bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3200: Examining the role of obesity and leptin signaling in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Brock Courtney , Wright Maryl , Nguyen Khoa , Hebert Katherine , Alzoubi Madlin , Cheng Thomas , Collins-Burow Bridgette , Burow Matthew
Published: June 2022

Individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) have an increased risk of developing many adult cancers, including breast cancer. In triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a clinically aggressive subtype of breast cancer, increased BMI is associated with more aggressive tumor types and a higher risk of recurrence. The differences in outcomes between obese and non-obese breast cancer patients is a consequence of the complex interplay between social, environmental, and physiological factors that contribute to the etiology of breast cancer. Therefore, understanding the complex signaling events in the obese tumor microenvironment is essential. Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are a component of the breast microenvironment, and are a subset of mesenchymal stem cells. ASCs from obese patients (obASCs) secrete higher levels various cytokines and adipokines that induce a more invasive phenotype in triple negative breast cancer cells compared to ASCs from lean individuals. Leptin, an adipokine that is expressed proportionally to fat mass, has been implicated in many cancers. Increased leptin and leptin receptor expression is associated with worse prognosis. This study seeks to examine the role of leptin signaling in triple negative breast cancer.

Previous work in conjunction with a collaborating lab has shown that leptin signaling promotes metastasis and increased expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in triple negative breast cancer. This project expands upon this work through using both patient-derived cell lines and and patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and examines the role of leptin signaling both in vitro and in vivo. To determine the effects of obesity upon a PDX model, a high fat diet was used to induce obesity in vivo. Exposure to conditioned media harvested from obASCs increased the percentage of TNBC cells that expressed cancer stem cell markers, whereas exposure to a small peptide antagonist of the leptin receptor decreased the percentage of cells with CSC markers. PDX tumors implanted into diet-induced obesity mice had an increased volume compared to tumors implanted into lean controls. Conclusions: These molecular differences may contribute to the differences in cancer outcomes between obese and lean individuals with breast cancer, and further study of the crosstalk between obASCs and TNBC is critical.

Citation Format: Courtney Brock, Maryl Wright, Khoa Nguyen, Katherine Hebert, Madlin Alzoubi, Thomas Cheng, Bridgette Collins-Burow, Matthew Burow. Examining the role of obesity and leptin signaling in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3200.
Abstract 3206: Three-dimensional tumor angiogenesis mapping in metastatic gastric cancer patients
Authors: Ko Jihoon , Hyung Sujin , An Minae , Jeon Noo Li , Lee Jeeyun
Published: June 2022

Background: Patients with gastric cancer (GC) develop malignant ascites as the disease progresses due to peritoneal metastasis. The presence of malignant ascites is a critical prognostic sign of tumor progression. With an understanding of these patient subsets, better optimized treatment strategies are needed.

Method: We analyzed whole exome and transcriptome sequences of ascites or primary tumor samples obtained from 46 patients with advanced gastric cancer. In addition, we engineered a microfluidic-based gastric cancer patient-on-a-chip (GRASP) to develop a tumor-induced patient-specific angiogenesis model and evaluate the ramucirumab responses.

Results: Through single-cell sequencing, 46 patients were classified into two groups according to the level of KDR gene (VEGFR2) expression. (high KDR, N=25; low KDR, N=21) In the group with high VEGFR2 expression, 68% (17 of 25) samples were from ascites, and all samples with low KDR were from primary tumors. In the GRASP system, the quantitative results of random co-culture of PDCs from 46 patients with blood vessels demonstrated high concordances to the sequence results. In addition, the angiogenesis inhibitory effect of Ramucirumab was also high in the KDR high group.

Conclusion: Understanding angiogenesis inhibition as part of a therapeutic strategy considering tumor microenvironment has important clinical implications. It would be a significant outcome for our analysis system to bring therapeutic benefits to GC patients.

Citation Format: Jihoon Ko, Sujin Hyung, Minae An, Noo Li Jeon, Jeeyun Lee. Three-dimensional tumor angiogenesis mapping in metastatic gastric cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3206.
Abstract 3209: Everolimus inhibits angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis to affect tumor growth in TP53 mutant HNSCC
Authors: Alam Md Maksudul , Fermin Janmaris Marin , Knackstedt Mark , Noonan Mackenzie J. , Daniel Emily K. , Moore-Medlin Tara , Rong Xiaohua , Khandelwal Alok R. , Nathan Cherie-Ann O.
Published: June 2022

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) constitutes the eighth most common cancer globally, with the eighth highest mortality rate amongst all cancer types. TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in HPV -negative HNSCC. HPV-negative HNSCC harboring p53 mutations have the worst clinical outcomes with 50-60% local regional and distant recurrences causing increased morbidity and mortality. TP53 mutations are associated with shorter recurrence-free and overall survival. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play a causal role in tumor recurrence and lymph node metastasis. Therefore, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis is important in to preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis of TP53 mutant HNSCC. Previous studies demonstrated that mTOR activates STAT3 to upregulate HIF-1α and its target proteins, VEGF-A and VEGF-C, key molecules involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, respectively. Further, mTOR inhibitors suppress autocrine and paracrine growth stimulation of tumor and lymphatic endothelial cells by impairing the VEGF-C/VEGF-3 axis and releasing soluble VEGFR-2. Accordingly, our objective was to investigate the effect of an mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of HPV-negative TP53 mutant HNSCC. Everolimus treatment of HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines harboring a variety of TP53 mutations, significantly downregulated protein and mRNA levels of VEGF-A and VEGF-C. Moreover, everolimus downregulated HIF-1α protein levels suggesting a HIF-1alpha-dependent VEGF modulation. Interestingly, treatment of human microvascular and lymphatic endothelial cells (HMEC-1 and HMEC-1A, respectively) with everolimus was also associated with a significant reduction in cell proliferation, in vitro tube formation, and migration. Protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and VEGF-C were downregulated by everolimus treatment in both HMEC-1 and HMEC-1A cell lines. Taken together, our data suggest that everolimus prevents angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through the inhibition of HIF-1α, indicating a promising role for mTOR inhibitors in treating HPV-negative TP53 mutant HNSCC patients at high risk for recurrence.

Citation Format: Md Maksudul Alam, Janmaris Marin Fermin, Mark Knackstedt, Mackenzie J. Noonan, Emily K. Daniel, Tara Moore-Medlin, Xiaohua Rong, Alok R. Khandelwal, Cherie-Ann O. Nathan. Everolimus inhibits angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis to affect tumor growth in TP53 mutant HNSCC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3209.
Abstract 321: Inhibition of CD39 results in elevated ATP and activation of myeloid cells to promote anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Bowman Christine E. , Chen Ada , Juat Damie , Parashar Kaustubh , Clor Julie , Singh Hema , Kushwaha Ritu , Handlos Bryan , Liu Suan , Kline Janine , Zhao Xiaoning , Kwon Hyock Joo , Green David , Young Stephen W. , Fernandez-Salas Ester , Walters Matthew J. , Walker Nigel P.
Published: June 2022

CD39 (ENTPD1) is an ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase expressed widely in the tumor microenvironment (TME) responsible for catalyzing the conversion of ATP to AMP. Inhibition of CD39 enzymatic activity can promote anti-tumor immune responses by increasing the immunostimulatory substrate ATP and decreasing the formation of the product AMP, a precursor to immunoinhibitory adenosine. CD39 inhibition has been shown to have an anti-tumor effect by activating dendritic cells, macrophages, and NK cells in the TME to promote antigen presentation and inflammatory cytokine release.

AB598 is a novel antibody, highly specific for human and cynomolgus CD39. AB598 potently binds to CD39 expressed on human primary myeloid cells and tumor cells and potently inhibits both soluble and membrane-bound CD39 enzymatic activity.

CD39 inhibition results in increased extracellular ATP (eATP) in the TME and subsequent activation of P2X and P2Y receptors. Myeloid cells highly express both CD39 and P2X7, the P2X receptor with the weakest ligand affinity for ATP (greater than 100 μM), and most likely to be specifically activated by very high levels of eATP resulting from CD39 inhibition. Thus, the myeloid compartment has emerged as a key target associated with the therapeutic effects of CD39 inhibition. AB598 retains the ability to bind and inhibit membrane bound CD39 in the presence of high ATP (400 μM). AB598 promotes maturation of human dendritic cells in the presence of ATP, as determined by increased expression of CD83 and CD86 and decreased expression of CD14. In human macrophages treated with ATP, AB598 activates the inflammasome, resulting in the secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-18 and IL-1β. The ATP-dependent effects of AB598 support a therapeutic rationale of combining it with immunogenic therapies that induce release of ATP, such as chemotherapy and radiation, which might represent a new paradigm in the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

Citation Format: Christine E. Bowman, Ada Chen, Damie Juat, Kaustubh Parashar, Julie Clor, Hema Singh, Ritu Kushwaha, Bryan Handlos, Suan Liu, Janine Kline, Xiaoning Zhao, Hyock Joo Kwon, David Green, Stephen W. Young, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Matthew J. Walters, Nigel P. Walker. Inhibition of CD39 results in elevated ATP and activation of myeloid cells to promote anti-tumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 321.
Abstract 3228: Body mass index and ovarian cancer: Changes after diagnosis and associations with overall survival
Authors: Beeghly-Fadiel Alicia , Phillips Sharon , Bukenya George , Pradhan Pranoti , Duque Sara , Anyanwu Nneka , Son Deok-Soo , Wilson Andrew J. , Hufnagel Demetra H. , Crispens Marta A.
Published: June 2022

Background: While excess adiposity is positively associated with ovarian cancer risk, the relationship with patient prognosis remains to be fully elucidated, especially with regard to changes over time during survivorship.

Methods: We assembled a retrospective cohort of tumor registry confirmed ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer cases and evaluated peri- and post-diagnosis (±30 days and up to 5 years after, respectively) body mass index (BMI) from electronic medical records (EMR) from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Associations with overall survival (OS) were quantified by Hazards Ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from Cox proportional hazards regression; multivariable adjustment included age, stage, grade, histologic subtype, treatment, race, and year of diagnosis.

Results: We evaluated 13,676 peri- and post-diagnosis BMI observations for 616 predominantly Caucasian (87.0%) cases; the majority had serous histology (62.5%), advanced stage (58.1% Stage III or IV), high grade (52.4% poorly or undifferentiated) disease. Compared to peri-diagnosis (median =29.0), BMI was lowest 6 months post-diagnosis (median=27.4) and then gradually increased over time among survivors. In multivariable adjusted models, each 5-unit increase in mean peri-diagnosis BMI corresponded with a nonsignificant increase (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.97-1.18) while higher mean post-diagnosis BMI corresponded to a significantly decreased risk of death (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84-1.00). Adjusted models that incorporated all peri- and post-diagnosis BMI observations evaluated indicated that each 5-unit increase in BMI was associated with a 15% reduced risk of death (HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77-0.94).

Conclusions: Whereas lower adiposity may be beneficial in terms of risk, higher adiposity appears to benefit ovarian cancer survival. Factors including cancer cachexia, weight loss among ill patients, and weight gain among survivors may contribute to this seemingly protective association. Additional research to disentangle the influence of BMI on ovarian cancer outcomes and inform adiposity guidance for ovarian cancer survivors is needed.

Citation Format: Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel, Sharon Phillips, George Bukenya, Pranoti Pradhan, Sara Duque, Nneka Anyanwu, Deok-Soo Son, Andrew J. Wilson, Demetra H. Hufnagel, Marta A. Crispens. Body mass index and ovarian cancer: Changes after diagnosis and associations with overall survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3228.
Abstract 3233: Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 amplification controls mRNA stability and enhances DNA damage response in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Bustos Matias A. , Gross Rebecca , Ramos Romela Irene , Takeshima Teh-Ling , Mills Gordon B. , Yu Qiang , Hoon Dave S.
Published: June 2022

Background: 1q21.3 amplification is frequently observed in metastatic melanoma. Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 (ILF2) is in the 1q21.3 amplified region. The functional role of ILF2 as well as its contribution in promoting an aggressive phenotype in cutaneous metastatic melanoma is unknown.

Methods: In silico analyses were performed using the TCGA SKCM dataset with clinical annotations. The results were validated in three melanoma cohort microarray datasets from the GEO database. Melanoma tissues mRNA levels were assessed by RNA in situ hybridization and protein levels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Four stable metastatic melanoma cell lines were established for in vitro ILF2 functional characterization.

Results: Our results showed that the ILF2 copy number variation (CNV) is positively correlated with ILF2 mRNA expression (r=0.68, p<0.0001). Additionally, ILF2 mRNA expression significantly increased with melanoma progression (p<0.0001) and is significantly associated with poor overall survival in metastatic melanoma patients (p=0.026). In vitro, ILF2 overexpression (ILF2-OV) enhances cellular proliferation, whereas ILF2 knockdown decreases cellular proliferation by blocking the cell cycle. Mechanistically, we demonstrated the interaction between ILF2 and the splicing factor U2AF2. Reinforcing their functions as a complex, the U2AF2 knockdown reverses the cellular proliferation effects mediated by ILF2-OV. The levels of U2AF2 mRNA and protein levels increased during melanoma progression. Stage IIIB-C melanoma patients with high ILF2-U2AF2 expression showed significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.024). Functional assays showed that enhanced ILF2/U2AF2 expression promotes a more efficient DNA-damage repair by increasing RAD50 and ATM mRNA expression. Paradoxically, metastatic melanoma cell lines with ILF2-OV were more sensitive to ATM inhibitors.

Conclusion: Our study uncovered that the ILF2 and U2AF2 complex may have biological implications in controlling the mRNA stability of RAD50 and ATM in metastatic melanoma. Clinically, ILF2 amplification is associated with melanoma progression, triggers a functional downstream pathway in metastatic melanoma that promotes DNA damage repair, and increases the sensitivity to ATM inhibitors.

Citation Format: Xiaoqing Zhang, Matias A. Bustos, Rebecca Gross, Romela Irene Ramos, Teh-Ling Takeshima, Gordon B. Mills, Qiang Yu, Dave S. Hoon. Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 amplification controls mRNA stability and enhances DNA damage response in metastatic melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3233.
Abstract 3261: LNG-451, a potent inhibitor of EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations with high CNS exposure
Authors: Pearson Paul G. , Pandey Anjali , Roth Bruce , Saxton Tracy , Estes Daniel J. , Trivedi Ravi , Agrawal Himanshu , Hallur Gurulingappa , Ahmad Ishtiyaque , Jenkins Helen , Murray Brion W.
Published: June 2022

Exon 20 insertion mutations (Ex20ins) are the 3rd most common type of EGFR oncogenic mutation in lung cancer patients and are often associated with brain metastases. While several small molecules have been approved (mobocertinib) or are in clinical development (e.g. CLN-081, BDTX-189) none have demonstrated meaningful CNS activity and they can be associated with treatment-limiting adverse events, including wild-type (WT) EGFR-mediated toxicities. LNG-451 is a potent covalent inhibitor of EGFR Ex20ins (IC50 7 - 78 nM) and other EGFR oncogenic mutations (e.g L858R IC50 = 3 nM, exon 19 deletion IC50 = 24 nM) while being selective against WT EGFR (IC50 = 1630 nM). LNG-451 causes tumor regression in both cell line-derived and patient-derived EGFR Ex20ins-dependent xenograft tumor models. In a rat CNS PK model, a single oral dose of 30 mg/kg LNG-451 achieved high exposures in plasma (AUC0 - 8h = 9771 ng•h/mL) and brain (AUC0 - 8h = 10,041 ng•h/g). In a rat steady-state CNS PK model, unbound partition coefficient for LNG-451 was determined to be Kpu,u = 0.66. To evaluate the potential for LNG-451 to treat metastatic brain disease driven by EGFR mutations, an intracranial PC9-luc xenograft mouse model harboring an EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation was used (LNG-451 cellular EGFR Del19 IC50 = 10.6 nM). LNG-451 had dose-dependent exposures in the plasma and brain with both high mean brain exposure (e.g 1074 ng/g with 25 mg/kg LNG-451) and high mean brain to plasma ratios (e.g. 0.451 for 25 mg/kg LNG-451). LNG-451 treatments were well-tolerated and produced significant anti-tumor activities with 99.5% (2.5 mg/kg LNG-451) and 99.9% (25 mg/kg LNG-451) reductions in total bioluminescence signal (BLI) and regression of tumor BLI (2.5 mg/kg LNG-451 28.8% regression; 25 mg/kg LNG-451, 80.3% regression). An ex vivo imaging analysis of the brain and spinal cords from all animals at the end of the study showed a dose-dependent decrease in the bioluminescent signal in both brain and spinal cords from mice treated with LNG-451 relative to the vehicle control animals. Taken together, LNG-451 is a CNS-penetrant, wild-type EGFR-sparing, EGFR Ex20ins inhibitor that is expected to provide strong anti-tumor efficacy for patients with advanced/metastatic solid cancers harboring oncogenic EGFR exon 20 insertions with reduced WT EGFR driven toxicities.

Citation Format: Paul G. Pearson, Anjali Pandey, Bruce Roth, Tracy Saxton, Daniel J. Estes, Ravi Trivedi, Himanshu Agrawal, Gurulingappa Hallur, Ishtiyaque Ahmad, Helen Jenkins, Brion W. Murray. LNG-451, a potent inhibitor of EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations with high CNS exposure [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3261.
Abstract 3289: PD-1 peptide/IL-12 combination gene therapy for the treatment of melanoma
Authors: Heller Loree , Shi Guilan , Synowiec Jody , Heller Richard
Published: June 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as PD-1 targeting antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab are FDA approved as therapies for many cancers. These ICIs inhibit PD-1 ligand binding, removing interference with T cell function, allowing T cell proliferation, and restoring the anti-tumor activity. Potential factors predicting checkpoint blockade success include PD-L1 expression, the presence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, microsatellite instability, and tumor mutational burden. ICIs are most effective clinically in combination therapies. Here, we devised a simple ICI gene therapy as a possible alternative to traditional and expensive monoclonal antibodies. We designed plasmids encoding the mouse sequences homologous to the nivolumab and pembrolizumab binding regions, which overlap the PD-1 ligand binding site. We hypothesized that, when produced intratumorally, each PD-1 peptide should bind PD-L1 and block T cell binding. Since B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and tumors express PD-L1, we tested this theory in this model. We directly demonstrated peptide-PD-L1 binding histologically on B16F10 mouse melanoma tumors. Systemic expression of the encoded peptides did not induce changes in general demeanor, discomfort or weight changes in mice, implying that intratumor expression would also be non-toxic. We then tested these peptide plasmids therapeutically. Intratumor electroporation delivery of the peptide plasmids to palpable B16F10 mouse melanoma tumors significantly increased tumor doubling time and induced approximately 10% long-term tumor regression. Delivery of a plasmid encoding IL-12 induced long-term tumor regression in approximately 40% of mice as well as a reduction myeloid-derived suppressor cells and T regulatory cells and an increase infiltration of CD8+ T cells, creating an inflamed tumor microenvironment. This modulation of the tumor microenvironment suggested the potentiation of a combination therapy. This combination synergistically increased long-term regression to 80-100%, depending on the peptide plasmid delivered, over either PD-1 peptide or IL-12 gene therapy alone. These results demonstrated that the delivery of immune regulators with differing activities may be a promising and potentially inexpensive alternative to monoclonal antibody therapies.

Citation Format: Loree Heller, Guilan Shi, Jody Synowiec, Richard Heller. PD-1 peptide/IL-12 combination gene therapy for the treatment of melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3289.
Abstract 329: Understanding the role of GPR30 in the estrogen non-genomic signaling in inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Soto Xavier S. Bittman , Lopez Adrian J. Rivera , Peterson Esther A.
Published: June 2022

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is rare and the most aggressive subtype of all breast cancers, reporting rapid progression, poor prognosis, and a unique clinical diagnosis (blockage of lymph vessels by tumor emboli). Approximately, 40% of IBC cases are classified as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), meaning they test negative for hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone) and the amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which leads to no effective targeted therapies availability. However, 17β-estrogen (E2) has been found to enhance the migration and invasion phenotypes of TN-IBC cells and it has been associated with the presence of a membrane G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30) and a novel cytoplasmic estrogen receptor (ERα36 isoform) that can undergo an estrogen non-genomic (rapid) cell’s response. Recent studies have also reported a crosstalk between these estrogen non-genomic receptors and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in the presence of E2, inducing phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and promoting oncogenic phenotypes (migration & invasion) in TN-IBC cells. However, the exact role of GPR30 and ERα36 in the non-genomic signaling pathway remains elusive in TN-IBC. We hypothesis that GPR30 and ERα36 are necessary to undergo de estrogen non-genomic signaling and promote oncogenic phenotypes in TN-IBC SUM149 cells after E2 treatment.

Methods: We have measured migratory activity and tumor emboli formation of SUM149 cells (by wound-healing and 3D-cell proliferation assay), and phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and AKT kinases (by western-blot) after treatments in time-points with E2 alone and in combination with G15 (GPR30 antagonist drug). We are also working to identify protein partners of GPR30 (by Ip and Mass-spec) after E2 treatment, including physical interaction with ERα36, in TN-IBC and other types of breast cancers.

Results: G15 treatment in Sum149 cells significantly reduced E2-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, indicating that GPR30 is necessary for the estrogen non-genomic signaling pathway and has direct involvement with the EGFR signaling cascade. Data acquired from these experiments will contribute to a better understanding of TN-IBC’s molecular structure and create new opportunities to develop novel targeted therapies.

Citation Format: Xavier S. Bittman Soto, Adrian J. Rivera Lopez, Esther A. Peterson. Understanding the role of GPR30 in the estrogen non-genomic signaling in inflammatory breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 329.
Abstract 3292: Double targeting oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (oHSV-1) exhibits effective antitumor activity against EpCAM-expressing cancer cells
Authors: Baek Hyunjung , Joo Hyun-Yoo , Park Eun-Ran , Ahn Chun-Seob , Lee Sujung , Kim Hyeri , Han Mihee , Kim Bora , Kwon Heechung
Published: June 2022

Oncolytic virotherapy is a new modality of immunotherapy using spontaneously occurring or genetically engineered viruses to selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells, no harming normal cells. Currently, various oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSVs) with enhanced tumor targeting, antitumor efficacy, and safety have been explored in many different models, and on a range of tumor targets. It has been a difficult task to completely retarget HSV to cancer-specific antigens at the plasma membrane of selected tumors, while maintaining the fully lytic potential of HSV. This approach achieved by a deep knowledge of virus natural receptor recognition, binding, and entry mechanisms. Two strategies have been employed including the incorporation of single-chain antibodies (scFv) into gD, gC or gH and the use of soluble adapter molecules that are capable of binding to both HSV and the specific receptor on the target cell. In the previous study, we first reported that HSV could retarget to gastric carcinoma cells by HVEM-CEA adapter molecule. Although we have been shown reasonable efficiency of retargeted cell transduction in vitro and in vivo, it required purification of the adapter protein and continuous addition to the virus prior to infection. To overcome the limitations of adapter molecules, we developed a self-retargeting system by incorporation of adapter expression cassette into the HSV genome that enables the sustained secretion of adapter protein while the viral replication in infected tumor cells. Furthermore, to strengthen the retargeting modality, we constructed a novel, double targeted oHSV, carries no deletion/attenuation, consisting of self-retargeting adapter and modified gH to EpCAM. Our results show that the initial infection and subsequent viral spread depend on cellular EpCAM expression. When injected intravenously (i.v.), they caused no harm to tumor-free mice up to the maximum tested dosage (2 x 108 PFU). When a single intratumoral dose of double targeting oHSV (2 x 106 infectious units) were administered in a xenograft model they rendered 80% of mice tumor-free. Our findings suggest that the double retargeting platform of HSV carrying self-retargeting adapter and modified gH may be potent in cancer-specific cell killing and thus useful for the treatment of EpCAM expressing various cancers.

Citation Format: Hyunjung Baek, Hyun-Yoo Joo, Eun-Ran Park, Chun-Seob Ahn, Sujung Lee, Hyeri Kim, Mihee Han, Bora Kim, Heechung Kwon. Double targeting oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (oHSV-1) exhibits effective antitumor activity against EpCAM-expressing cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3292.
Abstract 3293: In vitro cellular and molecular effects of oncolytic vaccinia virus in clear and non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Jing Yuqi , Guerrero F Bustamante , Merchan Jaime
Published: June 2022

Oncolytic vaccinia virus has several advantages over other OV platforms, including an efficient life cycle, multiple mechanisms of viral spread, large genome, allowing acceptance of foreign therapeutic DNA inserts, and proven safety in humans, due to its use as smallpox vaccine. JX-594 (Pexavec, SillaJen) is an attenuated (TKdeactivated ) oncolytic vaccinia VV, engineered to express GM-CSF and to selectively target tumor over non-tumor tissues. It is currently being investigated as a novel therapeutic option in patients with advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC, NCT03294083). The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of JX-954 in a panel of clear and non-clear cell RCC cell lines and characterize the potential mechanisms of JX-594 oncolysis in vitro. We evaluated the oncolytic potency of JX-594 in human clear cell RCCs (VHL mutant 786-0, A498, VHL wild type Caki-1), non-clear cell RCC (ACHN, papillary RCC, and UOK-262, an FH deficient papillary RCC cell) and murine renal cancer cells (RENCA). Potent and persistent cytotoxic effects were induced by JX-594 in all human RCC cells, regardless of the histological subtype, and by mJX-594 (a Western Reserve strain of vaccinia virus expressing murine GMCSF) in RENCA cells. Moreover, we observed efficient viral replication in human (786-0, ACHN) and murine (RENCA) cells, confirming RCC permissiveness to viral infection. Functional proteomics analysis of JX-594 treated 786-0 cells was performed by reverse phase protein array (RPPA) to gain knowledge on potential mechanisms of viral oncolysis. JX-594 treatment had significant effects on the expression levels of proteins related to inducing cell cycle, apoptosis, necrosis, Akt signaling, MAPK signaling, autophagy and stress induction. In particular, the proteins related to cell cycle (Wee1, Cdc25c, CHK1/2, and Cyclin B1) and Akt signaling (PI3K, mTOR, Rictor and FOXO), MAPK signaling (JAK2, PAK1, FAK and MEK1) were down regulated, while proteins involved in apoptosis and necrosis were upregulated. In summary, our studies show that human and murine renal cancer cells are permissive to infection and replication by JX-594 and mJX-594, which induce potent oncolytic effects in clear and non-clear cell RCC, effects associated with significant modulation of RCC pathways associated with cell cycle, proliferation, and survival and stress responses.

Citation Format: Yuqi Jing, F Bustamante Guerrero, Jaime Merchan. In vitro cellular and molecular effects of oncolytic vaccinia virus in clear and non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3293.
Abstract 3299: Development of ONCR-788, a synthetic oncolytic virus based on Seneca Valley virus for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Kennedy Edward M. , Denslow Agnieszka , Hewett Jacqueline , Kong Lingxin , De Almeida Ana , Bryant Jeffrey , Lee Jennifer S. , Jacques Judy , Feau Sonia , Hayes Hayes , McMichael Elizabeth L. , Wambua Daniel , Adhikari Sanmit , Deterling Jessica , Scott Matthew , Haines Brian H. , Finer Mitchel H. , Ashburn Ted , Quéva Christophe , Lerner Lorena
Published: June 2022

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are an emerging therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. Clinical benefit has been demonstrated for intratumoral administration. Still, the therapeutic effectiveness of intravenous delivery has been limited by neutralizing antibody responses against the virus. To circumvent this limitation, we developed Synthetic RNA viruses, a novel approach for intravenous and repeated administration of OVs, consisting of a viral RNA genome (vRNA) formulated within lipid nanoparticles. Systemic administration of ONCR-788, the Synthetic RNA virus drug candidate encoding the vRNA of Seneca Valley virus (SVV), led to potent anti-tumor efficacy, even in the presence of OV neutralizing antibodies in the bloodstream. After a single intravenous administration of ONCR-788, we demonstrated vRNA delivery, viral replication, spread, and lysis of tumor cells. Robust anti-tumor efficacy was observed across diverse neuroendocrine tumor models, including tumor CDX and PDX xenografts, lung orthotopic, and GEMM-derived models. In a syngeneic model, ONCR-788 stimulated both tumor lysis and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Enhanced T cell recruitment and activation, increased expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells and myeloid cells, and M2 to M1 macrophage conversion were observed. Combination of ONCR-788 with anti-PD-1 resulted in improved anti-tumor activity versus the monotherapy arms. Altogether, ONCR-788 provides an innovative approach that enables repeat intravenous administration of viral immunotherapy.

Citation Format: Edward M. Kennedy, Agnieszka Denslow, Jacqueline Hewett, Lingxin Kong, Ana De Almeida, Jeffrey Bryant, Jennifer S. Lee, Judy Jacques, Sonia Feau, Hayes Hayes, Elizabeth L. McMichael, Daniel Wambua, Sanmit Adhikari, Jessica Deterling, Matthew Scott, Brian H. Haines, Mitchel H. Finer, Ted Ashburn, Christophe Quéva, Lorena Lerner. Development of ONCR-788, a synthetic oncolytic virus based on Seneca Valley virus for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3299.
Abstract 3341: Synthetic lethality by targeting ribonucleotide reductase in PP2A deficient uterine serous carcinoma
Authors: O'Connor Caitlin M. , Taylor Sarah E. , Miller Kathryn M. , Hurst Lauren , Haanen Terrance J. , Suhan Tahra K. , Zawacki Kaitlin P. , Noto Fallon K. , Trako Jonida , Mohan Arathi , Sangodkar Jaya , Zamarin Dmitriy , DiFeo Analisa , Narla Goutham
Published: June 2022

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a highly aggressive endometrial cancer subtype with limited therapeutic options and a lack of targeted therapies. While mutations to PPP2R1A, encoding the predominant protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) scaffolding protein Aα, occur in 30-40% of cases, the clinical actionability of these mutations has not been studied. Here, we show that mutation to Aα results in synthetic lethality to treatment with inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), and multiple models of Aα mutant uterine serous tumors were sensitive to Clofarabine, an RNR inhibitor in vivo. Aα mutant cells displayed impaired checkpoint signaling upon RNRi treatment, and subsequently accumulated more DNA damage than wild type cells. This was PP2A dependent as complete inhibition of PP2A activity using LB-100, a catalytic site inhibitor, sensitized wild type USC cells to RNRi. Analysis of TCGA data indicated that inactivation of PP2A, through loss of PP2A subunit expression, was prevalent in USC, with 88% of USC patients harboring loss of at least one PP2A gene. In contrast, loss of PP2A subunit expression was rare in uterine endometrioid carcinomas. While RNR inhibitors are not routinely used for uterine cancers, we identified a cohort of patients with recurrent disease treated with gemcitabine at MSKCC as a second or later line therapy. In a retrospective analysis of this cohort there was a trend for improved outcomes in USC patients treated with RNRi gemcitabine compared to patients with endometrioid histology. Overall, our data provide experimental evidence to support the use of ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors for the treatment of USC.

Citation Format: Caitlin M. O'Connor, Sarah E. Taylor, Kathryn M. Miller, Lauren Hurst, Terrance J. Haanen, Tahra K. Suhan, Kaitlin P. Zawacki, Fallon K. Noto, Jonida Trako, Arathi Mohan, Jaya Sangodkar, Dmitriy Zamarin, Analisa DiFeo, Goutham Narla. Synthetic lethality by targeting ribonucleotide reductase in PP2A deficient uterine serous carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3341.
Abstract 3345: ERAS-601, a potent inhibitor of SHP2, synergistically enhances the activity of a FLT3 inhibitor, gilteritinib, in FLT3-mutated AML tumor models
Authors: Martin Leenus , Patel Roopal , Zhang Jingchuan , Nevarez Robin , Congdon Taylor , Brail Les , Shoemaker Robert
Published: June 2022

ERAS-601 is a potent, small molecule allosteric inhibitor of wildtype SHP2, a non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) encoded by the PTPN11 gene. ERAS-601 inhibits wildtype SHP2 biochemically with an IC50 of 4.6 nM and demonstrates selectivity across panels of 300 kinases and 12 phosphatases. SHP2 mediates upstream receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling via its phosphatase-mediated regulation of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). ERAS-601 inhibits the SHP2 dependent cycling of KRAS from the inactive GDP-bound state to the active GTP-bound state and demonstrates anti-proliferative activity in FLT3-mutated human cancer cells. Gilteritinib is a second-generation FLT3 inhibitor and has demonstrated clinical activity, but emerging resistance limits the benefit of monotherapy. Here, we explored the combination of gilteritinib with ERAS-601 in FLT3 mutated AML nonclinical models. The combination of ERAS-601 with gilteritinib inhibits the oncogenic RAS/MAPK signaling as measured by pERK1/2 and synergistically inhibits the cellular viability of FLT3-mutated AML cells in vitro. The combination of ERAS-601 with gilteritinib achieves a more durable tumor growth inhibition than the respective gilteritinib and ERAS-601 monotherapies in vivo. These preclinical data support the clinical development of ERAS-601 in combination with gilteritinib in FLT3-altered AML.

Citation Format: Leenus Martin, Roopal Patel, Jingchuan Zhang, Robin Nevarez, Taylor Congdon, Les Brail, Robert Shoemaker. ERAS-601, a potent inhibitor of SHP2, synergistically enhances the activity of a FLT3 inhibitor, gilteritinib, in FLT3-mutated AML tumor models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3345.
Abstract 3361: Distinct biological response of uterine corpus serous and endometrioid carcinomas to obesity may contribute to differences in clinical outcomes
Authors: Wichmann Ignacio A. , Gómez Fernán , Salazar Cristián , Suárez Felipe , Kato Sumie , Cuello-Fredes Mauricio A.
Published: June 2022

Despite growing evidence linking obesity to the development and overall survival of cancer patients, the impact of increased body mass index (BMI) on gene expression patterns in gynecologic cancers is unclear. To address this, we herein downloaded RNAseq gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) UCEC (uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma) dataset and matched it with clinical data entries including patient height and weight. We calculated BMI for each patient and used it to stratify patients as normoweight (BMI < 25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30) or obese (BMI ≥ 30). BMI and nutritional status were matched to RNAseq gene expression data. Considering the known differences between endometrioid and serous uterine corpus tumors, analyses were performed separately for endometrioid (n = 356) and serous carcinomas (n = 117). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed between normoweight, overweight and obese patients. GSEA shows that tumors from obese patients display multiple dysregulated Gene Ontology (GO) terms (Biological Process, BP), which also differ between serous and endometrioid tumors. We further explored the impact of obesity on transcriptomic profiles of serous and endometrioid carcinomas by nutritional status independently by differential expression analysis using limma-voom. Significantly up- or downregulated genes were defined as those with logFC ≥ 1.5 at a non-adjusted P-value ≤ 0.01. Despite a clear enrichment or suppression of GO terms as evidenced by GSEA, transcriptomic analyses did not clearly separate patients according to their nutritional status. Therefore, obesity may impact on the dysregulation of biological processes through the cumulative effects of subtle differences in gene expression that, individually, do not seem to play a major role in oncogenesis. These results spotlight the relevance of obesity on the biology of uterine corpus cancers, which impact on the clinical course and treatment response of obese patients is yet to be determined. Funding: This work was supported by CONICYT FONDAP 15130011 (MC, IW), CONICYT-PFCHA/Doctorado Nacional 2019-Folio 21190421 (FG) and FONDECYT 1201083 (MC).

Citation Format: Ignacio A. Wichmann, Fernán Gómez, Cristián Salazar, Felipe Suárez, Sumie Kato, Mauricio A. Cuello-Fredes. Distinct biological response of uterine corpus serous and endometrioid carcinomas to obesity may contribute to differences in clinical outcomes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3361.
Abstract 3370: Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) is associated with cancer survival via altering cell growth and can be a novel drug target for cancer treatment
Authors: Heravi Gioia , Jang Hyejeong , Kim Seongho , Liu Wanqing
Published: June 2022

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) plays an important role in cancer biology. Fatty acid desaturase1 (FADS1) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA metabolism. We aim to investigate the association between FADS1 and survival outcomes among cancer patients. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were performed for FADS1 mRNA expression levels on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) public datasets. We also investigated the pathways associated with altered FADS1 expression in the TCGA dataset. A FADS1 inhibitor (D5D-IN-326) was used to study the proliferation in vitro in 6 different cancer cell lines. FADS1-shRNA knockdown system was introduced in the renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 786-O cell line to further study the signaling pathway associated with proliferation. Transcriptomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiles of stable cell lines were studied. Our analysis showed that among all cancer patients (N=11,490), those with a higher FADS1 mRNA expression in their tumor have a significantly worse DFS and OS (p.value <0.001 and 0.01, respectively). This association was particularly significant in RCC subtypes. Pathway analysis demonstrated that cell cycle and DNA replication were significantly enriched as the top pathways associated with FADS1 expression. Administration of FADS1 inhibitor compound 326 decreased cell proliferation in cell lines of several major cancers in a dose-dependent manner. The proliferation result was confirmed in RCC FADS1 knockdown model. RNA-seq analysis of FADS1 knockdown stable cells also showed downregulation of DNA biosynthesis, cell division, and cell proliferation. In our metabolomic study, 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) was significantly reduced in FADS1 knockdown (KD) cells which may be attributed to altered purine metabolism (p-value < 0.001). As we expected, the total omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids were lower in KD cells. We further identified lower P38 phosphorylation in KD cells which is consistent with lower cell proliferation. These results suggest that FADS1 overexpression is prognostic to lower survival in cancer patients via changing cancer metabolism, which is potentially mediated via altering cell proliferation through MAPK pathway. This study has a potential to discover a new mechanism of cancer biology and develop a novel precision treatment for cancer patients. The detailed causal relationship is warranted for continued investigation.

Citation Format: Gioia Heravi, Hyejeong Jang, Seongho Kim, Wanqing Liu. Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) is associated with cancer survival via altering cell growth and can be a novel drug target for cancer treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3370.
Abstract 3376: Novel reference materials for the analysis of methylation in liquid biopsies
Authors: Ramprakash Jayanthi , Butler Matthew G. , Garlick Russell K. , Konigshofer Yves
Published: June 2022

Here we describe new reference materials (RMs) for liquid biopsies that are designed to mimic the methylation found in circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA). Methylation is an important epigenetic modification that influences cellular differentiation and gene expression. Recently, liquid biopsies have started to incorporate analyses of epigenetic modifications for screening purposes to detect cancer-derived DNA in the blood. Additionally, epigenetic modifications are being used to also assign a tissue of origin to the cancer to direct confirmatory diagnostic procedures. Obtaining sufficient amounts of ccfDNA for assay development, validation, and proficiency testing is difficult. Furthermore, methods of analyzing the epigenetic modifications, such as bisulfite conversion, can damage a significant fraction of the input material; but, failing to carry them out to completion can result in an over-estimation of methylation. To address the challenges associated with assessing the methylation of ccfDNA, we created and characterized three types of RMs. The first type of RM is a fragmented genome of the GM24385 reference cell line that is used to create a set of RMs with different degrees of methylation (0%, ~25%, ~50%, ~75% and close to 100%). The exact degree of methylation was assigned by digital PCR using assays for heterozygous SNPs, where one allele is both a site for CpG methylation and a recognition site for a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme while the other allele is not. The second type of RM is an amplified ccfDNA sample that has been methylated similarly but also reproduces the fragment lengths and genomic representation biases of ccfDNA. The degree of methylation was assigned by digital PCR, but only a subset of assays was useful because not all SNPs were heterozygous. The third type of RM is an amplified ccfDNA sample that has been processed to mimic the methylation found in the original ccfDNA. Analyses of the RMs by whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that, while bisulfite conversion and/or the amplification of the resulting dU-containing DNA appeared to lead to significant biases in genomic representation, the resulting data was generally in agreement with the amount of methylation assigned by digital PCR. Additionally, it was possible to prepare an RM that generally reproduces the methylation found in ccfDNA; although, this was limited to individual molecules having either no or close to full methylation, which is unlikely to be the case for all molecules of ccfDNA in vivo.

Citation Format: Jayanthi Ramprakash, Matthew G. Butler, Russell K. Garlick, Yves Konigshofer. Novel reference materials for the analysis of methylation in liquid biopsies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3376.