tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4037: Optimizing the efficacy of anti-VEGF/cytotoxics/anti-PD-1 scheduling in a lung cancer mice model through B and T cells monitoring
Authors: Guillaume Sicard, Dorian Protzenko, Sarah Giacometti, Raphaelle Fanciullino, Fabrice Barlesi, Joseph Ciccolini
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract The exact modalities of combinatorial regimens associating Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) with other treatments are yet to be defined. Understanding how and when cytotoxics best reshape tumor immunity could help optimizing the scheduling of ICI’s. In vivo studies were performed on C57BL/6 mice grafted with LL/2lung cancer cells. A longitudinal immunomonitoring study on tumor, spleen and blood after multiple treatments including Cisplatin, Pemetrexed and anti-VEGF as single agents and in combination was performed for up to 21 days to determine the best time-window during which immune checkpoint inhibitors should be added. Finally, an efficacy study was conducted comparing the antiproliferative performance of various schedules of anti-VEGF, Pemetrexed-Cisplatin doublet, plus anti-PD-1 (i.e., immunomonitoring-guided scheduling, concurrent dosing or a random sequence). Immunomonitoring showed marked differences between treatments, organs and time-points. However, harnessing tumor immunity (i.e., promoting CD8 lymphocytes or increasing the CD8/Treg ratio) started on D7 and peaked on D14 with the anti-VEGF followed by cytotoxics combination. Therefore, a two-week delay between anti-VEGF/cytotoxic and anti-PD1 administration was considered the best sequence to test. Efficacy studies then confirmed that this sequence achieved higher anti-proliferative efficacy compared to other treatment modalities (i.e. -71% in tumor volume compared to control at the end of the study). Anti-VEGF and cytotoxic agents show time-dependent immunomodulatory effects, suggesting that sequencing is a critical feature when combining these agents with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our efficacy study confirmed that sequencing treatments further enhances anti-proliferative effects in lung cancer models compared to concurrent dosing. Citation Format: Guillaume Sicard, Dorian Protzenko, Sarah Giacometti, Raphaelle Fanciullino, Fabrice Barlesi, Joseph Ciccolini. Optimizing the efficacy of anti-VEGF/cytotoxics/anti-PD-1 scheduling in a lung cancer mice model through B and T cells monitoring [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4037.
Abstract 3723: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy prolongs patient survival in HCC after atezolizumab and bevacizumab failure
Authors: Pil Soo Sung
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab is the first-line chemotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. In our institute, if the patient is not feasible for or cannot afford the first-line systemic chemotherapy, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is proposed and used for treatment The purpose of the study was to compare the prognosis of HAIC treatment in newly diagnosed patients and patients who received HAIC after atezolizumab-bevacizumab treatment failure. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 49 HCC patients who were treated with HAIC between January 2022 and August 2023. 35 patients were treated with HAIC at initial diagnosis and 14 patients were treated with HAIC after the first line chemotherapy Atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination chemotherapy. We evaluated tumor response, progression free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR) and overall survival (OS). Results: There was a no significant difference in OS and PFS between HCC patients who were treated with HAIC at initial diagnosis and those who were treated after atezolizumab bevacizumab treatment failure. (P value = 0.0770, 0.6993 respectively) In addition, there was no significant difference in the treatment responses. (P=0.4330) Our analysis of the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) also revealed no significant difference between the two treatment groups. (P=0.247 and 0.829 respectively). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the OS and PFS of advanced HCC patients who were treated with HAIC at initial diagnosis and those who were treated with HAIC after atezolizumab bevacizumab treatment failure. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy may prolong patient survival in HCC after atezolizumab and bevacizumab failure. Citation Format: Pil Soo Sung. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy prolongs patient survival in HCC after atezolizumab and bevacizumab failure [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3723.
Abstract 4344: Comprehensive analysis of LINE-1 transposable elements in colorectal cancer
Authors: Renske de Wit, Soufyan Lakbir, Caterina Buranelli, Gerrit A. Meijer, Sanne Abeln, Remond J. Fijneman
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer worldwide, and approximately a third of patients die from the disease. There is therefore an urgent need to better understand CRC biology. A particular feature in (colorectal) cancer is the activation of LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons: DNA fragments which propagate to other places in the genome through an RNA intermediate. Per genome, about 100-150 genomic L1 copies are still retrotransposition-competent, but repressed in most somatic tissues. Their role in tumor development is currently unknown. Recently, the PCAWG consortium characterized the landscape of somatic L1 retrotranspositions in a series of primary cancers of different origin, and identified 124 recurrently active L1 source regions. However, only a limited number of these concerned CRC. Aim: This study aims to perform a comprehensive analysis of L1 activity in a large cohort of metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: To this end, we retrieved data from the Hartwig Medical Foundation, comprising deep (106x) whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from metastatic CRC (n=745), to compare to breast (n=888) and lung cancer samples (n=640). We determined L1 activity as the number of somatic L1 insertions reported by the HMF DNA analysis pipeline and used the activity of each of the 124 L1 sources as previously reported by the PCAWG consortium. Results: 99% of mCRC samples (n=741) displayed at least 1 somatic L1 retrotransposition, with at least 10 retrotranspositions in 89% of samples. L1 retrotransposition is more prevalent in mCRC than in metastatic lung and breast cancer, in which only 40% and 20% had at least 10 retrotranspositions per sample, respectively. Each cancer type showed a unique profile of active L1 sources. We did not observe a clear preference of L1 insertions for a single genomic region. However, in CRC, the gene most frequently affected in an exon was APC (n=13), an important tumor-suppressor gene. An analysis of somatic SNVs and SVs confirmed an association of mutations in some known L1 regulators such as TP53 with increased L1 activity, whereas mutations in others showed no change in the number of somatic retrotranspositions. Conclusions: We conclude that somatic L1 retrotranspositions are highly prevalent in metastatic colorectal cancer. Presence of L1 insertions in APC suggests retrotranspositions start very early in CRC development and prompts further investigation into earlier CRC stages. Citation Format: Renske de Wit, Soufyan Lakbir, Caterina Buranelli, Gerrit A. Meijer, Sanne Abeln, Remond J. Fijneman. Comprehensive analysis of LINE-1 transposable elements in colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4344.
Abstract 1637: EPHB4 is a key regulator of G1/S transition in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Abdullah Husain, Elley Y. Chiu, Hoi-Tang Ma, Daniel W. Ho, Karen M. Sze, Lo-Kong Chan, Irene O. Ng
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Effective therapeutic regimens against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs) have recently improved but it remains very limited. Targeting receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has proven to one of the main ways of achieving better survival outcome in HCC patients, yet the precise mechanism for this success remains to be elusive. We have systematically investigated the expression profiles of RTKs transcriptomic datasets i.e. The Cancer Genome Atlas - Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) (n=371) and our in-house cohort of paired i.e. HKU-QMH (n=41), and identified EPHB4 as one of the most abundantly expressed and frequently mutated RTKs in human HCCs. EPHB4 expression was found to be significantly correlated with Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) expression, a factor commonly used in the diagnosis of HCCs. Furthermore, EphB4 has been demonstrated to play a regulatory role in VEGF/VEGFR-mediated angiogenesis, critical targets for current successful drugs. We confirmed abundant membrane EphB4 expression in HCC clinical specimens and human HCC cell line models using immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological correlation analysis of EPHB4 mRNA expression revealed that its overexpression is associated with aggressive tumor features including presence of tumor microsatellite, liver invasion, venous invasion, and absence of tumor encapsulation. Functionally, stably knocking down EPHB4 (shEPHB4) resulted in a strong reduction of proliferation and self-renewal rates of multiple HCC cell lines in vitro. It significantly reduced tumor growth rates in subcutaneous and liver orthotopic models in vivo. Furthermore, limiting dilution assay showed EPHB4 plays a role in tumor initiation property of HCC cells. Mechanistically, we performed Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of transcriptome profiles for shEPHB4 with respective controls and found that knocking down EPHB4 causes HCC cells undergo drastic changes in several cell cycle checkpoints including G1/S transition. Using thymidine blockade, we further confirmed that knockdown of significantly hinders the transition of HCC cells from G1 to S phase of cell cycle. Our data suggests a strong link between EphB4 and cell cycle. Conclusion: We found EphB4 plays a functional role in regulating G1/S transition in human HCCs and understanding regulatory role of EphB4 on cell cycle progression may provide mechanistic insights into the how to effectively target HCC in the clinic. Citation Format: Abdullah Husain, Elley Y. Chiu, Hoi-Tang Ma, Daniel W. Ho, Karen M. Sze, Lo-Kong Chan, Irene O. Ng. EPHB4 is a key regulator of G1/S transition in hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1637.
Abstract 1807: New strategies to target the pseudokinase receptor PTK7 in the Wnt pathway
Authors: Jean-Paul Borg, Manon Pierre, Laetitia Ganier, Avais Daulat, Amandine Molliex, Julien Duez, Maxime Sanchez, Etienne Lallemand, Anthony Goncalves, Guillaume Bollot
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second cause of death by cancer worldwide and its survival is currently estimated at 60%1. There is therefore a crucial need to identify biomarkers and new targets for therapy. In 90% of CRC, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is constitutively activated due to mutations of β-catenin, APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli) or axin-12. These alterations cause an accumulation of β-catenin and lead to an over-transcription of target genes involved in tumorigenesis3-4. Studies of our team pointed out an overexpression of the Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7 (PTK7) in CRC, an event associated with metastatic development, reduced metastases-free survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. In CRC cells, the pseudokinase PTK7 has pro-metastatic and pro-migratory functions, and thus appears to be a promising new therapeutic target5-6. The role of PTK7 in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been demonstrated in several studies7-8. Our group identified β-catenin as a partner of PTK7. We selected a first series of small molecules inhibitors targeting PTK7/β-catenin interaction9. This strategy could represent, in the future, a new therapeutic strategy to inhibit CRC cell growth dependent on the Wnt signaling pathway. However, the compounds identified had weak activity, with an IC50 of around 10-25 mM. We have set up a new method with SYNSIGHT to select more potent chemical inhibitors targeting PTK7/β-catenin in CRC in order to counteract the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway deregulation. References: 1Colorectal cancer (Source : Globocan 2020); 2Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Nature. 2012; 3He, T. C. et al. Science. 1998; 4Tetsu, O. &amp; McCormick, F. Nature. 1999; 5Lhoumeau, A.-C. et al. PLOS ONE. 2015; 6Lhoumeau, A.-C. et al. J. Immunol. 2016; 7Puppo, F. et al. EMBO Rep. 2011; 8Peradziryi, H. et al. EMBO J. 2011; 9Ganier, L. et al. ACS Chem. Biol. 2022; 10Daulat, A. M. &amp; Borg, J.-P. Trends Cancer. 2017; 11Stamos, J. L. &amp; Weis, W. I. Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol. 2013. Citation Format: Jean-Paul Borg, Manon Pierre, Laetitia Ganier, Avais Daulat, Amandine Molliex, Julien Duez, Maxime Sanchez, Etienne Lallemand, Anthony Goncalves, Guillaume Bollot. New strategies to target the pseudokinase receptor PTK7 in the Wnt pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1807.
Abstract 7273: Small molecule activation of PP2A in the treatment of melanoma
Authors: Hannah Johnson, Amandeep Singh, Asif Raza, Satya Narayan, Arun K. Sharma
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric holoenzyme functioning as a serine/threonine phosphatase, where it accounts for about 50-70% of all serine/threonine phosphorylation in the cell. Yet, PP2A is commonly inactivated in cancer, likely due to its role as a tumor suppressor. Due to the important role PP2A plays in many cellular processes, including those involved with tumor progression, there is a current need for novel therapeutics capable of targeting PP2A in cancer. Currently, none of the current PP2A modulators have made it into approved clinical use. As such, we have recently synthesized the PP2A activators, PPA24 and PPA27, using molecular docking and fragment-based drug design based on the structures of recently reported PP2A activators, iHAP1 and NSC49L. We were previously able to establish PPA24 as the lead compound in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro, compared to PPA27 and the parent compounds. Nevertheless, a single dose NCI-60 screen of both PPA24 and PPA27 indicated the cell selectivity present in both compounds and revealed the potential effect these compounds could have in other cancers. Further evaluation with an extended NCI-60 5-dose screen of PPA24 and PPA27 demonstrated a strong potential for both compounds in treating melanoma. Overall, the NCI-60 screen displayed PPA27 as most effective in melanoma across all cell lines screened, while PPA24 was found to be effective in both CRC and melanoma cell lines, agreeing with our previous findings. A cell viability screening of PPA24 and PPA27 in our laboratory across 5 melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL-2, SK-MEL-28, A375, Mel1241, and 451Lu) identified IC50 values in the range of 3.45-8.94 µM for PPA27 and 5.99-14.45 µM for PPA24. The parent compounds, iHAP1 and NSC49L, were also evaluated and NSC49L was found to be less effective in melanoma than previously found in CRC cells. Both PPA24 and PPA27 were found to be effective in cell lines with and without BRAFV600E mutation, though it appears the metastatic cell line, 451Lu, required an increased concentration for all compounds as compared to the IC50 values found in the other melanoma cell lines. Further evaluation revealed PPA24 and PPA27 as dose-dependently inducing apoptosis in cells with BRAFV600E (A375) and BRAF WT (SK-MEL-2). Together, these findings show the potential of PPA24 and PPA27 as therapeutic treatments for melanoma with or without BRAF mutations and are currently being further evaluated in several in vitro and in vivo melanoma models in our laboratory. Citation Format: Hannah Johnson, Amandeep Singh, Asif Raza, Satya Narayan, Arun K. Sharma. Small molecule activation of PP2A in the treatment of melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7273.
Abstract 626: EGFL6 induced HER2-HER3 signaling controls accurate centrosome deposition of activated ERK and mitotic spindle formation in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Shoumei Bai, Navneet Gupta, Qi Jiang, Ronald J. Buckanovich
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Epidermal growth factor EGF-like domain multiple-6 (EGFL6) is highly expressed in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cells and ovarian tumor vasculature. EGFL6 acts on tumor cells to drive tumor cell proliferation and migration. To better understand EGFL6 signaling and develop therapeutic strategies to target EGFL6 signaling in HGSOC, we evaluated phosphorylation of putative EGFL6 receptors and their downstream signaling. We demonstrated that EGFL6 induced phosphorylation and activation of ERBB/HER family of receptors; EGFL6 treatment of ovarian cancer cells led to rapid and transient phosphorylation of EGFR while inducing prolonged activation of both HER2 and HER3, with subsequent phosphorylation of ERK. Interestingly, we found that in EGFL6 stimulated ovarian cancer cells undergoing mitosis, pERK localized to the centrosome and the contractile ring. EGFL6 neutralizing antibodies reduce ERK phosphorylation and resulted in pERK being aberrantly localized. This resulted in altered mitotic spindle alignment and an increased number of cells undergoing mitotic catastrophe. Furthermore, combination anti-EGFL6 therapy with the pan-EGFR receptor inhibitor neratinib, compared to either therapy alone, led to an increase in aberrant pERK localization and cancer cell death in vitro. Consistent with these findings, dual anti-EGFL6 and neratinib therapy significantly restricted tumor growth in vivo, resulting in increased tumor cell death and a reduction in angiogenesis. Combined our data identify an unexplored role for pERK at the centrosome and suggest that dual targeting of the EGFL6/HER signaling axis maybe an effective therapeutic strategy in ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Shoumei Bai, Navneet Gupta, Qi Jiang, Ronald J. Buckanovich. EGFL6 induced HER2-HER3 signaling controls accurate centrosome deposition of activated ERK and mitotic spindle formation in ovarian cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 626.
Abstract 7275: GS-P-328, a brain-penetrant small molecule p53 Y220C reactivator for tumors harboring p53 Y220C mutation
Authors: Meng Liu, Kaijun Geng, Biao Lu, Yuanfeng Xia, Fanglong Yang
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract As a tumor suppressor, p53 can prevent tumor development through multiple pathways. However, mutation of TP53 and the resultant inactivation of p53 allow evasion of tumor cell death and rapid tumor progression. The oncogenic Y220C mutation is the ninth most frequent p53 missense mutation in cancer. Y220C mutation creates a narrow, hydrophobic pocket on the surface of the p53 DBD that reduces its thermal stability. As a result, the Y220C mutation causes a rapidly unfold of the p53 protein under physiological conditions, abrogates p53 signaling and drives tumorigenesis. There are approximately 100,000 new Y220C mutation cancer cases per year worldwide with limited treatment choices. The initial clinical evaluation of PC14586 that can restore missense-mutant p53 protein has seen efficacy in patients harboring p53 Y220C mutation even though there is still room for improvement. Here we report a brain-penetrable, highly potent p53 Y220C reactivator which has great in vitro activity as well as induce tumor shrinkage in multiple tumor models at a much lower systematic exposure comparing to PC14586. In vitro, GS-P-328 could bind to p53 Y220C protein with a single nM potency and potently induce cell death in a wide range of p53 Y220C tumor cells while have no anti-proliferative effects with p53 WT cells. GS-P-328 is also active in patient-derived cell (PDC) models in various tumor background including SCLC, gastric, ovarian and colon. In vivo, GS-P-328, at approximately 1/3 of systematic exposure comparing to a leading clinical reactivator, causes tumor shrinkage in multiple CDX models. GS-P-328 could induce MDM2/p21 upregulation in cell systems. In vivo, GS-P-328 could induce 2 fold and more increase in MDM2/p21 protein levels in tumor tissues at approximately 1/3 of plasma concentrations comparing to PC14586. More importantly, in a NUGC3-luc intracranial model, GS-P-328 could strongly inhibit growth of cancer cells in the mouse brain. GS-P-328 has a favorable ADME profile in rodents, dogs and NHPs, as well as a much better safety profile. GS-P-328 is now under IND-enabling study and P1 study is planned in early 2025. Citation Format: Meng Liu, Kaijun Geng, Biao Lu, Yuanfeng Xia, Fanglong Yang. GS-P-328, a brain-penetrant small molecule p53 Y220C reactivator for tumors harboring p53 Y220C mutation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7275.