Publications by authors named "Cath Eberlein"

Loss of PTEN expression, via homozygous or hemizygous deletion, is common in PIK3CA mutant ER + BC tumors. We assessed reduction of PTEN protein expression on AKT inhibitor capivasertib efficacy in PIK3CA altered tumors. In PIK3CA altered, PTEN protein high models, PI3Kα and AKT inhibition was effective, however ablation and partial PTEN expression reduction attenuated PI3Kαi but not AKTi efficacy, alone or combined with fulvestrant.

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This review delves into the intricate roles of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and its receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, in prostate cancer (PCa), particularly in castration-resistant (CRPC) and metastatic CRPC (mCRPC). This review emphasizes the crucial role of the tumour microenvironment (TME) and inflammatory cytokines in promoting tumour progression and response to tumour cell targeting agents. IL-8, acting through C-X-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CXCR1) and type 2 (CXCR2), modulates multiple signalling pathways, enhancing the angiogenesis, proliferation, and migration of cancer cells.

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Article Synopsis
  • Capivasertib is a selective pan-AKT inhibitor being studied for its pharmacokinetics, which refers to how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body, particularly in cancer patients.
  • The study analyzed data from phase I and II trials involving 441 patients, testing various dosing schedules and combinations to evaluate the drug's performance and how different factors like age, weight, and concurrent medications affect its effectiveness.
  • A three-compartment model was identified to describe capivasertib's pharmacokinetics, showing that it has a moderate clearance rate that decreases over time, with steady-state drug levels expected after a few days of dosing.
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  • The study investigates how combining the AKT inhibitor capivasertib with the chemotherapy drug docetaxel affects prostate tumors that lack the PTEN protein and those that have it.
  • In prostate cancer models, this combination showed enhanced anti-tumor activity, particularly in PTEN null tumors, by affecting cell cycle progression and reducing tumor growth.
  • The findings suggest that capivasertib helps overcome resistance in docetaxel-persister cells by reducing activation of key signaling pathways and promoting cell death, primarily through the involvement of GSK3β.
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  • The Phase III CAPItello-291 trial showed that combining capivasertib (an AKT inhibitor) and fulvestrant (a SERD) improved progression-free survival for HR+ breast cancer patients after aromatase inhibitors, but prior treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors may lessen the effectiveness of future endocrine therapies.
  • Researchers examined how CDK4/6 inhibitors affect the function of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cells and their responses to fulvestrant and capivasertib, finding varied gene expression and signaling alterations in resistant cell lines.
  • Despite reduced efficacy and changes in cellular signaling in both RB+ and RB- resistant models, the combination therapy was still effective in reducing cell cycle activity
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  • Capivasertib is a targeted drug being evaluated in Phase III trials for prostate and breast cancer treatment, inhibiting all 3 Akt isoforms.
  • A Phase I study tested how itraconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, affects capivasertib's absorption and effectiveness in 11 healthy participants.
  • The results showed that taking itraconazole with capivasertib significantly increased both the maximum concentration and total exposure of capivasertib in the body.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The PI3K-AKT pathway is often active in breast cancer, and inhibitors targeting this pathway, like capivasertib and AZD8186, are used in treatments, but the reasons for resistance to these therapies aren't well understood on a broad scale.
  • - CRISPR screenings identified key genes that lead to treatment resistance, revealing that reactivation of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling is the primary mechanism, while deletion of certain genes can either confer resistance or increase sensitivity to these drugs.
  • - Loss of Mcl-1 enhances the effectiveness of PI3K-AKT inhibitors by promoting faster cell death, and combining Mcl-1 inhibitors with PI3K-AKT inhibitors shows promise for overcoming resistance in various breast
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Many chemotherapeutics suffer from poor aqueous solubility and tissue selectivity. Distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol) (DSPE-PEG) micelles are a promising formulation strategy for the delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs. However, storage and in vivo instability restrict their use.

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Metabolic plasticity is an emerging hallmark of cancer, and increased glycolysis is often observed in transformed cells. Small molecule inhibitors that target driver oncogenes can potentially inhibit the glycolytic pathway. Osimertinib (AZD9291) is a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that is potent and selective for sensitising (EGFRm) and T790M resistance mutations.

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A novel series of covalent inhibitors of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) kinase was discovered through a combination of subset screening and structure-based design. These compounds preferentially inhibit mutant forms of EGFR (activating mutant and T790M mutant) over wild-type EGFR in cellular assays measuring EGFR autophosphorylation and proliferation, suggesting an improved therapeutic index in non-small cell lung cancer patients would be achievable relative to established EGFR inhibitors. We describe our design approaches, resulting in the identification of the lead compound 5, and our efforts to develop an understanding of the structure-activity relationships within this series.

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Off-target pharmacology may contribute to both adverse and beneficial effects of a new drug. In vitro pharmacological profiling is often applied early in drug discovery; there are fewer reports addressing the relevance of broad profiles to clinical adverse effects. Here, we have characterized the pharmacological profile of the active metabolite of fostamatinib, R406, linking an understanding of drug selectivity to the increase in blood pressure observed in clinical studies.

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Unlabelled: First-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKI) provide significant clinical benefit in patients with advanced EGFR-mutant (EGFRm(+)) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients ultimately develop disease progression, often driven by acquisition of a second T790M EGFR TKI resistance mutation. AZD9291 is a novel oral, potent, and selective third-generation irreversible inhibitor of both EGFRm(+) sensitizing and T790M resistance mutants that spares wild-type EGFR.

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A novel series of small-molecule inhibitors has been developed to target the double mutant form of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, which is resistant to treatment with gefitinib and erlotinib. Our reported compounds also show selectivity over wild-type EGFR. Guided by molecular modeling, this series was evolved to target a cysteine residue in the ATP binding site via covalent bond formation and demonstrates high levels of activity in cellular models of the double mutant form of EGFR.

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The Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in cell fate determination and differentiation in many tissues. Accumulating evidence points toward a pivotal role in blood vessel formation, and the importance of the Delta-like ligand (Dll) 4-Notch1 ligand-receptor interaction has been shown in both physiological and tumor angiogenesis. Disruption of this interaction leads to a reduction in tumor growth as a result of an increase in nonfunctional vasculature leading to poor perfusion of the tumor.

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Inhibition of VEGFR-2 signaling reduces angiogenesis and retards tumor growth. Current biotherapeutics that inhibit VEGFR-2 signaling by either sequestering VEGF ligand or inhibiting VEGF binding to VEGFR-2 may be compromised by high VEGF concentrations. Here we describe a biotherapeutic that targets VEGFR-2 signaling by binding to Ig domains 4-7 of VEGFR-2 and therefore has the potential to work independently of ligand concentration.

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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR) mediated signalling drives angiogenesis. This is predominantly attributed to the activity of VEGFR-2 following binding of VEGF-A. Whether other members of the VEGFR and ligand families such as VEGFR-1 and its ligand Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) can also contribute to developmental and pathological angiogenesis is less clear.

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