Breceptin

Everolimus (EVR) in heart and renal transplant (RTx) recipients may be associated with a decreased incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV). A detailed analysis of the association between EVR versus mycophenolic acid (MPA) and CMV events has not been reported. CMV data from 2004 de novo RTx recipients from three-randomized, prospective, EVR studies A2309 (N = 833), B201 (N = 588) and B251 (N = 583) were retrospectively analyzed to identify differences between two EVR dosing groups and MPA. EVR groups received 1.5 mg/day, or 3 mg/day with either standard (SD-CsA) or reduced dose cyclosporine (RD-CsA). Controls received MPA with SD-CsA. CMV prophylaxis was as per center practice. CMV incidence (infection/syndrome, disease, viremia) was captured per local center evaluations. Kaplan-Meier analyses demonstrated that freedom from CMV viremia and infection/syndrome was significantly greater for EVR versus MPA for recipients without CMV prophylaxis. Among recipients who received prophylaxis, freedom from viremia was greater for EVR 3.0 mg; freedom from infection/syndrome was greater for EVR 3.0 and 1.5 mg. Although freedom from organ involvement was numerically greater for EVR, it was not statistically significant. This analysis documents significant reductions in the incidence of CMV infection/syndrome and viremia in EVR-treated de novo RTx recipients, especially those who did not receive CMV prophylaxis versus MPA.

Compound CU201 [SUIM-(d-Arg-Arg-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Igl-Ser-d-Igl-Oic-Arg)(2), where SUIM=suberimidyl; Hyp=trans-4-hydroxyproline; Igl=alpha-(2-indanyl)-glycine; Oic=octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid], is a dimeric analog of the potent bradykinin antagonist peptide B9430. It blocks the G(alphaq,11) signal of the heterotrimeric G proteins, stimulates c-Jun kinases, and induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells with neuroendocrine features. CU201 shows potent inhibition for small-cell lung cancer cells in vitro (ED(50)=0.15microM), as well as for small-cell lung cancer SHP-77 tumor growth in vivo. An HPLC method was developed, as part of a study supported by the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Rapid Access to Interventional Development (RAID) program, to assess the purity and stability of CU201. Impurities and degradation products were characterized by LC/MS. The identity of a major impurity, with 1 mass unit different from CU201, was confirmed by high resolution LC/MS and the investigation of model compounds. Susceptible linkages in the peptide chains were revealed by the degradation study.