tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2020: Determination of parameters to understand the metabolism in the tumor microenvironment by <i>in vivo</i> microdialysis
Authors: Mariette Suzan Heins, Gunnar Flik
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract The tumor microenvironment presents a unique surrounding with more favorable conditions for the cancer cells to growth thrive and interact than for the host cells. To obtain a better understanding of cancer biology and pathophysiology, information about the physiological state of the tumor microenvironment is crucial. By using the in situ microdialysis technique we can quantitate relevant modulators in the interstitial space of the tumor. The current set of experiments demonstrates the benefits of the use of microdialysis in freely-moving awake tumor-bearing animals. Following inoculation, growth was monitored continuously and upon an average tumor volume of 400 mm3, the animals underwent surgical implantation of microdialysis probes. The next day, the sample collection was initiated by perfusion of the implanted probes with dialysate fluid. Samples were continuously collected over several hours and stored at -80C. Levels of analytes indicative of metabolic and physiological conditions of the tumor microdialysis were quantified by EIA and/or LC-MS/MS analysis. The microdialysis technology combined with sensitive analytical methods allows us to quantify several analytes from the tumor microenvironment simultaneously and monitor changes over time. Metabolic activity is an important indicator of tumor growth speed. Depletion of energy can lead to increases in lactate levels and acidification of the tumor microenvironment. Resulting in a reduction of host immunological efficacy. Elucidation of the status of the tumor environment during tumor growth and treatment allows for better translational models. Citation Format: Mariette Suzan Heins, Gunnar Flik. Determination of parameters to understand the metabolism in the tumor microenvironment by in vivo microdialysis [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 2020.
Abstract 2700: Therapeutic IL-33 enhances the antigen presentation function of ILC2s to exert anti-tumor immune activity
Authors: Jie Liu, Zhenchu Feng, Hongyan Wei, Chang Li, Xiaoshi Li, Wenlong Chen, Yixi Ke, Minjun Wang, Lantian Liu, Cunni Zheng, Quan Liu
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract IL-33 regulates the function of ILC2s through ST2. However, the role of IL-33, especially exogenous IL-33, on ILC2s in tumors is controversial depending on the cytokines they secrete. Here we report that exogenous, but not endogenous, IL-33 significantly inhibits the progression of a variety of mouse solid tumors, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, lung adenoma, and breast cancer. By inoculating tumor cells in Il1rl1−/- and NSG mice, we found that the tumor-suppressive effect of IL-33 on tumors was dependent on the expression of ST2 receptors and the presence of lymphocytes. Regarding tumor-infiltrating immune cells, exogenous IL-33 significantly increases the proportions of ST2+ Tregs (1.10 ± 0.20% vs. 1.74 ± 0.36%), eosinophils (6.00 ± 1.33% vs. 22.73 ± 6.51%), Granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells (4.32 ± 2.77% vs. 11.53 ± 6.81%), and bulk ILC2s (0.08 ± 0.04% vs. 5.31 ± 1.33%) and IA/IE+ ILC2s (0.02 ± 0.01% vs. 3.67 ± 1.03%). In draining lymph nodes, IL-33 also significantly increases the proportions of ILC2s (0.03 ± 0.02‰ vs. 6.37 ± 1.71‰) and IA/IE+ ILC2s (0.003 ± 0.003‰ vs. 4.38 ± 1.21‰). Importantly, single-cell transcriptomic analysis on tumor-infiltrating ILC2s highlights the expression of genes related with antigen processing and presentation including H2-K1, H2-Q7, B2m, Hspa1a, Hspa1b, Creb1, Hspa4, Tap1 and Tap2. We testified this finding by DQ-OVA experiment and found that IL-33 could promote ILC2s to up-take and process exogenous antigens (17.78 ± 0.75 fold vs. 22.02 ± 0.75 fold). The antigen presentation function of ILC2s was further established by mixed lymphocyte culture where BALB/c ILC2s potently stimulated C57BL/6 CD8+ T cell proliferation, which was further augmented by IL-33 treatment. Taken together, our data demonstrate an anti-tumor function of therapeutic IL-33 that elevates the number and antigen presentation function of ILC2s. Citation Format: Jie Liu, Zhenchu Feng, Hongyan Wei, Chang Li, Xiaoshi Li, Wenlong Chen, Yixi Ke, Minjun Wang, Lantian Liu, Cunni Zheng, Quan Liu. Therapeutic IL-33 enhances the antigen presentation function of ILC2s to exert anti-tumor immune activity [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 2700.
Abstract 1802: Melanoma addiction to GCDH
Authors: Namratha Nadig, Sachin Verma, Ze'ev A. Ronai
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Rewiring of metabolic pathways often underlies the malignant state, including melanoma. In our previous studies we have demonstrated melanoma addiction to Gutaryl Co-dehydrogenase (GCDH), an enzyme in the lysine catabolism pathway. Our studies revealed that blocking GCDH activity in melanoma, but not colon, lung or breast cancer cells, led to cell death which abolished growth both in culture and in vivo. Important cellular component which was found to mediate melanoma addiction to GCDH was the transcription factor NRF2, which exhibited tumor suppressor function upon GCDH inhibition. Notably, coinciding with NRF2 tumor suppressor role seen upon GCDH inhibition was its glutarylation, a post translational modification which acquired NRF2 stability and ability to induce transcription of ATF4, ATF3 and CHOP which led to extensive cell death program. Knockdown of NRF2, ATF3 or DTHDK-1 effectively blocked the cell death phenotype seen upon GCDH knockdown. Analyses of patient data confirmed that low GCDH expression coincided with prolonged survival of melanoma but not colon, breast or prostate cancer patients. These findings led us to perform an unbiased screen to identify cellular components, which underlie melanoma addiction to GCDH. The results of this analysis will be discussed. Citation Format: Namratha Nadig, Sachin Verma, Ze'ev A. Ronai. Melanoma addiction to GCDH [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 1802.
Abstract 1814: Development and evaluation of Hsp90β-selective inhibitors to overcome the safety challenges associated with pan-Hsp90 inhibitors
Authors: Sanket Mishra, Tyelor Reynolds, Brian Blagg
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract The 90 kD heat shock proteins (Hsp90) are molecular chaperones that are responsible for the folding of select proteins, many of which are directly associated with cancer progression. Consequently, inhibition of the Hsp90 protein folding machinery results in a combinatorial attack on numerous oncogenic pathways. More than 20 small-molecule inhibitors of Hsp90 have entered clinical trials for the treatment of cancer, all of which bind the Hsp90 N-terminus and exhibit pan-inhibitory activity against all four Hsp90 isoforms (Hsp90a, Hsp90β, Grp94 and TRAP-1). Most of these clinical trials have failed as pan-Inhibition of Hsp90 appears to be detrimental with toxicities reported alongside induction of the pro-survival heat shock response, which leads to additional dosing challenges/toxicities. The cytosolic Hsp90 isoforms Hsp90a and Hsp90β are the major contributors to cancer growth/survival. It has been established that inhibition of Hsp90a is associated with cardiac toxicity, retinal toxicity, and induction of the heat shock response. Therefore, the development of Hsp90β -selective inhibitors represents an alternative approach for the treatment of cancer with limited side effects. Towards this goal, Hsp90β-selective inhibitors that exhibit &amp;gt;150-fold selectivity over Hsp90a have been developed, which exhibit efficacy against select cancers while overcoming the safety challenges associated with previous Hsp90 inhibitors. The results from such studies will be presented. Citation Format: Sanket Mishra, Tyelor Reynolds, Brian Blagg. Development and evaluation of Hsp90β-selective inhibitors to overcome the safety challenges associated with pan-Hsp90 inhibitors [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 1814.
Abstract 1144: Glioblastoma cells increase expression of neurodevelopmental programs and synaptic connectivity in the tumor periphery
Authors: Dylan Harwood, Vilde Pedersen, Nicolai S. Bager, Ane Y. Schmidt, Tobias O. Stannius, Ausrine Areskeviciute, Knud Josefsen, Dorte S. Nørøxe, David Scheie, Hannah E. Rostalski, Ulrik Lassen, Frederik O. Bagger, Joachim Weischenfeldt, Dieter H. Heiland, Kristoffer Vitting-Seerup, Signe R. Michaelsen, Bjarne W. Kristensen
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Glioblastoma remains one of the deadliest brain malignancies. First-line therapy consists of maximal surgical tumor resection, accompanied by concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Malignant cells escape surgical resection by migrating into the brain parenchyma, where they give rise to the recurrent tumor. Based on gene expression, the tumor core can be subtyped into mesenchymal, proneural and classical areas, each being associated with differences in genetic alterations and cellular composition. In contrast, the tumor periphery where migrating tumor cells infiltrate brain parenchyma is less characterized in patients. Using spatial transcriptomics (n = 11), we show that specific malignant states colocalize in tumor core areas with necrosis and microvascular proliferation. Malignant cells within proneural or mesenchymal subtyped cores displayed, as expected, many differences in genetic expression, although such differences disappeared in the tumor periphery. Malignant cells residing in the tumor periphery had increased expression of genes related to neurodevelopmental pathways and synaptic connectivity. Our findings show similarities in cellular states across tumor subtypes with implications for post-operative treatment and provide an updated view of the spatial landscape of glioblastomas. Citation Format: Dylan Harwood, Vilde Pedersen, Nicolai S. Bager, Ane Y. Schmidt, Tobias O. Stannius, Ausrine Areskeviciute, Knud Josefsen, Dorte S. Nørøxe, David Scheie, Hannah E. Rostalski, Ulrik Lassen, Frederik O. Bagger, Joachim Weischenfeldt, Dieter H. Heiland, Kristoffer Vitting-Seerup, Signe R. Michaelsen, Bjarne W. Kristensen. Glioblastoma cells increase expression of neurodevelopmental programs and synaptic connectivity in the tumor periphery [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 1144.
Abstract 4347: Cell-type specific transcriptional regulation of APOBEC3A in cancers
Authors: Dhanusha Yesudhas, Bilal Lone, Kelly Butler, Arup Chakraborty, Abdul Rouf Banday
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract APOBEC3s (A-H) are a family of seven cytosine deaminases that inactivate viruses as part of the innate immune response. However, APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B have been found to mediate mutagenesis in tumor genomes by deaminating ssDNA that transiently arise during transcription and DNA replication. The mechanisms that trigger these enzymes to generate high mutation burdens in some cancers and affect disease progression and clinical outcomes are largely unknown. Here, we explored cell-type-specific transcriptional regulation of APOBEC3s using single-nucleus/cell RNA-seq (sn/scRNA-seq) data (&amp;gt;100 samples and &amp;gt;300,000 cells) from four tumor types - bladder, lung, breast, and kidney - that display different levels of APOBEC-induced mutation burden. Our analyses revealed that among seven members of the APOBEC3 family, APOBEC3A is expressed in a cell-type-specific manner. The expression was predominant in KRT13 and CDH12 epithelial cell-types and inflamed macrophages. The APOBEC3A+ epithelial cell populations were abundant in the bladder, moderate in the lung and breast, and nearly absent in the kidney tumors. APOBEC3A expression correlated with interferon and pro-inflammatory signaling in KRT13+ cells. Transcription factors ELF3 and ATF3 were significantly upregulated in APOBEC3A+ KRT13 cells. Pseudotime analysis of sn/scRNA-seq data revealed that APOBEC3A cells are in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Finally, several gene markers defining APOBEC3A+ KRT13 cell types were identified. Ongoing analyses include investigations into clinical correlates, cell-type-specific mutation burdens, and validation through in vitro functional approaches. Our results propose that APOBEC3A is turned on in specific epithelial cell types by multiple signaling pathways during tumorigenesis, thereby driving tumor heterogeneity, particularly in high mutation-burden cancers. Citation Format: Dhanusha Yesudhas, Bilal Lone, Kelly Butler, Arup Chakraborty, Abdul Rouf Banday. Cell-type specific transcriptional regulation of APOBEC3A in cancers [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 4347.
Abstract 7254: Evaluation of scFv and diabody pseudotyped Sindbis engineered retrovectors for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Makoto Sato, Alexander Cunha, Sara Collins, Noriyuki Kasahara, Cecilia Roh, Robert G. Johnson
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Engineering viral vectors to target specific cells and organs after intravenous delivery remains a challenge. Transcriptional targeting with cell-specific promoters is a commonly used approach but does not change vector biodistribution. We have developed a novel gene delivery system targeted to tumor cells by pseudotyping the vector with Sindbis Virus (SB) envelope bearing an antigen-binding domain. Prototype vectors were generated by inserting a universal IgG binding domain from Protein A into the SB envelope (SB-ZZ). Antibodies (Abs) against various cell-surface targets (HLA, HER2, CD47, EGFR, Nectin-4), were conjugated to SB-ZZ vectors delivering a luciferase (Luc) reporter gene. Targeted transduction was confirmed on cells expressing the corresponding antigens by significantly higher Luc activity compared to SB-ZZ vectors without Abs. SB envelopes were further engineered by adding or removing furin cleavage sites and linkers, transduction-enhancing point mutations, and direct incorporation of single-chain variable fragment (scFv) in different VH and VL orientations, or diabody (DB) sequences, against the same targets. The specificity of optimized HER2-targeting vectors delivering the Luc reporter was evaluated in SKBR3 (HER2 over-expressing) and MDA-MB-468 (HER2-null) cells. Robust Luc activity was observed in SKBR3 cells, but only negligible activity in MDA-MB-468 cells. In MDA-MB-468 cells overexpressing HER2, significantly higher transduction was observed compared to the wild-type cells. When comparing HER2-targeting vectors with scFv vs. DB sequences based on the same antibody, transduction capability was higher with the DB motif in HER2-positive cell lines. Targeting vectors delivering HSV-eTK were also constructed, and ganciclovir (GCV)-mediated cell killing was evaluated in vitro. SKBR3 cells transduced with HER2-targeting vectors showed significantly more cell killing after GCV treatment than after transduction with an amphotropic reference vector. Our results indicate a method for directing gene therapy vectors to specific populations of tumor cells, and provide a framework for highly modular targeted gene therapy and immunotherapeutics. Experiments are underway to examine in vivo delivery of targeted vs amphotropic vectors. Citation Format: Makoto Sato, Alexander Cunha, Sara Collins, Noriyuki Kasahara, Cecilia Roh, Robert G. Johnson. Evaluation of scFv and diabody pseudotyped Sindbis engineered retrovectors for targeted cancer therapy [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 7254.
Abstract 7255: Peptide-based siRNA delivery for tumor-specific targeting of lactate dehydrogenase C
Authors: Adviti Naik, Hanan Qasem, Julie Decock
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of female cancer-related deaths, highlighting the pressing need for novel therapeutic interventions. Treatment of triple negative breast cancer in particular remains a challenge due to disease aggressiveness and the lack of durable treatment options. We speculate that targeting of Lactate Dehydrogenase C (LDHC) could be a novel approach given its highly tumor specific expression and immunogenic properties. We recently demonstrated that LDHC acts as a key regulator of the DNA damage response and tumor mitotic fidelity. Moreover, silencing of LDHC significantly improved treatment response to DNA damage response related anti-cancer drugs, highlighting its therapeutic potential for cancer precision medicine. Methods: We characterized and evaluated several cell penetrating peptide-siRNA complexes for efficient silencing of LDHC in tumor cells using a 10R polyarginine peptide or bifunctional 10R-RGD, cRGD-10R or iRGD-10R peptides with tumor homing and penetrating abilities. Results: Peptide-siRNA complex formation and tumor cellular uptake was confirmed using gel retardation assays and fluorescent confocal imaging. Biophysiochemical characterization and transmission electron microscopy revealed the complexes to be uniform in size with a low polydispersity index and positive zeta potentials. LDHC silencing in breast cancer cells using the peptide complexes demonstrated a 30-53% reduction in LDHC expression, with the 10R-siRNA and cRGD-10R-siRNA complexes showing the highest silencing efficiency. In 3D breast cancer spheroids, transfection with the 10R-siRNA complex resulted in a 20% downregulation of LDHC expression. Further analysis of the bifunctional-siRNA complexes in 3D cultures is ongoing as well as cytotoxicity analyses on non-cancerous cell lines. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that peptide-mediated delivery of LDHC siRNA can reduce LDHC expression in 2D and 3D breast cancer cultures, suggesting that they could be used as a valuable approach for therapeutic intervention. Citation Format: Adviti Naik, Hanan Qasem, Julie Decock. Peptide-based siRNA delivery for tumor-specific targeting of lactate dehydrogenase C [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 7255.
Abstract 5968: CDC7 is a targetable regulator of advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Alifiani Bonita Hartono, Sidharth Paparaju, Chung Lee, Shiqin Liu, Busola R. Alabi, En-Chi Hsu, James D. Brooks, Eva Corey, Tanya Stoyanova
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Prostate cancer is estimated to contribute to over 34,000 deaths in men residing in the United States, with the majority fatality due to metastatic disease. CDC7 is a kinase that regulates DNA replication and is an emerging cancer biomarker for poor prognosis in carcinomas such as Wilms tumor and hepatocellular carcinomas. In this study, we demonstrated that high level of CDC7 is associated with metastatic prostate cancer when compared to benign prostate tissues or localized prostate cancer. Furthermore, we found that CDC7 expression is highest in prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models of adenocarcinomas with neuroendocrine features. In vitro, we showed that inhibition of CDC7 with TAK-931, a CDC7 specific inhibitor, reduced the ability of aggressive prostate cancer cells to proliferate, migrate, and invade. Similarly, knock-down of CDC7 in prostate cancer cell lines inhibited cell growth in a colony formation assay. TAK-931 treated prostate cancer cell lines also showed an abnormal cell cycle profile, indicating that inhibiting CDC7 in aggressive prostate cancer could contribute to replication stress and promote apoptosis. Overall, this study demonstrates that CDC7 is a targetable protein that regulates advanced and aggressive prostate cancer growth. Citation Format: Alifiani Bonita Hartono, Sidharth Paparaju, Chung Lee, Shiqin Liu, Busola R. Alabi, En-Chi Hsu, James D. Brooks, Eva Corey, Tanya Stoyanova. CDC7 is a targetable regulator of advanced prostate 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 5968.