P=N/A, N=120, Recruiting, University of Nottingham

Curcumin combined with thalidomide can synergistically down-regulate the expression of STAT3 and Bcl-xL, inhibit the proliferation of KG-1 cells, and induce apoptosis.

P=N/A, N=40, Not yet recruiting, Children's Hospital of Fudan University

P3, N=177, Active, not recruiting, University of Arkansas | Trial completion date: Aug 2024 --> Aug 2025 | Trial primary completion date: Aug 2024 --> Aug 2025

In conclusion, innate and adaptive immune cell type composition at baseline may be a major contributor to response to adalimumab in axSpA patients. A model including clinical and gene expression variables should also be considered.

The vast majority of current cereblon (CRBN) ligands is based on the thalidomide scaffold, relying on glutarimide as the core binding moiety...In this new orientation it forms additional hydrophobic interactions and is not available for direct interactions with the canonical neo-substrates. We therefore propose this chemotype as an attractive building block for the design of PROTACs.

TNF inhibitor use increases birthweight in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis independently of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.

The established prediction model accurately predicted the risk of flares after TNFi dose tapering in patients with axSpA using eight simple clinical parameters, which could be helpful to select appropriate patients for tapering their TNFi without flare in daily clinical practice.

P3, N=306, Active, not recruiting, National Cancer Institute (NCI)

P1, N=96, Completed, Prometheus Biosciences, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey USA) | Active, not recruiting --> Completed

We have demonstrated that TNF induces trastuzumab resistance through mucin 4 (MUC4) upregulation and it is an independent biomarker of poor response to therapy in HER2+ breast cancer...TNF blockade was achieved with etanercept (E), which blocks the soluble (sTNF) and transmembrane isoform of TNF, or with the dominant negative protein INB03 (DN) which neutralizes only sTNF...MUC4 is associated with poorly-infiltrated TNBC, and sTNF blockade downregulates its expression decreasing MTS when combined with anti-PD-1. We propose the TNF as a new target for the treatment of TNBC, and MUC4 as a predictive biomarker to guide a combined treatment of TNF blockers with immunotherapy.

Thalidomide regimen or bortezomib regimen combined with rhEPO has similar clinical efficacy on MM, but bortezomib regimen combined with rhEPO is more prominent and safer on improving tumor-related biochemical indicators, bone marrow-related indicators and coagulation status in patients with MM.

We identified 102 differentially expressed genes involved in the response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBDs and validated CEACAM8, LCN2, LTF2, and PRTN3. Genes participating in defense response to Gram-negative bacterium, serine-type endopeptidase activity, and transcriptional misregulation in cancer are good candidates for anticipating the response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBDs.

of affected patients with undetermined clinical forms-IND (n = 13) mild heart form-CARD1 (n = 13) and severe cardiac form-CARD2 (n = 16), treated in vitro with two TNF blockers, Adalimumab (ADA) and Etanercept (ETA) alone or in association with Benznidazole (BZ). The association with BZ decreased levels of IL-2/TNF and increased IL-4. These data reinforce the participation of TNF in severe Chagas heart disease and bring perspectives on using these blockers in the immunological treatment of Chagas disease since the use of BZ is extremely limited in these patients.

To overcome these challenges, we conjugated a STAT3-specific decoy to thalidomide, a ligand to cereblon in E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, to generate a proteolysis-targeting chimera (STAT3DPROTAC)...Finally, local C-STAT3DPROTAC administration to human Ly3 lymphoma-bearing mice triggered tumor regression, while control C-STAT3D and C-SCR treatments had limited effects. Our results underscore the feasibility of using a PROTAC strategy for cell-selective, decoy oligonucleotide-based STAT3 targeting of and potentially other tumorigenic transcription factors for cancer therapy.

P2, N=30, Recruiting, Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing

P1, N=30, Recruiting, SFA Therapeutics | Trial completion date: Mar 2024 --> Jul 2024 | Trial primary completion date: Dec 2023 --> Jun 2024

P=N/A, N=130, Recruiting, Henan Cancer Hospital

However, paradoxical psoriasis induced by TNF-i has been described and is not uncommon, particularly with infliximab and etanercept. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(2): doi:10.36849/JDD.7645.

Dual luciferase verification revealed that there was a targeting relationship between miR-524-5p and FSTL1. In conclusion, that can up-regulate the expression of miR-524-5p to reduce the expression of FSTL1 protein, inhibit the invasion of gastric cancer cells, and achieve alleviation of the disease.

P1, N=14, Completed, Washington University School of Medicine | Active, not recruiting --> Completed

This document sought to pull together the best evidence, experts' opinions, and treating physicians' attitudes when using anti-TNF therapies in patients with CD.

In this real world cohort, there were numerical improvements in efficacy outcomes with abatacept over TNFi in patients with RA who were SE + and ACPA+, similar to results from a clinical trial population The only statistically significant finding after adjusting for covariates was greater improvement in CDAI with abatacept versus TNFi in the bio-experienced PS-trimmed cohort.

The concept of induced protein degradation by small molecules has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy that is particularly effective in targeting proteins previously considered "undruggable." Thalidomide analogs, employed in the treatment of multiple myeloma, stand as prime examples...These include heterobifunctional degraders, polymerization-induced degradation, ligand-dependent degradation of nuclear hormone receptors, disruption of protein interactions, and various other strategies. In this Review, we will provide a concise overview of various degradation modalities, their clinical applications, and potential future directions in the field of protein degradation.

Thalidomide and its analogs are molecular glues (MGs) that lead to targeted ubiquitination and degradation of key cancer proteins via the cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase...In this platform, automated, high throughput, and nano scale synthesis of hundreds of pomalidomide-based MGs was combined with rapid phenotypic screening, enabling an unprecedented fast identification of potent CRBN-acting MGs...This revealed E14 as a potent MG degrader targeting IKZF1/3, GSPT1 and 2 with profound effects on a panel of cancer cells. In a more generalized view, integration of automated, nanoscale synthesis with phenotypic assays has the potential to accelerate MGs discovery.

Thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide, these three CRBN-binding MGDs, were clinically approved to treat several intractable diseases (including multiple myeloma). Several other MGDs and CRBN-based PROTACs (ARV-110 and AVR-471) are undergoing clinical trials. In addition, several new related technologies regarding PROTACs and MGDs have also been developed, and achievements of protein degraders impact not only therapeutic fields but also basic biological science. In this article, I introduce the history of protein degraders, from the development of thalidomide to the latest PROTACs and related technologies.

Herein we first disclosed the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of thalidomide-based PROTAC molecules and identified B1 as a highly efficient HPK1 degrader with DC value of 1.8 nM. Further mechanism investigation demonstrated that compound B1 inhibits phosphorylation of the SLP76 protein with IC value of 496.1 nM, and confirmed that B1 is a bona fide HPK1-PROTAC degrader. Thus, this study provides a basis for HPK1 degraders development and the candidate could be used as a potential chemical tool for further investigation of the kinase-independent signaling of HPK1 in TCR.

The effects of a slow-releasing HS donor, GYY4137, on the expression of antiapoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes and proteins, such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax), as well as caspases, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, monocytes/macrophages, and endothelial cells, in the spinal cord of male Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin-induced peripheral diabetic neuropathy, were investigated using reverse transcription-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry...In summary, the current study demonstrated the protective properties of HS, which prevented the development of neuropathy related behavior, and suppressed apoptosis activation pathways and inflammation in the spinal cord. HS-releasing drugs could be considered as possible treatment options of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The role of endocytosis in the mechanisms of protection of cells by H2S and Hsp70 donors from the action of LPS was studied. It has been found that GYY4137 pretreatment of LPS-exposed cells reduces the LPS-induced induction of various pro-inflammatory genes and affects the expression of genes of various intracellular signaling pathways.

Our study underscores the pivotal role of solTNF in the dissemination of M.tb to other organs. This preliminary investigation sheds light on the involvement of solTNF in the mechanisms underlying M.tb dissemination, although further in-depth research is warranted to fully elucidate its role in this process.

Overall survival of our patients was 4.1 months and overall survival of patients treated with VTD (bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone) and VCD (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) regimen was 3.4 and 4.1 months, respectively, which was not statically significant ( p -value 0.816). Conclusion  Because of rarity of the disease, prospective studies are very limited and hence management and outcome of the disease are difficult to analyze. The current treatment protocols have no survival advantage and hence newer therapeutic approach is mandatory to attain better outcome.

Unlike previously reported cases, these two patients required additional drugs like Thalidomide along with steroids, and their response to treatment was not as rapid...Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for GHDD in cases of refractory anemia or myelofibrosis-like features, especially in adults with an earlier history of anemia. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial to mitigate morbidity and improve patients' quality of life

Female and male rats subjected to 28 days of CRS or STS were intrathecal injected with glycyrrhizin (inhibitor of HMGB1), thalidomide (inhibitor of the TNFα synthesis), and R7050 (TNFR1 antagonist), in all the cases, an antiallodynic effect was observed...Data suggest that the spinal HMGB1/TNFα/TNFR1 signaling pathway plays a relevant role in the maintenance of CRS and STS-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity in rats. These proteins could be helpful in developing pain treatments for fibromyalgia in humans.

P3, N=452, Active, not recruiting, National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Patients treated with both CTLA-4Ig and TNFi did not differ in disease activity response and changes in traditional CV risk factors after 12 months of treatment. However, CTL-A-4Ig treatment is associated with a favorable change in lipid profile at 12-month follow-up.

Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) amnion transcriptomic profiles were remarkably similar in both Rhesus and human subjects and revealed that induction of key labor-mediating genes such as IL1 and IL6 was dependent on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling and reversed by the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody Adalimumab...Interestingly, single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry, and immunohistology demonstrated that a subset of amnion mesenchymal cells (AMCs) increase CD14 and other myeloid cell markers during IUI both in the human and Rhesus macaque. Our data suggest that CD14 AMCs represent activated AMCs at the maternal-fetal interface.

Moreover, we observed tendency for reduced expression after incubation with anti-TNF in the group of CD patients, in contrast to the control group. Our results suggest that response to anti-TNF therapy in CD patients may be an effect of variants of the CASP9 gene as a key effector of the internal pathway of apoptosis; however, further population and functional research are necessary.

In ORAL Surveillance, 4362 patients aged ⩾50 years with active RA despite methotrexate, and ⩾1 additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, were randomized 1:1:1 to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily or TNFi for up to 72 months. The relationship between active disease and AEs was not impacted by treatment with tofacitinib versus TNFi. NCT02092467.

We included all pts with ≥2 paired bone marrow samples before and after an IMiD-based treatment (lenalidomide [LEN], thalidomide [T], pomalidomide [POM]) (baseline and relapse samples) and analyzed the patterns of molecular lesions of 42 CRBNPGs (based on Sievers et al. Notably, new/enriched mutations in other genes, beyond CRBNPGs, with known roles as MM drivers cannot be excluded as alternative explanations for these relapses. Additional and more complex, genomic or non-genomic, mechanisms may account for relapse from IMiD-based regimens.