Phase 1/2 study of the WT1 peptide cancer vaccine WT4869 in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

WT4869 is a synthetic peptide vaccine derived from the Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) protein. This phase 1/2 open-label study evaluated the safety and efficacy of WT4869, and biomarkers for response, in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. WT4869 (5-1200 μg/dose) was administered intradermally every 2 weeks, according to a 3 + 3 dose-escalation method in higher-risk (International Prognostic Scoring System score ≥1.

Akt is an endogenous inhibitor toward tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis in rheumatoid synovial cells.

Akt is known to be activated in the rheumatoid synovial tissues. We examined here functional role of Akt during tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis in rheumatoid synovial cells. Rheumatoid synovial cells in vitro were rapidly committed to apoptosis in response to TRAIL in mitochondria-dependent manner whereas Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were also phosphorylated.