Effects of inhibitors of FGFR3 on gene transcription

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/748,944, filed Dec. 8, 2005, which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates generally to the field of pharmacogenomics and in particular to the use of biomarkers for identifying patients suitable for treatment as well as to methods of following their response to methods of treatment.

An effort to understand an individual patient's response or disease progression is the topic of present day research. Indeed, the field of pharmacogenomics or pharmacogenetics utilizes genomic data, pharmacology, and medicine, and often relies on advanced research tools to correlate genetic variability to one or more of predisposition to a disease and/or its progression, as well as therapeutic response to a drug or therapeutic regimen. Typically, multiple genes are analyzed simultaneously in a large-scale, genome-wide approach.

Proliferative cell disorders such as cancers usually develop through the accumulation of a series of mutations in the patient's DNA within a subpopulation of cells. These mutations may confer a survival advantage on the cells that causes them to grow and spread in an uncontrolled manner that is deleterious to the surrounding tissues. The particular set of mutations may be unique to an individual patient's tumor. Cancers of the same tissue or organ in different individuals may have originated from different sets of mutations, though certain mutations may be prevalent among particular cancer types. The characteristic set of mutations will determine how the cancer cells behave, and in particular, their likelihood of response to a given therapeutic regimen.

One may characterize the genetic alterations in a tumor by using advanced research tools that measure the genetic sequence of the tumor's DNA, or the RNA or proteins that are the expression of the altered DNA. It is a goal of current research to identify characteristics of an individual's tumor that are predictive of the likelihood of that tumor's response to various therapeutic treatments. Thus, one or more genes would be identified where presence of particular genetic mutations in the DNA, or their levels of expression, either as RNA transcripts or as proteins, or a combination of these factors, would be predictive of the likelihood that a particular treatment would affect the tumor in a manner that would be beneficial to the patient.

One main purpose is to determine which variations in individuals or subpopulations, associated with their genetics or the genetic characteristics of their disease, factor into drug efficacy and to create suitable tests, including diagnostic tests. Drugs that are tailored for patients with a particular genetic sequence, or for diseases characterized by particular genetic alterations, may thus be produced. The tests may also be used to guide treatment decisions, such as which drug or drug combination is mostly likely to be beneficial to the patient, and what dosing and schedule is most appropriate. Diagnostic tests and genetic profiling will help avoid the expense and the potentially detrimental trial-and-error approach to the suitability of a particular treatment regimen or a particular dosage level.

While the era of customized drugs may be coming, methods that utilize genetic information to identify specific individuals or subgroups for a particular type of treatment or optimization of a treatment may be immediately put to use today.

An individual's response to a particular treatment or predisposition to disease and the correlation to a particular gene of interest has been documented. It is now believed that cancer chemotherapy is limited by the predisposition of specific populations to drug toxicity or poor drug response. For a review of the use of germline polymorphisms in clinical oncology, see Lenz, H.-J. (2004) J. Clin. Oncol. 22(13):2519-2521. For a review of pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomics in therapeutic antibody development for the treatment of cancer, see Yan and Beckman (2005) Biotechniques 39:565-568.

Results from numerous studies suggest several genes may play a major role in the principal pathways of cancer progression and recurrence, and that the corresponding germ-line polymorphisms may lead to significant differences at transcriptional and/or translational levels. Polymorphism has been linked to cancer susceptibility (oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genes of enzymes involved in metabolic pathways) of individuals. In patients younger than 35 years, several markers for increased cancer risk have been identified. Cytochrome P4501A1 and gluthathione S-transferase M1 genotypes influence the risk of developing prostate cancer in younger patients. Similarly, mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, p53, are associated with brain tumors in young adults.

This approach may be extended to mutations that are specific to cancer cells, and not otherwise found in the patient's genome. For instance, it has been demonstrated clinically in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treated with the drug Gleevec (imatinib mesylate; Novartis) that particular activating mutations in the genes KIT and PDGFA are linked to higher response rates to the drug, see J Clin Oncol. 2003 Dec. 1; 21(23):4342-9.

By measuring changes in gene expression of cancer cell lines induced by treatment with a particular therapeutic agent, one may characterize the cells' response to that agent. This approach provides insight into the mechanism of the drug, including what biological processes or pathways it impacts. Such information can help guide the treatment of patients, by providing expectations as to which genes will change in response to treatment. An assay of those genes from a sample collected from a patient post-treatment could then be used to determine whether the drug was having the intended effect, and by extension, whether the dose or schedule should be altered, or the regimen discontinued. This approach would improve efficacy by ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate treatment.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a method of identifying a patient for treatment. The method may optionally include an administration of an FGFR3 inhibitor to the patient prior to measurement of gene expression on a sample obtained from the patient. The gene expression analysis is intended to detect the presence and/or alteration in level of expression of biomarkers disclosed herein. Notable detection or alteration in the levels compared to baseline levels is indicative of the candidacy of the patient for treatment.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of monitoring response of a patient to treatment. The method may include the step of administration of an FGFR3 inhibitor to the patient prior to measurement of gene expression on a sample obtained from the patient. Alternatively, monitoring may be conducted on a sample obtained from a patient who has previously been treated so that an administration step by one practicing the method of monitoring response is not required. Detection of an alteration in the level of expression of at least one biomarker compared to baseline is indicative of a favorable response of the patient to the treatment.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of utilizing a biomarker in treatment of a patient. An FGFR3 inhibitor may be administered and gene expression level of one or more biomarkers tested. Thereafter, the same or a different inhibitor may be administered in the treatment.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of treatment for multiple myeloma. The method utilizes an agent that alters the level of expression of one or more of the identified biomarkers.

A method of adjusting a dosage amount of an inhibitor of FGFR3 for treatment of a cell proliferative disorder in a patient is also taught herein. The method comprises administering an initial amount of the inhibitor of FGFR3 to the patient, monitoring gene expression on a sample from the patient for at least one of the identified biomarkers and adjusting the dosage amount for subsequent administration to the patient, depending on the level of expression of the biomarker or biomarkers that has occurred upon administration of the initial amount.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method of utilizing a biomarker to identify an FGFR3 inhibitory compound for potential treatment or further development.

The invention is an example of translational medicine at work, wherein patients may be treated selectively based on their particular genetic profile.

Definitions and Techniques

The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology and recombinant DNA, which are within the skill of the art. See e.g., Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2 nd edition (1989); CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (F. M. Ausubel et al. eds., (1987)); the series METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY (Academic Press, Inc.): PCR 2: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (M. J. MacPherson, B. D. Hames and G. R. Taylor eds. (1995)), Harlow and Lane, eds. (1988) ANTIBODIES, A LABORATORY MANUAL and ANIMAL CELL CULTURE (R. I. Freshney, ed. (1987)).

As used herein, certain terms have the following defined meanings.

As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a cell” includes a plurality of cells, including mixtures thereof.

All numerical designations, e.g., pH, temperature, time, concentration, and molecular weight, including ranges, are approximations which are varied (+) or (−) by increments of 0.1. It is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated that all numerical designations are preceded by the term “about”. It also is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that the reagents described herein are merely exemplary and that equivalents of such are known in the art.

The terms “polynucleotide” and “oligonucleotide” are used interchangeably and refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides can have any three-dimensional structure and may perform any function, known or unknown. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: a gene or gene fragment (for example, a probe, primer, EST or SAGE tag), exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. A polynucleotide can comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. If present, modifications to the nucleotide structure can be imparted before or after assembly of the polymer. The sequence of nucleotides can be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide can be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component. The term also refers to both double- and single-stranded molecules. Unless otherwise specified or required, any embodiment of this invention that is a polynucleotide encompasses both the double-stranded form and each of two complementary single-stranded forms known or predicted to make up the double-stranded form.

A polynucleotide is composed of a specific sequence of four nucleotide bases: adenine (A); cytosine (C); guanine (G); thymine (T); and uracil (U) for guanine when the polynucleotide is RNA. Thus, the term “polynucleotide sequence” is the alphabetical representation of a polynucleotide molecule. This alphabetical representation can be input into databases in a computer having a central processing unit and used for bioinformatics applications such as functional genomics and homology searching.

A “gene” refers to a polynucleotide containing at least one open reading frame (ORF) that is capable of encoding a particular polypeptide or protein after being transcribed and translated. A polynucleotide sequence may be used to identify larger fragments or full-length coding sequences of the gene with which they are associated. Methods of isolating larger fragment sequences are known to those of skill in the art.

A “gene product” or alternatively a “gene expression product” refers to the amino acid (e.g., peptide or polypeptide) generated when a gene is transcribed and translated.

The term “polypeptide” is used interchangeably with the term “protein” and in its broadest sense refers to a compound of two or more subunit amino acids, amino acid analogs, or peptidomimetics. The subunits may be linked by peptide bonds. In another embodiment, the subunit may be linked by other bonds, e.g., ester, ether, etc.

As used herein the term “amino acid” refers to either natural and/or unnatural or synthetic amino acids, and both the D and L optical isomers, amino acid analogs, and peptidomimetics.

A peptide of three or more amino acids is commonly called an oligopeptide if the peptide chain is short. If the peptide chain is long, the peptide is commonly called a polypeptide or a protein.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the methods include the recited elements, but do not exclude others. “Consisting essentially of” when used to define compositions and methods, shall mean excluding other elements of any essential significance to the combination. Thus, for example, a composition consisting essentially of elements as listed would not exclude trace contaminants from the isolation and purification method and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as phosphate buffered saline, preservatives and the like. “Consisting of” shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other ingredients and substantial method steps of this invention. Embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this invention.

The term “isolated” means separated from constituents, cellular and otherwise, in which the polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody or fragment(s) thereof, are normally associated within nature. In one aspect of this invention, an isolated polynucleotide is separated from the 3′ and 5′ contiguous nucleotides with which it is normally associated within its native or natural environment, e.g., on the chromosome. As is apparent to those of skill in the art, a non-naturally occurring polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody, or fragment(s) thereof, does not require “isolation” to distinguish it from its naturally occurring counterpart. In addition, a “concentrated”, “separated” or “diluted” polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody or fragment(s) thereof, is distinguishable from its naturally occurring counterpart in that the concentration or number of molecules per volume is greater in a “concentrated” version or less than in a “separated” version than that of its naturally occurring counterpart. A polynucleotide, peptide, polypeptide, protein, antibody, or fragment(s) thereof, which differs from the naturally occurring counterpart in its primary sequence or, for example, by its glycosylation pattern, need not be present in its isolated form since it is distinguishable from its naturally occurring counterpart by its primary sequence or, alternatively, by another characteristic such as glycosylation pattern. Thus, a non-naturally occurring polynucleotide is provided as a separate embodiment from the isolated naturally occurring polynucleotide. A protein produced in a bacterial cell is provided as a separate embodiment from the naturally occurring protein isolated from a eukaryotic cell in which it is produced in nature.

A “probe” when used in the context of polynucleotide manipulation refers to an oligonucleotide that is provided as a reagent to detect a target potentially present in a sample of interest by hybridizing with the target. Usually, a probe will comprise a label or a means by which a label can be attached, either before or subsequent to the hybridization reaction. Suitable labels include, but are not limited to radioisotopes, fluorochromes, chemiluminescent compounds, dyes, and proteins, including enzymes.

A “primer” is a short polynucleotide, generally with a free 3′-OH group that binds to a target or “template” potentially present in a sample of interest by hybridizing with the target, and thereafter promoting polymerization of a polynucleotide complementary to the target. A “polymerase chain reactior” (“PCR”) is a reaction in which replicate copies are made of a target polynucleotide using a “pair of primers” or a “set of primers” consisting of an “upstream” and a “downstream” primer, and a catalyst of polymerization, such as a DNA polymerase, and typically a thermally-stable polymerase enzyme. Methods for PCR are well known in the art, and taught, for example in “ PCR: A PRACTICAL APPROACH ” (M. MacPherson et al, IRL Press at Oxford University Press (1991)). All processes of producing replicate copies of a polynucleotide, such as PCR or gene cloning, are collectively referred to herein as “replication.” A primer can also be used as a probe in hybridization reactions, such as Southern or Northern blot analyses. Sambrook et al., supra.

As used herein, “expression” refers to the process by which polynucleotides are transcribed into mRNA and/or the process by which the transcribed mRNA is subsequently translated into peptides, polypeptides or proteins. If the polynucleotide is derived from genomic DNA, expression may include splicing of the mRNA in a eukaryotic cell. “Differentially expressed” as applied to a gene, refers to the differential production of the mRNA transcribed and/or translated from the gene or the protein product encoded by the gene. A differentially expressed gene may be overexpressed or underexpressed as compared to the expression level of a normal or control cell. However, as used herein overpression generally is at least 1.25 fold or, alternatively, at least 1.5 fold or, alternatively, at least 2 fold expression, or alternatively, at least 4 fold expression over that detected in a normal or healthy counterpart cell or tissue. The term “differentially expressed” also refers to nucleotide sequences in a cell or tissue which are expressed where silent in a control cell or not expressed where expressed in a control cell.

A high expression level of the gene may occur because of over expression of the gene or an increase in gene copy number. The gene may also be translated into more protein because of deregulation of a negative regulator.

A “gene expression profile” refers to a pattern of expression of a set of genes that recurs in multiple samples and reflects a property shared by those samples, such as tissue type, response to a particular treatment, or activation of a particular biological process or pathway in the cells. Furthermore, a gene expression profile differentiates between samples that share that common property and those that do not with better accuracy than would likely be achieved by assigning the samples to the two groups at random. A gene expression profile may be used to predict whether samples of unknown status share that common property or not. Some variation between the levels of the individual genes of the set and the typical profile is to be expected, but the overall similarity of the expression levels to the typical profile is such that it is statistically unlikely that the similarity would be observed by chance in samples not sharing the common property that the expression profile reflects.

An expression “database” denotes a set of stored data that represent a collection of sequences, which in turn represent a collection of biological reference materials.

The term “cDNAs” refers to complementary DNA, i.e. mRNA molecules present in a cell or organism made into cDNA with an enzyme such as reverse transcriptase. A “cDNA library” is a collection of all of the mRNA molecules present in a cell or organism, all turned into cDNA molecules with the enzyme reverse transcriptase, then inserted into “vectors” (other DNA molecules that can continue to replicate after addition of foreign DNA). Exemplary vectors for libraries include bacteriophage (also known as “phage”), viruses that infect bacteria, for example, lambda phage. The library can then be probed for the specific cDNA (and thus mRNA) of interest.

As used herein, “solid phase support” or “solid support”, used interchangeably, is not limited to a specific type of support. Rather a large number of supports are available and are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Solid phase supports include silica gels, resins, derivatized plastic films, glass beads, cotton, plastic beads, alumina gels, microarrays, and chips. As used herein, “solid support” also includes synthetic antigen-presenting matrices, cells, and liposomes. A suitable solid phase support may be selected on the basis of desired end use and suitability for various protocols. For example, for peptide synthesis, solid phase support may refer to resins such as polystyrene (e.g., PAM-resin obtained from Bachem Inc., Peninsula Laboratories, etc.), POLYHIPE® resin (obtained from Aminotech, Canada), polyamide resin (obtained from Peninsula Laboratories), polystyrene resin grafted with polyethylene glycol (TentaGel®, Rapp Polymere, Tubingen, Germany), or polydimethylacrylamide resin (obtained from Milligen/Bioscarch, California).

A polynucleotide also can be attached to a solid support for use in high throughput screening assays. PCT WO 97/10365, for example, discloses the construction of high density oligonucleotide chips. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,783; 5,412,087; and 5,445,934. Using this method, the probes are synthesized on a derivatized glass surface to form chip arrays. Photoprotected nucleoside phosphoramidites are coupled to the glass surface, selectively deprotected by photolysis through a photo litho graphic mask and reacted with a second protected nucleoside phosphoramidite. The coupling/deprotection process is repeated until the desired probe is complete.

As an example, transcriptional activity may be assessed by measuring levels of messenger RNA using a gene chip such as the Affymetrix HG-U133-Plus-2 GeneChips. High-throughput, real-time quanititation of RNA (of hundreds of genes simultaneously) thus becomes possible in a reproducible system.

“Hybridization” refers to a reaction in which one or more polynucleotides react to form a complex that is stabilized via hydrogen bonding between the bases of the nucleotide residues. The hydrogen bonding may occur by Watson-Crick base pairing, Hoogstein binding or in any other sequence-specific manner. The complex may comprise two strands forming a duplex structure, three or more strands forming a multi-stranded complex, a single self-hybridizing strand, or any combination of these. A hybridization reaction may constitute a step in a more extensive process, such as the initiation of a PCR reaction or the enzymatic cleavage of a polynucleotide by a ribozyme.

Hybridization reactions can be performed under conditions of different “stringency”. In general, a low stringency hybridization reaction is carried out at about 40° C. in 10×SSC or a solution of equivalent ionic strength/temperature. A moderate stringency hybridization is typically performed at about 50° C. in 6×SSC, and a high stringency hybridization reaction is generally performed at about 60° C. in 1×SSC.

When hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides, the reaction is called “annealing” and those polynucleotides are described as “complementary”. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” or “homologous” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. “Complementarity” or “homology” (the degree that one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonding with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules.

A polynucleotide or polynucleotide region (or a polypeptide or polypeptide region) has a certain percentage (for example, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%) of “sequence identity” to another sequence means that, when aligned, that percentage of bases (or amino acids) are the same in comparing the two sequences. This alignment and the percent homology or sequence identity can be determined using software programs known in the art, for example those described in CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., 1987) Supplement 30, section 7.7.18, Table 7.7.1. Preferably, default parameters are used for alignment. A preferred alignment program is BLAST, using default parameters. In particular, preferred programs are BLASTN and BLASTP, using the following default parameters: Genetic code=standard; filter=none; strand=both; cutoff 60; expect=10; Matrix=BLOSUM62; Descriptions=50 sequences; sort by=HIGH SCORE; Databases=non-redundant, GenBank+EMBL+DDBJ+PDB+GenBank CDS translations+SwissProtein+SPupdate+PIR. Details of these programs can be found at the following Internet address: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/BLAST.

The term “cell proliferative disorders” shall include dysregulation of normal physiological function characterized by abnormal cell growth and/or division or loss of function. Examples of “cell proliferative disorders” includes but is not limited to hyperplasia, neoplasia, metaplasia, and various autoimmune disorders, e.g., those characterized by the dysregulation of T cell apoptosis.

Hyperplasia is a form of controlled cell proliferation involving an increase in cell number in a tissue or organ, without significant alteration in structure or function. Metaplasia is a form of controlled cell growth in which one type of fully differentiated cell substitutes for another type of differentiated cell. Metaplasia can occur in epithelial or connective tissue cells. Atypical metaplasia involves a somewhat disorderly metaplastic epithelium.

As used herein, the terms “neoplastic cells,” “neoplastic disease,” “neoplasia,” “tumor,” “tumor cells,” “cancer,” and “cancer cells,” (used interchangeably) refer to cells which exhibit relatively autonomous growth, so that they exhibit an aberrant growth phenotype characterized by a significant loss of control of cell proliferation (i.e., dc-regulated cell division). Neoplastic cells can be malignant or benign. A metastatic cell or tissue means that the cell can invade and destroy neighboring body structures.

“Suppressing” tumor growth indicates a growth state that is curtailed when compared to growth without contact with educated, antigen-specific immune effector cells. Tumor cell growth can be assessed by any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, measuring tumor size, determining whether tumor cells are proliferating using a 3 H-thymidine incorporation assay or counting tumor cells. “Suppressing” tumor cell growth means any or all of the following states: slowing, delaying and stopping tumor growth, as well as tumor shrinkage.

A “composition” is also intended to encompass a combination of active agent and another carrier, e.g., compound or composition, inert (for example, a detectable agent or label) or active, such as an adjuvant, diluent, binder, stabilizer, buffers, salts, lipophilic solvents, preservative, adjuvant or the like. Carriers also include pharmaceutical excipients and additives proteins, peptides, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates (e.g., sugars, including monosaccharides, di-, tri-, tetra-, and oligosaccharides; derivatized sugars such as alditols, aldonic acids, esterified sugars and the like; and polysaccharides or sugar polymers), which can be present singly or in combination, comprising alone or in combination 1-99.99% by weight or volume. Exemplary protein excipients include serum albumin such as human serum albumin (HSA), recombinant human albumin (rHA), gelatin, casein, and the like. Representative amino acid/antibody components, which can also function in a buffering capacity, include alanine, glycine, arginine, betaine, histidine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, cysteine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, aspartame, and the like. Carbohydrate excipients are also intended within the scope of this invention, examples of which include but are not limited to monosaccharides such as fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like; disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and the like; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol (glucitol) and myoinositol.

The term carrier further includes a buffer or a pH adjusting agent; typically, the buffer is a salt prepared from an organic acid or base. Representative buffers include organic acid salts such as salts of citric acid, ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, carbonic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, or phthalic acid; Tris, tromethamine hydrochloride, or phosphate buffers. Additional carriers include polymeric excipients/additives such as polyvinylpyrrolidones, ficolls (a polymeric sugar), dextrates (e.g., cyclodextrins, such as 2-hydroxypropyl-.quadrature.-cyclodextrin), polyethylene glycols, flavoring agents, antimicrobial agents, sweeteners, antioxidants, antistatic agents, surfactants (e.g., polysorbates such as “TWEEN 20” and “TWEEN 80”), lipids (e.g., phospholipids, fatty acids), steroids (e.g., cholesterol), and chelating agents (e.g., EDTA).

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” encompasses any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers, such as a phosphate buffered saline solution, water, and emulsions, such as an oil/water or water/oil emulsion, and various types of wetting agents.

The compositions also can include stabilizers and preservatives and any of the above noted carriers with the additional provisio that they be acceptable for use in vivo. For examples of carriers, stabilizers and adjuvants, see Martin REMINGTON'S PHARM. SCI., 15th Ed. (Mack Publ. Co., Easton (1975) and Williams & Williams, (1995), and in the “PHYSICIAN'S DESK REFERENCE”, 52 nd ed., Medical Economics, Montvale, N.J. (1998).

An “effective amount” is an amount sufficient to effect beneficial or desired results. An effective amount can be administered in one or more administrations, applications or dosages.

A “subject,” “individual” or “patient” is used interchangeably herein, which refers to a vertebrate, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human. Mammals include, but are not limited to, murines, simians, humans, farm animals, sport animals, and pets.

“FGFR3” is the acronym for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. The fibroblast growth factors are a family of polypeptide growth factors involved in a variety of activities, including mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and wound healing. They contain an extracellular domain with either 2 or 3 immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain. FGFR3 was cloned by Keegan et al., PNAS, 88:1095-1099 (1991). Inhibition of activated FGFR3 in t(4; 14) multiple myeloma patients is thought to lead to apoptosis. Trudel, et al., Blood, 105(7):2941-2948 (2005); Grand, et al., Leukemia, 18:962-966 (2004).

An “inhibitor” of FGFR3 as used herein binds or blocks or diminishes the effect of the FGFR3. Examples include, but are not limited to CHIR-258 and related compounds, SU-5402, PD-173074, and siRNA.

A “biomarker” is a distinctive indicator or specific feature or characteristic of a biological process or event. As used herein, a biomarker is a gene. A biomarker may be especially useful for measuring the progress of a disease or the response to a given treatment. In addition to assessing prognosis, in some instances, it may be used to diagnose an illness or screen for patients within a category, such as those most likely to respond to a certain type of treatment. A biomarker may also be useful in guiding the development or administration of an agent for treatment of a disease.

As noted above, the invention provides methods of identifying patients suitable for treatment and methods of monitoring response in patients receiving treatment. Also provided are methods of treatment and methods of adjusting dosage amounts by utilizing the biomarkers disclosed herein. Methods of identifying the appropriate inhibitory compound are also within the scope of the invention.

The present invention also provides a screen for various agents and methods that may supplement or replace the anti-FGFR3 therapy known in the art. In one aspect, the agent, alone or in combination with another agent or therapy method, is provided to the patient. After administration, a sample from the patient is screened for expression of one or more biomarkers identified herein and then compared to a pre-determined baseline.

Kits containing an FGFR3 inhibitor and instructions necessary to perform a method of the invention also are within the scope of the invention.

Further details regarding the practice of the invention are discussed below.

Biomarkers

Panels of genes have now been identified, whose expression correlates with the inhibition of FGFR3. The presence or absence of gene expression or the level or amount of gene expression of one or more of the biomarkers identified herein may be used to guide treatment decisions and measure responsiveness of the patient to a given type of treatment. For example, detection of the presence or lack thereof of gene expression or alteration of the level of gene expression compared to a predetermined baseline of one or more of the biomarkers identified in Tables I-V provides information regarding whether a patient may be a suitable candidate for treatment by CHIR-258 or another FGFR3 inhibitor.

It should be noted that any or all of the following biomarkers may be of particular interest: CCL3, LOC150271, CD48, DUSP4, ITGB7, DUSP6, ANXA9, CR2, AL531683, ZNF589, AW274468, FRMD3, LTB, and WDR42A.

As is apparent to one of skill in the art, gene expression can be measured by detecting the presence or absence, or presence and/or absolute or relative quantity of a gene expression product (e.g., RNA, mRNA, or the protein or polypeptide transcript) or the alteration in gene copy number. In some embodiments, altered expression is likely the result of an increase in copy number. In alternative embodiment, altered expression is likely the result of the loss of function of another gene such as a tumor suppressor or other negative regulator. In yet a further embodiment, expression is altered by the “turning on” of an enhancer. Accordingly, the specific method used to detect altered expression, as compared to the control or baseline, may be different and dependent on the particular biomarker selected. In yet further embodiments, the method requires analysis of gene expression of one or more predetermined biomarkers by more than one method, e.g., by use of immunohistochemical and molecular techniques such as a gene chip or array.

Tables

Tables I through V are presented below and constitute an integral part of this disclosure.

Table I is a list of biomarkers whose expression is indicative of activity related to FGFR3 inhibition.

Table II is a preferred subset of Table I according to one aspect of the invention, listing biomarkers generally having a higher level of alteration of gene expression compared to baseline in response to FGFR3 inhibition.

Table III is more preferred subset of Table I according to one aspect of the invention, listing biomarkers generally having the highest level of alteration of gene expression compared to baseline in response to FGFR3 inhibition.

Table IV is a preferred subset of Table I according to a second aspect of the invention, listing biomarkers generally exhibiting the strongest correlation of gene expression in response to FGFR3 inhibition by the preferred compound, CHIR-258.

Table V is a more preferred subset of Table I according to a second aspect of the invention, listing biomarkers generally exhibiting the strongest correlation of gene expression in response to FGFR3 inhibition by the preferred compound, CHIR-258, in preference to either SU-5402 or PD-173074.

In each of Tables I through V, the biomarkers are shown with Entrez Gene ID Number (referring to the National Cancer Institute database identifier), Gene Symbol, and Gene Description.

The gene expression of the biomarkers of Table I or any of its subsets, Tables II through V, may be up- or down-regulated in response to the inhibition of FGFR3. In some instances, the detection of the presence of gene expression of one of the biomarkers may be sufficient to identify the patient for treatment or provide indication of a favorable response to treatment. In other instances, one may prefer the guidance provided by a higher level of alteration of gene expression or a stronger correlation with a particular inhibitory compound.

Further, in some instances, one may find identifying the most suitable patients for treatment for a particular cell proliferative disorder may best be accomplished by detecting an alteration in level of gene expression of two or more biomarkers or by a specific combination of biomarkers or even direction of alteration of gene expression. For example, a particular two of the biomarkers identified in Table I may be most correlated with a given condition and, thus, guide a certain treatment. Alternatively, a ratio of the relative levels of gene expression of two particular biomarkers may be indicative of the suitability of a given treatment for a patient. It is also contemplated that a particular condition may have a signature such as the up-regulation of one or more particular biomarker or biomarkers and/or the down-regulation of one or more other particular biomarker or biomarkers.

The alteration in the level of gene expression may be compared to a baseline level. A baseline level may be established in several ways. For example, in a method of monitoring response of a patient to treatment, a sample may be obtained from the patient and tested for measurement of gene expression prior to introduction of an FGFR3 inhibitor to the patient. Thus, the profile of gene expression levels, if any, of biomarkers in a treatment-naïve individual may serve as a baseline for that individual and later tests performed on samples obtained once treatment has begun may be compared to the individual's baseline. Alternatively, a baseline may be established through creation of a guide that consolidates information on gene expression levels taken from a pool of healthy or treatment-naïve individuals or even from an appropriate cell culture. Further, information on baseline levels of gene expression of particular biomarkers may be gathered from published sources or a gene database.

In one aspect, a sample is isolated from the patient after receipt of an amount of inhibitor of FGFR3, whether a therapeutically effective amount or a sub-therapeutically effective amount, which may be adequate for some purposes. Cell or tissue samples used for this invention encompass body fluid, solid tissue samples, tissue cultures or cells derived therefrom and the progeny thereof, and sections or smears prepared from any of these sources, or any other samples that may contain genetic information. Measurement of the expression of the biomarkers is described in further detail below.

Inhibitors of FGFR3

Some examples of small molecule inhibitors of FGFR3 include CHIR-258 (Chiron Corporation), SU-5402 (Pfizer, Inc.), and PD-173074 (Pfizer, Inc.).

The chemical structure and chemical name of CHIR-258 are shown below.

4-Amino-5-fluoro-3-[6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]quinolin-2(1H)-one is a small molecule inhibitor of VEGF-RTK, PDGF-RTK and other receptor tyrosine kinases such as fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-RTK). This compound has been described in a patent and several patent applications, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes: U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,617, U.S. Ser. No. 10/644,055, U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/405,729, 60/428,210, and 60/484,048.

Related compounds are disclosed in patents and applications incorporated herein by reference, as noted. A plethora of substituted quinolinone compounds including quinolinone benzimidazolyl compounds and 4-amino substituted quinolinone benzimidazolyl compounds such as 4-amino-5-fluoro-3-[5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]quinolin-2(1H)-one have recently been disclosed in references such as WO 02/22598, WO 2004/043389, WO 2005/047244, U.S. 2004/0220196, U.S. 2005/0137399, WO 2005/046590, and WO 2005/046589. Such compounds are disclosed as inhibiting VEGF-RTKs. Such compounds are also disclosed in published United States patent applications U.S. 2002/0107392 and U.S. 2003/0028018 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,605,617, 6,774,237, 6,762,194, and 6,800,760. Other such compounds are disclosed along with new uses of such compounds in inhibiting serine/threonine kinases and tyrosine kinases are disclosed in WO 2004/018419, and U.S. 2004/0092535, filed on Aug. 19, 2003, and claiming priority to each of the following provisional applications: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/405,729 filed on Aug. 23, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/426,107 filed on Nov. 13, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/426,226 filed on Nov. 13, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/426,282 filed on Nov. 13, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/428,210 filed on Nov. 21, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/460,327 filed on Apr. 3, 2003; U.S. Provisional Application No. filed on Apr. 3, 2003; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/460,493 filed on Apr. 3, 2003; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/478,916 filed on Jun. 16, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/484,048 filed on Jul. 1, 2003. Additional disclosure related to quinolinone compounds and uses thereof is set forth in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/680,722, filed May 13, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/681,893, filed May 17, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/546,395, filed Feb. 20, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/547,103, filed Feb. 23, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/554,771, filed Mar. 19, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/647,568, filed Jan. 27, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/669,245, filed Apr. 6, 2005; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/538,594, filed Jan. 23, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/683,999; filed May 23, 3005; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/061,386, filed Feb. 18, 2005; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/041,191, filed Jan. 21, 2005; and PCT Application No. PCT/US2005/05316, filed Feb. 18, 2005. Heterocyclic compounds related to benzimidazolyl quinolinones have recently been disclosed in WO 02/18383, U.S. 2002/0103230, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,383. Each of the references in this paragraph is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

The SU-5402 compound is 3-[3-(2-Carboxyethyl)-4-methylpyrrol-2-methylidenyl]-2-indolinone and has the following formula.

The PD-173074 compound has the compound structure and chemical name shown below.

1-tert-butyl-3-[6-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-diethylaminobutylamino)-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-yl]-urea.

Measurement of Gene Expression

As noted previously, the measurement of gene expression is performed on a sample, preferably a biological sample, obtained from the patient. For example, the patient may undergo a blood draw or tissue biopsy and the measurement may be made on the resulting sample. Depending upon the technique utilized, the test may be performed on an isolated fraction of the sample or in situ.

Detection of the presence of gene expression of the biomarker of interest and/or detection of the level of alteration in the gene expression compared to baseline may be made utilizing standard techniques.

Detection can be by any appropriate method, including for example, detecting the quantity of mRNA transcribed from the gene or the quantity of cDNA produced from the reverse transcription of the mRNA transcribed from the gene or the quantity of the polypeptide or protein encoded by the gene. These methods can be performed on a sample by sample basis or modified for high throughput analysis. Additionally, databases containing quantitative full or partial transcripts or protein sequences isolated from a cell sample can be searched and analyzed for the presence and amount of transcript or expressed gene product.

In assaying for an alteration in mRNA level, nucleic acid contained in the aforementioned samples is first extracted according to standard methods in the art. For instance, mRNA can be isolated using various lytic enzymes or chemical solutions according to the procedures set forth in Sambrook et al. (1989), supra or extracted by nucleic-acid-binding resins following the accompanying instructions provided by manufactures. The mRNA of the biomarker contained in the extracted nucleic acid sample is then detected by hybridization (e.g. Northern blot analysis) and/or amplification procedures according to methods widely known in the art or based on the methods exemplified herein.

Nucleic acid molecules having at least 10 nucleotides and exhibiting sequence complementarity or homology to the biomarkers described herein find utility as hybridization probes. It is known in the art that a “perfectly matched” probe is not needed for a specific hybridization. Minor changes in probe sequence achieved by substitution, deletion or insertion of a small number of bases do not affect the hybridization specificity. In general, as much as 20% base-pair mismatch (when optimally aligned) can be tolerated.

In certain embodiments, it will be advantageous to employ probes or primers in combination with an appropriate means, such as a label, for detecting hybridization and therefore complementary sequences. A wide variety of appropriate indicator means are known in the art, including fluorescent, radioactive, enzymatic or other ligands, such as avidin/biotin, which are capable of giving a detectable signal. In preferred embodiments, one will likely desire to employ a fluorescent label or an enzyme tag, such as urease, alkaline phosphatase or peroxidase, instead of radioactive or other environmental undesirable reagents. In the case of enzyme tags, calorimetric indicator substrates are known which can be employed to provide a means visible to the human eye or spectrophotometrically, to identify specific hybridization with complementary nucleic acid-containing samples.

Hybridization reactions can be performed under conditions of different “stringency”. Relevant conditions include temperature, ionic strength, time of incubation, the presence of additional solutes in the reaction mixture such as formamide, and the washing procedure. Higher stringency conditions are those conditions, such as higher temperature and lower sodium ion concentration, which require higher minimum complementarity between hybridizing elements for a stable hybridization complex to form. Conditions that increase the stringency of a hybridization reaction are widely known and published in the art. See, for example, (Sambrook, et al., (1989), supra).

Briefly, multiple RNAs are isolated from cell or tissue samples as described above. Optionally, the gene transcripts can be converted to cDNA. A sampling of the biomarker transcript(s) is/are subjected to sequence-specific analysis and quantified. These gene transcript sequence abundances are compared to the baseline.

Alternatively any one of gene copy number, transcription, or translation of a biomarker can be determined using an amplification method such as PCR. General procedures for PCR are taught in MacPherson et al., PCR: A P RACTICAL A PPROACH , (IRL Press at Oxford University Press (1991)). However, PCR conditions used for each application reaction are empirically determined. A number of parameters influence the success of a reaction. Among them are annealing temperature and time, extension time, Mg 2+ ATP concentration, pH, and the relative concentration of primers, templates, and deoxyribonucleotides. After amplification, the resulting DNA fragments can be detected by agarose gel electrophoresis followed by visualization with ethidium bromide staining and ultraviolet illumination.

In one aspect, the biomarkers are detected and quantitated by hybrization to a probe that specifically hybridizes to the appropriate probe for that biomarker. The probes also can be attached to a solid support for use in high throughput screening assays using methods known in the art. PCT WO 97/10365 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,783, 5,412,087 and 5,445,934, for example, disclose the construction of high density oligonucleotide chips which can contain one or more of the sequences disclosed herein. Using the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,783, 5,412,087 and 5,445,934 the probes of this invention are synthesized on a derivatized glass surface. Photoprotected nucleoside phosphoramidites are coupled to the glass surface, selectively deprotected by photolysis through a photolithographic mask, and reacted with a second protected nucleoside phosphoramidite. The coupling/deprotection process is repeated until the desired probe is complete.

In one aspect, the expression level of the biomarker is determined through exposure of a nucleic acid sample to the probe-modified chip. Extracted nucleic acid is labeled, for example, with a fluorescent tag, preferably during an amplification step. Hybridization of the labeled sample is performed at an appropriate stringency level. The degree of probe-nucleic acid hybridization is quantitatively measured using a detection device, such as a confocal microscope. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,578,832 and 5,631,734.

In an alternative embodiment, the method is performed by the detecting and comparing of two or more biomarkers that have been pre-determined to be predictive of a therapeutic response. In a yet further embodiment, a plurality of biomarkers, e.g., see Tables I through V, supra, are used in the method of this invention. In these embodiments, the biomarkers or probes that specifically hybridize and recognize the biomarker of interest are arranged on a high density oligonucleotide probe array that provides an effective means of monitoring expression of a multiplicity of genes.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods of this invention are used to monitor expression of the genes which specifically hybridize to the probes of this invention in response to defined stimuli, such as a drug or biologic.

In one embodiment, the hybridized nucleic acids are detected by detecting one or more labels attached to the sample nucleic acids. The labels may be incorporated by any of a number of means well known to those of skill in the art. However, in one aspect, the label is simultaneously incorporated during the amplification step in the preparation of the sample nucleic acid. Thus, for example, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with labeled primers or labeled nucleotides will provide a labeled amplification product. In a separate embodiment, transcription amplification, as described above, using a labeled nucleotide (e.g. fluorescein-labeled UTP and/or CTP) incorporates a label in to the transcribed nucleic acids.

Alternatively, a label may be added directly to the original nucleic acid sample (e.g., mRNA, polya, mRNA, cDNA, etc.) or to the amplification product after the amplification is completed. Means of attaching labels to nucleic acids are well known to those of skill in the art and include, for example nick translation or end-labeling (e.g. with a labeled RNA) by kinasing of the nucleic acid and subsequent attachment (ligation) of a nucleic acid linker joining the sample nucleic acid to a label (e.g., a fluorophore).

Detectable labels suitable for use in the present invention include any composition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical means. Useful labels in the present invention include biotin for staining with labeled streptavidin conjugate, magnetic beads (e.g., Dynabeads™), fluorescent dyes (e.g., fluorescein, texas red, rhodamine, green fluorescent protein, and the like), radiolabels (e.g., 3 H, 125 I, 35 S, 14 C, or 32 P) enzymes (e.g., horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and others commonly used in an ELISA), and calorimetric labels such as colloidal gold or colored glass or plastic (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, latex, etc.) beads. Patents teaching the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149; and 4,366,241.

Means of detecting such labels are well known to those of skill in the art. Thus, for example, radiolabels may be detected using photographic film or scintillation counters, fluorescent markers may be detected using a photodetector to detect emitted light. Enzymatic labels are typically detected by providing the enzyme with a substrate and detecting the reaction product produced by the action of the enzyme on the substrate, and colorimetric labels are detected by simply visualizing the colored label.

As described in more detail in WO 97/10365, the label may be added to the target (sample) nucleic acid(s) prior to, or after the hybridization. These are detectable labels that are directly attached to or incorporated into the target (sample) nucleic acid prior to hybridization. In contrast, “indirect labels” are joined to the hybrid duplex after hybridization. Often, the indirect label is attached to a binding moiety that has been attached to the target nucleic acid prior to the hybridization. Thus, for example, the target nucleic acid may be biotinylated before the hybridization. After hybridization, an avidin-conjugated fluorophore will bind the biotin bearing hybrid duplexes providing a label that is easily detected. Fore a detailed review of methods of labeling nucleic acids and detecting labeled hybridized nucleic acids see LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY , Vol. 24: Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes, P. Tijssen, ed. Elsevier, N.Y. (1993).

The nucleic acid sample also may be modified prior to hybridization to the high density probe array in order to reduce sample complexity thereby decreasing background signal and improving sensitivity of the measurement using the methods disclosed in WO 97/10365.

Results from the chip assay are typically analyzed using a computer software program. See, for example, EP 0717 113 A2 and WO 95/20681. The hybridization data is read into the program, which calculates the expression level of the targeted gene(s). The figures may be compared against existing data sets of gene expression levels for diseased and healthy individuals. A correlation between the obtained data and that of a set of a predetermined baseline identifies patients likely to be responsive to the therapy.

Also within the scope of this application is a data base useful for the identification of patients likely to respond to a predetermined therapy, e.g., anti-FGFR3 therapy, wherein the database contains a combination of base line gene expression data against which the patient sample can be compared using bioinformatic techniques known in the art.

The pre-determined baseline information is stored in a digital storage medium such that a data processing system for standardized representation of the genes that identify patients that are responsive to therapy. The data processing system is useful to analyze gene expression between two samples. A suitable sample is isolated from the patient and then the genotype or phenotype of the cell or sample is determined using methods known in the art. In one aspect, the nucleic acids of the biomarkers if present in the sample are sequenced and transcribed to code. The sequences (in code form) from the sample are compared with the sequence(s) present in the database using homology search techniques. Greater than 90%, or alternatively, greater than 95% or alternatively, greater than or equal to 97% sequence identity between the test sequence and at least one sequence identified by the biomarkers identified in Tables I through V is a positive indication that the polynucleotide from a biomarker has been isolated from the patient sample.

Expression level of the biomarker can also be determined by examining the protein product. Determining the protein level involves (a) providing a biological sample containing expression product of the biomarker; and (b) measuring the amount of any immunospecific binding that occurs between an antibody that selectively recognizes and binds to the expression product of the biomarker in the sample, in which the amount of immunospecific binding indicates the level of the biomarker expression. This information is then compared to a pre-determined base line and analyzed to identify those patients suitable for therapy.

A variety of techniques are available in the art for protein analysis. They include but are not limited to radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked immunoradiometric assays), “sandwich” immunoassays, immunoradiometric assays, in situ immunoassays (using e.g., colloidal gold, enzyme or radioisotope labels), western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation assays, immunoflourescent assays, and PAGE-SDS.

Antibodies that specifically recognize and bind to the protein products of the expression products of the biomarkers are required for immunoassays. These may be purchased from commercial vendors or generated and screened using methods well known in the art. See Harlow and Lane (1988) supra. and Sambrook et al. (1989) supra.

Treatment

Inhibition of activated FGFR3 has been shown to induce apoptosis (Trudel, et al., Blood, 105(7):2941-2948 (2005)) A patient may be beneficially treated by administration of an inhibitor of FGFR3, particularly a tyrosine kinase small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of FGFR3. Thus, treatment according to the invention may constitute administration of one or more small molecule FGFR3 inhibitors, such as those disclosed herein.

Alternatively, the small molecule inhibitors may be used in combination with other treatments. For instance, inhibitors that are not small molecules, e.g. biologicals, polynucleotides, gene therapy, etc. may be used for the ongoing treatment, in some cases, whereas the small molecule FGFR3 inhibitor may be used primarily as an initial aid in identifying candidates.

In another alternative, one inhibitor may be used prior to a gene expression level measurement step and another may be used subsequently.

The methods of the invention are useful for treatment of cellular proliferative disease and particularly neoplastic disease.

One disease model in which the genetic profiling methods taught herein are especially useful is multiple myeloma. A subset of approximately 15-20% of multiple myeloma patients have a chromosomal translocation denoted the t(4; 14) translocation that is associated with the ectopic expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). The t(4; 14) abnormality is typically diagnosed via a cytogenetic test, such as a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, performed on a bone marrow aspirate taken from the patient. The t(4; 14) multiple myeloma patient has a poor prognosis, but the methods taught herein offer new hope in that they may be employed to great advantage to identify such patients for treatment with an FGFR3 inhibitor, monitor response to treatment in such patients, as well as to aid in the development of new and/or optimized FGFR3 inhibitors.

Therapeutic agents utilized according to this invention, include, but are not limited to small molecules. They may be polynucleotides, peptides, antibodies, antigen presenting cells and include immune effector cells that specifically recognize and lyse cells expressing the gene of interest. One can determine if a subject or patient will be beneficially treated by the use of agents by screening one or more of the agents against tumor cells isolated from the subject or patient using methods known in the art.

Various delivery systems are known and can be used to administer a therapeutic agent in accordance with the methods of the invention, e.g., encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, microcapsules, expression by recombinant cells, receptor-mediated endocytosis (See e.g., Wu and Wu (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262:4429-4432), construction of a therapeutic nucleic acid as part of a retroviral or other vector, etc. Methods of delivery include but are not limited to intra-arterial, intra-muscular, intravenous, intranasal and oral routes. In a specific embodiment, it may be desirable to administer pharmaceutical compositions locally to the area in need of treatment; this may be achieved by, for example, and not by way of limitation, local infusion during surgery, by injection or by means of a catheter.

Administration in vivo can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are well known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the composition used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician. Suitable dosage formulations and methods of administering the agents may be empirically adjusted.

Pharmaceutical compositions utilized according to the methods of the invention can be administered orally, intranasally, parenterally or by inhalation therapy, and may take the form of tablets, lozenges, granules, capsules, pills, ampoules, suppositories or aerosol form. They may also take the form of suspensions, solutions and emulsions of the active ingredient in aqueous or nonaqueous diluents, syrups, granulates or powders. In addition to the key active ingredients, the pharmaceutical compositions can also contain other pharmaceutically active compounds or a plurality of compositions of the invention.

More particularly, an agent administered according to the invention may be administered for therapy by any suitable route including oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including transdermal, aerosol, buccal and sublingual), vaginal, parental (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) and pulmonary. It will also be appreciated that the preferred route will vary with the condition and age of the recipient and the disease being treated.

Ideally, the agent should be administered to achieve peak concentrations of the active compound at sites of disease. This may be achieved, for example, by the intravenous injection of the agent, optionally in saline or orally administered, for example, as a tablet, capsule or syrup containing the active ingredient. Desirable blood levels of the agent may be maintained by a continuous infusion to provide a therapeutic amount of the active ingredient within disease tissue. The use of operative combinations is contemplated to provide therapeutic combinations requiring a lower total dosage of each component antiviral agent than may be required when each individual therapeutic compound or drug is used alone, thereby reducing adverse effects.

While it is possible for the agent to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one active ingredient, as defined above, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers therefor and optionally other therapeutic agents. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not injurious to the patient.

Formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including transdermal, buccal and sublingual), vaginal, parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) and pulmonary administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Such methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

Formulations suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets, each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented a bolus, electuary or paste.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder (e.g., povidone, gelatin, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose), lubricant, inert diluent, preservative, disintegrant (e.g., sodium starch glycolate, cross-linked povidone, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) surface-active or dispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in varying proportions to provide the desired release profile. Tablets may optionally be provided with an enteric coating, to provide release in parts of the gut other than the stomach.

Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising the active ingredient in a flavored basis, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert basis such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.

Pharmaceutical compositions for topical administration according to the present invention may be formulated as an ointment, cream, suspension, lotion, powder, solution, past, gel, spray, aerosol or oil. Alternatively, a formulation may comprise a patch or a dressing such as a bandage or adhesive plaster impregnated with active ingredients and optionally one or more excipients or diluents.

If desired, the aqueous phase of the cream base may include, for example, at least about 30% w/w of a polyhydric alcohol, i.e., an alcohol having two or more hydroxyl groups such as propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol and polyethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The topical formulations may desirably include a compound which enhances absorption or penetration of the agent through the skin or other affected areas. Examples of such dermal penetration enhancers include dimethylsulfoxide and related analogues.

The oily phase of the emulsions of a composition used according to this invention may be constituted from known ingredients in a known manner. While this phase may comprise merely an emulsifier (otherwise known as an emulgent), it desirably comprises a mixture of at lease one emulsifier with a fat or an oil or with both a fat and an oil. Preferably, a hydrophilic emulsifier is included together with a lipophilic emulsifier which acts as a stabilizer. It is also preferred to include both an oil and a fat. Together, the emulsifier(s) with or without stabilizer(s) make up the so-called emulsifying wax, and the wax together with the oil and/or fat make up the so-called emulsifying ointment base which forms the oily dispersed phase of the cream formulations.

Emulgents and emulsion stabilizers suitable for use in the formulation of the present invention include Tween 60, Span 80, cetostearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate and sodium lauryl sulphate.

The choice of suitable oils or fats for the formulation is based on achieving the desired cosmetic properties, since the solubility of the active compound in most oils likely to be used in pharmaceutical emulsion formulations is very low. Thus the cream should preferably be a non-greasy, non-staining and washable product with suitable consistency to avoid leakage from tubes or other containers. Straight or branched chain, mono- or dibasic alkyl esters such as di-isoadipate, isocetyl stearate, propylene glycol diester of coconut fatty acids, isopropyl myristate, decyl oleate, isopropyl palmitate, butyl stearate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate or a blend of branched chain esters known as Crodamol CAP may be used, the last three being preferred esters. These may be used alone or in combination depending on the properties required.

Alternatively, high melting point lipids such as white soft paraffin and/or liquid paraffin or other mineral oils can be used.

Formulations suitable for topical administration to the eye also include eye drops wherein the active ingredient is dissolved or suspended in a suitable carrier, especially an aqueous solvent for the agent.

Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with a suitable base comprising, for example, cocoa butter or a salicylate.

Formulations suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing in addition to the agent, such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

Formulations suitable for nasal administration, wherein the carrier is a solid, include a coarse powder having a particle size, for example, in the range of about 20 to about 500 microns which is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken, i.e., by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container of the powder held close up to the nose. Suitable formulations wherein the carrier is a liquid for administration as, for example, nasal spray, nasal drops or by aerosol administration by nebulizer, include aqueous or oily solutions of the agent.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous isotonic sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents, thickening agents and liposomes or other microparticulate systems which are designed to target the compound to blood components or one or more organs. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose sealed containers, for example, ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.

Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing a daily dose or unit, daily subdose, as herein above-recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof, of an agent.

Experimental Example

Transcriptional activity was assessed by measuring levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) in cells derived from human multiple myeloma tumors using Affymetrix HG-U133-Plus-2 GeneChips.

Expression of mRNA in cells treated with the small molecule inhibitors SU-5402, PD-173074 (both Pfizer Inc.) and CHIR-258 (Chiron Corp.), with FGF ligand, or with FGFR3 silencing RNA (siRNA) was quantitatively compared to expression in untreated cells (or cells treated with a scrambled siRNA control in the latter case). Specific differences and similarities to the other FGFR3 inhibitors were compared with CHIR-258.

The following multiple myeloma cell lines were used:

KMS11: Ras WT, FGFR3Y373C mutant; sensitive to CHIR-258 treatment KMS18: Ras WT, FGFR3G384D mutant; sensitive to CHIR-258 treatment H929: N13 Ras mutant, FGFR3 wild-type (WT); resistant to CHIR-258 treatment U266: Ras WT, FGFR3 negative; resistant to CHIR-258 treatment UTMC2: Ras WT, FGFR3WT; resistant to CHIR-258 treatment

Bioinformatics analysis was performed on the raw data to provide the results.

Changes in gene expression level in response to the various FGFR3 inhibitors tested and deemed to be of statistical significance were utilized to generate Table I disclosed herein, and its various subsets. Within the parameters of this experiment, the biomarkers of Table I generally correlate with alterations in expression level of one-and-a-half-fold or greater, whereas the biomarkers of Table II generally correlate with alterations in expression level of two-fold or greater, and the biomarkers of Table III generally correlate with alterations in expression level of four-fold or greater. Table IV was generated with data showing alterations in gene expression in response to FGFR3 inhibition in the relevant cell lines of the experiment by the preferred compound, CHIR-258. Table V was generated with data showing alterations in gene expression in response to FGFR3 inhibition in the relevant cell lines of the experiment by the preferred compound, CHIR-258, but not to any significant extent by the other small molecule inhibitors tested.