Abstract IA004: Genetic variants in the tumor microenvironment alter radiation responses in breast cancer
Authors: Carmen Bergom, Michael W. Straza, Amy Rymaszewski, Anne Frei, Angela Lemke, Rachel A. Schlaak, Shirng-Wern Tsaih, Michael J. Flister
Journal: Cancer Research (2021)

Abstract Objectives: The tumor microenvironment (TME) can impact breast cancer tumor growth, progression, and treatment responses. Data suggests that genetic variants in not only breast cancer cells, but also in the TME, can also alter these processes. We have utilized a Consomic Xenograft Model (CXM), which maps germline variants that impact only the TME, as well as a species-specific RNA-seq (SSRS) protocol which allows detection of expression changes in the malignant and nonmalignant cellular compartments of tumor xenografts, in parallel to identify genetic variants in the TME that affect radiation sensitivity. Materials/Methods: Human triple negative breast cancer MDA-MD-231 cells were implanted into immunodeficient (IL2RG KO) consomic rat strains that are genetically identical except for chromosome 3 is inherited from a separate strain (SS and SS.BN3 strains). On day 10, tumors were treated with 3 daily ionizing radiation (IR) treatments of 4 Gy or sham, and tumor growth was monitored. Tumors were also harvested for hypoxia staining using pimonidazole or for RNA-seq. RNA-Seq was performed and a custom SSRS protocol was used to align both rat and human transcripts. This yielded transcript and gene level estimated fold-change and adjusted p-values for human- and rat-derived transcripts separately. E077 mammary tumor cells were implanted into adult female immune competent C57/Bl6 mice. On day 5, tumors were treated with 5 daily IR treatments of 5 Gy or sham. Either vehicle or a mAb to the Notch ligand Dll4 (Genentech) was given twice weekly. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and empirical cumulative distribution plots for differential expression significance values were performed. Results: Using CXM, we discovered that BN strain-derived genetic variant(s) on rat chromosome 3 are important for tumor IR sensitivity, as human breast cancer xenografts in the consomic strain (SS.BN3) were significantly more IR sensitive than SS rat strain tumors (supra-additive). Vascular gene pathways were differentially expressed, and tumor vascular phenotypes were distinct, with SS.BN3 tumors with increased but poorly functioning blood vessels. Hypoxia was similar at baseline, but increased in SS.BN3 tumors following IR. These results were consistent with less Dll4 expression in the SS.BN3 TME. The use of a Dll4-targeted mAb in mice demonstrated that targeting Dll4 enhanced mammary tumor IR responses. Conclusion: CXM demonstrated TME genetic variants can affect IR sensitivity of genetically identical tumor cells. Using SSRS, we identified candidate genes on rat chromosome 3 that may potentially influence IR sensitivity, and our studies ultimately led to identification of the Notch ligand Dll4 as a target to enhance breast cancer IR responses. Future studies will investigate the possibility of the Dll4 pathway as a therapeutic target, as well as interrogate other pathways responsible for changes in IR sensitivity seen in the CXM model. Determining TME factors that affect the IR sensitivity will allow more tailored and effective treatments. Citation Format: Carmen Bergom, Michael W. Straza, Amy Rymaszewski, Anne Frei, Angela Lemke, Rachel A. Schlaak, Shirng-Wern Tsaih, Michael J. Flister. Genetic variants in the tumor microenvironment alter radiation responses in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on the Evolving Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression: Mechanisms and Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities; in association with the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Working Group; 2021 Jan 11-12. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(5 Suppl):Abstract nr IA004.