Upregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor 4 in oral leukoplakia

In the present study,we investigate the expression profile of the epidermal growth factor receptor family,which comprises EGFR/ ErbBl,HER2/ErbB2,HER3/ErbB3 and HER4/ErbB4 in oral leukoplakia(LP).The expression of four epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family genes and their ligands were measured in LP tissues from 14 patients and compared with levels in 10 patients with oral lichen planus(OLP) and normal oral mucosa(NOM) from 14 healthy donors by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and immunohistochemistry.Synchronous mRNA coexpression of ErbBl,ErbB2,ErbB3and ErbB4 was detected in LP lesions.Out of the receptors,only ErbB4 mRNA and protein was more highly expressed in LP compared with NOM tissues.These were strongly expressed by epithelial keratinocytes in LP lesions,as shown by immunohistochemistry.Regarding the ligands,the mRNA of Neuregulin2 and 4 were more highly expressed in OLP compared with NOM tissues.Therefore,enhanced ErbB4 on the keratinocytes and synchronous modulation of EGFR family genes may contribute to the pathogenesis and carcinogenesis of LP.

Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib in Chinese Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in Chinese patients with RA enrolled in Phase 3 and long?term extension(LTE) studies.Methods: ORAL Sync was a 1?year, randomized, placebo?controlled, Phase 3 trial. Patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily(BID) or placebo advanced to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID at 3 or 6 months. All patients remained on ≥1 background conventional synthetic disease?modifying antirheumatic drug. ORAL Sequel is an open?label LTE study(data?cut: March 2015; data collection and analyses were ongoing, and study database was not locked at the time of analysis; study was closed in 2017). Efficacy outcomes: American College of Rheumatology(ACR) 20/50/70 response rates and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate(DAS28?4 [ESR]). Patient? and physician?reported outcomes: Health Assessment Questionnaire?Disability Index(HAQ?DI), Patient and Physician Global Assessment of Arthritis, and pain(visual analog scale). Safety was assessed throughout.Results: ORAL Sync included 218 patients; 192 were subsequently enrolled into ORAL Sequel. In ORAL Sync, more patients achieved ACR20(tofacitinib 5 mg BID, 67.4%; 10 mg BID, 70.6%; placebo, 34.1%) and DAS28?4(ESR) <2.6(tofacitinib 5 mg BID, 7.1%;10 mg BID, 13.1%; placebo, 2.3%) with tofacitinib versus placebo at Month 6. Mean changes from baseline in HAQ?DI were greater with tofacitinib versus placebo at Month 6. In ORAL Sequel, efficacy was consistent to Month 48. Incidence rates for adverse events of special interest in tofacitinib?treated patients were similar to the global population.Conclusions: Tofacitinib significantly reduced signs/symptoms and improved physical function and quality of life in Chinese patients with moderate?to?severely active RA up to Month 48. The safety profile was consistent with the global population.Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT00856544 and NCT00413699.