The purpose of this study is to determine whether TH-302 in combination with pemetrexed is safe and effective in the treatment of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

The primary objective of the study is to compare the overall response rate (inclusive of complete response, partial response and hematologic improvement) per IWG 2006 criteria in patients with higher risk MDS treated with azacitidine with or without deferasirox achieved over the course of one year. Hematologic improvement must be maintained for at least 8 weeks.

With earlier-stage cancer diagnosis and improved efficacy of chemotherapy, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity has increasingly become a significa nt cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. For example, the cardiac mortality of long-term pediatric cancer survivors is estimated to be more than eight times higher than expected. A major challenge in reducing therapy-associated cardiotoxicity is the paucity of knowledge about the molecular players and pathways that can mitigate the undesired effects of doxorubicin on myocardium.

Approximately, 15-20% of all breast cancers account for triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) that exhibit aggressive, distinct metastatic pattern and poor prognosis resulting in disproportionate number of breast cancer deaths. Despite, a better chemotherapy response rate in early-stages, >60% of patients with TNBCs develop chemoresistance leading to early relapse and shorter survival. Understanding the mechanisms underlying such resistance is therefore crucial for the development of new, efficacious cancer drugs.

Folate, as part of the one carbon cycle, is critical for the de novo synthesis of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). SAM, in turn, provides the methyl group for DNA methylation, a key mode of epigenetic regulation. Studies have shown that manipulation of folate levels during gestation alters the epigenetic status of genes, and that treatment with methyl donors in adulthood reverses DNA methylation changes. Given the effect of folate levels on DNA methylation, it is not surprising that dietary folate status influences the risk for several cancers. Folate is also essential for cell proliferation.

Instruction

Basic Research

Basic Research

DNA hypermethylation of promoter CpG islands is known to be associated with transcriptional silencing in endometrial cancer. We recently identified a unique set of CpG island loci that are hypermethylated in non- recurrent tumors but coordinately hypomethylated (or less methylated) in primary tumors that subsequently recurred. The loci can be highly susceptible to de novo DNA methylation (i.e., a default state) partly attributed to the high expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and Polycomb Repressor Complex 2 (PRC2).

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are those devoid of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 overexpression. They are heterogeneous cancers that disproportionately affect young women, African Americans and Hispanics. The prognosis for patients with metastatic TNBC is poor with only 30% surviving 5 years. There is an unmet need for more effective therapies for these breast cancers. Recent molecular profiling of TNBC tumors revealed 6 distinct subtypes with different molecular defects and identified cell lines representative of each of these subtypes.