Targeting VEGF Research Articles

8322 Mast Cells: a New Player in Gonadotroph Tumors

Abstract Disclosure: M. Ilie: None. M. Lepetit: None. M. Chanal: None. A. Vasiljevic: None. E. Jouanneau: None. O. Gandrillon: None. F. Picard: None. G. Raverot: None. P. Bertolino: None. Context: While gonadotroph tumors lack both prognostic markers and medical treatment options, the tumor microenvironment (TME) stands as a promising therapeutic and prognostic tool. Aim: Identify new TME players in gonadotroph tumors, gain insight into the mechanisms of tumorigenesis driven by these TME cells, and identify new TME-related prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Methods: Data analysis of single-cell transcriptomics of 6 gonadotroph tumors and spatial transcriptomics of 3 gonadotroph tumors. Immunohistological validation on a cohort of 50 gonadotroph tumors, including 10 paired recurrent tumors. Results: 24,471 sequenced cells from the 6 tumors were analyzed. As expected, we found all previously TME-reported cell types (including stromal, endothelial, monocytes/macrophages, stem, and T cells) and identified mast cells as a new population in gonadotroph tumors. Tryptase immunostaining and whole slides analysis confirmed the presence of mast cells in all 50 gonadotroph tumors (range 0.01-4.33%). Ligand-receptor networks analysis, done with CellPhoneDB, identified bilateral crosstalk between mast cells and endothelial cells. VEGFA was the top ranked secreted ligand signaling from mast cells towards endothelial cells, suggesting a proangiogenic role for mast cells. Consistent with this hypothesis, the percentage of mast cells was very strongly correlated with the percentage of endothelial cells in the 6 tumors (Spearman’s rho=0.94, p=0.01). Spatial transcriptomics analysis showed that mast cells and endothelial cells were frequently colocalized, which was confirmed by double tryptase/CD34 immunofluorescence. We further found mast cells to express more VEGFA than TNF in the 6 sequenced tumors, which is suggestive of a pro-tumorigenic role. Using a clinical cohort, we confirmed the association of mast cells with a bad prognosis, as tumors progressing/relapsing more rapidly after surgery had more mast cells (p=0.002). In addition, more mast cells were present in the recurrent compared to the initial tumor for a same patient (p=0.007). Finally, bioinformatic analysis using Nichenet pinpointed KITLG (acting via KIT) to be one of the probable drivers of VEGFA expression in mast cells. Interestingly, KITLG-KIT was also the top ranked interaction between endothelial and mast cells. Conclusion: We identified and validated the presence of mast cells in gonadotroph tumors. The phenotype of mast cells was indicative of a bad prognosis, which was confirmed in a clinical cohort of 40 patients. Moreover, bilateral crosstalk between mast cells and endothelial cells was indicative of a mutual potentiation, suggesting that KIT and VEGFA targeting might be beneficial for the treatment of gonadotroph tumors. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Network pharmacological analysis and experimental verification of Zisheng Tongmai decoction in the treatment of premature ovarian failure.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a disease that seriously jeopardizes women's physical and mental health worldwide. Zisheng Tongmai decoction (ZSTMD), a famous Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, has a marked effect on the clinical treatment of POF. This study investigated the potential mechanism of ZSTMD to improve POF through network pharmacology and experimental validation. The active components, key targets and potential mechanisms of ZSTMD against POF were predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking. The POF model was induced in rats by cyclophosphamide (CTX) and subsequently gavaged with different doses of ZSTMD. KGN cells were treated with different concentrations of quercetin and CTX. Histopathological were observed via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunofluorescence staining. Serum estrogen levels were detected via ELISA. Protein expression was detected via Western blot. We identified quercetin as the main active ingredients targeting VEGFA. Molecular docking showed that VEGFA interacted well with the main active components of ZSTMD. In vivo experiments, ZSTMD significantly increased body weight and the ovarian index, significantly increased E2 and AMH, and decreased FSH and LH in POF rats. Histologic results showed that ZSTMD increased the number of follicles and vascular density in the ovary. It also increased VEGFA and CD31 protein expression. In vitro experiments, quercetin suppressed CTX-induced apoptosis in KGN cells and increased VEGFA protein expression. Our study demonstrated that ZSTMD improves POF by promoting angiogenesis through VEGFA target.

Safety and efficacy of CRISPR-mediated genome ablation of VEGFA as a treatment for choroidal neovascularization in nonhuman primate eyes

CRISPR-based genome editing enables permanent suppression of angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as potential treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) – a major cause of blindness in age-related macular degeneration. We previously designed adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors with S. pyogenes Cas 9 (SpCas9) and guide RNAs (gRNAs) to target conserved sequences in VEGFA across mouse, rhesus macaque, and human, with successful suppression of VEGF and laser-induced CNV in mice. Here, we advanced the platform to nonhuman primates and found that subretinal AAV8-SpCas9 with gRNAs targeting VEGFA may reduce VEGF and CNV severity as compared to SpCas9 without gRNAs. However, all eyes that received AAV8-SpCas9 regardless of gRNA presence developed subfoveal deposits, concentric macular rings, and outer retinal disruption that worsened at higher dose. Immunohistochemistry showed subfoveal accumulation of retinal pigment epithelial cells, collagen, and vimentin, disrupted photoreceptor structure, and retinal glial and microglial activation. Subretinal AAV8-SpCas9 triggered aqueous elevations in CCL2, but minimal systemic humoral or cellular responses against AAV8, SpCas9, or GFP reporter. Our findings suggest that CRISPR-mediated VEGFA ablation in NHP eyes may suppress VEGF and CNV, but can also lead to unexpected subretinal fibrosis, photoreceptor damage, and retinal inflammation despite minimal systemic immune responses.

1692P A phase Ib/IIa trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PM8002/ BNT327, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, as a monotherapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma

1692P A phase Ib/IIa trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PM8002/ BNT327, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, as a monotherapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma

Targeting the Tie-2 Receptor With Faricimab in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Case Series Motivated by a Genetic Finding

PurposeTo investigate the effects of faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting VEGF and Ang-2 (thus increasing Tie-2 activity), in patients with CSC based on a recent genetic study that implicated Tie-2 signaling in CSC pathophysiology. DesignA retrospective interventional multicenter case series. MethodsWe included patients with chronic CSC (persistent or recurrent SRF for ≥6 months) who received at least one faricimab 6mg injection between January 1 2022 and April 1 2024. Study sites included Massachusetts Eye and Ear and University of California San Francisco. Patients with evidence of a choroidal neovascular membrane on color photos, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or fluorescein angiography were excluded. 16 eyes (15 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The median central macular thickness at each visit from 52 weeks before to 52 weeks after the first faricimab injection was calculated using automated Heidelberg Spectralis ETDRS subfield measurements. ResultsPrior to treatment with faricimab, CSC had been diagnosed a median of 4.1 years (range 0.9–8) earlier and SRF (and intraretinal fluid [IRF] in a subset) had been continuously present for a median of 30 weeks (range 9–257). Decreases in macular thickness were observed in 14/16 eyes after the first faricimab injection and in 14/16 eyes in the full follow-up period compared with prior, 10 of which experienced complete resolution of SRF following the start of the first series of injections at a median of 4 weeks (range 2—25). One eye worsened after the second injection. The median improvement in macular thickness was 40μm [range -3 to 89.5] (P=0.0007). Upon review of OCT images, reductions in macular thickness were consistent with reductions in SRF and/or IRF. Visual acuity improved by 2 lines or more in 6/16 eyes. ConclusionsIn a retrospective case series of patients with chronic CSC and longstanding SRF, we observed improvement in macular thickness after intravitreal faricimab. While the small number of patients and variable natural history of CSC preclude definitive conclusions, a randomized controlled trial seems warranted.

Tumor immune microenvironmental characteristics in Human Epidermal Growth Factor-2 (HER2) positive esophageal adenocarcinoma: A comparative analysis and biomarker study

BackgroundHER2 targeting in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has shown potential, but often fails to show durable response. Given the contributions of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to therapeutic responses, we aimed to chart the TIME characteristics of HER2 positive tumors. Methods84 biopsies were taken from the TRAP cohort (neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) according to CROSS with trastuzumab and pertuzumab; n = 40; HER2+n = 40) and a control cohort with nCRT only (n = 44; HER2- n = 40, HER2+n = 4) before treatment. Biopsies were analysed using targeted gene expression analysis (Nanostring immune-oncology panel, 750 genes). Differential gene expression was assessed between HER2 positive (n = 44) vs. negative biopsies (n = 40), and non-responders (n = 17) vs. responders (n = 23) to anti-HER2 treatment. Statistical significance was determined as p-value <0.05, adjusted for multiple testing correction. Results83 biopsies were eligible for analyses following quality control (TRAP cohort n = 40; control cohort n = 43); there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the TRAP vs. control the cohort or HER2 positive vs. HER2 negative biopsies. HER2 expression was found to associate with epithelial markers (EPCAM p < 0.001; E-cadherin p < 0.001). Moreover, HER2 expression was associated with a lower expression of immune cell infiltration, such as NK-cells (p < 0.001) and CD8 T-cells (p < 0.001), but also lower expression of immune exhaustion markers (PDCD1LG2, CTLA4; p < 0.001). In non-responders to anti-HER2 treatment, baseline biopsies showed increased expression of immune exhaustion markers, as well as hypoxia and VEGF signalling. DiscussionHER2 expression was associated with epithelial tumor characteristics. The HER2 positive TIME showed reduced immune cell infiltration but also lower expression of inhibitory signals associated with immune exhaustion, questioning the mechanism behind potential clinical benefit of co-administration of anti-HER2 agents and checkpoint inhibitors. As limited response was associated with increased VEGF signalling, studies could investigate potential synergism of targeting VEGF and HER2.

Abstract We098: Target-Specific Novel Therapeutic Approach for Prevention of Arteriovenous Malformations in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare genetic vascular disease with no cure. HHT is characterized by abnormalities in blood vessels that occur in mucocutaneous tissues (telangiectasias) and deep tissues (arteriovenous malformations, AVMs). The tangled, enlarged, fragile, and aberrant vasculature in HHT patients is prone to chronic bleeding or hemorrhage and may cause serious complications, especially in the brain. Problem Statement: While diagnosed AVMs can be surgically treated, there are no FDA-approved drugs to prevent or manage them. Developing targeted therapeutics to manage AVMs has been incredibly challenging as the mechanism of AVM formation is not clearly understood. Rationale: Dysregulation of pro-angiogenic signaling pathways is considered to play a major role in AVM development. For instance, VEGFA-VEGFR2, ANG2–TIE2 and MAP Kinase 1/2 signaling have been implicated individually in HHT pathogenesis. While MAPK 1/2 signaling is difficult to target because of its universal presence, its upstream activators VEGFA and ANG2 are lucrative targets for their relative specificity primarily affecting vasculature (Figure 1). Innovation: We use a novel approach to target VEGFA and ANG2 simultaneously using IgG CrossMab bispecific inhibitor, allowing superior efficacy by inhibiting dual specific targets to prevent genetic vasculature abnormalities. Approach: We use vascular latex casting and molecular quantification techniques to assess the benefits of inhibiting abnormal pro-angiogenic signaling in HHT mice models. Our preliminary data shows improved vasculature development with small doses of MAPK 1/2 inhibitor, but early mortality due to its damaging side effects. Preliminarily, the combined effect of the bispecific inhibitor in smaller doses improves the vasculature defects in the mutant brain more robustly than the individual inhibitors alone, while not negatively affecting the wild-type model (Figure 2). We further expect this dual inhibition to normalize the transcriptomic signature of mutants to mimic the wild-type setting. Societal Impact: The expected beneficial effects of the bispecific inhibitor will provide a pre-clinical assessment of the cerebrovascular AVM management strategies for 1.4 million HHT patients. It will further the mechanistic understanding of AVM development and prevention in HHT, the 2 nd most common bleeding disorder.

In-silico screening of bioactive compounds of Moringa oleifera as potential inhibitors targeting HIF-1α/VEGF/GLUT-1 pathway against Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is among the most heterogeneous and aggressive diseases and a foremost cause of death in women globally. Hypoxic activation of HIF-1α in breast cancers triggers the transcription of a battery of genes encoding proteins that facilitate tumor growth and metastasis and is correlated with a poor prognosis. Based on the reported cytotoxic and anti-cancer properties of Moringa oleifera (Mo), this study explores the inhibitory effect of bioactive compounds from M.oleifera and breast cancer target proteins HIF-1α, VEGF, and GLUT-1 in silico. The X-ray crystallographic structures of HIF-1α, VEGF, and GLUT1 were sourced from the Protein Data Bank(PDB) and docked with 70 3D PubChem structures of bioactive compounds of M.oleifera using AutoDock Vina, and binding modes were analyzed using Discovery Studio. Five compounds with the highest binding energies were selected and further drug-likeness, oral bioavailability, ADME, and toxicity profiles were analyzed using SwissADME, ADMETSaR, and ADMETlab 3.0 web server. Out of the screened 70 bioactive compounds, the top five compounds with the best binding energies were identified namely Apigenin, Ellagic Acid, Isorhamnetin, Luteolin, and Myricetin with each receptor. Molecular docking results indicated that the ligands interact strongly with the target HIF-1α, VEGF, and GLUT-1 receptors through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. These compounds showed favorable drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties, possessed no substantial toxicity, and were fairly bioavailable. Results suggested that the compounds possess strong potential in developing putative lead compounds targeting HIF-1α that are safe natural plant-based drugs against breast cancer.

Analytical Method Development and Validation of Faricimab Injection by RP-HPLC

A robust and reliable Reverse Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of Faricimab in Vabysmo injections. Faricimab, an IgG1-based bispecific antibody targeting VEGF-A and Ang-2, is used for treating retinal vascular disorders like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. The method development involved the use of an Inertsil C18 column (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase composed of KH2PO4 (pH 4.6) and methanol in a 1:1 ratio, sonicated for 20 minutes. The developed method was evaluated for various validation parameters as per ICH guidelines, including linearity, precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. Linearity was demonstrated within the concentration range of 50-150 µg/ml with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.999. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 0.050 µg/ml and 0.166 µg/ml, respectively, indicating high sensitivity. Precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), was below 0.1%, confirming the method's reliability. Accuracy was assessed, with mean assay values ranging between 97-101%, and RSD below 0.2%, indicating the method's precision. Robustness tests confirmed the method's resilience against slight variations in analytical conditions such as acetonitrile ratio, flow rate, detection wavelength, and pH. Stability studies showed that Faricimab remains stable under various stress conditions, including exposure to 0.1N HCl, 0.1N NaOH, 30% peroxide, heat, and sunlight, with assay values ranging from 88.93% to 94.07%. The optimized RP-HPLC method ensures good peak shape and resolution, making it suitable for routine quality control of Faricimab in pharmaceutical formulations. The validated method adheres to ICH guidelines, ensuring its reliability for consistent and accurate quantification of Faricimab

Exploring chromone-2-carboxamide derivatives for triple-negative breast cancer targeting EGFR, FGFR3, and VEGF pathways: Design, synthesis, and preclinical insights.

Chromone-based compounds have established cytotoxic, antiproliferative, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenic effects on various cancer cell types via modulating different molecular targets. Herein, 17 novel chromone-2-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against 15 human cancer cell lines. Among the tested cell lines, MDA-MB-231, the triple-negative breast cancer cell line, was found to be the most sensitive, where the N-(2-furylmethylene) (15) and the α-methylated N-benzyl (17) derivatives demonstrated the highest growth inhibition with GI50 values of 14.8 and 17.1 μM, respectively. In vitro mechanistic studies confirmed the significant roles of compounds 15 and 17 in the induction of apoptosis and suppression of EGFR, FGFR3, and VEGF protein levels in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Moreover, compound 15 exerted cell cycle arrest at both the G0-G1 and G2-M phases. The in vivo efficacy of compound 15 as an antitumor agent was further investigated in female mice bearing Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma. Notably, administration of compound 15 resulted in a marked decrease in both tumor weight and volume, accompanied by improvements in biochemical, hematological, histological, and immunohistochemical parameters that verified the repression of both angiogenesis and inflammation as additional Anticancer mechanisms. Moreover, the binding interactions of compounds 15 and 17 within the binding sites of all three target receptors (EGFR, FGFR3, and VEGF) were clearly illustrated using molecular docking.

Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorC and D Signaling Pathways as Potential Targets for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Narrative Review.

The development of treatments targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways have traditionally been firstly investigated in oncology and then advanced into retinal disease indications. Members of the VEGF family of endogenous ligands and their respective receptors play a central role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during both development and physiological homeostasis. They can also play a pathogenic role in cancer and retinal diseases. Therapeutic approaches have mostly focused on targeting VEGF-A signaling; however, research has shown that VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways are also important to the disease pathogenesis of tumors and retinal diseases. This review highlights the important therapeutic advances and the remaining unmet need for improved therapies targeting additional mechanisms beyond VEGF-A. Additionally, it provides an overview of alternative VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling involvement in both health and disease, highlighting their key contributions in the multifactorial pathophysiology of retinal disease including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Strategies for targeting VEGF-C/-D signaling pathways will also be reviewed, with an emphasis on agents currently being developed for the treatment of nAMD.

THE ANALYSIS STUDY OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS DUE TO MACULAR DISEASES: A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: DME and AMD are major causes of blindness, affecting the macula and central vision. AMD accounts for 8.7 of global blindness cases. Understanding AMD beyond the retina can provide insights into its pathophysiology, consequences, therapy, and clinical course. Anti-VEGF agents have shown promise in treating AMD, but a definitive treatment remains unidentified. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review concentrated on full-text English literature published between 2014 and 2024. Editorials and review articles that appeared in the same journal as the submission were not accepted without a DOI. A number of websites, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SagePub, were utilized to gather the literature. Result: The study looked at more than 400 publications using reputable sources including Science Direct, SagePub, and PubMed. After it was decided that eight publications needed greater investigation, a more extensive review of the entire literature was carried out. Conclusion: BCVA is crucial in the treatment of AMD and DME, with targeting VEGF being an effective approach. However, their effectiveness in other forms of AMD is less convincing. Chronic inflammation is a key factor in retinal diseases, including AMD. DME treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, with anti-VEGF agents being the first-line treatment.

Efficacy and safety of PM8002, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, as a monotherapy in patients with solid tumors: Clinical data from advanced cervical cancer and platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer cohorts.

Efficacy and safety of PM8002, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, as a monotherapy in patients with solid tumors: Clinical data from advanced cervical cancer and platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer cohorts.

A phase Ib/IIa trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PM8002, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, as a monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

8533 Background: The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy has become the first-line treatment for advanced non-squamous NSCLC with negative driver genes, but not for driver gene-positive tumors. PM8002 is a bispecific antibody targeting both PD-L1 and VEGF-A. Previous published data indicated that PM8002 has a tolerable safety profile and potential anti-tumor activity in a variety of solid tumors (SITC2022 abstract #725 and ASCO2023 abstract #2536). Here, we report results of PM8002 in advanced NSCLC patients in an ongoing Phase Ib/IIa trial. Methods: Patients with previously untreated advanced non-squamous NSCLC (EGFR/ALK wild-type and PD-L1+; Cohort 6), advanced non-squamous with EGFR mutations who had failed prior EGFR-TKI treatment (Cohort 7), or EGFR/ALK wild-type who had failed anti-PD-1/L1 therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy regiments (NSCLC IO- and PBC-treated) were enrolled into a Phase I/IIa trial. All patients received PM8002 until observations of unacceptable toxicity, disease progression, or consent withdrawal. Tumor responses were evaluated every 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), with disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety, as secondary endpoints. Results: As of Dec 20, 2023, 61 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled and had at least one tumor assessment. Among 61 evaluable patients 16 partial response (PR) and 32 stable diseases (SD) were observed (all cohorts; see individual cohorts in the table below). Any-grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 85.2% patients (52/61) with those ≥ Grade 3 at 18% (11/61). Immune-related AEs (irAEs) occurred in 37.7% patients (23/61). Serious adverse events (SAEs) and treatment-related SAEs were observed in 23% (14/61) and 9.8% (6/61) of patients, respectively. The most common TRAEs (≥15%) were hypertension, hypothyroidism, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, aspartate aminotransferase increase, and lactate dehydrogenase increase. 8.2% (5/61) of patients discontinued PM8002 due to TRAEs. Conclusions: PM8002 showed preliminary antitumor activity and acceptable safety in patients with advanced NSCLC. Monotherapy and combination trials with chemotherapy for different indications are still ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05918445 . [Table: see text]

The safety and efficacy of ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer.

4095 Background: Despite that PD-1/L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy have been approved as first-line(1L) treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), the overall survival benefit remains limited, particularly for patients with gallbladder cancer. Ivonescimab, a tetrameric bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, has the potential to produce complementary and synergistic anti-tumor effects through both pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy in advanced BTC. Methods: This was an open-label, multi-center phase II study in patients with unresectable locally advanced and metastatic BTC. Ivonescimab was administered every 3 weeks for up to 8 cycles, along with gemcitabine and cis-platinum. After that, ivonescimab monotherapy was given until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR), disease control rate (DCR), time-to-response (TTR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: As of Nov 26, 2023, a total of 22 pts with advanced BTC were enrolled in the study. The median age was 65.0 years (range, 47-75), 81.8% of patients had ECOG of 1. All patients had initially unresectable disease status, 54.5% of patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 4.5% of patients had extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 40.9% of patients had gallbladder cancer at baseline. The median follow-up time was 10.7 months, and the median exposure time of ivonescimab was 7.2 months. A total of 86.4% (19/22) of patients experienced at least one grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse event (TRAE), but none led to discontinuation treatment or death. The most common grade 3/4 TRAEs with a frequency of at least 10% included white blood cell count decreased (50.0%), neutrophil count decreased (50.0%), anemia (40.9%), platelet count decreased (22.7%), and hypertension (13.6%). The ORR by investigator assessment was 63.6% (14/22) regardless of PD-L1 status, with an ORR of 77.8% (7/9) for gallbladder cancer patients specifically. The DCR was 100% (22/22). The median PFS was 8.5 months (95% CI, 6.8-9.9), with a 6-month PFS rate of 84.2% (95% CI, 58.7-94.6). The median OS was 16.8 months (95% CI, 9.8- NE), with a 9-month OS rate of 81.8% (95% CI, 58.5-92.8). Conclusions: Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy as 1L treatment demonstrated promising efficacy in pts with advanced BTC. Further trials to validate the efficacy and safety are warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT05214482 .

Ameliorative potential of rosmarinic acid in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome: Targeting MCP-1 and VEGF: A histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multidisciplinary endocrinopathy that affects women of reproductive age. It is characterized by menstrual complications, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular issues. The current research investigated the efficacy of rosmarinic acid in letrozole-induced PCOS in adult female rats as well as the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Forty female rats were divided into the control group, the rosmarinic acid group (50 mg/kg per orally, po) for 21 days, PCOS group; PCOS was induced by administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg po) for 21 days, and rosmarinic acid-PCOS group, received rosmarinic acid after PCOS induction. PCOS resulted in a marked elevation in both serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio with a marked reduction in serum estradiol and progesterone levels. A marked rise in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (messenger RNA) in the ovarian tissue was reported. The histological analysis displayed multiple cystic follicles in the ovarian cortex with markedly thin granulosa cell layer, vacuolated granulosa and theca cell layers, and desquamated granulosa cells. Upregulation in the immune expression of TNF-α and caspase-3 was demonstrated in the ovarian cortex. Interestingly, rosmarinic acid ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological changes. In conclusion, rosmarinic acid ameliorates letrozole-induced PCOS through its anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis effects.

IMM2510, an anti-PD-L1/VEGF bispecific antibody fusion protein, in patients with advanced solid tumors: A phase I dose-escalation study.

e14506 Background: IMM2510 is a novel bispecific antibody fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and VEGF. The preclinical study demonstrated that IMM2510 induced significantly stronger anti-tumor activity than either monotherapy or combination of PD-L1 inhibitor and anti-VEGF antibody through blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and thus activate T cells and reducing VEGF-mediated tumor angiogenesis as well as an enhanced ADCC effect. We previously disclosed the preliminary clinical data of IMM2510, and here we further report safety and efficacy results of IMM2510 in the phase I dose escalation study. Methods: A phase I, multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation study, was designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and pharmacokinetics (PK) of IMM2510 in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors. The study was designed with an accelerated titration followed by a standard 3+3 design. IMM2510 (0.007, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 10.0, 20.0 mg/kg) was administered intravenously Q2W as monotherapy. Results: As of Dec 21, 2023, 33 pts had received IMM2510 at 9 dose levels (0.007-20.0 mg/kg), the median age was 57 years (range 36-74), the median prior line of therapy was 3 (range 1-13), and 27.3% pts received prior anti PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapies. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 32 pts (97.0%). Most TRAEs were grade 1 or 2. The most common TRAEs (≥ 20%) of all grades were infusion related reaction (IRR) (72.7%), platelet count decreased (39.4%), anemia (33.3%) and diarrhea (21.2%). Grade ≥3 TRAEs occurred in 11 pts (33.3%). Grade ≥3 TRAEs (≥5%) were IRR (9.1%), platelet count decreased (6.1%), lymphocyte count decreased (6.1%) and diarrhea (6.1%). TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 3 pts (9.1%) which were IRR, hypersensitivity and pyrexia, respectively. No DLT occurred. In 25 response evaluable pts, 3 pts had confirmed PR: 1 pt with sq-NSCLC (onco-driver gene negative, previous IO treatment failure) at 3 mg/kg with tumor shrinkage 46% and still on the treatment with treatment duration over 20 months; 1 pt with sq-NSCLC at 10 mg/kg with tumor shrinkage about 32% along with treatment duration 9.4 months; 1 pt with thymus adeno-squamous carcinoma (PD-L1 CPS 80) at 20 mg/kg with tumor shrinkage over 53% and still remains on the treatment along with treatment duration 8.1 months. In addition, 7 pts with BOR SD and 4 of them had over 15% decreased tumor burden (1 cervical cancer at 3 mg/kg, 2 non-sq NSCLC at 10 and 20 mg/kg respectively, 1 ovarian cancer at 20 mg/kg). The half-life of IMM2510 in 20.0mg/kg dose group was around 6.8 days. The RP2D was determined to be 20.0 mg/kg. Conclusions: IMM2510 is well tolerated in general and preliminary anti-tumor activity in solid tumors is encouraging. The phase Ib/II is ongoing to enroll patients. Clinical trial information: NCT05972460 .

Rapid chemical characterization and pharmacological mechanism of Fining Granules in the treatment of chronic bronchitis based on UHPLC–Q-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer and network pharmacology

BackgroundSenecio cannabifolius Less. is a perennial herb belonging to the Compositae family that has been used in traditional medicine as an antitussive and expectorant for treating chronic bronchitis and acute respiratory infections. Traditionally, Feining Granules are prepared from water extracts of the raw plant material. However, the chemical composition and pharmacological mechanisms of Feining Granules have not been thoroughly investigated. MethodsA systematic strategy for the rapid detection and identification of the constituents of Feining Granules was developed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole-exactive orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) with parallel reaction monitoring. ResultsOverall, 162 compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, organic acids, and others, were identified unambiguously and tentatively by comparing the retention times and MS fragmentation with reference standards and literature data. Ninety-nine of these were reported for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Network pharmacology suggests that Feining Granules can be used to treat chronic bronchitis as they contain active components associated with the ALB, VEGFA, and SRC target genes influenced by HIF-1, VEGF, and other signaling pathways. ConclusionThese results provide information that can help understand the effective substances of S. cannabifolius Less. and improve quality control.

The effectiveness of the combination of lenvatinib and everolimus in metastatic renal cell carcinoma in patients with resistance to targeted treatment in real clinical practice

Every year, 400,000 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 175,000 deaths are registered worldwide. Currently available advanced treatments for RCC have less toxicity than previously used therapeutic agents, but drug resistance remains a clinically significant problem. Drug resistance occurs as a result of angiogenic transition through activation of pathways that do not depend on VEGF targets of most first-line treatments. Lenvatinib with everolimus can fight resistance to increase both progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic RCC according to clinical studies.

Abstract PS08-06: A Phase Ib/II Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of PM8002 (Anti-PD-L1 x VEGF-A Bispecific Antibody) in Combination with Nab-Paclitaxel for First Line Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract Background: PD-L1 and VEGF play important roles in immune evasion and pro-tumor angiogenesis promoting cancer growth and metastasis. PM8002 is a bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A for treating cancer. Here, we present results from a Phase Ib/II study of PM8002 in combination with nab-paclitaxel in patients with locally-advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods: 42 patients with locally-advanced or metastatic TNBC (without prior systemic treatment) were enrolled in this Phase Ib/II study to test the safety and efficacy of PM8002 in combination with nab-paclitaxel. The first 6 patients were enrolled during Phase Ib with safety as the primary endpoint, and the remaining patients were enrolled during Phase II with objective response rate (ORR) as the primary endpoint. Each treatment cycle lasts 28 days. All patients received PM8002 at 20 mg/kg (Q2W) and nab-paclitaxel at 100 mg/m2 on the 1st, 8th, and 15th days of each cycle until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression were observed. Tumor responses were evaluated every 8 weeks according to RECIST 1.1. Safety was evaluated according to CTCAE 5.0. Nab-paclitaxel dose was reduced according to toxicity, while PM8002 dose was kept consistent according to body weight. PD-L1 expression in tumors was tested, and subgroup analysis of ORR data stratified by PD-L1 expression was also included. Results: As of June 30, 2023, 42 patients were treated and evaluated at least once for treatment efficacy. The median duration of drug exposure was 4.6 months (min, max: 2.0, 7.6). The best overall ORR was 76.2% (32/42), including 1 complete response (CR) and 31 partial responses (PRs) with 29 objective responses occurring at the patient's first evaluation. The confirmed ORR was 57.2% (24/42) and the overall disease control rate (DCR) was 95.2% (40/42). The median time to response (TTR) was 1.9 months (95% CI:1.8~2.0) and the median best percentage change from baseline for target lesions was -47.2% (Q1, Q3: -56.9%, -33.5%). Among 13 patients with PD-L1 combined positive scores (CPS) &amp;lt; 1, the best ORR and DCR were 69.2% (9/13) and 100.0% (13/13), respectively. Among 25 patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥1, the best ORR and DCR were 80.0% (20/25) and 96.0% (24/25), respectively. Among 9 patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥10, the best ORR and DCR were both 100.0% (9/9). At the cut-off date of data analysis, 38 patients were still on treatment with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 7.4 months (95% CI: 7.4~NA); 38 patients were censored due to no disease progression or death. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) was 95.2%, of which 26.2% were Grade 3 or 4; no Grade 5 TRAEs were observed. The incidence of drug-related TRAEs related to PM8002 was 92.9%, of which 23.8% were Grade 3 or 4. The incidence of drug-related TRAEs related to nab-paclitaxel was 95.2%, of which 26.2% were Grade 3 or 4. 1 patient (2.4%) reduced nab-paclitaxel dose due to diarrhea. 1 patient (2.4%) discontinued PM8002 and nab-paclitaxel treatment due to diarrhea. The most common TRAEs related to PM8002 and nab-paclitaxel included neutropenia (69.0%), leukocytopenia (59.5%), anemia (52.4%) and proteinuria (26.2%). The incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was 11.9%, which included hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and rash. No ≥ Grade 3 irAEs were observed. AEs related to targeting VEGF were also analyzed, including hypertension 19.0% (4.8% at Grade 1, 11.9% at Grade 2, and 2.4% at Grade 3) and proteinuria 26.2% (9.5% at Grade 1, and 16.7% at Grade 2). Conclusions: Rapid, deep, and durable tumor responses were observed for the combination of PM8002 and nab-paclitaxel in patients with first line TNBC. PM8002 did not enhance toxicity that is typically observed for nab-paclitaxel. This Phase II study is still ongoing with plans for entering late-stage clinical development for solid tumors. Citation Format: Jiong Wu, Jian Zhang, Zhongsheng Tong, Qingyuan Zhang, Yong-Sheng Wang, Qiao Cheng, Xin Chen, Zhihua Li, Yongmei Yin. A Phase Ib/II Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of PM8002 (Anti-PD-L1 x VEGF-A Bispecific Antibody) in Combination with Nab-Paclitaxel for First Line Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS08-06.