Patients treated during leukemia face the risk of complications including pulmonary dysfunction that may result from infiltration of leukemic blast cells (LBCs) into lung parenchyma and interstitium. In LBCs, we demonstrated that transient receptor potential vanilloid type 2 channel (TRPV2), reputed for its role in inflammatory processes, exhibited oncogenic activity associated with alteration of its molecular expression profile. TRPV2 was overexpressed in LBCs compared to normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, functional full length isoform and nonfunctional short form pore-less variant of TRPV2 protein were up-regulated and down-regulated respectively in LBCs. However, the opposite was found in PBMCs. TRPV2 silencing or pharmacological targeting by Tranilast (TL) or SKF96365 (SKF) triggered caspace-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. TL and SKF inhibited chemotactic peptide fMLP-induced response linked to TRPV2 Ca2+ activity, and down-regulated expression of surface marker CD38 involved in leukemia and lung airway inflammation. Challenging lung airway epithelial cells (AECs) with LBCs decreased (by more than 50%) transepithelial resistance (TER) denoting barrier function alteration. Importantly, TL prevented such loss in TER. Therefore, TRPV2 merits further exploration as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for leukemia patients (with pulmonary inflammation) who might be suitable for a novel [adjuvant] therapeutic strategy based on TL.

Introduction: Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of enteric-coated (EC) aspirin as it relates to the reduction of cardiovascular risk. We hypothesize that EC formulation based on a previous report may blunt aspirin response as evidenced by reduced Thromboxane A2 (TXA 2) levels in diabetic patients. Thus, it was imperative to ascertain and validate the effect of the EC formulation of Aspirin on the Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) level. Methods/design: An open-label consecutive randomized interventional controlled trial. Patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke who are just about to start Aspirin were assessed for eligibility and inclusion in our trial. Consecutive patients (admitted to the stroke unit of Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar) will be randomized to receive either EC aspirin or plain Aspirin. They will be required to continue taking them throughout the study (3 days). Demographics and laboratory records of the study participants will be abstracted from online records. Further study variables will be obtained manually in designated case record forms (CRF). The primary outcomes are the incidence of aspirin non-responders (level of residual serum TXB2 associated with elevated thrombotic risk (<99.0% inhibition or TXB2 >3.1 ng/mL) within 72 h after three daily aspirin doses). Whereas secondary outcomes are the incidence of GIT bleeding of various preparations of Aspirin. The study was approved by MRC and IRB of Hamad Medical Corporation (MRC number: 01-18-156). Discussion: This trial will determine potential differences in the efficacy of EC Aspirin and plain Aspirin on the Thromboxane B2 level. Additionally, it will ascertain the tolerability and safety of both formulations of Aspirin in patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke. These results will either support the current notion of no difference between the two formulations. However, if a difference is found, this will invite for future trials exploring clinical outcomes occurrence between various formulations. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04330872 registered on April 2, 2020