Pulmonary Cell News Volume 4.36 | Sep 17 2015

Glucocorticoid Dexamethasone Down-Regulates Basal and Vitamin D3 Induced Cathelicidin Expression in Human Monocytes and Bronchial Epithelial Cell Line
Scientists showed that treatment with dexamethasone (Dex) inhibits basal mRNA expression of certain antimicrobial polypeptides in the THP-1 monocytic cell-line (THP-1 monocytes). Furthermore, pre-treatment with Dex inhibits vitamin D3 induced cathelicidin expression in THP-1 monocytes, primary monocytes and in the human bronchial epithelial cell line BCi NS 1.1. [Immunobiology] Full Article

Evaluation of Uptake, Cytotoxicity and Inflammatory Effects in Respiratory Cells Exposed to Pristine and -OH and -COOH Functionalized Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
The authors evaluated on human alveolar epithelial cells and normal bronchial cells exposed to pristine-multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), MWCNTs-OH and MWCNTs-COOH: uptake by TEM, cell viability by different assays, membrane damage by the LDH assay and cytokine release by ELISA. [J Appl Toxicol] Abstract

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Induces Recruitment of α3 and α5 Integrins into Epithelial Cell Membrane Rafts, Leading to Cytokine Secretion
Investigators demonstrated that P. brasiliensis yeasts promote IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by the human lung epithelial cell line A549 in an integrin-dependent manner. [Microbes Infect] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

PIWIL2 Promotes Progression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Inducing CDK2 and Cyclin A Expression
PIWI genes expression was assayed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To determine the effects of PIWIL2 on NSCLC cells, overexpression and interference assays were performed using the A549 and H460 cell lines. [J Transl Med] Full Article

Synergistic Antiproliferative Effects of a New Cucurbitacin B Derivative and Chemotherapy Drugs on Lung Cancer Cell Line A549
The authors investigated the synergistic antiproliferative effects of a new semisynthetic derivative of cucurbitacin B with three chemotherapy drugs: cisplatin, irinotecan and paclitaxel on A549 cells. [Chem Res Toxicol] Abstract

Norepinephrine Induced Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in HT-29 and A549 Cells In Vitro
Investigators explored the effect of norepinephrine (NE) on cancer cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition and investigated the potential mechanism. HT-29 and A549 cells were treated with NE, β-adrenergic receptor antagonist (propranolol) or inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β receptor type I kinase. [J Cancer Res Clin Oncol] Abstract

Non-Adherent Culture Induces Paclitaxel Resistance in H460 Lung Cancer Cells via ERK-Mediated Up-Regulation of βIVa-Tubulin
Scientists explored whether chemoresistance is induced in epithelial cancer cells when cultured under non-adherent conditions. Increased paclitaxel-specific resistance was observed in floating cells compared to attached cells in H460, MCF-7, and HepG2 human cancer cell lines. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Full Article

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Merck to Present New Data Reinforcing the Company’s Patient-Centric Focus
Merck will present new data on early- and late-stage compounds from its refocused oncology and immuno-oncology pipeline, as well as Erbitux^® (cetuximab) data. These data reinforce the company’s science-driven and patient-centric approach to developing new therapies that will help patients fight difficult-to-treat cancers such as pancreatic, non-small cell lung and urothelial. [Press release from Merck & Co., Inc. (CNW Group Ltd.) discussing research to be presented at the European Cancer Congress (ECC), Vienna] Press Release

Mirati Therapeutics to Present Clinical Data
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. announced it will present data on its tyrosine kinase inhibitor, MGCD516. [Press release from Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the European Cancer Congress (ECC), Vienna] Press Release

Pulmatrix to Highlight PUR1900 Data
Pulmatrix, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary disease, announced that preclinical data regarding the pharmacokinetics and potency of PUR1900, the first inhaled antifungal medication for cystic fibrosis. [Press release from Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis 2015 Conference, Phoenix] Press Release

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Theravance Biopharma and Mylan Initiate Phase III Program for Revefenacin (TD-4208) for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Theravance Biopharma, Inc. and Mylan N.V. announced the initiation of a Phase III program for revefenacin, an investigational long-acting muscarinic antagonist in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Mylan N.V.] Press Release

ARIAD Announces Full Enrolment in Phase II ALTA Trial of Brigatinib
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has achieved full enrolment in the pivotal Phase II ALTA trial of its investigational anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor, brigatinib. [ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Cancer Research UK and MedImmune Launch Ground-Breaking Biotherapeutics Research Centre in Cambridge
A new laboratory that will focus on the discovery and development of novel biologic cancer treatments and diagnostics has been opened. The state-of-the-art CRUK-MEDI Alliance Laboratory is an innovative collaboration between Cancer Research UK, its commercial arm Cancer Research Technology, and MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca. [Cancer Research UK] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Autoimmune Diseases Affecting the Lung (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Modifiers (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Small Cell Lung Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Lung Cancer (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pulmonary Biology (The University of Alabama)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer and Molecular Imaging (University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Fellow – HMGA Chromatin Remodeling Proteins in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Airway Diseases (GlaxoSmithKline)

Harry Eagle Scholar Awards for Postdoctoral Candidates (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pulmonary Fibrosis (University of Colorado School of Medicine)

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