bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1855: Proteomics driven biomarker discovery for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma from archived tissue specimens
Authors: Shenoy Anjana , Arad Gali , Kovalerchik Dimitri , Manor Amit , Simchi Nitzan , Daitchman Dina , Pevzner Kirill , Seger Eran
Published: March 2024

High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma (HGSOC) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous cancer with variable treatment responses. Current treatment strategies, including surgical resection and chemotherapy, are often ineffective due to a lack of molecular markers to predict drug sensitivity and patient prognosis. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis is a powerful tool for biomarker discovery, but it is restricted by the availability and quality of archived clinical specimens.

In this study, we developed a proteomics-based biomarker discovery pipeline that optimizes the extraction and sample preparation from archived tissue specimens of HGSOC patients. Macrodissection of the tumor rich tissue areas of interest ensured sample purity and statistical power for comparative analysis.

Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we conducted a comprehensive, global proteomics analysis of FF tissue specimens from 25 HGSOC patients to associate proteomic profiles with patient outcomes. Combining high-resolution mass spectrometry proteomics of clinical samples with advanced computational tools for clinical data mining, we were able to identify pathways associated with HGSOC that hold clinical significance.

Our unique biomarker discovery platform provides a novel strategy for detecting cancer vulnerabilities from archived tissue samples and identifying proteomic biomarkers linked with treatment response and patient prognosis beyond BRCA mutation status.

Citation Format: Anjana Shenoy, Gali Arad, Dimitri Kovalerchik, Amit Manor, Nitzan Simchi, Dina Daitchman, Kirill Pevzner, Eran Seger. Proteomics driven biomarker discovery for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma from archived tissue specimens [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1855.
Abstract 1858: Discovery of AT86474, a highly efficacious anti-ROR1 ADC utilizing a proprietary payload
Authors: Tan Ban Xiong , Zhang Xi Yun , Wu You Xue , Cheng Yin Wen , Liu Shao Jun , Du Ping , Zhong Chen , Zou Bin
Published: March 2024

ROR1 is a pseudo kinase that is involved in the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway and is highly expressed during early embryonic development. In adult tissues, ROR1 is expressed at very low levels but its increased expression is observed in hematological cancers and a broad range of solid tumors. AT86474 is a highly homogeneous antibody drug conjugate incorporating AxcynCYSTM technology that allows reproducible site-specific conjugation with DAR4 composition greater than 97%. AT86474 utilizes a proprietary payload derived from an FDA approved drug that was optimized in-house for increased potency and with altered PK properties to limit systemic exposure. In vitro, the payload displays broad sub-nanomolar activity across multiple cancer cell lines, including those resistant to paclitaxel, DM1, MMAE and DXd. The payload is conjugated via an enzyme-cleavable linker optimized for solubility, stability, and high drug to antibody ratios. AT86474 uses a humanized and optimized monoclonal antibody that demonstrates selective binding to ROR1-positive cells and subsequent internalization, sub-nanomolar potency in vitro and strong bystander effects. AT86474 was evaluated in a preclinical CDX mouse model of ovarian cancer, where substantial tumor growth inhibition was observed with two weekly doses at as low as 1 mg/kg. As ROR1 over-expression is also observed in many solid tumors, such as pancreatic, gastric, breast and lung cancers, the use of AT86474 can be expanded to benefit a large patient population.

Citation Format: Ban Xiong Tan, Xi Yun Zhang, You Xue Wu, Yin Wen Cheng, Shao Jun Liu, Ping Du, Chen Zhong, Bin Zou. Discovery of AT86474, a highly efficacious anti-ROR1 ADC utilizing a proprietary payload [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1858.
Abstract 1886: BRY812, an anti-LIV-1 antibody drug conjugate with novel conjugation method for cancer therapeutics
Authors: Zhao Xiaobei , Zhu Jie , Zhou Yaqiong , Li Jing , Nie Lei , Wang Haibin , Chen Gang
Published: March 2024

LIV-1, also known as SLC39A6 or ZIP6, belongs to the zinc transporter family and was initially identified as an estrogen-inducible gene in breast cancer. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis have revealed escalated LIV-1 expression in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), hormone-treated tumors (both primary and metastatic sites) as well as ER-/PR-/Her2- (triple-negative) breast cancers. Notably, healthy human tissues exhibit limited LIV-1 expression, primarily in hormone regulated organs (prostate, uterus, and breast). The escalated expression of LIV-1 in breast and prostate cancer, as well as melanoma and other tumors, positions LIV-1 as an excellent target for ADC therapeutics.

BRY812 is a monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE)-conjugated humanized IgG1 ADC against LIV-1. With Bioray’s irreversible conjugation method CysLinkTM, BRY812 enables superior in vivo stability and eliminates off-target payload migration. The PK studies in rat and monkey demonstrated that the free MMAE released from ADC is 1 to 2 logs lower compared with approved ADCs prepared by the standard conjugation method. BRY812 is well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys with repeated doses. With best-in-class anti-tumor efficacy in various models, BRY812 demonstrated a wider therapeutic window for cancer treatment. BRY812 is currently in Phase Ia dose escalation stage clinical trial to explore the maximum tolerate dosage (MTD) from 0.25 to 3.6 mg/kg Q3W in patients with advanced malignancies.

Citation Format: Xiaobei Zhao, Jie Zhu, Yaqiong Zhou, Jing Li, Lei Nie, Haibin Wang, Gang Chen. BRY812, an anti-LIV-1 antibody drug conjugate with novel conjugation method for cancer therapeutics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1886.
Abstract 1898: LNCB74 is a potent and safe next-generation antibody-drug-conjugate utilizing a cancer selective linker for the treatment of B7-H4 expressing cancers
Authors: Fitzgerald Daniel P. , Doan Duc N. , Peacock Riley B. , Kahan Shannon M. , Lomash Suvendu , Slocum Stephen , Jung Kwang Hwa , Oh Hwanhee , Meza Ingrid , Manzanarez Yanira , Selvam Shanmugam , Flies Dallas B. , Chung Chul-Woong , Langermann Sol
Published: March 2024

The B7 family protein B7-H4 is highly expressed on a range of solid tumors including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, where it may play a role in immune evasion. In non-cancerous tissues, B7-H4 expression is limited, suggesting it may be a potential target for an antibody drug conjugate (ADC). LNCB74 is a human IgG1 antibody conjugated to the potent microtubule disrupting payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) with a drug-to-antibody ratio of 4 (DAR4). The ADC employs a highly selective B7-H4 antibody based upon NextCure’s expertise in B7-H4 tumor biology coupled with a glucuronidase-cleavable, site-specific linkage to an engineered cysteine in the antibody light chain via LegoChem Biosciences’ ConjuAllTM technology. This improves the safety profile and therapeutic index of the agent by a) increasing stability in circulation, b) selectively releasing payload in tumor cells, and c) reducing payload release in off-target cells. LNCB74 was further engineered with a “LALA”-mutant Fc region to minimize uptake and toxicity to immune cells. In a nonhuman primate (NHP) toxicity study, LNCB74 was well tolerated for repeat dosing and provides evidence for a superior safety profile without noticeable side effects. LNCB74 is rapidly internalized by B7-H4-expressing tumor cells, and demonstrates potent, target-specific cytotoxicity on multiple cancer cell lines. In vivo studies demonstrate a strong bystander effect following a single dose administration of LNCB74. A rapid and durable anti-tumor response has been demonstrated in multiple cell-line derived (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor models. In summary, LNCB74 is a promising ADC enabling specific targeting of B7-H4 positive cancers across a spectrum of indications.

Citation Format: Daniel P. Fitzgerald, Duc N. Doan, Riley B. Peacock, Shannon M. Kahan, Suvendu Lomash, Stephen Slocum, Kwang Hwa Jung, Hwanhee Oh, Ingrid Meza, Yanira Manzanarez, Shanmugam Selvam, Dallas B. Flies, Chul-Woong Chung, Sol Langermann. LNCB74 is a potent and safe next-generation antibody-drug-conjugate utilizing a cancer selective linker for the treatment of B7-H4 expressing cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1898.
Abstract 1914: Amivantamab efficacy in wildtype EGFR NSCLC tumors correlates with levels of ligand expression
Authors: Rivera-Soto Ricardo , Henley Benjamin , Pulgar Marian , Lehman-Tenuto Stacey , Gupta Himanshu , Weindorfer Megan , Vijayaraghavan Smruthi , Yao Tsun-Wen , Laquerre Sylvie , Moores Sheri
Published: March 2024

Amivantamab (RYBREVANT™) is an FDA-approved, low-fucose IgG1 bispecific antibody targeting EGF and Met receptor tyrosine kinases, with proven clinical activity against EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preclinical studies demonstrated that three context-dependent mechanisms of action (MOA) contribute to amivantamab efficacy: immune cell-mediated killing by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and trogocytosis, receptor internalization and degradation, and inhibition of ligand binding to both EGF and Met receptors. In tumors lacking known cancer-driver genetic aberrations, ligand binding to wildtype EGFR (EGFRWT) and/or MetWT may activate downstream signaling pathways, inducing pro-tumorigenic processes. Among the EGFR ligands, we demonstrated that amphiregulin (AREG) is highly expressed in EGFRWT NSCLC primary tumors, with significantly higher circulating protein levels in NSCLC patients than in healthy volunteers, and induces EGFR phosphorylation, promoting downstream signaling and increasing cell proliferation. Importantly, treatment of AREG-stimulated EGFRWT cells/tumors with amivantamab, or an AREG-targeting antibody, inhibits ligand-induced signaling and cell/tumor proliferation/growth. Across 10 EGFRWT NSCLC patient-derived xenograft mouse models, amivantamab efficacy correlated with AREG RNA levels, suggesting AREG as a potential predictive marker for amivantamab activity in this population. Interestingly, in these xenograft models, amivantamab anti-tumor activity was independent of amivantamab's Fc engagement with immune cells, suggesting that, in this context, the amivantamab’s ligand-blocking function is sufficient for its efficacy. Juxtaposedly, we previously demonstrated that low fucose amivantamab, active Fc domain, was necessary for maximal anti-tumor activity against tumors with EGFR or Met activating mutations. Altogether, these results demonstrated amivantamab context-dependent MOA for efficacy. In conclusion, these data 1) highlight EGFR ligand AREG as a driver of tumor growth in some EGFRWT NSCLC models, 2) illustrate the preclinical efficacy of amivantamab in ligand-driven EGFRWT NSCLC, and 3) identify AREG as a potential predictive biomarker for amivantamab against anti-EGFRWT therapies.

Citation Format: Ricardo Rivera-Soto, Benjamin Henley, Marian Pulgar, Stacey Lehman-Tenuto, Himanshu Gupta, Megan Weindorfer, Smruthi Vijayaraghavan, Tsun-Wen Yao, Sylvie Laquerre, Sheri Moores. Amivantamab efficacy in wildtype EGFR NSCLC tumors correlates with levels of ligand expression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1914.
Abstract 1941: AXL activation promotes adaptive resistance to KRAS-G12C inhibitors in KRAS-G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Morimoto Kenji , Yamada Tadaaki , Hirai Soichi , Katayama Yuki , Kunimasa Kei , Sasaki Takaaki , Nishida Makoto , Watanabe Satoshi , Shiotsu Shinsuke , Uehara Hisanori , Takayama Koichi
Published: March 2024

Background: KRAS is the most frequent targetable oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, novel KRAS inhibitor have been clinically developed for treatment of KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC patients. However, it is difficult to achieve complete remission of tumor. Therefore, the optimal combined therapeutic intervention with KRAS G12C inhibitors has a potentially crucial role in the clinical outcomes of patients. In this study, we focused on the mechanisms underlying adaptive resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors and therapeutic strategies required to overcome them.

Methods: We used KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC cell lines to evaluate the adaptive response to KRAS G12C inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. We also investigated the correlation between AXL expression in pre-treated tumors and clinical outcomes with sotorasib for KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC patients.

Results: We revealed that AXL signaling leads to the adaptive resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors in KRAS-G12C mutated NSCLC, activation of which is induced by GAS6 production via transcriptional coactivator YAP. AXL inhibition reduced the viability of AXL-overexpressing KRAS G12C-mutated lung cancer cells by enhancing KRAS G12C inhibition-induced apoptosis. In xenograft models of AXL-overexpressing KRAS G12C-mutated lung cancer treated with KRAS G12C inhibitors, initial combination therapy with AXL inhibitor markedly delayed tumor regrowth compared with KRAS G12C inhibitor alone or the combination after acquired resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitor. AXL was highly expressed in clinical specimens of KRAS G12C-mutated lung cancers and its high expression was associated with a low treatment response to sotorasib.

Conclusions: These results indicated pivotal roles for AXL activation and its inhibition in the intrinsic resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitor.

Citation Format: Kenji Morimoto, Tadaaki Yamada, Soichi Hirai, Yuki Katayama, Kei Kunimasa, Takaaki Sasaki, Makoto Nishida, Satoshi Watanabe, Shinsuke Shiotsu, Hisanori Uehara, Koichi Takayama. AXL activation promotes adaptive resistance to KRAS-G12C inhibitors in KRAS-G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1941.
Abstract 1965: 3HP-2827-high selective inhibitor of FGFR2, a best-in-class therapy for FGFR2-driven solid tumors
Authors: Liu-Chen Susan S. , Lin Jufang , Hu Jingyu , Liu Yanchao , Zhang Weibo , Zhang Zhixiong , Ding Yan , Liu Jinqiu , Chen Kevin , Hu Shaojing
Published: March 2024

FDA-approved pan-FGFR inhibitors bring encouraging results in solid tumors. However, resistance mechanisms and side effect profiles may limit their clinical utility. We designed 3HP-2827, a highly selective and potent small molecule inhibitor of FGFR2, to treat solid tumors harboring FGFR2 alterations, including amplifications, mutations, and fusions to overcome these limitations. 3HP-2827 inhibits FGFR2 enzyme activity with more than 1623-fold selectivity over FGFR1 and FGFR3. 3HP-2827 inhibits cell proliferation with IC50 <10 nM and 30 nM in FGFR2 amplified and FGFR2-mutant cancer cell lines, respectively. 3HP-2827 demonstrates high kinome selectivity for FGFR2 against a panel of 485 human kinases, resulting in 90.1% inhibition of FGFR2, and no other kinases showed greater than 75% inhibition. 3HP-2827 leads only modest activity at 10 µM against PDE4D2 and LCK in 44 distinct common adverse drug reaction targets, supporting its high degree of safety. 3HP-2827 also demonstrates a dose-dependent inhibition of phosphorylation of FGFR2 and FGFR2 signaling pathway nodes, including ERK and AKT, in the FGFR2-dependent cancer cell line. In vivo, 3HP-2827 demonstrates potent antitumor activity in cell- and patient-derived xenograft mouse models, including FGFR2-amplified gastric cancer, FGFR2-mutant (N549K) endometrial cancer, FGFR2 fusion ICC and gastric cancers. Strikingly, 3HP-2827 demonstrates superior activity in patient-derived ICC and gastric cancer, cell-derived endometrial cancer (CDX) in tumor and pFGFR2 inhibitions. In the ICC PDX model, 3HP-2827 also induces the regression of pemigatinib-resistant tumors. 3HP-2827 is well tolerated in the toxicology studies, and no hyperphosphatemia or tissue mineralization is observed at 150 mg/kg/kg/day in rats and 120 mg/kg/day in dogs. The data support that 3HP-2827, a potential to be a best-in-class selective FGFR2 inhibitor, will be studying clinically at the beginning of 2024.

Citation Format: Susan S. Liu-Chen, Jufang Lin, Jingyu Hu, Yanchao Liu, Weibo Zhang, Zhixiong Zhang, Yan Ding, Jinqiu Liu, Kevin Chen, Shaojing Hu. 3HP-2827-high selective inhibitor of FGFR2, a best-in-class therapy for FGFR2-driven solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1965.
Abstract 198: Selective targeting of endothelial mTORC1 reduces transendothelial fatty acid delivery to improve anti-tumor immunity and suppress metastatic outgrowth
Authors: Edwards Deanna N. , Wang Shan , Song Wenqiang , Kim Laura C. , Hwang Yoonha , Chen Jin
Published: March 2024

Tumor metastasis requires sufficient nutrients to support outgrowth of disseminated tumor cells. Cancer cells utilize fatty acids as a key source of energy and biomass, but these nutrients impair the cytotoxic activities of T cells, serving to support metastatic progression. Blood is a rich source of fatty acids, but the vascular endothelium serves as a barrier to limit access to the surrounding tumor tissue. However, it is unclear how long-chain fatty acid delivery to early metastatic tumors is regulated. Here, we report that endothelial mTORC1 promotes transport of fatty acids into developing metastatic tumors, leading to reduced anti-tumor immune responses and improved outgrowth. Using a murine model of metastatic outgrowth in the lung, tumor burden was significantly reduced upon targeted deletion of Raptor, an essential component of the mTORC1 complex, in endothelial cells (RptorECKO). We employed a multifaceted approach using metabolomics, transcriptomics, and molecular assays to identify a Raptor/mTORC1-mediated mechanism of transendothelial fatty acid transport via RAB and CLSTN1 cargo trafficking. In vivo uptake of a fluorescent palmitic acid analog in tumor cells and T cells was reduced in RptorECKO lung metastatic tumors, which correlated with improved markers of cytotoxicity. Combination of low-dose RAD001/everolimus, which selectively inhibits mTORC1 in endothelial cells, with anti-PD1 reduces metastatic disease and impairs long-chain fatty acid uptake in T cells, corresponding to improved anti-tumor immunity. These findings describe a novel mechanism of transendothelial fatty acid transportation during metastatic outgrowth, supporting future development of therapeutic strategies to target endothelial mTORC1 activity.

Citation Format: Deanna N. Edwards, Shan Wang, Wenqiang Song, Laura C. Kim, Yoonha Hwang, Jin Chen. Selective targeting of endothelial mTORC1 reduces transendothelial fatty acid delivery to improve anti-tumor immunity and suppress metastatic outgrowth [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 198.
Abstract 1988: Mass spectrometry profiling identifies ENO2 as a driver of lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim Sukbum , Loh Jia-Jian , Yu Huajian , Man Ki-Fong , Ng Kai-Yu , Lee Terence Kin-Wah , Chung Clive Yik-Sham , Ma Stephanie
Published: March 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant type of primary liver cancer, and lenvatinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor approved by the FDA as a first-line drug for advanced HCC since 2018. Lenvatinib demonstrated antitumor activity with a higher objective response rate, longer progression-free survival, and time to progression in a non-inferiority trial compared with sorafenib. However, the clinical benefits of lenvatinib remain limited as acquired resistance to lenvatinib during HCC treatment is inevitable. This highlights the need to understand the molecular mechanisms of lenvatinib resistance and to explore new therapeutic approaches to overcome this resistance. Tumor lineage plasticity, a recognized hallmark of cancer, is a phenomenon in which tumor cells dedifferentiate into a more stemness state to attain cellular plasticity, enabling them to evade targeted therapeutic interventions. However, the mechanism by which cellular plasticity contributes to lenvatinib resistance remains elusive. In this study, we employed proteomic mass spectrometry to investigate altered proteins in two pairs of parental lenvatinib-sensitive and their corresponding trained lenvatinib-resistant HCC cell lines. This analysis revealed that upregulation of enolase 2 (ENO2), a glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the dehydration and conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate, is a critical contributor. ENO2 upregulation is frequently observed in HCC and is strongly correlated with aggressive clinical features, including poor survival, advanced tumor stage, and poor differentiation status. We further showed that ENO2 upregulation in HCC is positively correlated with stemness and hepatic progenitor marker signatures, as well as hypoxia, and subsequently demonstrated that ENO2 is regulated by hypoxia/HIF-1α, with hypoxia response element sequences located in the ENO2 promoter region. Research is underway to investigate the functional role and underlying molecular mechanisms associated with ENO2-driven lenvatinib resistance and cellular plasticity in HCC.

Citation Format: Sukbum Kim, Jia-Jian Loh, Huajian Yu, Ki-Fong Man, Kai-Yu Ng, Terence Kin-Wah Lee, Clive Yik-Sham Chung, Stephanie Ma. Mass spectrometry profiling identifies ENO2 as a driver of lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1988.
Abstract 1990: TIP60-mediated acetylation of ΔNp63α is associated with cisplatin resistance
Authors: Hira Akshay , Zhang Jin , Kemp Mike , Kadakia Madhavi P.
Published: March 2024

The chemotherapeutic drug Cisplatin is often used to treat squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients, but low response rates and disease recurrence are common. About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US. ΔNp63α, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors, is overexpressed and considered oncogenic in non-melanoma skin cancer where it regulates cell survival, promotes proliferation, and inhibits cell apoptosis. ΔNp63α has also been shown to promote resistance to cisplatin by orchestrating the transcriptional regulation of several DNA damage response (DDR) genes. Our previous study showed that the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) TIP60 promotes SCC proliferation by positively regulating ΔNp63α protein levels in a manner reliant on the catalytic activity of TIP60. This observation suggested that TIP60 may contribute to the failure of platinum-based drugs in SCC and led us to hypothesize that TIP60-mediated acetylation of ΔNp63α regulates its stability and transcriptional activity to promote chemoresistance. We found that TIP60 levels positively correlated with ΔNp63α stability, protein levels, and cisplatin resistance. Further, silencing endogenous TIP60 led to a decrease in ΔNp63α transcript and protein levels in multiple cisplatin resistant SCC cell lines. Further, stable expression of TIP60 or ΔNp63α individually promoted resistance to cisplatin and reduced cell death, whereas loss of ΔNp63α or TIP60 induced G2/M arrest, increased cell death, and sensitized cells to cisplatin. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of TIP60 reduced acetylation of ΔNp63α, decreased colony formation, and sensitized resistant cells to cisplatin. Finally, we demonstrated that ΔNp63α and TIP60 levels positively correlated with DNA repair capacity and negatively correlated with cisplatin-DNA adduct formation. Silencing of either TIP60 or ΔNp63α intensified cisplatin-DNA adduct formation and significantly reduced the expression of drug efflux transporters. Taken together, our data indicate that TIP60-mediated stabilization of ΔNp63α increases cisplatin resistance and provides critical insights into the mechanisms by which ΔNp63α confers cisplatin resistance in SCC. Our findings suggest that the inhibition of TIP60 may be therapeutically advantageous in overcoming cisplatin resistance in SCC and other epithelial cancers.

Citation Format: Akshay Hira, Jin Zhang, Mike Kemp, Madhavi P. Kadakia. TIP60-mediated acetylation of ΔNp63α is associated with cisplatin resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1990.
Abstract 2014: Tumor glycosylation impacts the efficacy of HER2 targeting therapies
Authors: Ruiz-Saenz Ana , Vincken Roos , Wolf Denise , Steri Veronica , Veer Laura van't , Martens John , Huylebroeck Danny , Moasser Mark M.
Published: March 2024

Cancer progression remains a major obstacle to the successful treatment of cancer. In HER2+ breast cancer, targeting therapies against HER2 have revolutionized the treatment landscape. However, predictive factors for response are largely unknown and a significant number of patients develop resistance. An extensive body of work has revealed a plethora of mechanisms of resistance. However, a key aspect of cancer cells has been largely overlooked: their aberrant glycosylation profile. Aberrant glycosylation of proteins is a hallmark in cancer and has been linked to multiple processes such as invasion, angiogenesis and modulation of the immune response. Yet the influence of altered glycosylation on the efficacy of HER2-targeted therapies remains unknown. Therefore, here, we address this question using clinical data, 3D co-culture systems and advanced live microscopy. Bioinformatics analysis of SPY-2 clinical trial data reveals an association of specific glycogenes with response to HER2-targeting therapies in breast cancer patients. We validated these findings in resistance cell models generated in-vitro and in-vivo using gain and loss of function assays. Furthermore, to provide a more relevant cell model system, we implement the use of 3D co-cultures of cancer spheroids and immune cells. Thus, our research addresses a largely unexplored area in cancer biology combining clinical data from tumor biopsies, trastuzumab-resistant cancer cell models and, live imaging of 3D heterotypic cultures. This work holds the potential to identify new markers of response to therapies and highlights the importance of the interplay of cancer cells and their microenvironment on the efficacy of current treatments.

Citation Format: Ana Ruiz-Saenz, Roos Vincken, Denise Wolf, Veronica Steri, Laura van't Veer, John Martens, Danny Huylebroeck, Mark M. Moasser. Tumor glycosylation impacts the efficacy of HER2 targeting therapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2014.
Abstract 2032: Osteoblasts alter their protein expression profile in the presence of prostate cancer cells to facilitate their invasion
Authors: Todman Aaron J. , Ratnayake Wishrawana S. , Lajmi Luke , Breedy Sloan , Shourav Abiral H. , Bisht Kirpal , Acevedo-Duncan Mildred
Published: March 2024

Bone metastasis is the leading cause of death in prostate cancer patients, for which there is currently no effective treatment. Since the bone microenvironment plays an important role in this process, attention has been directed to the interactions between cancer cells and the bone microenvironment, including osteoblasts. Here, we investigated the mechanism of interactions between prostate cancer cells (DU-145 and PC-3) and osteoblast cell line hFOB.1.19. We are investigating the broader effects of four different nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) analogs 5-fluoro-1-((1R,4R)-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (KBMD-E), 3-benzoyl-5-fluoro-1-((1S,4S)-4-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)cyclopent-2-en-1-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (KBMD-G), 1-((1R,4R)-4-hydroxycyclopent-2-en-1-yl)-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (KBMD-H) and 1-(5-hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl)-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (KBMD-S) along with aPKC specific inhibitors ICA-1S and ζ-Stat to develop as potential anti-cancer drugs. Our previous publications suggested that aPKC-ι and ζ are involved in prostate cancer progression and metastasis. Current data suggested that aPKC specific inhibitors along with KBMD compounds induced apoptosis and pyroptosis of DU-145 and PC-3 while having lesser effects on hFOB.1.19 cell line. Our data demonstrate that osteoblasts assist prostate cells to establish in the bone microenvironment by producing metastatic stimulating chemokines while upregulating responsible transcription factors such as c-Jun. In addition, our preliminary data suggested that PKC-ι and ζ are crucial for driving critical steps of the metastatic cascades of prostate cancer cells. Preliminary data suggested that all 6 compounds upregulated interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β while downregulating IL-8, IL-6 and CXCL-1. Upregulation of Caspase 8 with cleaved gasdermin D in prostate cells indicates an increase in pyroptosis. Our preliminary results suggest that all 6 compounds can be used to disrupt the main steps of prostate cancer bone metastasis which can be targeted to develop customized, tailored therapies for bone metastatic prostate cancer which merit further research.

Citation Format: Aaron J. Todman, Wishrawana S. Ratnayake, Luke Lajmi, Sloan Breedy, Abiral H. Shourav, Kirpal Bisht, Mildred Acevedo-Duncan. Osteoblasts alter their protein expression profile in the presence of prostate cancer cells to facilitate their invasion [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2032.
Abstract 2038: Combination therapy leads to decreased viability in cardiomyblasts cells
Authors: Greenlee Ashley N. , Schwendeman Ethan J. , Smith Sakima A.
Published: March 2024

Anti-cancer therapies (ACT) have been extremely effective in improving survival in cancer patients; however, they have also been known to cause cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the same patients. Published research shows that ACTs are toxic to cardiomyocytes through decreased viability. However, they have mainly focused on drugs that are phasing out of clinical practice while newly generated tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have rarely been studied, despite their increase in popularity for treating multiple cancers as monotherapies and combination therapies. Additionally, most of the concentrations tested tend to be higher than the concentration that directly interacts with cardiomyocytes, therefore overestimating its effects. The goal of this project is to elucidate whether newly generated TKIs and ICIs, both by itself and in combination, lead to decreased viability in cells. We tested three TKIs (Axitinib, Cabozantinib, and Lenvatinib) and two ICIs (Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab), both solely and together, on rat ventricular myoblasts (H9c2) cells using clinically relevant concentrations by calculating the unbound serum drug concentrations found in cancer patients. After 24 hours, we tested cell viability using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. After 24 hours, neither TKIs nor ICIs by themselves caused decreased viability compared to the control group. However, there were significant decreases in viability when treated with combination of the two, with more than 50% depletion in the Lenvatinib/Pembrolizumab group. Our study indicates although TKIs and ICIs by themselves do not effect viability, they have significant effects after 24 hours when the drugs are combined, even at clinically relevant concentrations. We plan to further characterize whether these drug combinations lead to cardiomyocyte death and through which pathway. Additionally, our lab has successfully differentiated and validated human-induced pluripotent ventricular myocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and testing whether these monotherapies and combination therapies effect viability and functionality on human-induced pluripotent ventricular myocytes (hiPSC-CMs) is currently in progress.

Citation Format: Ashley N. Greenlee, Ethan J. Schwendeman, Sakima A. Smith. Combination therapy leads to decreased viability in cardiomyblasts cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2038.
Abstract 206: Intratumoral accumulation of CD38 enhances immune evasion and metastasis in models of breast cancer with EMT plasticity
Authors: Visal Tanvi
Published: March 2024

Background- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging to treat due to fewer clinically detectable targets and its propensity to metastasize. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key feature of the metastatic cascade. Recent data highlights the enhanced metastatic potential of hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (EM) phenotypes from partial activation of EMT. However, mechanistic insights and targetable vulnerabilities within hybrid EM remain elusive. We identified that hybrid EM tumors are enriched in CD38, an immunesuppressive molecule associated with worse clinical outcomes in liquid malignancies. Hence, we sought to investigate role of CD38 in hybrid EM-driven metastasis. We hypothesize that hybrid EM tumors drive metastasis via intratumoral accumulation of CD38, promoting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).

Methods- Reverse Phase Protein Array, cell migration/invasion assays, flowcytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate phenotype, immune cell populations and molecular mechanisms upon CD38 knockdown (KD) and overexpression (OE) in vivo.

Results- CD38 KD weakened the process of EMT and reduced cell migration and invasion. Tumors lacking CD38 showed increased infiltration of CD8 T cells and M1-like (anti-tumor) macrophages coupled with a decrease in immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) and M2-like (pro-tumor) macrophages. In contrast, cancer cells with CD38 OE maintained a hybrid phenotype through co-expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers and also showed significant increase in cell migration and invasion. Tumors arising from CD38 OE cells displayed a significant increase in Tregs. Most strikingly, hybrid EM tumors that no longer express CD38 show reduction in lung metastases and circulating tumor cell colonies. Taken together, these findings suggest that CD38 is important for the metastatic and immune evasive potential of hybrid EM breast cancers.

Conclusion- Our data exposes CD38 as a survival strategy in hybrid EM tumors to suppress immune cells and sustain metastasis with strong implications in other carcinomas which have hybrid EM properties.

Citation Format: Tanvi Visal. Intratumoral accumulation of CD38 enhances immune evasion and metastasis in models of breast cancer with EMT plasticity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 206.
Abstract 207: Tumor suppressive role of NKX2-1 in advanced thyroid cancer progression
Authors: Shirai Yo-Taro , Kimura Shioko
Published: March 2024

NKX2-1 is a homeodomain transcription factor, known as a master regulator of thyroid development. NKX2-1 is also crucial for lung epithelium differentiation, and the involvement of NKX2-1 in lung carcinogenesis and cancer progression has been intensely investigated. However, the role of NKX2-1 in thyroid cancer progression remains elusive. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset analysis demonstrated that papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with low NKX2-1 mRNA expression had significantly poorer prognosis than those with a combination of intermediate and high mRNA expression of NKX2-1. Lentivirus-transduced tetracycline (Tet)-inducible system was used to achieve NKX2-1 overexpression in advanced follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) cell lines, FTC-238 and WRO, and an anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cell line 8305C, in which NKX2-1 expression is barely/not detected. All these thyroid cancer cell lines showed significant suppression of cell proliferation with NKX2-1 overexpression. In addition, NKX2-1 overexpression inhibited migration of FTC-238 cells. The levels of mRNA and protein expression of mesenchymal markers, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and fibronectin, were decreased by NKX2-1 overexpression in FTC-238 cells, suggesting a possibility that NKX2-1 partially inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). SNAIL and SLUG are essential EMT transcription factors involved in metastasis in cancer progression. NKX2-1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in high SNAI1 (encoding SNAIL) expressing PTC in TCGA database. Indeed, suppression of SNAIL protein expression was found upon overexpression of NKX2-1 in FTC-238 cells which naturally express high level of SNAIL. These findings suggest that NKX2-1 may inhibit the migration of advanced thyroid cancer cells through SNAIL-induced EMT. Similarly, suppression of SLUG protein expression by overexpression of NKX2-1 was observed in WRO and 8305C cells which express high level of SLUG protein. Whether NKX2-1 overexpression inhibits migration and invasion of WRO and 8305C cells through SLUG-induced EMT is currently under examination. The Tet-inducible NKX2-1 expressing thyroid cancer cells will be used for in vivo evaluation of their metastatic ability using an immunocompromised mouse model. The findings so far suggest that NKX2-1 exerts a tumor suppressive activity in advanced thyroid cancers through suppression of cell proliferation, and cell migration presumably via suppression of EMT transcription factors.

Citation Format: Yo-Taro Shirai, Shioko Kimura. Tumor suppressive role of NKX2-1 in advanced thyroid cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 207.
Abstract 2095: Peptide-based pivoting of p53 to target metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Putavet Diana , Baar Marjolein P. , Lehmann Johannes H. , Khalil Antoine , Shi Tao , Koorman Thijs , Dansen Tobias B. , Derksen Patrick WB , Teifel Michael , Madl Tobias , Sarlis Nicholas
Published: March 2024

The inability to target distant metastases limits the treatment of late-stage cancers. At least in part, this is due to the lack of optimal targeted therapies and treatment resistance to the remaining standard of care consisting of chemo-/radio- therapy. Here, we show that cancer cells that are irreparably damaged can withstand cell death through a process we define as “scarring”. In scarred cells, p53 is phosphorylated at Ser46 and Ser392 and localizes into progressive multifocal leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies. We have identified scarring in over a quarter of metastatic breast, colon, stomach and ovarian cancer. Thus, pivoting scarred p53 towards cell death in scarred cancer could establish a novel broad-range therapeutic opportunity against metastatic cancer. Targeting p53 with small molecules has proven challenging. We developed cell-penetrating peptides that selectively bind scarred p53. One of our lead compounds, CL04177 dissociates p53 from its PML scaffold leading to its a nuclear exclusion and initiation of the transcription-independent mitochondrial apoptosis. To examine the role of scarring as a therapeutic target, we focused on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC cells are marked by the expression of p53 and PML compared to other breast cancer subtypes. In cytotoxicity experiments, CL04177 specifically targeted TNBC over other breast cancer subtypes. Further investigation into how this compound can target metastatic cells revealed that scarred features are upregulated in metastasis-initiating cells of organoids when induced to invade in contact with collagen and that CL04177 can induce apoptosis specifically in these invading strands. In vivo, CL04177 showed favorable pharmacokinetics and -dynamics and a clear safety profile. Importantly, when dosed at 10-fold below its Maximally Tolerated Dose, CL04177 strongly reduced primary tumor mass and metastatic dissemination to the liver of TNBC cell line-derived orthotopic xenografts. This data indicates a new concept of scarred p53 in cancer progression and metastasis. Moreover, peptides that release scarring markers from nuclear structures can eliminate aggressive cancers in vitro and, most importantly, in vivo, e.g., in p53-mutated, metastatic TNBC. This ability introduces a conceptually new therapeutic option, especially for types of cancer for which there is a high unmet medical need.

Citation Format: Diana Putavet, Marjolein P. Baar, Johannes H. Lehmann, Antoine Khalil, Tao Shi, Thijs Koorman, Tobias B. Dansen, Patrick WB Derksen, Michael Teifel, Tobias Madl, Nicholas Sarlis. Peptide-based pivoting of p53 to target metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2095.
Abstract 2101: Patient-derived cells (PDCs) and organoids (PDOs) as critical platforms for developing next therapeutic strategies for NSCLC
Authors: Park Sewon , Joo Yunjoo , Lee Ju-hyeon , Yun Mi Ran , Yu Mi Ra , Oh Seung Yeon , Lee Eun Ji , Kim Dong Kwon , Lee Seul , Lim Kyumin , Hong Min Hee , Lim Sun Min , Lee Jii Bum , Cho Byoung Chul
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Patient-derived cells (PDCs) and organoids (PDOs) are constructed from pleural effusions to mimic the biological features of patients. In cancer research, PDC/PDOs could be a critical tool because they can recapitulate tumor mutations. Since commercial cell lines have difficulty mimicking the heterogeneity of tumors, PDC/PDOs are widely used for predicting the preclinical drug efficacy. The aim of this study is to show that the PDC/PDOs can be used as effective tools for developing new therapeutic strategy on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Experimental design: PDC/PDO models from malignant effusions were established as following. We succeeded the establishment with samples which are positive for malignancy in cytology tests and tumor colony formation. Mutations that cell harbors are confirmed by Sanger sequencing, Whole exome sequencing, or RNA-sequencing. Following the patient treatment history, we confirmed how does established patient derived model response to drugs that patient was treated.

Results: A total of 54 PDCs and 171 PDOs were established from NSCLC patients, including models harboring EGFR mutations, KRAS mutations, uncommon EGFR mutations. 8 models of PDC and 7 models of PDO harbor various mutations of resistance mechanisms to EGFR-TKIs (T790M, C797S/C797G, MET amplification). Also, 4 models of PDC and PDO harbor uncommon EGFR mutations (EGFR G719S, L861Q, G719C/S768I, G719S/S768I) and 12 models of PDO harbors KRAS mutation.

YUO-139 and YU-1092 are patient derived models that harbors uncommon EGFR mutation G719S and L861Q respectively. The models response to afatinib sensitively. IC50 of YUO-139 and YU-1092 to afatinib were 2.1 nM and 23.8 nM respectively. YUO-143 is a PDO model that harbors EGFR E19del/T790M/C797S which was derived from gefitinib and mavelertinib resistant patient revealed sensitivity to BLU-945 (IC50, 43 nM), a novel fourth-generation EGFR-TKI.

Conclusions: Patient derived models could be a critical tool for developing therapeutic strategies for NSCLC.

Citation Format: Sewon Park, Yunjoo Joo, Ju-hyeon Lee, Mi Ran Yun, Mi Ra Yu, Seung Yeon Oh, Eun Ji Lee, Dong Kwon Kim, Seul Lee, Kyumin Lim, Min Hee Hong, Sun Min Lim, Jii Bum Lee, Byoung Chul Cho. Patient-derived cells (PDCs) and organoids (PDOs) as critical platforms for developing next therapeutic strategies for NSCLC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2101.