bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1914: Elongation factor 2: A novel target for cancer progression
Authors: Malacrida Beatrice , Dowling Catríona M. , Flygaard Rasmus K. , Kiely Maeve , Coffey John C. , Jenner Lasse B. , Kiely Patrick A. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Protein translation is one the most energy demanding and highly regulated processes in cells. For this reason, dysregulation of protein synthesis is linked with different types of disease, including cancer. The link between protein synthesis and cancer progression is becoming a central theme among cancer research. Although numerous studies have identified protein synthesis as a process central to cancer progression, further research is required to identify potential novel targets and/or biomarkers.
Recently, RACK1 (Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1), a scaffold protein involved in many cell regulatory pathways including cell proliferation and migration, has been found to be part of the ribosomal machinery. Here, RACK1 is able to regulate the synthesis of particular sets of proteins and the translation itself. In fact, RACK1 is located close the mRNA exit channel where is able to recruit kinases, phosphatases and specific mRNA binding proteins.
We have identified elongation factor 2 (eEF2) as novel RACK1 interacting protein in our two and three dimensional colon cancer models. Elongation factor 2 is one of the main proteins regulating the elongation phase of protein synthesis, responsible for the translocation of the mRNA along the ribosome. We have confirmed the binding between eEF2 and RACK1 by isolating and purifying a native human form of eEF2 and combining it with a purified human version of RACK1.
Interestingly, we have demonstrated that stress conditions and IGF-1 stimulation modulate eEF2 activity in colon cancer cells. Moreover, we have examined the expression of EEF2 and have found that EEF2 gene is dysregulated in our cohort of matched normal and cancer colonic patient tissues. Interestingly, EEF2 expression is upregulated in mucinous cancers (a rare and aggressive type of colorectal cancer) compared to non-mucinous cancers and the expression of EEF2 is as well upregulated in cancers that have recurred within 2 to 3 years after the first surgery.
We believe that eEF2 is playing an important role in cancer progression and migration especially by regulating and modulating protein synthesis in certain conditions. A better understanding of the role of this protein will help in the identification of novel targets that can be then translated into therapeutic strategies against colorectal cancer.
Citation Format: Beatrice Malacrida, Catríona M. Dowling, Rasmus K. Flygaard, Maeve Kiely, John C. Coffey, Lasse B. Jenner, Patrick A. Kiely. Elongation factor 2: A novel target for cancer progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1914.
Abstract 1919: Characterization of URST1 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for oral cancer
Authors: Takano Atsushii , Miyagi Yohei , Daigo Yataro 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Oral cancer shows a high mortality rate, and its incidence is increasing gradually worldwide. Current therapies for oral cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, however, local and regional recurrences account for up to 90% of treatment failures after surgery and radiotherapy. Therefore, next generation biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for oral cancer are eagerly awaited. To identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets for oral cancer, we screened genes that overexpressed in the majority of oral cancers by using our original gene expression profile database and identified up-regulated in solid tumor 1 (URST1) as a candidate. Immunohistochemical staining showed that URST1 expression was observed in the majority of oral cancer in 64 of 96 (67%) that had received curative surgery. URST1 expression was associated with poor prognosis for oral cancer patients (P = 0.032 by log-rank test). Reduction of URST1 expression by siRNAs against URST1 (si-URST1) significantly suppressed growth of oral cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that si-URST1 increased the population of cancer cells at G2/M. In addition, exposure of cancer cells to selective URST1 inhibitor suppressed the growth of oral cancer cells. These data indicate that URST1 is a possible prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for oral cancer.
Citation Format: Atsushii Takano, Yohei Miyagi, Yataro Daigo. Characterization of URST1 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for oral cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1919.
Abstract 1920: Targeting structural RET and MET kinase alterations in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Plenker Dennis , Lorenz Carina , Bertrand Miriam , Riedel Richard , Langen Joop de , Brägelmann Johannes , Büttner Reinhard , Wolf Jürgen , Thomas Roman K. , Heuckmann Johannes , Sos Martin L. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Structural rearrangements that activate receptor kinases account for an ever-increasing pool of druggable targets in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Among these tumors RET kinase fusions and MET alterations represent two genetically distinct groups that share a common lack of clinically effective strategies. While RET rearranged tumors show a limited susceptibility to currently available RET inhibitors, MET rearranged tumors have not been yet fully appreciated as a relevant group that may benefit from treatment with MET targeted drugs. Using systematic molecular profiling of genetically engineered RET rearranged in vitro and models and patient-derived in vivo models we identified the type II kinase inhibitors ponatinib and AD80 as the most potent drugs. While both inhibitors are effective against gatekeeper mutant RET we identified a novel resistance mutation RETI788N that triggers a selective resistance against AD80 and other RET inhibitors but retains susceptibility to ponatinib. Furthermore, we studied the clinical and preclinical activity of MET targeted drugs. We specifically characterized genomic rearrangements of KIF5B-MET and STARD3NL-MET in cellular models that were found in two distinct LADC. In parallel we identified and characterized a MET kinase domain duplication that developed in an EML4-ALK rearranged positive tumor as a resistance mechanism to ceritinib. All three patients showed a partial response to crizotinib that effectively inhibits MET and ALK in these tumors. Thus, our molecular characterization of drug-target engagement in genetically defined models may further enhance the clinical efficacy of kinase inhibitors in lung tumors driven by rare oncogenic kinase alterations.
Citation Format: Dennis Plenker, Carina Lorenz, Miriam Bertrand, Richard Riedel, Joop de Langen, Johannes Brägelmann, Reinhard Büttner, Jürgen Wolf, Roman K. Thomas, Johannes Heuckmann, Martin L. Sos. Targeting structural RET and MET kinase alterations in lung adenocarcinoma patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1920.
Abstract 1923: Identification and validation of Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) signaling as a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer
Authors: Ulm Michael A. , Ponnusamy Suriyan , ElNaggar Adam C. , Narayanan Ramesh 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Ovarian cancer affects approximately 25,000 women and contributes to around 14,000 deaths in the United States each year. Although significant advances have been made in the discovery of molecular diagnostics and therapeutics for other cancers, ovarian cancer still lacks reliable diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as appropriate targeted therapeutics. A major reason for the lagging development of targeted therapeutics is the molecular heterogeneity of high grade serous ovarian cancer and the lack of better understanding of driver mutations and pathogenesis. Although gene expression data sets are available, most of them lack appropriate pair-matched controls to define the alterations that result in the transformation of normal ovarian cells to highly proliferative cancerous cells. We compared differential gene expression of high-grade treatment-naïve ovarian cancer tissue samples to matched-pair adjacent benign ovarian tissue specimens from 24 patients. A significant upregulation of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) pathway was identified in 22 of the 24 cancer specimens, identifying a potential player that could contribute to the transformation of normal ovarian cells to cancerous cells. To determine the therapeutic potential of ILK inhibition, ILK expression was reduced using siRNA in SKOV3 cells, which resulted in decreased cell proliferation. This is consistent with prior studies demonstrating reduced adhesion to and invasion of collagen gels and organotypic meso-mimetic ovarian cancer cultures with down-regulating ILK using siRNA resulted in. We then assessed the ability of a targeted agent, compound 22, a small molecule ILK-selective inhibitor, to inhibit proliferation in various ovarian cancer cell lines with different phenotypic characteristics (SKOV3, OVCAR3, OVCAR8, OV90). Compound 22 reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream target of ILK, and also inhibited cellular proliferation. Our initial findings validate ILK as a potential therapeutic target for molecular inhibition in ovarian cancer and warrants further investigation.
Citation Format: Michael A. Ulm, Suriyan Ponnusamy, Adam C. ElNaggar, Ramesh Narayanan. Identification and validation of Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) signaling as a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1923.
Abstract 1931: Targeting master neuronal transcription factor BRN2 in neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Authors: Thaper Daksh , Munuganti Ravi , Norouzi Shaghayegh , Kumar Sahil , Kim Soojin , Singh Kriti , Vahid Sepideh , Bishop Jennifer , Zoubeidi Amina 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Introduction: Resistance to newly developed androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs), such as Enzalutamide (ENZ), rapidly emerges and patients generally die within two years. In particular, a subset of patients who relapse following ARPI therapy exhibit lineage switching whereby tumours shed their dependence on AR signaling and emerge with neuroendocrine features. These tumours, termed treatment induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC), carry an extremely poor prognosis and, to date, treatment remains decades old cytotoxic chemotherapy which carries a short-lived response at the cost of significant toxicity. Therefore, targeted therapies for this deadly disease are desperately needed. Thus, the need to develop targeted treatments for this devastating disease is of paramount importance. Recently our group identified the neural transcription factor BRN2 as a major clinically relevant driver of NEPC and aggressive tumor growth, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting targeting BRN2 is a promising strategy to prevent neuroendocrine differentiation or treat NEPC. Methods: Study the effects of BRN2 inhibition using siRNA and CRISPR K/O models. Results: Inhibition of BRN2 by siRNA and by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout drastically reduced cell proliferation in 42DENZR (NEPC) cell lines. This data was re-capitulated in human NEPC NCI-H660 cells. Loss of BRN2 initiated drastic epigenetic changes in NEPC cell lines as well as in G1 arrest through up-regulation of CDKN1A/1B. This was confirmed using our first in field BRN2 inhibitors. Targeting BRN2 also lead to downregulation several known targets in NEPC like EZH2, AURKA, SOX2 and Peg10. Conclusion: No therapies exist for highly lethal NEPC. Hence, the described work aims to verify BRN2 as a central driver of NEPC, and lay the pre-clinical foundation for the integration of targeted therapies into the treatment landscape to improve survival and quality of life for patients suffering from deadly form of prostate cancer.
Citation Format: Daksh Thaper, Ravi Munuganti, Shaghayegh Norouzi, Sahil Kumar, Soojin Kim, Kriti Singh, Sepideh Vahid, Jennifer Bishop, Amina Zoubeidi. Targeting master neuronal transcription factor BRN2 in neuroendocrine prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1931.
Abstract 1945: Degradation of ERG transcription factor as a targeted therapy in B-cell and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Wang Xiaoju , Cheng Caleb , Qiao Yuanyuan , Xiao Lanbo , Wang Cynthia , Parolia Abhijit , Chinnaiyan Arul 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurs in children and adults and is one of the most common forms of pediatric cancer. The ideal individualized therapy for B- and T-cell ALL heavily depends on the present molecular drivers. However, even with the success of ALL therapy, only a few strategies target disease-specific molecular lesions. Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) ALL, which harbors the BCR:ABL1 rearrangement, are sensitive to tailored inhibitors. Unfortunately, most ALL cases in both children (97-98%) and adults (70-80%) are Ph-; therefore, agents designed to directly target other molecular lesions are urgently needed. ERG, an ETS-family transcription factor, plays a key role in hematopoietic differentiation, megakaryopoiesis, and megakaryoblastic leukemia associated with Down syndrome. ERG overexpression is predictive of a poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia and T-ALL. Transgenic expression of ERG causes T-ALL in mice and knockdown of ERG reduces human T-ALL cell proliferation. We have previously identified a consensus peptide (EIPs) that specifically binds to and leads to the proteosomal degradation of the ERG protein in prostate cancers having the TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion. Here, we demonstrated that wild type ERG was overexpressed at the mRNA and protein levels in a subset of B- and T-cell ALLs, but not in precursor CD4+, CD8+, or CD19+ cells. Pull-down assay found that streptavidin-linked beads were enriched for ERG proteins. Treatment of EIPs induced proteolytic degradation of ERG protein in Hal-01 cells, and therefore selectively inhibited ERG-driven cell growth and proliferation. More importantly, structure-based optimization created the next generation of ERG degraders (EIPv2). EIPv2 treatment significantly decreased ERG protein in Hal-01 cells starting from 3 hrs and nearly depleted ERG proteins at 48 hrs, resulting in 10-fold more potency than EIPs (IC50=2.3µM vs 25.7µM for EIPv2 and EIPs, respectively). Together, our results validate the development of peptidomimetics for ERG depletion as a targeted therapy for ALL. Unlike small-molecule antagonists, which require continuous dosing that eventually induces drug resistance, most protein degraders have relatively higher and longer pharmacological effects without requiring continuous exposure to high doses. Such an approach can abolish the presence of an oncoprotein, which, in theory, can overcome resistance to target inhibitors.
Citation Format: Xiaoju Wang, Caleb Cheng, Yuanyuan Qiao, Lanbo Xiao, Cynthia Wang, Abhijit Parolia, Arul Chinnaiyan. Degradation of ERG transcription factor as a targeted therapy in B-cell and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1945.
Abstract 1951: Role of mitochondrial peptide Humanin in the response of experimental breast cancer to chemotherapy
Authors: Zuccato Camila , Ayala Mariela A. Moreno , Gottardo Maria F. , Pidre Matias Luis , Asad Antonela S. , Candia Alejandro J. Nicola , Romanowski Victor , Seilicovich Adriana , Candolfi Marianela 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide with potent cytoprotective effect in many cell types. Administration of HN has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions and cardiovascular diseases. Although HN has been shown to protect normal tissues against the toxic effects of chemotherapy, its role in tumor chemoresistance is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to elucidate the role of HN in the progression and cytotoxic response of experimental triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We detected HN expression in murine and human TNBC cells, which was upregulated in the presence of chemotherapeutic drugs, i.e. Doxorubicin (DOXO) and Cisplatin, as assessed by flow cytometry. Addition of HN protected TNBC cells from various cytotoxic insults, such as serum deprivation, proapoptotic cytokine TNF-α or chemotherapy with DOXO. We next evaluated the role of endogenous HN in the apoptotic response of TNBC cells, using a plasmid encoding a short hairpin RNA to inhibit HN expression (pUC.shHN). To readily assess transduction efficiency, the plasmid also encodes the red fluorescent protein dTomato as a reporter gene. Transfection of TNBC 4T1 tumor cells with pUC.shHN increased the percentage of apoptotic cells when compared to cells transfected with control plasmid, as assessed by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. When transfected 4T1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of DOXO, pUC.shHN reduced their clonogenic capacity. We also evaluated the effect of HN in the progression of experimental mouse 4T1 TNBC treated with DOXO. HN was readily detected in tumor samples and lung metastases. Systemic administration of HN reduced tumor apoptotic rate, accelerated tumor progression and increased the development of lung metastases. In addition, administration of HN impaired the antitumor and antimetastatic effect of chemotherapy. In summary, our findings suggest that HN inhibits the response of TNBC cells to cytotoxic stimuli, facilitating tumor progression and chemoresistance. Thus, blockade of HN could constitute a therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Citation Format: Camila Zuccato, Mariela A. Moreno Ayala, Maria F. Gottardo, Matias Luis Pidre, Antonela S. Asad, Alejandro J. Nicola Candia, Victor Romanowski, Adriana Seilicovich, Marianela Candolfi. Role of mitochondrial peptide Humanin in the response of experimental breast cancer to chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1951.
Abstract 1958: Benztropine enhances temozolomide sensitivity by restricting the growth of drug-resistant glioma stem cells
Authors: Bonnin Damian A. Almiron , Lee Myung Chang , Howard Joseph M. , Young Alison L. , Havrda Matthew C. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor in adults, the second leading cause of cancer-related death in children, and are incurable using currently available treatment modalities. GBMs are characterized by the presence of primitive glioma stem-like cell subpopulations that resist chemotherapy and sustain disease progression. In this study, we found that Benztropine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) inhibitor, suppresses glioma cell proliferation and sensitizes these cells to treatment with Temozolomide. Modeling the development of Temozolomide resistance in vitro, we identified a subpopulation of glioma cells, defined by the co-expression of CD44, CD15, and PDGFRa that was resistant to Temozolomide. This chemo-resistant subpopulation was phenotypically similar to oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPC-like); a stem-like cell population important in the initiation and progression of glioblastoma known to be modulated by mAChR signaling. The addition of the mAChR inhibitor, benztropine, dramatically reduced the emergence of this Temozolomide-resistant sub-population. To begin understanding the mechanism of action of benztropine on GBM cells, we analyzed the effect of this drug on a panel of mitotic drivers that have been implicated in glioma initiation and progression. Sub-lethal doses of Benztropine alone or in combination with temozolomide repressed the PDGF-signaling axis as characterized by a significant reduction of PDGFA secretion and PDGFRA activation. We also developed an in vivo model of Temozolomide resistance to determine whether Benztropine could improve the survival of animals harboring glioma xenografts that had recurred following treatment with Temozolomide. These in vivo studies demonstrated that Benztropine alone improves animal survival as
compared with vehicle controls and that Benztropine combined with Temozolomide reduces glioma growth following initial Temozolomide treatment and improves survival in mice xenografted with human GBM cells. Taken together, our results suggest that Benztropine might be targeting glioma stem cells by altering the glioma stem cell microenvironment. These findings support a potential role for the use of adjuvant Benztropine for the clinical management of GBM.
Citation Format: Damian A. Almiron Bonnin, Myung Chang Lee, Joseph M. Howard, Alison L. Young, Matthew C. Havrda. Benztropine enhances temozolomide sensitivity by restricting the growth of drug-resistant glioma stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1958.