tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5534: Needle biopsy induces pro-metastatic progression and systemic dissemination of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells through the COX-2/PGE2 cascade
Authors: Hiroyasu Kameyama, Macall Leslie, Reese Simmons, Yunguang Sun, Misung Yi, Priya Dondapati, John F. Langenheim, Kar-Ming Fung, Inna Chervoneva, Hallgeir Rui, Takemi Tanaka
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the U.S. and over two-thirds of invasive breast cancer cases are diagnosed early stage. However, 15-year survival rates for early-stage breast cancer remain in the range of 70-77%. Mounting evidence showed an increased risk of disease progression and mortality among early-stage breast cancer patients whose surgery was delayed over 60 days after the diagnostic biopsy. Yet, the mechanism(s) underlying the rapidly increased mortality due to delay of surgery after diagnosis remains unknown. Our cohort analyses of early-stage breast cancer patients reveal the emergence of a significantly rising mortality risk when the biopsy-to-surgery interval was extended beyond 53 days. Additionally, histology of post-biopsy tumors shows prolonged retention of a metastasis-permissive wound stroma dominated by M2-like macrophages capable of promoting cancer cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis by secretion of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We show that needle biopsy promotes systemic dissemination of cancer cells through a mechanism of sustained activation of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) cascade, which favors M2-polarization and its associated pro-metastatic changes, but are abrogated by oral treatment with COX-2 inhibitors in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) syngeneic mouse tumor models. Therefore, we conclude that needle biopsy of ER+ breast cancer provokes progressive pro-metastatic changes, which may explain the mortality risk posed by surgery delay after diagnosis. Also, our data may provide a rationale for a pharmacologic strategy to inhibit the COX-2/PGE2 cascade in cases when delay of surgery is unavoidable. Citation Format: Hiroyasu Kameyama, Macall Leslie, Reese Simmons, Yunguang Sun, Misung Yi, Priya Dondapati, John F. Langenheim, Kar-Ming Fung, Inna Chervoneva, Hallgeir Rui, Takemi Tanaka. Needle biopsy induces pro-metastatic progression and systemic dissemination of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells through the COX-2/PGE2 cascade [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 5534.
Abstract 5547: Non-invasive monitoring of tumor biomechanics and implications for immunotherapy in HCC
Authors: Andrea C. Cortes, Kiyoyuki Minamiguchi, Hannah Kostan, Maria S. Stenkamp, Simone Anfossi, Natalie Wall Fowlkes, Rony Avritcsher
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is a novel non-invasive technique used to quantify tissue stiffness. This approach can be used to longitudinally monitor tumor biomechanics and holds promise for guiding informed clinical decision-making. This study aims to explore the impact of tumor stiffness, as evaluated by SWE, on the proliferative potential of endothelial, tumor, and immune cells in a preclinical model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor tissue sections from a Buffalo-McA-RH7777 rat HCC tumor model, utilizing a rat hepatoma cell line stably expressing green fluorescent protein genes (fluc/GFP) were selected based on the degree of tumor stiffness assessed by SWE. Nodules were separated based on mean shear wave values (3.05 versus 2.26 m/s) and categorized as stiff or soft, respectively. A 6-color panel was used to assess the percentages of different tumor, immune, and endothelial phenotypes in different areas of the tumor including immune cells (CD45+), endothelial cells (CD34+), green fluorescent protein (GFP), Ki67 (cell proliferation), and class-III intermediate filaments - vimentin. Our findings demonstrated increased expression of vimentin on immune cells (CD45+) within the tumor margin interphase. Stiffer tumors exhibited a higher percentage of CD45 cells co-expressing vimentin compared to softer tumors (P=0.01), whereas softer tumors showed an increased prevalence of CD34+ cells concurrently expressing Ki67 (P=0.01). Same pattern persisted in the tumor margin interphase regarding the proliferation of tumor cells identified by the expression of GFP co-expressing Ki67 (P&amp;lt;0.01). These findings highlight a significant association between tumor mechanical properties and the proliferative activity of endothelial and tumor cells, suggesting a link between tissue stiffness and the regulatory mechanisms associated with cellular proliferation and aggressiveness in HCC. Additionally, the presence of vimentin in immune cells may suggest that stiffer tumors may require enhanced migratory and invasive properties to compensate for changes in tumor mechanics thus potentially influencing immune function. Citation Format: Andrea C. Cortes, Kiyoyuki Minamiguchi, Hannah Kostan, Maria S. Stenkamp, Simone Anfossi, Natalie Wall Fowlkes, Rony Avritcsher. Non-invasive monitoring of tumor biomechanics and implications for immunotherapy in HCC [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 5547.
Abstract 5553: Glycan CA19-9 mediated immune modulation in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment
Authors: Jasper Hsu, Tae Gyu Oh, Kristina L. Peck, Angelica E. Rock, Garret Bishop, Shira R. Okhovat, Susan M. Kaech, Dannielle D. Engle
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an intractable common malignancy with a pro-tumorigenic and immunosuppressive microenvironment (ME) that often limits treatment efficacy. Only 10-15% of patients are eligible for surgical resection, which is the only cure for PDA. The glycan CA19-9 is used to follow treatment response in PDA patients, but its functional role in PDA remained unknown until recently because rodents lack the ability to produce this carbohydrate. CA19-9 elevation in a KRAS-mutant background results in increased tumor proliferation and ME remodeling in mice. The tumor ME is encompassed by hypovascularized stroma consisting of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) that contribute to desmoplasia and immunosuppression. All prior work investigating the tumor ME in PDA mouse models was performed in CA19-9 negative context, potentially missing a key element of PDA biology. Elevation of CA19-9 in mice caused expansion of both antigen-presenting (ap)CAFs and TAMs. CA19-9 induction in KRAS-mutant organoids increased gene expression of M-CSF, IL1a, and TGFb and led to increased apCAF and TAM differentiation. This project aims to uncover the mediators of CA19-9-mediated ME remodeling. CA19-9-modified macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) was identified via immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry from KRAS-mutant CA19-9-inducible pancreatic organoids. CA19-9-M-CSF induced increased immunosuppressive TAM differentiation in vivo and in vitro using a novel Macrophage, Organoid, and Fibroblast (MOrF) co-culture platform. This project will identify the mechanisms by which CA19-9 directly contributes to PDA ME immune modulation and unveil essential molecular underpinnings of PDA biology that will inform effective therapies in the future. Citation Format: Jasper Hsu, Tae Gyu Oh, Kristina L. Peck, Angelica E. Rock, Garret Bishop, Shira R. Okhovat, Susan M. Kaech, Dannielle D. Engle. Glycan CA19-9 mediated immune modulation in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment [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 5553.
Abstract 5531: Loss of csf2(gm-csf) with cisplatin treatment decreases metastasis and improves survival in a hpv positive head and neck cancer murine model
Authors: Payal Ghosh, Craig Welbon, William C. Spanos
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Granulocyte macrophages colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) also known as CSF2 is a popular cytokine responsible for homeostasis. According to TCGA databank CSF2 expression upregulated in human HPV+ (Human Papilloma Virus) Head and Neck Small Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) compared to normal tissue. The mechanism of CSF2 in tumor progression and chemo resistance has not been well studied. Previously, our lab generated a murine model of HPV+ HNSCC that is partially responsive to cisplatin and radiation (like human disease). The role of our study is to evaluate the importance of Csf2 with cisplatin treatment (CT) in HPV + HNSCC in the murine model. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology we knocked out the expression of the Csf2 ligand in our parental mEERL (murine E6 E7 Ras Luciferase) tumor cell line and implanted both the parental mEERL tumor and the Csf2 KO mEERL tumor in the oral cavity of C57BL6/J mice. When tumors reached a palpable size, we administered Cisplatin (20mg/m2, 3 doses total). We observed slow tumor growth in absence of Csf2 without treatment. On the other hand, we observed tumor regression in both tumor models with cisplatin treatment. Post treatment, mice with Csf2 KO tumors had a significantly prolonged rate of survival. To evaluate the role of Csf2 in the Tumor Microenvironment (TME), we collected the tumors 96 hours post CT and characterized the TME using multicolored flow cytometry. The results showed that post treatment mice with Csf2 KO tumors increased the number of the Natural Killer cell population and a surge of M-MDSC (Ly6Chi) population. The synergistic effect of knocking out Csf2 and cisplatin treatment in our tumor model appears to be driven by chemokine and cytokine changes in the TME. Simultaneously, we observed significantly lower levels of lung metastasis in Csf2 KO tumor bearing mice compared to those with parental mEERL tumors. Whereas we have seen increased metastasis in ipsilateral lymph node of Csf2 KO mice. This metastasis data mimics human disease where many patients have regional lymph node involvement, but few develop distant metastasis. These results indicate that GM-CSF (CSF2) in the TME could be an excellent target that would cause less metastasis and improved overall survival. Further investigations are needed to understand the underlying mechanism of immune response in the absence of CSF2 in the TME. Citation Format: Payal Ghosh, Craig Welbon, William C. Spanos. Loss of csf2(gm-csf) with cisplatin treatment decreases metastasis and improves survival in a hpv positive head and neck cancer murine model [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 5531.
Abstract 5568: Understanding the role of immune exclusion in mammary tumor growth
Authors: Payal Mitra, Jorge Azpurua, Huai-Chin Chiang, Rong Li
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Multiple solid tumor types, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), respond poorly to immunotherapy due to low infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the tumor core. The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its components such as collagen have been found to contribute to immune cell exclusion. Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) is a collagen receptor known to be aberrantly expressed in TNBC among multiple solid tumor types. We have uncovered a previously unappreciated function of DDR1 in immune exclusion through shaping a collagen fiber-based tumor defense against anti-tumor immunity (Sun et al, Nature 599, 673-678 (2021)). Our study showed that deletion of DDR1 in mouse mammary carcinoma cell lines such as E0771 and M-Wnt (syngeneic with C57BL/6 strain background) promotes infiltration of CD8+ T cells and reduces tumor growth in an immunocompetent mouse model. Extending the published study to other immunocompetent mouse strain backgrounds, we observed that deletion of DDR1 in EMT6 cells, another immune excluded TNBC mouse model in the BALB/c strain, increased the infiltration of CD8+ T cells to the tumor core and reduced tumor growth. Data concerning the DDR1-dependent spatial architecture of the mammary tumor microenvironment will be presented. Identifying specific immune and stromal cell populations and proteins spatially modified in the presence or absence of DDR1 may aid in development of new stand-alone or combination anti-cancer treatments with anti DDR1 antibody. Citation Format: Payal Mitra, Jorge Azpurua, Huai-Chin Chiang, Rong Li. Understanding the role of immune exclusion in mammary tumor growth [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 5568.
Abstract 4510: Potent and orally efficacious PROTAC degraders of estrogen receptor α (ERα)
Authors: Rohan K. Rej, Zhixiang Chen, Ranjan K. Acharyya, Dimin Wu, Biao Hu, Guozhang Xu, Rakesh Nagilla, Hoda Metwally, Yu Wang, Bo Wen, Duxin Sun, Longchuan Bai, Shaomeng Wang
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract The estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a crucial role in hormonally driven breast cancer, making it a clinically validated oncology target. Over the past 30 years, SERMs, SERDs, and AIs have been the mainstay of endocrine therapy for ER+ breast cancer, but relapse and resistance remains a significant challenge for metastatic breast cancer, leading to cancer recurrences, metastasis, and mortality. We report the discovery and extensive evaluations of potent and orally efficacious ERα degraders using the PROTAC technology through extensive optimization of the cereblon ligands, the linker and ER ligands. Our lead compounds (UM-ERD-3111 and UM-ERD-4001) achieved sub-nanomlar DC50 values in ER degradation and demonstrate excellent oral bioavailability. Oral administration of these ER degraders effectively reduces the ER wild-type and ER mutated proteins in tumor tissues in mice. Both ERD-3111 and UM-ERD-4001 are capable of inducing tumor regression in vivo and are more efficacious than ARV-471, a PROTAC ER degrader currently in phase 3 clinical development. UM-ERD-3111 and UM-ERD-4001 are highly promising compounds for extensive evaluations as potential new therapies for the treatment of ER+ human breast cancer. Citation Format: Rohan K. Rej, Zhixiang Chen, Ranjan K. Acharyya, Dimin Wu, Biao Hu, Guozhang Xu, Rakesh Nagilla, Hoda Metwally, Yu Wang, Bo Wen, Duxin Sun, Longchuan Bai, Shaomeng Wang. Potent and orally efficacious PROTAC degraders of estrogen receptor α (ERα) [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 4510.
Abstract 4795: Social capital and screening mammography rates in the United States
Authors: Tracy Huang, Christine Ekenga
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: Social capital may play a role in screening mammogram utilization by influencing individuals' access to information and providing social support for healthy behaviors. However, few studies have examined associations between community-level social capital and screening mammography use. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between county-level social capital and screening mammography rates in the United States (U.S.). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of social capital and screening mammography rates across 2,613 U.S. counties for 2014. We obtained county-level data on (1) screening mammography rates for female Medicare enrollees aged 67-69 years and (2) social capital (Penn State Social Capital Index). Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate associations between social capital quartiles and mammography screening rates. Models were adjusted for county-level socioeconomic, demographic, and access to care factors. Results: Average county-level screening mammography rates were 60.5% ± 8.3% (range 26%-88%). Across all U.S. counties, social capital was associated with county-level mammography rates, after adjusting for covariates (p &amp;lt;0.001). This association did not vary by urban-rural classification. In analyses by region, associations between social capital and screening mammography rates were strongest in the West region (p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions: In this nationwide study, social capital was significantly associated with screening mammography. Our findings suggest that there are regional variations in the association between social capital and mammography rates. The relationship between social capital and cancer screening behaviors warrants further investigation, particularly in the U.S. West. Citation Format: Tracy Huang, Christine Ekenga. Social capital and screening mammography rates in the United States [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 4795.
Abstract 5873: ERα coordinates with squalene synthase to confer statin resistance in lung cancer
Authors: Yi-Fang Yang
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia by inhibiting hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). Accumulating evidence suggests that statins also have protective effects against cancer recurrence. However, the role of statins in preventing lung cancer and biomarkers for predicting statin treatment response remains lacking. This study analyzes molecular features that dictate statin sensitivity in lung cancer by correlating large-scale statin sensitivity data and basal gene expression in a collection of 125 lung cancer patients. We identified a gene signature associated with lovastatin sensitivity and showed that gene expression in mesenchymal molecular features, the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) signaling were key determinants of lovastatin sensitivity in lung cancer cells. To this end, we further discovered that overexpression of a committed step enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1), also known as squalene synthase (SQS), is capable of activating ERα and is associated with increased statin tolerance. In clinical specimens, overexpression of SQS positively correlated with nuclear expression of ERα in lung cancer patients, and the combination of SQS and ERα is a powerful prognostic predictor for lung cancer. Activation of the SQS-ERα signaling axis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) status represents two important features in determining statin sensitivity in lung cancer. Keywords: Statin, cholesterol biosynthesis, squalene synthase, estrogen receptor α, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition Citation Format: Yi-Fang Yang. ERα coordinates with squalene synthase to confer statin resistance in lung 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 5873.
Abstract 4515: Orally bioavailable PROTAC based MDM2 degrader
Authors: Angelo Aguilar, Jiuling Yang, Yangbing Li, Donna McEachern, Shaomeng Wang
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Activation of the tumor suppressor p53, through inhibition of the MDM2 protein, has been pursued as a cancer therapeutic strategy and has produced many distinct inhibitors that are in clinical trials. A limitation arising from inhibiting the MDM2-p53 interaction is the upregulation of MDM2, itself a target gene of p53, and this attenuates the activation of p53 and efficacy of the inhibitors. To circumvent this limitation, we previously reported the first PROTAC based MDM2 degraders. These induced and sustained robust degradation of MDM2, achieved stronger p53 activation, and more potent anticancer activity than MDM2 inhibitors thus representing a new therapeutic strategy for targeting MDM2. Currently, all the PROTAC based MDM2 degraders are all dosed intravenously. Here we describe our design, synthesis, and optimizations that led to the discovery of the first orally bioavailable PROTAC based MDM2 degrader and our investigation of its therapeutic potential and mechanism of action. Consistent with its design to effectively degrade MDM2, our PROTAC effectively induces rapid degradation of MDM2 resulting in accumulation of wild-type p53 protein and activates p53 transcriptional activity in leukemia cells without accumulation of MDM2 protein. Consequently, it potently inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis at low nano-molar concentrations in ALL and AML cell lines &amp;gt;10-100 times more potent than MDM2 inhibitors; and, after 50 mg/kg oral dose, 5 days/week for 3 weeks, it increased the median survival by 26 days of mice with disseminated RS4;11 cancer. Citation Format: Angelo Aguilar, Jiuling Yang, Yangbing Li, Donna McEachern, Shaomeng Wang. Orally bioavailable PROTAC based MDM2 degrader [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 4515.