PURPOSE Single-cycle melphalan 200 mg/m2 and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) followed by lenalidomide (len) maintenance have improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for transplantation-eligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We designed a prospective, randomized, phase III study to test additional interventions to improve PFS by comparing AHCT, tandem AHCT (AHCT/AHCT), and AHCT and four subsequent cycles of len, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVD; AHCT + RVD), all followed by len until disease progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with symptomatic MM within 12 months from starting therapy and without progression who were age 70 years or younger were randomly assigned to AHCT/AHCT + len (n = 247), AHCT + RVD + len (n = 254), or AHCT + len (n = 257). The primary end point was 38-month PFS. RESULTS The study population had a median age of 56 years (range, 20 to 70 years); 24% of patients had high-risk MM, 73% had a triple-drug regimen as initial therapy, and 18% were in complete response at enrollment. The 38-month PFS rate was 58.5% (95% CI, 51.7% to 64.6%) for AHCT/AHCT + len, 57.8% (95% CI, 51.4% to 63.7%) for AHCT + RVD + len, and 53.9% (95% CI, 47.4% to 60%) for AHCT + len. For AHCT/AHCT + len, AHCT + RVD + len, and AHCT + len, the OS rates were 81.8% (95% CI, 76.2% to 86.2%), 85.4% (95% CI, 80.4% to 89.3%), and 83.7% (95% CI, 78.4% to 87.8%), respectively, and the complete response rates at 1 year were 50.5% (n = 192), 58.4% (n = 209), and 47.1% (n = 208), respectively. Toxicity profiles and development of second primary malignancies were similar across treatment arms. CONCLUSION Second AHCT or RVD consolidation as post-AHCT interventions for the up-front treatment of transplantation-eligible patients with MM did not improve PFS or OS. Single AHCT and len should remain as the standard approach for this population.

Retinoic acid (RA), the active metabolite of vitamin A, is an important endogenous signaling molecule regulating cell cycle and maintenance of epithelia. RA isomers are also used as drugs to treat various cancers and dermatological diseases. However, the therapeutic uses of RA isomers are limited due to side effects such as teratogenicity, and resistance to treatment emerging mainly from autoinduction of RA metabolism. To improve the therapeutic usefulness of retinoids, RA metabolism blocking agents (RAMBAs) have been developed. These inhibitors generally target the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes because RA clearance is predominantly mediated by P450s. Since the initial identification of inhibitors of RA metabolism, CYP26 enzymes have been characterized as the main enzymes responsible for RA clearance. This makes CYP26 enzymes an attractive target for the development of novel therapeutics for cancer and dermatological conditions. The basic principle of development of CYP26 inhibitors is that endogenous RA concentrations will be increased in the presence of a CYP26 inhibitor, thus, potentiating the activity of endogenous RA in a cell-type specific manner. This will reduce side effects compared to administration of RA and allow for more targeted therapy. In clinical trials, inhibitors of RA metabolism have been effective in treatment of psoriasis and other dermatological conditions as well as in some cancers. However, no CYP26 inhibitor has yet been approved for clinical use. This review summarizes the history of development of RAMBAs, the clinical and preclinical studies with the various structural series and the available knowledge of structure activity relationships of CYP26 inhibitors.

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Background: Len maintenance after autoHCT has improved progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However, the role of additional interventions after autoHCT such as tandem autoHCT or triple therapy consolidation remains to be determined. Methods: This is a phase III clinical trial (NCT#01109004) of transplant-eligible patients (pts) with symptomatic MM <71 years of age within 12 months of initiating therapy and without prior progression who were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive melphalan 200mg/m2 autoHCT and 4 cycles of RVD consolidation (lenalidomide 15mg daily days 1-14, dexamethasone 40mg day 1,8 and 15, and bortezomib 1.3mg/m2 days 1,4,8 and 11 every 21 days) (ACM), versus tandem melphalan 200mg/m2 autoHCT (TAM) or versus a single autoHCT (AM). Randomization was stratified by disease risk (cytogenetic abnormalities - del13q by karyotype, del17q, t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20) and hypodyploid; or high beta-2 microglobulin) and center. All arms included Len maintenance (at maximum tolerated dose of 5 to 15 mg orally daily until progression) with dose modifications for toxicities. All patients were reviewed centrally for eligibility, response and progression. The primary objective was to compare 38-month PFS of the three arms. The events for PFS included progression, non-protocol anti-myeloma therapy, or death. Comparisons between treatment groups were based on pairwise log-rank tests stratified on disease risk, with significance levels adjusted for the 3 pairwise comparisons and for interim analyses. In calculating the cumulative incidence of progression, the events were progression or non-protocol anti-myeloma therapy, and death was a competing risk. Results: From June 2010 to November 2013, 758 pts (ACM, N=254; TAM, N=247; AM, N=257) aged 20-70 years (median 57y) were enrolled. Of those enrolled, 24% were classified as high risk. Non-compliance rates following the first autoHCT were 12%, 32% and 5% for ACM, TAM and AM, respectively. Median available follow up from randomization was 38 months. Follow-up is continuing through January 2017. 38-month estimated probabilities for PFS were 57% (95% CI: 50-63%), 56% (95% CI: 49-63%) and 52% (95% CI: 45-59%) for ACM, TAM and AM, respectively (ACM vs TAM p=0.75, ACM vs AM p=0.21, TAM vs AM p=0.37). Corresponding probabilities of OS were 86% (95% CI: 80-90%), 82% (95%CI: 76-87%) and 83% (95% CI: 78-88%). Median OS has not been reached. Cumulative incidences of disease progression at 38 months were 42% (95% CI: 36-48%), 42% (95% CI: 35-48%) and 47% (95% CI: 40-54%) for the ACM, TAM and AM arms, respectively. There were 39 cases of second primary malignancy (SPM) reported in 36 participants and the cumulative incidences for first SPM were 6.0% (95% CI: 3.4-9.6%), 5.9% (95% CI: 3.3-9.6%) and 4.0% (95% CI: 1.9-7.2%) for the ACM, TAM, and AM, respectively. Conclusions: The primary results of the largest randomized US transplant trial in MM demonstrated comparable PFS and OS. The addition of RVD consolidation or a second auto-HCT was not superior to a single auto HCT followed by Len maintenance in the upfront treatment of MM. A long term follow-up trial to track outcomes in these patients is ongoing. Disclosures Stadtmauer: Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy. Pasquini:Atara: Other: travel reimbursement for a meeting; Baxalta: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Efebera:Millennium/Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Honoraria. Ganguly:Onyx: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Giralt:Celgene: Consultancy; Millenium/Takeda: Consultancy. Hari:Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy. McCarthy:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; The Binding Site: Consultancy, Honoraria. Qazilbash:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shah:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vesole:Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau. Vij:Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy. Vogl:Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding. Somlo:PUMA: Consultancy; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium/Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Krishnan:Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Millennium/Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.

Cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABPs) bind all‐trans‐retinoic acid (atRA) tightly. This study aimed to determine whether atRA is channeled directly to cytochrome P450 (CYP) CYP26B1 by CRABPs, and whether CRABPs interact directly with CYP26B1. atRA bound to CRABPs (holo‐CRABP) was efficiently metabolized by CYP26B1. Isotope dilution experiments showed that delivery of atRA to CYP26B1 in solution was similar with or without CRABP. Holo‐CRABPs had higher affinity for CYP26B1 than free atRA, but both apo‐CRABPs inhibited the formation of 4‐OH‐RA by CYP26B1. Similar protein–protein interactions between soluble binding proteins and CYPs may be important for other lipophilic CYP substrates.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has shown benefit for improving diet, physical activity, and weight among adults who are overweight and obese. However, research to-date in this area has primarily evaluated ACT delivered through in-person interventions, which has more limited access relative to online formats. The present study evaluated an online guided self-help program that integrated ACT with nutrition education to improve healthy eating and physical activity. A sample of 79 adults who were overweight/obese was randomized to receive the 8-week ACT on Health program plus weekly phone coaching or to a waitlist. Participants completed 5.5 ACT sessions on average (out of 8) and reported moderately high program satisfaction. Participants in the ACT condition improved significantly more than the waitlist at posttreatment on the primary outcome of healthy eating index (HEI; based on 24-hr recall assessments) and almost all secondary outcomes assessing self-reported eating behaviors, weight, mental health, weight self-stigma, and psychological inflexibility. However, no intervention effects were found for self-reported physical activity. At 8-week follow-up, improvements were maintained for most outcomes in the ACT condition, but not for the HEI. Improvements in psychological inflexibility mediated treatment effects on some outcomes, but not HEI or weight. Overall, delivering ACT through online guided self-help combined with nutrition education appears promising for improving healthy eating, weight, and self-stigma, but results for physical activity and long-term behavior change are unclear, possibly due to limitations in the ACT on Health program.

Autoimmunity to the central nervous system (CNS), especially to myelin basic protein (MBP), may play a causal role in autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder. Because many autistic children harbor elevated levels of measles antibodies, we conducted a serological study of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and MBP autoantibodies. Using serum samples of 125 autistic children and 92 control children, antibodies were assayed by ELISA or immunoblotting methods. ELISA analysis showed a significant increase in the level of MMR antibodies in autistic children. Immunoblotting analysis revealed the presence of an unusual MMR antibody in 75 of 125 (60%) autistic sera but not in control sera. This antibody specifically detected a protein of 73-75 kD of MMR. This protein band, as analyzed with monoclonal antibodies, was immunopositive for measles hemagglutinin (HA) protein but not for measles nucleoprotein and rubella or mumps viral proteins. Thus the MMR antibody in autistic sera detected measles HA protein, which is unique to the measles subunit of the vaccine. Furthermore, over 90% of MMR antibody-positive autistic sera were also positive for MBP autoantibodies, suggesting a strong association between MMR and CNS autoimmunity in autism. Stemming from this evidence, we suggest that an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism.

Objective To characterize pediatricians' and family physicians' (FP) screening practices for type 2 diabetes among adolescents and to examine the impact of the 2010 American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, recommending use of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Patients and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional mail survey of a random sample of 1,400 US pediatricians and FPs and we received 604 eligible responses. Our main outcome measure was the types of tests ordered by physicians, particularly HbA1c, when presented with a hypothetical scenario. Results The overall response rate was 52% (57% for pediatricians and 48% for FPs). Fasting glucose and HbA1c were the most commonly ordered tests. Overall, at least 58% of physicians ordered HbA1c; 35% ordered HbA1c in conjunction with fasting tests, and 22% ordered HbA1c alone or with non-fasting tests. Only 38% of providers were aware of the new ADA recommended HbA1c screening guidelines. However, a majority (67%) said they would change their screening practices. In the context of the guidelines, 84% of physicians would now order HbA1c. Furthermore, there was a large increase in the proportion of physicians who would shift to using HbA1c only or with other non-fasting tests. Conclusions When screening adolescents for type 2 diabetes, providers are more likely to order HbA1c and order fewer fasting tests in response to the new ADA guidelines. HbA1c has lower sensitivity and higher costs than other testing modalities in children, therefore increasing uptake of this test HbA1c in children may have implications for both detection rates and health care costs.