Exoplanet Diversity in the Era of Space-based Direct Imaging Missions

This whitepaper discusses the diversity of exoplanets that could be detected by future observations, so that comparative exoplanetology can be performed in the upcoming era of large space-based flagship missions. The primary focus will be on characterizing Earth-like worlds around Sun-like stars. However, we will also be able to characterize companion planets in the system simultaneously. This will not only provide a contextual picture with regards to our Solar system, but also presents a unique opportunity to observe size dependent planetary atmospheres at different orbital distances. We propose a preliminary scheme based on chemical behavior of gases and condensates in a planet's atmosphere that classifies them with respect to planetary radius and incident stellar flux.Comment: A white paper submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Exoplanet Science Strateg

Shared genetic risk between eating disorder- and substance-use-related phenotypes:Evidence from genome-wide association studies

First published: 16 February 202

A phase 1 study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and antitumor activity of the OX40 agonist MEDI0562 in combination with tremelimumab or durvalumab in adult aubjects with advanced solid tumors

TPS3100 Background: Recent advances in treatment of solid tumors include single or combined use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the immune checkpoints CTLA-4 or PD-1/PD-L1 that can reactivate antitumor cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and significantly improve OS (Menon S, et al. Cancers (Basel). 2016;8:E106.) (Antonia S, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2016; 17:299-308). Activation of TILs via the costimulatory OX40 (CD134) molecule, may offer an alternative and non-redundant pathway for increasing antitumor immunity. OX40 costimulation promotes effector T cell expansion and longevity, overcomes regulatory T cell suppression and provides survival benefit in animal models of tumor challenge (Linch SN, et al. Front Oncol. 2015;5:34). MEDI0562 is an investigational, humanized IgG1κ anti-OX40 mAb that triggers OX40 signaling. Coadministration of an OX40 agonist and either a CTLA-4 or PD-1/PD-L1 pathway inhibitor may promote synergistic effects against certain solid tumors and may be tolerable administered in combination. Methods: A Phase 1, multicenter, open-label study (NCT02705482) is underway to evaluate safety (primary endpoint), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity and antitumor activity (secondary endpoints) of MEDI0562 in combination with either anti-PD-L1 mAb durvalumab or anti-CTLA-4 mAb tremelimumab in adult subjects with previously treated advanced solid tumors. Subjects with primary CNS tumors and hematologic malignancies are excluded. The study includes a dose escalation and expansion phase, with 2 treatment arms in each: MEDI0562/durvalumab combination (Arm A) and MEDI0562/tremelimumab combination (Arm B). Safety assessments include AEs, serious AEs, dose-limiting toxicities, abnormal laboratory parameters, vital signs, and electrocardiogram results. Antitumor efficacy will be assessed as OR, disease control, duration of response, PFS, and OS using RECIST Version 1.1. Subjects will remain on treatment until unacceptable toxicity, progressive disease or other reasons for discontinuation. Clinical trial information: NCT02705482

Safety and tolerability of MEDI0562 in combination with durvalumab or tremelimumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Research Funding: AstraZeneca Background: We report safety and tolerability of MEDI0562, a humanized IgG1κ OX40 monoclonal antibody (mAb), in combination with durvalumab (durva; anti-PD-L1 mAb) or tremelimumab (treme; anti-CTLA-4 mAb) in patients (pts) with previously treated advanced solid tumors.Methods:In this phase 1, open-label study (NCT02705482), adult pts received escalating doses of MEDI0562 (2.25, 7.5 or 22.5 mg/kg) every 2 wks (Q2W) in combination with durva (1500 mg/kg) or treme (75 or 225 mg/kg) Q4W, until confirmed disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumor assessments were performed Q8W with immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.Results:In total, 27 and 31 pts received MEDI0562 + durva or treme, across 5 dose combination cohorts (3 + 3 design), with a maximum tolerated dose of 7.5 mg MEDI0652 + 1500 mg durva and maximum administered dose of 10 mg MEDI0562 + 225 mg treme. Median duration of exposure was 12.0 (range 2.0–80.9) and 8.0 (range 2.0–42.0) wks, respectively. Two (22.5 mg MEDI10562 + durva) and 3 (2.25 mg MEDI0652 + 225 mg treme, 22.5 mg MEDI0562 + 75 and 225 mg treme) dose limiting toxicities were observed. For MEDI0562 + durva and MEDI0562 + treme groups respectively, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 96.3% and 100% of pts; most common TEAEs were fatigue (55.6%) and pruritus (45.2%), Gr 3/4 TEAEs occurred in 74.1% and 67.7%; and MEDI0562-related AEs were reported in 20 (74.1%) and 24 (77.4%) pts. Six TEAEs in each group led to MEDI0562 discontinuation (22.2% and 19.4%, respectively), 2 led to death (renal failure [7.5 mg MEDI0562 + durva], multiple organ dysfunction syndrome [22.5 mg MEDI0562 + 225 mg treme]). Three response evaluable pts had PR (11.5% [7.5 and 22.5 mg MEDI0562 + durva, n = 26]). Median overall survival was 17.4 and 11.9 mos for MEDI0562 + durva and MEDI0562 + treme, with stable disease seen in 9 pts from each group, 34.6% vs 29.0%, respectively. Serum exposure of MEDI0562 increased dose proportionally. Post treatment serum antidrug antibody (ADA) was detected in 20 pts from MEDI0562 + durva and MEDI0562 + treme (74.1% and 71.4%, respectively). The impact of ADA on MEDI0562 pharmacokinetics was seen at all doses. Mean percentage of Ki67+CD4+ and Ki67+CD8+ memory T cells increased, while mean percentage of OX40+CD4+ memory T cells decreased following the first dose of MEDI0562 + durva or treme.Conclusions:The safety profile of MEDI0562 in combination with durva or treme was similar between groups. Clinical activity was observed with MEDI0562 + durva in pts with advanced solid tumors. Clinical trial information: NCT02705482