Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-activated Na + channels expressed in the nervous system, where they are involved in learning, fear behaviors, neurodegeneration, and pain sensation. In this work, we study the role in pH sensing of two regions of the ectodomain enriched in acidic residues: the acidic pocket, which faces the outside of the protein and is the binding site of several animal toxins, and the palm, a central channel domain. Using voltage clamp fluorometry, we find that the acidic pocket undergoes conformational changes during both activation and desensitization. Concurrently, we find that, although proton sensing in the acidic pocket is not required for channel function, it does contribute to both activation and desensitization. Furthermore, protonationmimicking mutations of acidic residues in the palm induce a dramatic acceleration of desensitization followed by the appearance of a sustained current. In summary, this work describes the roles of potential pH sensors in two extracellular domains, and it proposes a model of acidification-induced conformational changes occurring in the acidic pocket of ASIC1a.

The present investigation, the first in the field, was aimed at analyzing differentially, on individual samples, the effects of 55 days of horizontal bed rest, a model for microgravity, on myosin heavy and myosin light chain isoforms distribution (by SDS) and on the proteome (by 2-D DIGE and MS) in the vastus lateralis (VL), a mixed type II/I (∼50:50%) head of the quadriceps and in the calf soleus (SOL), a predominantly slow (∼35:65%) twitch muscle. Two separate studies were performed on six subjects without (BR) and six with resistive vibration exercise (RVE) countermeasures, respectively. Both VL and SOL underwent in BR decrements of ∼15% in cross-sectional area and of ∼22% in maximal torque that were prevented by RVE. Myosin heavy chain distribution showed increased type I and decreased type IIA in BR both in VL and in SOL, the opposite with RVE. A substantial downregulation of proteins involved in aerobic metabolism characterized both in SOL and VL in BR. RVE reversed the pattern more in VL than in SOL, whereas proteins involved in anaerobic glycolysis were upregulated. Proteins from the Z-disk region and from costamers were differently dysregulated during bed rest (both BR and RVE), particularly in VL.

We evaluated standard-of-care (SOC) treatment with or without midostaurin to prevent relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring internal tandem duplication (ITD) in FLT3. Adults (aged 18–70 years) who received alloHSCT in first complete remission, had achieved hematologic recovery, and were transfusion independent were randomized to receive SOC with or without midostaurin (50 mg twice daily) continuously in twelve 4-week cycles. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival (RFS) 18 months post-alloHSCT. Sixty patients were randomized (30/arm); 30 completed all 12 cycles (midostaurin + SOC, n = 16; SOC, n = 14). The estimated 18-month RFS (95% CI) was 89% (69–96%) in the midostaurin arm and 76% (54–88%) in the SOC arm (hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.12–1.86]; P = 0.27); estimated relapse rates were 11% and 24%, respectively. Inhibition of FLT3 phosphorylation to <70% of baseline (achieved by 50% of midostaurin-treated patients) was associated with improved RFS. The most common serious adverse events were diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Rates of graft-vs-host disease were similar between both arms (midostaurin + SOC, 70%; SOC, 73%). The addition of midostaurin maintenance therapy following alloHSCT may provide clinical benefit in some patients with FLT3-ITD AML. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01883362).

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are neuronal Na+-conducting channels activated by extracellular acidification. ASICs are involved in pain sensation, expression of fear, and neurodegeneration after ischemic stroke. Functional ASICs are composed of three identical or homologous subunits, whose extracellular part has a handlike structure. Currently, it is unclear how protonation of residues in extracellular domains controls ASIC activity. Knowledge of these mechanisms would allow a rational development of drugs acting on ASICs. Protonation may induce conformational changes that control the position of the channel gate. We used voltage-clamp fluorometry with fluorophores attached to residues in different domains of ASIC1a to detect conformational changes. Comparison of the timing of fluorescence and current signals identified residues involved in movements that preceded desensitization and may therefore be associated with channel opening or early steps leading to desensitization. Other residues participated in movements intimately linked to desensitization and recovery from desensitization. Fluorescence signals of all mutants were detected at more alkaline pH than ionic currents. Their midpoint of pH dependence was close to that of steady-state desensitization, whereas the steepness of the pH fluorescence relationship was closer to that of current activation. A sequence of movements was observed upon acidification, and its backward movements during recovery from desensitization occurred in the reverse order, indicating that the individual steps are interdependent. Furthermore, the fluorescence signal of some labeled residues in the finger domain was strongly quenched by a Trp residue in the neighboring β-ball domain. Upon channel activation, their fluorescence intensity increased, indicating that the finger moved away from the β ball. This extensive analysis of activity-dependent conformational changes in ASICs sheds new light on the mechanisms by which protonation controls ASIC activity.

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Introduction: Midostaurin, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), plus induction and consolidation chemotherapy followed by single-agent midostaurin maintenance therapy resulted in significant benefits in event-free and overall survival (OS) in adults with newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) compared with placebo (RATIFY study; Stone et al, N Engl J Med, 2017). In RATIFY, patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) did not receive midostaurin maintenance. Despite alloSCT providing the highest likelihood of sustained remission, relapse rates remain high (30%-59%; Schiller et al, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant, 2016), especially in patients with FLT3-internal tandem duplication-positive (ITD+) AML. Posttransplant maintenance therapy may improve this outcome. Here, we report the primary results from RADIUS, a randomized, open-label, phase 2 exploratory trial (NCT01883362) that investigated whether the addition of midostaurin to standard of care (SOC) after alloSCT could reduce the risk of relapse in patients with FLT3-ITD+ AML. Methods: Adults (aged 18-70 y) who had undergone myeloablative alloSCT in first complete remission (CR1), had achieved hematologic recovery, and were transfusion independent were eligible. Patients enrolled postengraftment and were randomized to receive SOC with or without midostaurin 50 mg twice daily continuously (4-week cycles) for up to 12 cycles. Study treatment started 28 to 60 days post-alloSCT and patients were followed for ≥24 months post-alloSCT. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival (RFS) at 18 months post-alloSCT. Secondary endpoints included safety and disease-free survival (DFS), OS, and RFS at 24 months post-alloSCT. The study was not adequately powered to detect a statistical difference between the 2 arms; a sample size of 60 was calculated to detect a 50% reduction in the risk of relapse. Results: 60 patients were randomized (30 per arm). Baseline characteristics were generally balanced between the 2 arms. Overall, 30 patients completed 12 cycles of study treatment (14 with SOC; 16 with midostaurin). The median exposure to midostaurin was 10.5 months (range, 0.2 to 12.0 months) and the median dose intensity was 93 mg/day (range, 15-100 mg/day). Early treatment discontinuations were similar between arms (15 in the SOC arm; 13 in the midostaurin arm), frequently due to adverse events (AEs; 3% vs 23%) and consent withdrawal (20% vs 7%). Among 6 patients who withdrew consent in the SOC arm, 2 did so to pursue other TKI therapies. Midostaurin dose modifications occurred in 19 patients (63%), mostly due to AEs (84%); 1 instance was due to receiving a concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitor. With an estimated 18-month RFS (95% CI) of 76% (54%-88%) in the SOC arm and 89% (69%-96%) in the midostaurin arm, estimated relapse rates were 24% and 11%, respectively, which is a 46% relative reduction in the risk of relapse with the addition of midostaurin (Figure 1). At 18 months, the median RFS was not reached in either arm. Longer follow-up at 24 months (data not yet matured) will be presented, including RFS, OS, and DFS. In the SOC and midostaurin arms, AEs were reported in 87% and 100% of patients, respectively (the most common any-grade AE was vomiting: 23% vs 73%; Figure 2); serious AEs were reported in 57% and 30% of patients, respectively, with diarrhea (7% vs 13%), nausea (10% vs 3%), vomiting (10% vs 3%), and pyrexia (7% vs 7%) being the most common. Overall, 8 patients discontinued midostaurin therapy due to AEs (mostly gastrointestinal related) and 12 died on study (all during the follow-up phase; 8 in the SOC arm and 4 in the midostaurin arm [n=4 vs n=2 due to AML disease progression]). Rates of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) were generally similar between the SOC and midostaurin arms (overall, 70% vs 73%; acute GVHD, 53% vs 57% [grade 2/3 events: 37% vs 30%; no grade 4 events]; chronic GVHD, 47% vs 37% [most events were mild or moderate; severe events: 1 with SOC and 2 with midostaurin]). Conclusions: Adding midostaurin to SOC reduced the risk of relapse at 18 months post-alloSCT by 46% (vs SOC). The safety profile of single-agent midostaurin was consistent with previous reports; no major safety concerns were identified when adding midostaurin to SOC following alloSCT. These data suggest that midostaurin monotherapy can be safely administered for ≤1 year and may improve outcomes in patients who undergo alloSCT in CR1. Disclosures Maziarz: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite Therapeutics: Honoraria; Athersys, Inc.: Patents & Royalties. Scott:Agios: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Alexion: Consultancy. Deol:Kite Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Kim:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Briston-Meyers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Paladin: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Haines:Novartis: Employment. Bonifacio:Novartis: Employment. Rine:Novartis: Employment. Purkayastha:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Employment.

Background: It is currently not known how extracellular interaction surfaces between ASIC subunits change during channel activity. Results: Different engineered extracellular intersubunit disulfide bonds lock ASIC1a in open or non-conducting states. Conclusion: Subunit interactions are critical for the ASIC gating process. Significance: This study highlights new features of the mechanisms by which the pH controls ASIC activity.

This is the first exploratory study providing a complete picture of recent AML treatment patterns and management costs among commercially insured patients and Medicare beneficiaries. There is substantial heterogeneity in the management and costs of AML.