Sertraline/chloroquine combination therapy to target hypoxic and immunosuppressive serine/glycine synthesis-dependent glioblastomas.

The serine/glycine (ser/gly) synthesis pathway branches from glycolysis and is hyperactivated in approximately 30% of cancers. In ~13% of glioblastoma cases, we observed frequent amplifications and rare mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme PSPH, which catalyzes the last step in the synthesis of serine. This urged us to unveil the relevance of PSPH genetic alterations and subsequent ser/gly metabolism deregulation in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma.

Prevalence of the hepatitis C virus NS3 polymorphism Q80K in genotype 1 patients in the European region.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 polymorphism Q80K is mainly found in patients with HCV genotype (G) 1a, and has been associated with a reduced treatment response to simeprevir with pegylated interferon (P) and ribavirin (R). Prevalence of Q80K among G1 patients may vary geographically. Q80K prevalence in the North-American G1 population in a recent study was 34%.

Risk factors predictive of anemia development during telaprevir plus peginterferon/ribavirin therapy in treatment-experienced patients.

Background & Aims: Anemia is a common adverse event associated with telaprevir-based triple therapy of chronic, genotype 1 hepatitis C. Identification of patients at risk of developing anemia could allow evaluation of suitability for therapy, and aid in determining frequency of anemia monitoring and treatment management.

Methods: This post-hoc analysis utilized data from the no lead-in telaprevir, peginterferon and ribavirin arm of the REALIZE study.