2022
A randomized, phase II trial of oral azacitidine (CC-486) in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma at high risk for recurrence
Heumann T, Baretti M, Sugar E, Durham J, Linden S, Lopez-Vidal T, Leatherman J, Cope L, Sharma A, Weekes C, O’Dwyer P, Reiss K, Monga D, Ahuja N, Azad N. A randomized, phase II trial of oral azacitidine (CC-486) in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma at high risk for recurrence. Clinical Epigenetics 2022, 14: 166. PMID: 36463226, PMCID: PMC9719150, DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01367-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsResectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaCC-486OBS patientsMetastatic settingAdjuvant therapyTreatment-related grade 3Randomized phase II studyMedian age 66Next-line therapyResultsForty-nine patientsMedian treatment durationPhase II studyEvidence of diseaseHigh-risk featuresPhase II trialProgression-free survivalStandard adjuvant therapyPancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaCancer recursEvaluable patientsMedian OSMedian PFSOral azacitidineR1 resectionSubsequent chemotherapy
2019
A phase 1 trial of the oral DNA methyltransferase inhibitor CC‐486 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in advanced solid tumors
Gaillard SL, Zahurak M, Sharma A, Durham J, Reiss K, Sartorius‐Mergenthaler S, Downs M, Anders N, Ahuja N, Rudek M, Azad N. A phase 1 trial of the oral DNA methyltransferase inhibitor CC‐486 and the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin in advanced solid tumors. Cancer 2019, 125: 2837-2845. PMID: 31012962, PMCID: PMC6663621, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32138.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdministration, OralAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnorexiaAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsAzacitidineDepsipeptidesDNA Modification MethylasesDrug Administration ScheduleFemaleHistone Deacetylase InhibitorsHumansLong Interspersed Nucleotide ElementsMaleMaximum Tolerated DoseMethyltransferasesMiddle AgedNauseaNeoplasmsConceptsHistone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsinDisease control rateAdvanced solid tumorsPhase 1 studyCC-486Solid tumorsDose-escalation portionPhase 2 doseDose-limiting toxicityPossible clinical benefitPhase 1 trialDose-escalation designElement-1 methylationLINE-1 methylationStable diseaseCommon toxicitiesDose expansionExpansion cohortPrimary outcomeClinical benefitControl rateDrug exposureBlood samplesDay 1Dose levels
2018
A Phase I Trial of a Guadecitabine (SGI-110) and Irinotecan in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Previously Exposed to Irinotecan
Lee V, Wang J, Zahurak M, Gootjes E, Verheul H, Parkinson R, Kerner Z, Sharma A, Rosner G, De Jesus-Acosta A, Laheru D, Le DT, Oganesian A, Lilly E, Brown T, Jones P, Baylin S, Ahuja N, Azad N. A Phase I Trial of a Guadecitabine (SGI-110) and Irinotecan in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Previously Exposed to Irinotecan. Clinical Cancer Research 2018, 24: 6160-6167. PMID: 30097434, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0421.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetastatic colorectal cancerNeutropenic feverMetastatic colorectal cancer patientsDurable partial responseMost common toxicitiesDose-escalation studyColorectal cancer patientsInjection site reactionsOngoing phase IIPhase I trialInitial disease progressionCycles of treatmentCommon toxicitiesDrain infectionEvaluable patientsStable diseaseColonic obstructionPartial responseI trialMulticenter trialColorectal cancerGastrointestinal cancerSite reactionsCancer patientsDisease progressionA novel epigenetic modulating agent sensitizes pancreatic cells to a chemotherapy agent
Thakar M, Hu Y, Morreale M, Lerner L, Lin W, Sen R, Cai Y, Karunasena E, Thakar M, Saggi S, Keer H, Ahuja N. A novel epigenetic modulating agent sensitizes pancreatic cells to a chemotherapy agent. PLOS ONE 2018, 13: e0199130. PMID: 29927979, PMCID: PMC6013229, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199130.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaDNA methyltransferase 1Chemotherapeutic agent irinotecanEpigenetic modulating agentsPDAC cell linesCell viabilityMechanism of actionSystemic chemotherapyCancer mortalityChemotherapy responseDuctal adenocarcinomaChemotherapy agentsEpigenetic sensitizationModulating agentsGuadecitabineAdditional studiesPancreatic cellsSerial concentrationsRest periodCell linesNanomolar concentrationsImproved responseEpigenetic modulatorsSensitizationMethyltransferase 1
2017
Combination Epigenetic Therapy in Advanced Breast Cancer with 5-Azacitidine and Entinostat: A Phase II National Cancer Institute/Stand Up to Cancer Study
Connolly RM, Li H, Jankowitz RC, Zhang Z, Rudek MA, Jeter SC, Slater SA, Powers P, Wolff AC, Fetting JH, Brufsky A, Piekarz R, Ahuja N, Laird PW, Shen H, Weisenberger DJ, Cope L, Herman JG, Somlo G, Garcia AA, Jones PA, Baylin SB, Davidson NE, Zahnow CA, Stearns V. Combination Epigenetic Therapy in Advanced Breast Cancer with 5-Azacitidine and Entinostat: A Phase II National Cancer Institute/Stand Up to Cancer Study. Clinical Cancer Research 2017, 23: 2691-2701. PMID: 27979916, PMCID: PMC5457329, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1729.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTriple-negative breast cancerObjective response rateCombination epigenetic therapyEstrogen receptorEndocrine therapyPrimary endpointPartial responseMulticenter phase II studyEpigenetic therapyAdditional partial responsesHormone-resistant diseasePhase II studyTime of progressionBreast cancer modelClin Cancer ResHistone deacetylase inhibitorsImportant therapeutic targetPosttreatment biopsiesTNBC cohortII studyBreast cancerDNA methyltransferase inhibitorTherapeutic targetResponse rateCancer modelHypomethylating agents synergize with irinotecan to improve response to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer cells
Sharma A, Vatapalli R, Abdelfatah E, McMahon K, Kerner Z, Guzzetta A, Singh J, Zahnow C, Baylin S, Yerram S, Hu Y, Azad N, Ahuja N. Hypomethylating agents synergize with irinotecan to improve response to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer cells. PLOS ONE 2017, 12: e0176139. PMID: 28445481, PMCID: PMC5405959, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176139.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntineoplastic AgentsATP-Binding Cassette TransportersAzacitidineCaco-2 CellsCamptothecinCell AdhesionCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationColorectal NeoplasmsDNA MethylationDNA RepairGene ExpressionGene Expression ProfilingHCT116 CellsHumansIrinotecanLong Interspersed Nucleotide ElementsMiceMice, Inbred NODMice, SCIDConceptsCRC cell linesColorectal cancerMultiple CRC cell linesPhase 1/2 clinical trialCell linesMetastatic colorectal cancerMajority of patientsNOD-SCID miceColorectal cancer cellsSoft agar assayInitial therapyMetastatic settingCytotoxic chemotherapyCRC treatmentClinical efficacyCancer deathTumor regressionClinical trialsDNA demethylating agentVivo xenograftsChemotherapeutic agentsCancer cellsHCT116 cell linesAgar assayChemotherapyCombination epigenetic therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with subcutaneous 5-azacitidine and entinostat; a phase 2 consortium/stand Up 2 cancer study
Azad NS, el-Khoueiry A, Yin J, Oberg AL, Flynn P, Adkins D, Sharma A, Weisenberger DJ, Brown T, Medvari P, Jones PA, Easwaran H, Kamel I, Bahary N, Kim G, Picus J, Pitot HC, Erlichman C, Donehower R, Shen H, Laird PW, Piekarz R, Baylin S, Ahuja N. Combination epigenetic therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with subcutaneous 5-azacitidine and entinostat; a phase 2 consortium/stand Up 2 cancer study. Oncotarget 2017, 5: 35326-35338. PMID: 28186961, PMCID: PMC5471058, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15108.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCombination epigenetic therapyMetastatic colorectal cancerRECIST responseCRC patientsMedian progression-free survivalCycles of therapySignificant clinical activityMetastatic CRC patientsProgression-free survivalSubset of patientsM2 days 1Serial tumor biopsiesMulti-institutional studyHistone deacetylase inhibitor entinostatEpigenetic therapyColorectal cell linesSubcutaneous azacitidinePrimary endpointPrior therapyLiver involvementOverall survivalTolerable therapySerial biopsiesColorectal cancerClinical activity
2014
Immune regulation by low doses of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacitidine in common human epithelial cancers
Li H, Chiappinelli KB, Guzzetta AA, Easwaran H, Yen RW, Vatapalli R, Topper MJ, Luo J, Connolly RM, Azad NS, Stearns V, Pardoll DM, Davidson N, Jones PA, Slamon DJ, Baylin SB, Zahnow CA, Ahuja N. Immune regulation by low doses of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacitidine in common human epithelial cancers. Oncotarget 2014, 5: 587-598. PMID: 24583822, PMCID: PMC3996658, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1782.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDNA methyltransferase inhibitorImmune gene setsImmune-stimulatory roleCytokines/chemokinesCancer-testis antigensGene expression subsetsMethyltransferase inhibitorEpigenetic therapyHuman epithelial cancersMechanism of actionCancer cell linesPrimary tumorGene Set Enrichment AnalysisImmunomodulatory pathwaysImmune regulationPotential therapyTestis antigensPatient biopsiesSolid tumorsEpithelial cancersMultiple cancersLow dosesTumor expression dataAntigen processingTherapy
2012
Transient Low Doses of DNA-Demethylating Agents Exert Durable Antitumor Effects on Hematological and Epithelial Tumor Cells
Tsai HC, Li H, Van Neste L, Cai Y, Robert C, Rassool FV, Shin JJ, Harbom KM, Beaty R, Pappou E, Harris J, Yen RW, Ahuja N, Brock MV, Stearns V, Feller-Kopman D, Yarmus LB, Lin YC, Welm AL, Issa JP, Minn I, Matsui W, Jang YY, Sharkis SJ, Baylin SB, Zahnow CA. Transient Low Doses of DNA-Demethylating Agents Exert Durable Antitumor Effects on Hematological and Epithelial Tumor Cells. Cancer Cell 2012, 21: 430-446. PMID: 22439938, PMCID: PMC3312044, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2011.12.029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntimetabolites, AntineoplasticApoptosisAzacitidineBone Marrow CellsBreast NeoplasmsCell CycleCell Line, TumorCell Transformation, NeoplasticDecitabineDNA DamageDNA MethylationDNA Modification MethylasesGene SilencingHumansLeukemiaMiceMolecular Sequence DataNeoplastic Stem CellsPromoter Regions, GeneticSignal TransductionTumor Cells, CulturedConceptsKey cellular regulatory pathwaysDNA methylation inhibitorPromoter DNA hypermethylationCellular regulatory pathwaysDNA demethylating agentEpithelial tumor cellsPromoter DNA methylationRapid DNA damageCancer stem-like cellsGene reexpressionDNA methylationStem-like cellsMethylation inhibitorDNA hypermethylationRegulatory pathwaysCancer therapy approachesAssociated geneDNA damageTumor cellsImmediate cytotoxicityNanomolar dosesTransient exposureCellsGenesMethylation
2008
Abnormal DNA Methylation of CD133 in Colorectal and Glioblastoma Tumors
Yi JM, Tsai HC, Glöckner S, Lin S, Ohm JE, Easwaran H, James CD, Costello JF, Riggins G, Eberhart CG, Laterra J, Vescovi AL, Ahuja N, Herman JG, Schuebel KE, Baylin SB. Abnormal DNA Methylation of CD133 in Colorectal and Glioblastoma Tumors. Cancer Research 2008, 68: 8094-8103. PMID: 18829568, PMCID: PMC2744404, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-6208.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAC133 AntigenAnimalsAntigens, CDAntineoplastic AgentsAzacitidineBrain NeoplasmsCaco-2 CellsCarcinomaColorectal NeoplasmsDecitabineDNA (Cytosine-5-)-MethyltransferasesDNA MethylationFemaleGene DeletionGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticGlioblastomaGlycoproteinsHCT116 CellsHT29 CellsHumansMiceMice, NudePeptidesTumor Cells, CulturedXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysConceptsDNA methylationMethylation patternsPromoter DNA methylation patternsHistone modification marksDNA methylation patternsDNA methylation changesDNA methylation statusPromoter CpG islandsAberrant DNA methylationAbnormal DNA methylationCultured colon cancerStem-like cell populationTranscription stateModification marksPromoter signaturesCpG islandsSuch methylationIndividual cell linesMethylation changesAberrant genesDifferentiated progenyMethylationMarker proteinsMethylation statusGenes