bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3119: Circulating cancer stem cells as a tool for generating patient-derived xenografts on chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in cancer patients
Authors: Pizon Monika , Schott Dorothea , Pachmann Ulrich , Schobert Rainer , Pachmann Katharina 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Circulating cancer stem cells (cCSCs) are a small aggressive subset of circulating tumor cells with cancer stem cells features: resistance to diverse cancer treatments and the capacity for generating new metastases. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) are an increasingly accepted tool in oncology, providing biologically meaningful models of many cancer types, and potential platforms for the development of precision oncology approaches. Commonly, mouse models are used for the xenotransplant assessment of potential new therapeutic targets in cancers. However, animal models do not necessarily represent the real world scenario and are costly and time consuming. An attractive alternative to such animal experiments is the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Methods: In this study, primary cultures from circulating cancer stem cells were established using sphere-forming assays. Subsequently, tumorspheres were transplanted onto the CAM membrane of fertilized chicken eggs to form secondary microtumors.
Results: We have developed an innovative reliable in vitro platform for cultivation of CSCs from peripheral blood of cancer patients. The number of tumorspheres increased significantly with tumor progression. Patients with metastatic disease had statistically more tumorspheres as compared to patients without metastasis (30 vs 10/100µl blood, p&lt;0.05). Patients with multiple metastases had more tumorspheres compared to patients with single metastases (60 vs 30/100µl blood, p&lt;0.05). The number of tumorspheres was positively correlated with Ki-67, Her2 status and grade score in primary breast tumors. Tumorspheres showed self-renewal, growth potential, invasion and differentiation in vivo. Tumorspheres could be successfully grafted onto the CAM and grafting positively correlated with aggressiveness and proliferation capacity of the primary tumor. These tumors growing on the CAM pathologically closely resembled the primary tumor.
Conclusion: The number of tumorspheres cultured from peripheral blood of cancer patients and the success rate of establishing PDX directly reflect the aggressiveness and proliferation capacity of the primary tumor. Our results support the CAM model using cCSC as a valuable alternative for xenotransplant models. It allows establishing new PDXs and providing a fast, low-cost, easy to use preclinical platform for cancer biology research, new drug development, treatment individualization, and biomarker discovery.
Citation Format: Monika Pizon, Dorothea Schott, Ulrich Pachmann, Rainer Schobert, Katharina Pachmann. Circulating cancer stem cells as a tool for generating patient-derived xenografts on chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in 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 3119.
Abstract 3155: "Super NK cells" - natural killer cells derived from engineered hiPSC with enhanced NK receptor expression demonstrate better anti-tumor effects for solid tumors
Authors: Wang Yiyun , He Xiangjun , Wang Linqin , Shao Mi , Yue Yanan , Gao Yangbin , Church George , Huang He , Yang Luhan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
CAR-T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) have shown clinical success for treating hematologic malignancies, but their efficacy in solid tumors has been limited, largely due to tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Natural Killer (NK) cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) hold great potential to become the next-generation cell therapy products because of their established safety profile and their unique biological activities, especially their potential effectiveness for targeting solid tumor. In contrast to T cells, NK cells exert anti-tumor activity without requiring antigen recognition through MHC complex; they are instead activated by calculated signaling through ligation of multiple activating and inhibitory receptors. As various solid tumors highly express activation ligands for NK cells, we reason that enhanced expression of activation receptors on NK cells could improve their killing activity towards solid tumors. Here, we report that “super NK cells” with more than 10 folds higher expression of NK cell receptors such as NKG2D and NCRs derived from engineered hiPSC show improved cytotoxicity against solid tumors compared with non-engineered ones. The “super NK cells” can achieve more than ten rounds of serial killing against both K562 and THP-1 cell lines in vitro. More importantly, the “super NK cells” show improved cytotoxicity to multiple solid tumors in both in vitro system and in vivo xenograft mouse models. In summary, we have engineered hiPSCs which can be differentiated into "super NK cells" as a potential cell therapy product for improved efficacy against solid tumors.
Citation Format: Yiyun Wang, Xiangjun He, Linqin Wang, Mi Shao, Yanan Yue, Yangbin Gao, George Church, He Huang, Luhan Yang. "Super NK cells" - natural killer cells derived from engineered hiPSC with enhanced NK receptor expression demonstrate better anti-tumor effects for solid 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 3155.
Abstract 3171: ARL2 is required for homologous recombination repair and colon cancer stem cell maintenance
Authors: Choi Seok Gyeong , Lee Hani , Ha Sojung , Yoon Sukjoon , Kim Woo-Young 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
ARL2 is a small GTP binding protein mediates many cytosolic functions including localization of Ras, dynamics of microtubule and fission of mitochondria but its nuclear function is not well elucidated yet. Here we present the novel role of ARL2 in human cancer nucleus and cancer stem cells (CSC). The cancer tissue gene expression data in The Human Protein Atlas and The Cancer Genome Atlas showed possible pro-cancer and nuclear role of ARL2 in colon cancers. The single cell RNA seq analysis suggests its function in colon stem cells. The activation mutant of K-Ras harboring colon cancer cells expressed less ARL2 than the wild type cells but increased ARL2 expression in CSC spheres. The deprivation of ARL2 in colon cancer cell lines using RNAi preferentially eliminated the CSC spheres while it resulted in minimal impact on bulk cultured cell (BCC) numbers. Suppression of ARL2 halted the BCC at M phase as expected but did not change cell cycle in CSC spheres. However, it led to accumulation of a DNA double strand break marker and apoptosis only in CSC spheres which suggest that ARL2’s requirement for double strand DNA break repair in CSC. Out of 6 somatic RAD51 family genes which all mediate the critical early events of homologous recombination repair (HRR), 5 showed significant and positive association with ARL2 in gene expression in human colon cancer tissue suggesting functional link between ARL2 and HRR. Indeed, ARL2 was required for HRR when double strand DNA breaks were induced. These data collectively showed that ARL2 may contribute to the HRR in the nucleus and the ARL2 mediated HRR is more critical for colon CSC survival.
Citation Format: Seok Gyeong Choi, Hani Lee, Sojung Ha, Sukjoon Yoon, Woo-Young Kim. ARL2 is required for homologous recombination repair and colon cancer stem cell maintenance [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 3171.
Abstract 3179: Tumor educated lung epithelial cells promote osteosarcoma metastasis and chemotherapy resistance by inducing integrin dependent fibronectin fibrillogenesis
Authors: Reinecke James Brandon , Gross Amy , Cam Maren , Roberts Ryan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer related deaths for patients with solid tumors. While tumor genomic evolution is one possible mechanism whereby cancer cells acquire chemotherapy resistance during the metastatic process, increasing evidence demonstrates that non-cancerous cells within the secondary organ have crucial roles in mediating metastasis and therapy resistance. Therefore, disrupting tumor-stromal cell interactions is an exploitable therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes. Unfortunately, mechanistic insight into tumor-stromal interactions is limited for most cancers. Osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone tumor that primarily afflicts children and young adults, displays an overwhelming propensity for metastasis to the lungs, with overall survival plummeting to less than 20% at 5 years upon lung metastasis. Why osteosarcoma displays tropism for the lung and how it educates the lung to promote tumor growth in a vastly different microenvironment from the primary tumor remains poorly understood. In this study, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to define the cellular and molecular landscape of osteosarcoma metastases in immunocompetent mouse models. We unexpectedly found that alveolar epithelial cells are the most prominent non-immune stromal component within lung metastases. Not only are they present in significant numbers in lung metastases compared to unaffected lung, our molecular analysis demonstrated that tumor associated epithelial cells acquire a pro-fibrosis ‘wound-like’ phenotype, which was also observed in human metastasis samples. Furthermore, utilizing human and mouse culture systems, we found that osteosarcoma cells directly reprogramed epithelial cells through secretion of growth factors and cytokines such as FGF7 and IL6. These profibrotic epithelial cells in turn induced osteosarcoma cells to generate a complex, beta-1integrin (ITGB1)- dependent fibronectin matrix. The epithelial induced fibronectin matrix promoted osteosarcoma invasion and chemotherapy resistance. Accordingly, inhibition of ITGB1 sensitized osteosarcoma cells to chemotherapy. Collectively our results demonstrate that osteosarcoma cells educate the lung microenvironment into a ‘pro-wound’, pro-fibrosis state that is conducive to osteosarcoma lung colonization. Disruption of the lung metastatic niche is a promising therapeutic target for sensitizing osteosarcoma cells to chemotherapy.
Citation Format: James Brandon Reinecke, Amy Gross, Maren Cam, Ryan Roberts. Tumor educated lung epithelial cells promote osteosarcoma metastasis and chemotherapy resistance by inducing integrin dependent fibronectin fibrillogenesis [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 3179.
Abstract 3183: Targeting a myofibroblastic prostate cancer-associated fibroblast subtype through pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase 4
Authors: Brunner Elena , Neumann Lucy , Damisch Elisabeth , Puhr Martin , Schäfer Georg , Szyndralewiez Cédric , Klocker Helmut , Sampson Natalie 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Recent developments in single cell sequencing have revealed significant heterogeneity in the stromal tumor microenvironment. It is now widely accepted that there are different cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes with different functions and effects on tumor progression. Since CAFs are generally considered an emerging therapeutic target, it is crucial to identify those subtypes that are tumor-promoting and to characterize their driver pathways. In this study we describe a population of CAFs in prostate cancer (PCa) that express elevated levels of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and localize adjacent to tumor foci. We previously showed that Nox4 is essential for TGFβ-mediated differentiation to a myofibroblastic CAF phenotype and that its increased expression is associated with biochemical relapse and reduced survival. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether pharmacological Nox4 inhibition can be used as an adjuvant therapeutic approach in PCa and which molecular pathways are regulated by Nox4 in the tumor microenvironment.
Experiments using GKT831, a small molecule Nox1/Nox4 inhibitor with promising effects in clinical trials for fibrotic diseases, so far support its use as a therapeutic target. Most importantly, Nox4 inhibition reduced CAF marker expression in primary prostate CAFs and attenuated the expression of PSA, the key clinical biomarker of PCa progression, in ex vivo cultured human PCa tissue. The translational application of Nox4 inhibition is currently under investigation in vivo using CAF-PCa cell xenografts. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulated by Nox4 we performed integrative bioinformatics and functional assays, which revealed that Nox4 regulates CAF adhesion and migration. In addition, we found that Nox4 regulated genes were associated with a YAP signature and the transcription factor TEAD1, a major cofactor of YAP. Ongoing experiments suggest that during adhesion Nox4 signals via oxidation of SHP2, a redox-sensitive phosphatase that has previously been implicated in regulating YAP transcriptional activity.
Previous studies have shown that adhesion and mechanotransduction pathways are commonly altered in myofibroblastic CAFs and that they support the formation of a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Our data suggest that Nox4 acts as a central regulator of these key oncogenic pathways and thus represents a promising therapeutic target.
Citation Format: Elena Brunner, Lucy Neumann, Elisabeth Damisch, Martin Puhr, Georg Schäfer, Cédric Szyndralewiez, Helmut Klocker, Natalie Sampson. Targeting a myofibroblastic prostate cancer-associated fibroblast subtype through pharmacological inhibition of NADPH oxidase 4 [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 3183.
Abstract 3203: Cutting edge biomarkers strategy to provide early insights into activity of EVT-801, a novel selective VEGFR-3 inhibitor that targets tumor angiogenesis during the FIH clinical trial
Authors: Paillasse Michael R. , Garner James , Fitzgerald Michael , Davenne Lise , Ancey Pierre-Benoit , Poussereau-Pomie celine , Esquerre Michael , Badet Gaelle , Tuyaret Joel , Mandron Marie , Rochaix Philippe , Ayyoub Maha , Scarlata Clara Maria , Ménétrier-Caux Christine , CAUX Chrsitophe , Cassier Philippe , Delord Jean-Pierre , Roca Carlos Gomez , Fons Pierre 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Introduction: EVT801 is a highly selective small molecule inhibitor of VEGFR3 and acts by inhibiting lymphangiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis in and around the tumor. It has shown compelling activity in a wide range of cancer models and is well-tolerated in preclinical toxicology studies. A phase I study is underway and will focus primarily on understanding the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of EVT801 across a range of doses.
Methods: The first stage of the study is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) for EVT801, with a second stage aiming to confirm RP2D in selected cancer patient populations. Clinical samples from these patients will be used to explore preliminary signals of clinical efficacy and investigate the biological activity of the drug using several biomarkers. Efficacy biomarkers will include imaging approaches (DCE-MRI and CEUS) to characterize tumor vascularization, as well as analysis of protein and mRNA quantification in on-treatment biopsies vs pre-treatment biopsies. Moreover, the relationship between activity of EVT801 and expression of key markers at protein and mRNA level will be investigated to potentially establish biomarkers for patient stratification and selection. Lastly, target engagement and pharmacodynamics effects will be investigated by immuno-monitoring as well as assessment of a defined set of proteins as markers of inflammation and angiogenesis as identified in preclinical in vivo models. We expect that these analyses will help to better understand the effects of the drug in human subjects and may also help to select the most responsive patients and provide early signs of clinical efficacy.
Citation Format: Michael R. Paillasse, James Garner, Michael Fitzgerald, Lise Davenne, Pierre-Benoit Ancey, celine Poussereau-Pomie, Michael Esquerre, Gaelle Badet, Joel Tuyaret, Marie Mandron, Philippe Rochaix, Maha Ayyoub, Clara Maria Scarlata, Christine Ménétrier-Caux, Chrsitophe CAUX, Philippe Cassier, Jean-Pierre Delord, Carlos Gomez Roca, Pierre Fons. Cutting edge biomarkers strategy to provide early insights into activity of EVT-801, a novel selective VEGFR-3 inhibitor that targets tumor angiogenesis during the FIH clinical trial [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 3203.
Abstract 3245: Genes associated with Src-Met driven resistance of head & neck cancers to EGFR-PI3K cotargeting
Authors: Adeluola Adeoluwa A. , Amin A.R.M. Ruhul 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: In recent years, oncology research has led to the discovery of targeted therapies aimed at specific genetic abnormalities unique to cancer cells. In particular, the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and constitutive activation of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway are common aberrations in head and neck cancer. However, intrinsic and acquired resistance are continuously posing challenges to success. Previously, we reported that the combination of EGFR inhibitor erlotinib with PI3K inhibitor BKM120 had synergistic effects that induced efficient apoptosis in a panel of head and neck cancer cell lines, but some cells were still resistant. The purpose of the current study is to understand the mechanism of resistance to EGFR and PI3-K co-targeting.
Hypothesis: Src-Met signaling confers apoptosis resistance to EGFR and PI3K cotargeting by regulating downstream genes expresiion.
Methods: Apoptosis was measured by annexin V-PE staining. Western blotting and qPCR were used for measuring the expression of proteins and mRNA, respectively. RNASeq was conducted from RNA samples treated with (Erlotinib + BKM120) ± dasatinib (Src inhibitor)/crizotinib(Met inhibitor).
Results: Biochemical studies revealed that JHU022 cells, which were resistant to the combination treatment, had an overactivation of c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase that was regulated by Src kinases. Pharmacological or genetic inactivation of both Met or Src kinase sensitized this cell line to apoptosis induced by EGFR and PI3K co-targeting. RNA-Seq analysis identified that a total of 291 genes were modulated (2-folds) by both crizotinib and dasatinib. Pathway enrichment suggested that many of these genes were associated with cell cycle, DNA replication, and cellular response to DNA damage. CPA4 was identified as the most downregulated gene and GDF15 as one of the top upregulated genes.
Conclusions: SRC-Met signaling confers resistant to EGFR and PI3K cotargeting by modulating genes associated with cell cycle, DNA replication, and cellular response to DNA damage.
Citation Format: Adeoluwa A. Adeluola, A.R.M. Ruhul Amin. Genes associated with Src-Met driven resistance of head & neck cancers to EGFR-PI3K cotargeting [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 3245.
Abstract 3253: Probing the effects of retinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) knockdown on the sensitivity of cisplatin in cervical cancer cells
Authors: Moela Pontsho , Mehta Harshini , Ambele Melvin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
RBBP6 is considered a potential cancer biomarker due to its association with cell proliferation and the fact that it is overexpressed at cervical cancer sites where there is marked apoptosis and elevated p53. More information is emerging regarding the role of RBBP6 in cancer treatment, specifically its potential to sensitize cancer cells to radiation and certain chemotherapeutic agents via BCL-2 gene regulation. Cisplatin is an FDA-approved chemotherapeutic agent that still presents with acquired resistance in certain cervical cancer cases through p53 repression and BCL-2 upregulation, which is why there is ongoing research in trying to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the response of cervical cancer cells to this drug. The present study therefore aims to investigate the possible relationship between cisplatin and RBBP6 expression in cervical cancer cells. RBBP6 was silenced in Hela, CaSki and Vero cells using the RNAi technology, followed by measurement of wild-type p53 and BCL-2 at mRNA level using qPCR. Cells co-treated with cisplatin and siRBBP6 were therefore analyzed for apoptosis induction and real time growth monitoring using flow cytometry and the xCELLigence system, respectively. Cancer cells in the co-treatment group showed a reduction in apoptosis compared to cisplatin-only group and real time growth monitoring revealed a reduced growth rate in RBBP6-knockdown cells treated with cisplatin. Although wild-type p53 remained unchanged in the co-treatment group of cancer cells, BCL-2 was completely repressed, suggesting that RBBP6 is necessary for the responsiveness of cervical cancer cells to via BCL-2 downregulation. Findings from this study suggest that RBBP6 expression promotes sensitivity of HeLa cells to cisplatin through BCL-2 downregulation. Knockdown of RBBP6 limits apoptosis induction and delays cell growth inhibition in response to cisplatin. The knowledge obtained here has the potential to help improve cisplatin efficacy through personalized administration based on the expression profile of RBBP6 among individual patients.
Citation Format: Pontsho Moela, Harshini Mehta, Melvin Ambele. Probing the effects of retinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) knockdown on the sensitivity of cisplatin in cervical 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 3253.