Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is a disease of poor prognosis. Identifying novel molecular aberrations might present opportunities to identify new therapeutic targets. Due to the similarities between the processes of development and cancer, we used early developing livers to identify genes that might play a primary role in HCC. Plateletderived growth factor receptor-A (PDGFRA) was identified from microarray using early developing mouse livers. Expression of PDGFRA and its upstream effectors, PDGF-AA and PDGF-CC, were examined in HCC tissues (n = 43) by Western blot, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Finally, effect of anti-PDGFRA antibody (mAb 3G3, ImClone Systems, Inc.) was examined on human hepatoma cells. A high expression of PDGFRA was observed during early liver development. HCCs (17 of 21) revealed cytoplasmic PDGFRA and activated PDGFRA
I‐TevI, a double‐strand DNA endonuclease encoded by the mobile td intron of phage T4, has specificity for the intronless td allele. Genetic and physical studies indicate that the enzyme makes extensive contacts with its DNA substrate over at least three helical turns and around the circumference of the helix. Remarkably, no single nucleotide within a 48 bp region encompassing this interaction domain is essential for cleavage. Although two subdomains (DI and DII) contain preferred sequences, a third domain (DIII), a primary region of contact with the enzyme, displays much lower sequence preference. While DII and DIII suffice for recognition and binding of I‐TevI, all three domains are important for formation of a cleavage‐competent complex. Mutational, footprinting and interference studies indicate predominant interactions of I‐TevI across the minor groove and phosphate backbone of the DNA. Contacts appear not to be at the single nucleotide level; rather, redundant interactions and/or structural recognition are implied. These unusual properties provide a basis for understanding how I‐TevI recognizes T‐even phage DNA, which is heavily modified in the major groove. These recognition characteristics may increase the range of natural substrates available to the endonuclease, thereby extending the invasive potential of the mobile intron.
Olaratumab was well tolerated and showed preliminary antitumor activity. RP2Ds are 16 mg/kg weekly and 20 mg/kg biweekly. Phase II studies of olaratumab as monotherapy and in combination are ongoing in several tumor types.
A large body of evidence suggests that the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family and associated receptors are potential targets in oncology therapeutic development because of their critical roles in the proliferation and survival of various cancers and in the regulation and growth of the tumor stroma and blood vessels. Several small molecules that nonspecifically target the PDGF signaling axis are in current use or development as anticancer therapies. However, for the majority of these agents, PDGF and its receptors are neither the primary targets nor the principal mediators of anticancer activity. IMC-3G3, a fully human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G subclass 1, specifically binds to the human PDGF receptor a (PDGFRa) with high affinity and blocks PDGF ligand binding and PDGFRa activation. The results of preclinical studies and the frequent expression of PDGFRa in many types of cancer and in cancer-associated stroma support a rationale for the clinical development of IMC-3G3. Currently, IMC-3G3 is being evaluated in early clinical development for patients with several types of solid malignancies. Cancer 2010;116(4 suppl):1018-26.
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