Pulmonary Cell News Volume 4.43 | Nov 5 2015

Roflumilast Partially Reverses Smoke-Induced Mucociliary Dysfunction
The authors showed that roflumilast can rescue smoke-induced mucociliary dysfunction by reversing decreased cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activity, augmenting airway surface liquid volume, and stimulating ciliary beat frequency, the latter particularly in combination with formoterol. [Respir Res] Full Article

Development of an In Vitro Test to Identify Respiratory Sensitizers in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using Gene Expression Profiling
To elucidate potential molecular effects of exposure of the epithelial lung barrier, a gene expression profile was created based on a DNA microarray experiment using the bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE14o⁻. The cells were exposed to 12 respiratory sensitizers and 10 non-sensitizers. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

LUNG CANCER

RASSF4 Is Downregulated in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Inhibits Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion
Scientists examined RASSF4 protein expression in normal lung epithelial cell line and lung cancer lines. They found that RASSF4 expression was downregulated in four of seven lung cancer cell lines compared with normal bronchial epithelial cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Rapamycin Inhibited the Function of Lung CSCs via SOX2
Investigators showed that rapamycin inhibited the mammalian target of rapamycin signal transduction in A549 cells and improved the sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanisms involved inhibition of the SOX2 expression, cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype, and sphere formation. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Effect of ABCG2/BCRP Expression on Efflux and Uptake of Gefitinib in NSCLC Cell Lines
The authors indicate that gefitinib, in lung cancer cells, inhibits ABCG2 activity, as previously reported. In addition, they suggest that ABCG2 silencing or overexpression affects intracellular gefitinib content by modulating the uptake rather than the efflux. [PLoS One] Full Article

Curcumin Improves the Efficacy of Cisplatin by Targeting Cancer Stem-Like Cells through p21 and Cyclin D1-Mediated Tumor Cell Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Scientists showed that curcumin enhanced the sensitivity of the double-positive cancer stem-like cell subpopulation in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines to cisplatin-induced apoptosis and inhibition of metastasis. [Oncol Rep] Abstract | Download Full Article

β-Elemonic Acid Inhibits the Cell Proliferation of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells: The Role of MAPK, ROS Activation and Glutathione Depletion
Researchers investigated the anticancer effects and the related molecular mechanisms of β-elemonic acid on human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. The effects of β-elemonic acid on the growth of A549 cells were studied using a 3-(4,5)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

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Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Announce Initiation of Phase III First-Line Trial of Avelumab in Patients with Recurrent or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Merck KGaA and Pfizer announced the initiation of an international Phase III study of the investigational cancer immunotherapy avelumab in a treatment naïve advanced non-small cell lung cancer setting. [Pfizer (Business Wire)] Press Release

Boehringer Ingelheim Initiates Pivotal Programme for Novel Third-Generation EGFR Targeting Lung Cancer Compound
Boehringer Ingelheim announced the initiation of a global Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of BI 1482694 in patients with T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer, whose tumours stopped responding to currently available epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed therapies. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

Immunovaccine’s Vaccine Candidate for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Is Well Tolerated in Volunteers in Phase I Clinical Trial
Immunovaccine Inc. announced that safety data from a Phase I clinical study showed that its DepoVax™ prophylactic respiratory syncytial virus vaccine candidate (DPX-RSV) was well tolerated in the Phase I study’s first 20 volunteers, of whom 8 subjects received the DPX-RSV vaccine. [Immunovaccine Inc.] Press Release

GSK and Merck to Study Immunotherapy Combination as Potential Cancer Treatment
GSK and Merck announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial designed to evaluate GSK’s investigational immunotherapy GSK3174998 as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda^® in patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic solid tumor(s) that have progressed after standard treatment. [GlaxoSmithKline plc] Press Release

First Patient Dosed in Clinical Trial of Halozyme Investigational Drug PEGPH20 in Combination with Merck Immuno-Oncology Drug KEYTRUDA
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced the first patient has received its investigational new drug, PEGPH20 in combination with Merck’s KEYTRUDA in a clinical trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose of PEGPH20 and antitumor activity of the combined therapies. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Approves New Novartis Dual Combination Bronchodilator Utibron™ Neohaler^® for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Novartis announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the dual combination bronchodilator Utibron™ Neohaler^® inhalation powder for the long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. [Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

NEW Post-Doctoral Fellow – Lung Microbiome Research and Asthma (University of Michigan)

PhD Studentships – Cancer Research (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Position – Pulmonary Research (Helmholtz Association)

Postdoctoral Position – Lung Biology Research (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Developmental Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of California San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Mechanisms of Pulmonary Diseases (Eastern Virginia Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Asthma (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

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

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