini was 6nM compared with 57nM, 103nM and 190nM for the tovorafenib, vemurafenib, and lifirafenib combinations with bini respectively. A similar trend was shown in 9 of 11 additional alterations tested, indicating the potency of the combination of plixo + bini. Results were validated using western blot analysis and cell viability assays of both melanoma and CRC V600E mutated cell lines. Western blot correlated with ForeSight results both in single agents and combination treatment. Cells treated with plixo + bini showed complete growth inhibition while the same drug concentrations of vemurafenib + bini and tovorafenib + binimetinib showed no growth inhibition beyond the effect of bini single agent. These results indicate the improved efficacy of plixo + bini combination in inhibiting MAPK signaling and cancer cell proliferation. Overall results support that maximal suppression of the MAPK pathway with plixo is more potent in combination with a MEK inhibitor in BRAF V600 and non-V600 nonclinical models compared to BRAF or pan-RAF combinations. Citation Format: Gabi Tarcic, Limor Cohen, Stacie Peacock Shepherd, Natalie Filippov Levy, Hana Billauer, Lea Birnbaum, Sara Gasasa, Roey Maor, Reham Abu-Liel, Eden Goldfarb. Plixorafenib (plixo) synergizes with MEK inhibitors (MEKi) in MAPK pathway inhibition in BRAF V600 and non V600 alterations, with higher potency compared to early generation BRAFi and pan-RAFi [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4609.

Chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects of phenolic-rich extract of Commiphora leptophloeos against inflammatory bowel disease: Preclinical evidence

Ethnopharmacology relevanceCommiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillet (Burseraceae) is a medicinal plant native to Brazil, popularly known as “imburana”. Homemade leaf decoction and maceration were used to treat general inflammatory problems in the Brazilian Northeast population. Our previous research confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of the C. leptophloeos hydroalcoholic leaf extract. Aim of the studyInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gut with no ideal treatment to maintain the remissive status. This work aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition and physicochemical properties of the C. leptophloeos hydroalcoholic leaf extract and its efficacy in chemopreventive and immunomodulatory responses in inflammatory bowel disease in non-clinical models. Materials and methodsMass spectrometry and physicochemical tests determined the phytochemical profile and physicochemical characteristics of the Commiphora leptophloeos (CL) extract. The chemopreventive and immunomodulatory effects of CL extract (50 and 125 μg/mL) were evaluated in vitro in the RAW 264.7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cell assay and in vivo in the model of intestinal inflammation induced by 2,4-Dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS) in mice when they were treated with CL extract by intragastric gavage (i.g.) at doses of 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg. ResultsPhytochemical annotation of CL extract showed a complex phenolic composition, characterized as phenolic acids and flavonoids, and satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. In addition, CL extract maintained the viability of RAW macrophages, reduced ROS and NO production, and negatively regulated COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 (p < 0.05). In the intestinal inflammation model, CL extract was able to downregulate NF-κB p65/COX-2, mTOR, iNOS, IL-17, decrease levels of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase and cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (p < 0.05). ConclusionBased on these findings, CL extract reduced inflammatory responses by down-regulating pro-inflammatory markers in macrophages induced by LPS and DNBS-induced colitis in mice through NF-κB p65/COX-2 signaling. CL leaf extract requires further investigation as a candidate for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

Non-clinical toxicity and immunogenicity evaluation of a Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine using Poly-ICLC (Hiltonol®) as adjuvant

Malaria caused byPlasmodium vivaxis a pressing public health problem in tropical and subtropical areas.However, little progress has been made toward developing a P. vivaxvaccine, with only three candidates being tested in clinical studies. We previously reported that one chimeric recombinant protein (PvCSP-All epitopes) containing the conserved C-terminus of the P. vivax Circumsporozoite Protein (PvCSP), the three variant repeat domains, and aToll-like receptor-3 agonist,Poly(I:C), as an adjuvant (polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, a dsRNA analog mimicking viral RNA), elicits strong antibody-mediated immune responses in mice to each of the three allelic forms of PvCSP. In the present study, a pre-clinical safety evaluation was performed to identify potential local and systemic toxic effects of the PvCSP-All epitopes combined with the Poly-ICLC (Poly I:C plus poly-L-lysine, Hiltonol®) or Poly-ICLC when subcutaneously injected into C57BL/6 mice and New Zealand White Rabbits followed by a 21-day recovery period. Overall, all observations were considered non-adverse and were consistent with the expected inflammatory response and immune stimulation following vaccine administration. High levels of vaccine-induced specific antibodies were detected both in mice and rabbits. Furthermore, mice that received the vaccine formulation were protected after the challenge with Plasmodium berghei sporozoites expressing CSP repeats from P. vivax sporozoites (Pb/Pv-VK210). In conclusion, in these non-clinical models, repeated dose administrations of the PvCSP-All epitopes vaccine adjuvanted with a Poly-ICLC were immunogenic, safe, and well tolerated.

In-depth mechanistic analysis including high-throughput RNA sequencing in the prediction of functional and structural cardiotoxicants using hiPSC cardiomyocytes

ABSTRACT Background Cardiotoxicity remains one of the most reported adverse drug reactions that lead to drug attrition during pre-clinical and clinical drug development. Drug-induced cardiotoxicity may develop as a functional change in cardiac electrophysiology (acute alteration of the mechanical function of the myocardium) and/or as a structural change, resulting in loss of viability and morphological damage to cardiac tissue. Research design and methods Non-clinical models with better predictive value need to be established to improve cardiac safety pharmacology. To this end, high-throughput RNA sequencing (ScreenSeq) was combined with high-content imaging (HCI) and Ca2+ transience (CaT) to analyze compound-treated human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Results Analysis of hiPSC-CMs treated with 33 cardiotoxicants and 9 non-cardiotoxicants of mixed therapeutic indications facilitated compound clustering by mechanism of action, scoring of pathway activities related to cardiomyocyte contractility, mitochondrial integrity, metabolic state, diverse stress responses and the prediction of cardiotoxicity risk. The combination of ScreenSeq, HCI and CaT provided a high cardiotoxicity prediction performance with 89% specificity, 91% sensitivity and 90% accuracy. Conclusions Overall, this study introduces mechanism-driven risk assessment approach combining structural, functional and molecular high-throughput methods for pre-clinical risk assessment of novel compounds.

Abstract B034: A phase 2 basket study of the oral MDM2 inhibitor milademetan for MDM2-amplified advanced solid tumors (MANTRA-2)

Abstract Milademetan is an oral, selective, small molecular inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 complex that reactivates p53 to induce cancer cell apoptosis and tumor regressions in nonclinical models. Clinically, MDM2 gene amplification (amp) occurs in 1–2% of advanced solid tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis. Preliminary antitumor activity was seen in patients with MDM2 amp and TP53 wild-type (WT) tumors in a phase 1 clinical trial [Tirunagaru et al. AACR-NCI-EORTC 2021]. We conducted a phase 2 basket study to evaluate the efficacy of milademetan in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors (except liposarcoma, intimal sarcoma, and primary CNS tumors) with MDM2 copy number (CN) ≥8 and WT TP53 status based on local next-generation sequencing (NGS) (NCT05012397). Milademetan was administered at 260 mg on days 1–3 and 15–17 of a 28-day cycle. Tumor assessments were performed every 8 weeks (RECIST v1.1). MDM2 CN was retrospectively analyzed centrally using a commercial NGS assay, which also allowed correlation with other co-occurring alterations. As of June 23, 2023, 39 patients were enrolled with 13 distinct tumor types. The most common histologies were biliary tract cancers (8, 20.5%), sarcomas (7, 17.9%), and breast cancer (6, 15.3%). Median number of prior systemic therapies was 3 (range 0–12). Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for safety. The most common hematologic grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) related to milademetan were thrombocytopenia (26.3%), neutropenia (15.8%), and anemia (10.5%). All grade treatment-related AEs (&amp;gt;15% incidence) included thrombocytopenia (44.7%), nausea (42.1%), fatigue (36.8%), vomiting (31.6%), anemia (23.7%), diarrhea (23.7%) and neutropenia (18.4%). No bleeding or neutropenic sepsis events were reported, and no grade 5 events were observed. The dose reduction rate was 13.2%, and 7.9% of patients discontinued milademetan due to AEs. Central tumor testing was available on 30 (76.9%) patients and only 2 (6.7%) patients demonstrated MDM2 CN below the threshold of 8. Thirty-two patients were efficacy evaluable and had confirmed CN ≥8 or pending central analysis. Five partial responses (15.6%) were observed (4 unconfirmed, 1 confirmed) with one each in lung adenocarcinoma (co-alteration of EGFR + KRAS), pancreatic (KRAS), bladder (pending), gastric cancer (DNAB1-PRKACA) and endometrial sarcoma (CCND2). No clear correlation between MDM2 CN and tumor regression was observed. The median progression-free survival was 3.3 months (95% CI, 2.5–6.1). The longest patient on milademetan therapy was 41 weeks (biliary, best RECIST 1.1 response SD with –29% tumor reduction). Ten patients are currently ongoing. Milademetan monotherapy demonstrated clinically meaningful antitumor responses with a manageable toxicity profile in a variety of MDM2 amp, TP53 WT solid tumors, including those with other oncogenic drivers such as KRAS. Rational combination strategies with milademetan should be considered in tumors with WT TP53 to further enhance durable anti-tumor activity. Citation Format: Ecaterina E. Dumbrava, Christopher T. Chen, Gregory M. Cote, Glenn J. Hanna, Thomas E. Stinchcombe, Bradley Sumrall, Trisha Wise-Draper, Mohammed Kanaan, Steven Duffy, Christopher Sumey, Patrick Cobb, Naisargee Shah, Bo Zhang, Nora Ku, Robert C. Doebele, Mrinal Gounder. A phase 2 basket study of the oral MDM2 inhibitor milademetan for MDM2-amplified advanced solid tumors (MANTRA-2) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B034.

Abstract IA014: From targeted phenotypic screen to NXP800: A clinical stage activator of the integrated stress response for the treatment of ARID1A-mutated ovarian carcinoma

Abstract IA014: From targeted phenotypic screen to NXP800: A clinical stage activator of the integrated stress response for the treatment of ARID1A-mutated ovarian carcinoma

Abstract 12927: Impact of AAV- MYBPC3 Gene Transfer on Heart Structure and Function in Human and Mouse Models of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a life-threatening inherited heart disease characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. The most common cause of HCM is genetic variants in MYBPC3 , encoding cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C), a sarcomeric protein with structural and regulatory roles. The majority of MYBPC3 gene variants are truncating leading to protein haploinsufficiency. Hypothesis: Transfer of a functional copy of MYBPC3 to heart muscle deficient in cMyBP-C will lead to sustained improvements in cardiac function. Aims: To determine whether BMN 293 (AAV-hMYBPC3) can restore cMyBP-C levels in the sarcomere and halt and/or reverse disease progression in non-clinical models of genetic HCM due to MYPBC3 deficiency. Methods: BMN 293 is an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector that encodes wild-type human MYBPC3 under the control of a cardiomyocyte-selective promoter. We transduced human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and engineered heart tissues (EHTs) carrying a compound heterozygous truncating MYBPC3 mutation (MYBPC3 -/- ) with BMN 293 and assessed cMyBP-C levels and contractile parameters. We also systemically administered BMN 293 to MYBPC3 -/- mice and assessed cardiac distribution of human cMyBP-C by molecular and histological methods and determined its impact on left ventricular hypertrophy and function by echocardiography and other imaging techniques. Results: BMN 293 transduction of human iPSC MYBPC3 -/- cardiomyocytes and EHTs resulted in high levels of human MYBPC3 mRNA and cMyBP-C protein, correct incorporation of cMyBP-C into the sarcomere, and complete normalization of contractile kinetics. BMN 293 was well tolerated in MYBPC3 -/- mice and resulted in uniform restoration of cMyBP-C expression throughout the heart and significant correction of structural and functional cardiac abnormalities. Conclusions: A single IV infusion of BMN 293 to MYBPC3 -/- mice resulted in early and sustained reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy and durable improvements in diastolic function.

Advancing Subcutaneous Dosing Regimens for Biotherapeutics: Clinical Strategies for Expedited Market Access.

In recent years, subcutaneous administration of biotherapeutics has made significant progress. The self-administration market for rheumatoid arthritis has witnessed the introduction of additional follow-on biologics, while the first subcutaneous dosing options for monoclonal antibodies have become available for multiple sclerosis. Oncology has also seen advancements with the authorization of high-volume subcutaneous formulations, facilitated by the development of high-concentration formulations and innovative delivery systems. Regulatory and Health Technology Assessment bodies increasingly consider preference data in filing dossiers, particularly in evaluating novel drug delivery methods. The adoption of a pharmacokinetic-based clinical bridging approach has become standard for transitioning from intravenous to subcutaneous administration. Non-inferiority studies with pharmacokinetics as the only primary endpoint have started deviating from traditional randomization schemes, favoring the subcutaneous route and comparing with historical intravenous data. While nonclinical and computational models made progress in predicting safety and immunogenicity for subcutaneously dosed antibodies, clinical trial evidence remains essential due to inter-individual variations and the impact of formulation parameters on anti-drug antibody formation. Ongoing technological advancements and the expanding knowledge base on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlation across specialty areas are expected to further accelerate clinical development of subcutaneous biologics.

Food and Drug Administration Public Workshop Summary-Addressing Challenges in Inhaled Antifungal Drug Development.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and invasive fungal diseases represent distinct infectious entities that cause significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, administered inhaled antifungal therapies are unapproved, have suboptimal efficacy, and are associated with considerable adverse reactions. The emergence of resistant pathogens is also a growing concern. Inhaled antifungal development programs are challenged by inadequate nonclinical infection models, highly heterogenous patient populations, low prevalence rates of fungal diseases, difficulties defining clinical trial enrollment criteria, and lack of robust clinical trial endpoints. On 25 September 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a workshop with experts in pulmonary medicine and infectious diseases from academia, industry, and other governmental agencies. Key discussion topics included regulatory incentives to facilitate development of inhaled antifungal drugs and combination inhalational devices, limitations of existing nonclinical models and clinical trial designs, patient perspectives, and industry insights.