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Research ArticleCell biologyOncology Free access | 10.1172/jci.insight.90487

Targeting adhesion signaling in KRAS, LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma

Melissa Gilbert-Ross,1,2 Jessica Konen,1,2 Junghui Koo,1,2 John Shupe,1,2 Brian S. Robinson,3 Walter Guy Wiles IV,2,4 Chunzi Huang,2,4 W. David Martin,1 Madhusmita Behera,5 Geoffrey H. Smith,3 Charles E. Hill,3 Michael R. Rossi,3,6 Gabriel L. Sica,3 Manali Rupji,2 Zhengjia Chen,2,7 Jeanne Kowalski,2,7 Andrea L. Kasinski,8 Suresh S. Ramalingam,1,2 Haian Fu,9,2 Fadlo R. Khuri,1,2 Wei Zhou,1,2,3,10 and Adam I. Marcus1,2

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Gilbert-Ross, M. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Konen, J. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Koo, J. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Shupe, J. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Robinson, B. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Wiles, W. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Huang, C. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Martin, W. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Behera, M. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Smith, G. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Hill, C. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Rossi, M. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Sica, G. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Rupji, M. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Chen, Z. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Kowalski, J. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Kasinski, A. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Ramalingam, S. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Fu, H. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Khuri, F. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Find articles by Zhou, W. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar |

1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

2Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,

4The Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource,

5Winship Research Informatics Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute,

6Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine,

7Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

8Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

9Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine,

10Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

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Published March 9, 2017 - More info

Published in Volume 2, Issue 5 on March 9, 2017
JCI Insight. 2017;2(5):e90487. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.90487.
Copyright © 2017, American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published March 9, 2017 - Version history
Received: September 2, 2016; Accepted: January 26, 2017
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Abstract

Loss of LKB1 activity is prevalent in KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma and promotes aggressive and treatment-resistant tumors. Previous studies have shown that LKB1 is a negative regulator of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), but in vivo studies testing the efficacy of FAK inhibition in LKB1 mutant cancers are lacking. Here, we took a pharmacologic approach to show that FAK inhibition is an effective early-treatment strategy for this high-risk molecular subtype. We established a lenti-Cre–induced Kras and Lkb1 mutant genetically engineered mouse model (KLLenti) that develops 100% lung adenocarcinoma and showed that high spatiotemporal FAK activation occurs in collective invasive cells that are surrounded by high levels of collagen. Modeling invasion in 3D, loss of Lkb1, but not p53, was sufficient to drive collective invasion and collagen alignment that was highly sensitive to FAK inhibition. Treatment of early, stage-matched KLLenti tumors with FAK inhibitor monotherapy resulted in a striking effect on tumor progression, invasion, and tumor-associated collagen. Chronic treatment extended survival and impeded local lymph node spread. Lastly, we identified focally upregulated FAK and collagen-associated collective invasion in KRAS and LKB1 comutated human lung adenocarcinoma patients. Our results suggest that patients with LKB1 mutant tumors should be stratified for early treatment with FAK inhibitors.

Introduction

LKB1 (STK11) is the second most frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene in human lung adenocarcinoma, after TP53, and it is inactivated in up to 30% of KRAS mutant non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) (1–5). In mouse models, loss of Lkb1 in vivo promotes the aggressive, metastatic spread of Kras mutant lung cancer and renders tumors largely resistant to both docetaxel monotherapy and to combination therapy with a MEK inhibitor (6, 7). Although cytotoxic and cytostatic therapies are in development to target LKB1 mutant vulnerabilities (8–11), a comprehensive therapeutic strategy designed to target the aggressive biology of KRAS and LKB1 mutant tumors has yet to lead to a clinical intervention. Immune checkpoint therapies have shown promise in the treatment of NSCLC, yet recent work has identified distinct molecular features of KRAS and LKB1 mutant tumors, which include suppression of immunoediting and resistance to PD-1–targeting antibodies (12–14). Hence, there is an urgent need for targeted therapies against KRAS and LKB1 mutant NSCLC.

We and others have identified LKB1 as a negative regulator of the focal adhesion kinase/Src (FAK/Src) signaling pathway in tumor cells (11, 15–17). FAK is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that serves as a master regulator of cell adhesion during cell motility and has kinase-dependent roles in cell invasion (18). As such, several anticancer agents targeting FAK activity are in clinical development (19).

In our study, we take a multidisciplinary approach to establish FAK as a therapeutic vulnerability in LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma in vivo. We have established a lentiviral-Cre induced Kras and Lkb1 model of NSCLC that, unlike previous models, develops 100% lung adenocarcinomas. We used this model to design the first rolling-enrollment, stage-matched preclinical trial targeting adhesion signaling, with the goal of inhibiting the invasive progression of KRAS and LKB1 mutant lung tumors in a clinical setting. Our data show that FAK is hyperactive in dense, collagen-associated collective invasion packs (CIPs) in late-stage KRAS and LKB1 mutant mouse and human tumors and that treating mice at early stages with a FAK inhibitor results in pleiotropic therapeutic responses, including a reduction in tumor burden and invasiveness, and a decrease in the tumor-associated collagen network. Our data support the implementation of early personalized therapy targeting FAK in LKB1-inactivated cancers and establish a rationale for future combination treatment strategies.

Results

A lenti-Cre KrasG12D Lkb1fl/fl lung adenocarcinoma model reveals FAK is highly active in collagen-associated CIPs in vivo. We created a lentiviral-Cre–induced (lenti-Cre–induced) LSL-KrasG12D/+ Lkb1fl/fl mouse model (KLLenti) (Figure 1A). Unlike previous adeno-Cre models, KLLenti mice develop 100% lung adenocarcinomas (n = 93), the predominant subtype of human NSCLC that harbors LKB1 loss (5). Tumors from KLLenti mice exhibit the major histologic subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma, including acinar, lepidic, papillary, and solid (mucinous) and develop metastases to the mediastinal lymph nodes (52%, n = 33) (Supplemental Figure 1A; supplemental material available online with this article; https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.90487DS1). In order to gain spatial information on FAK activity in primary Kras and Lkb1 lung adenocarcinoma in vivo, we used IHC to assess FAK autophosphorylation at site 397 (pYFAK397) in early- and late-stage KLLenti primary tumors. Lung adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) expressed levels of pYFAK397 that were similar to the nontransformed cells in the alveolar space (Figure 1C). In contrast, invasive adenocarcinomas expressed high levels of pYFAK, with peak levels detected in a subset of cells at the invasive front of tumors and in cell clusters surrounded by stroma (Figure 1C). We refer to these cells as CIPs. To test the specificity of this phenotype to Lkb1 loss, we performed IHC to pYFAK397 on early- and late-stage KrasG12D p53fl/fl mouse lung adenocarcinoma (KP) but only detected high levels of pYFAK in immune cells (Supplemental Figure 1B). To confirm that Lkb1 mutant pYFAK+ cells were derived from collective adenocarcinoma cells, we confirmed that CIPs express surfactant protein C (SP-C) and maintain junctional E-Cadherin (E-Cad) (Figure 1B and Supplemental Figure 2A).

A lenti-Cre KrasG12DLkb1fl/fl mouse model (KLLenti) of lung adenocarcinomaFigure 1

A lenti-Cre KrasG12DLkb1fl/fl mouse model (KLLenti) of lung adenocarcinoma reveals high levels of active FAK in collagen-associated collective invasion packs (CIPs) in vivo. (A) Lenti-Cre model of KrasG12D Lkb1fl/fl lung adenocarcinoma. White arrows indicate primary lung tumors. Scale bar: 50 mm. (B) Double immunofluorescence analysis of pYFAK397/E-Cad (left column), E-Cad/SP-C (middle column), and E-Cad/CCSP (right column) from serial sections of late-stage KLLenti invasive primary tumors. Arrows mark CIPs, and arrowheads are located behind the invasive front. Scale bars: 100 μm. (C) Representative images of IHC of pYFAK397 and serial H&E-stained sections from KLLenti adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) (top) and invasive adenocarcinoma (Inv Adc) (bottom) (n = 6). Black arrows mark pYFAK-positive invasive tumor cells, and arrowheads are located behind the invasive front. Scale bars: 200 μm. v, vessel. (D) SHG (white; top row) imaging of collagen in KLLenti Inv Adc compared with a normal bronchovascular bundle and AIS. Cell structure is visualized by H&E autofluorescence (pseudo-colored blue). Scale bar: 50 μm. Yellow dashed boxes outline regions merged and magnified in inset. Scale bar: 50 μm. Red arrows mark CIPs, and yellow arrow marks direction of invasive front. (E) Quantitation of collagen density by mean SHG signal intensity from lung tumor sections of the indicated genotype and stage (n = 2 lung lobes each from 3 independent mice [KLLenti AIS and KLLenti Inv Adc], and n = 1–2 lung lobes from 6 independent mice [KP Inv Adc]). Data are represented as mean ± SD. P values were calculated using 1-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. ****P < 0.0001; **P < 0.01.

Collective migration in breast cancer leads to collagen remodeling, which facilitates local invasion (20, 21). We imaged KLLenti tumors at early and late stages using second harmonic generation (SHG) to detect collagen. We identified low levels of unaligned collagen in early-stage tumors (Figure 1, D and E). In contrast, we detected high levels of aligned collagen in KLLenti invasive tumors. Aligned collagen fibers (perpendicular to the axis of invasion) were identified in close approximation to CIPs (Figure 1D). We performed a similar analysis in KP invasive lung tumors, which revealed a low level of unaligned collagen (Figure 1E and Supplemental Figure 1C). Taken together, our data suggest that autonomous upregulation of FAK activity in tumor cells accompanies collagen remodeling and collective invasion, and is unique to the Kras and Lkb1 molecular subtype of lung adenocarcinoma in vivo.

Lkb1 is required to restrict FAK-dependent collective invasion and collagen alignment in 3D tumor spheroids. To investigate cell biologic and functional requirements for FAK signaling in Kras and Lkb1 mutant tumor cells, we tested invasion phenotypes using 3D spheroid assays in KrasG12D p53fl/fl (Lkb1 WT) and KrasG12D p53fl/fl Lkb1fl/fl (Lkb1-null) mouse tumor cell lines (8). Western blot analysis confirmed defective Lkb1 pathway signaling in Lkb1-null cells (Supplemental Figure 3A). Lkb1-null spheroids invaded into collagen as a collective sheet of cells (Figure 2A and Supplemental Video 1), similar to the collective invasion we observed in vivo. Conversely, Lkb1 WT spheroids exhibited single-cell invasion (Figure 2A and Supplemental Video 2). Molecular analysis confirmed that invasive Lkb1-null cells maintain E-Cad in clusters of cells at the leading edge in contrast to Lkb1 WT spheroids that lack E-Cad and express Vimentin (Supplemental Figure 2, C and D). Analysis of pYFAK showed an accumulation or stabilization of pYFAK397 sites at the leading edge of collectively invading Lkb1-null cells that is not observed in Lkb1 WT cells (Figure 2A and Supplemental Figure 2B). Treatment of Lkb1-null spheroids with the FAK inhibitors PF-562271 and GSK2256098 (GSK6098) (19) lead to a downregulation of FAK activity (Supplemental Figure 3, B–D) and a significant suppression of Lkb1-null collective invasion (as measured by invasive area) into collagen (Figure 2, B and C and Supplemental Figure 3E). In contrast, inhibition of FAK activity in Lkb1 WT cells did not exhibit a significant reduction in invasion. We conclude that Lkb1 mutant lung tumor cells are uniquely reliant on hyperactive FAK signaling during collective invasion into collagen.

Lkb1 mutant tumor cells exhibit collective, FAK-dependent 3D cell invasionFigure 2

Lkb1 mutant tumor cells exhibit collective, FAK-dependent 3D cell invasion and collagen remodeling. (A) (Top) Representative brightfield images of Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null mouse tumor cell spheroids that were embedded in a collagen I matrix and allowed to invade for 24 hours. Area in white boxes is magnified to the right. Dashed line with asterisks marks single invasive cells, and sold line marks collectively invading cells. Scale bars: 50 μm. (Bottom) Representative immunofluorescence images of pYFAK397 at the invasive front in Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null spheroids after 48 hours of invasion into a collagen matrix. Area in white boxes is magnified to the right. Scale bars: 50 μm. (B) Representative images of spheroids formed from Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null cells analyzed for total invasion into a collagen matrix in the presence of FAK inhibitor PF-562271 at 250 nM. DMSO was used as a vehicle control. Scale bars: 100 μm. (C) Quantification of spheroid invasion after treatment with either PF-562271 at 250 nM or GSK6098 at 2 μM. n = 4 spheroids (FAK inhibitors) or n = 7 spheroids (DMSO). Data are represented as mean ± SD. P values were calculated using 1-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, *P < 0.05 ***, P < 0.0001. (D) Second harmonic generation imaging of collagen after invasion by 3D tumor cell spheroids of the indicated genotypes. Scale bar: 50 μm. (E) Lkb1-null 3D tumor spheroids treated with vehicle (DMSO, top panels) or PF-562271 (bottom panels) embedded in a collagen matrix and visualized 24 hours later by CellTracker (tumor cell spheroids, red in merge) and second harmonic generation (SHG) to visualize collagen fibers. Scale bar: 50 μm. (F) Collagen alignment coefficient of DMSO and PF-562271-treated Lkb1-null tumor cell spheroids shown in E.

We next examined whether collagen alignment was FAK dependent during Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null spheroid invasion using SHG. During invasion, Lkb1-null spheroids exhibit increased collagen alignment compared with LKB1 WT spheroids (Figure 2, D and E). We tested the requirement for FAK activity by treating Lkb1-null spheroids with the FAK inhibitor PF-562271 and implemented a local alignment coefficient to quantify the effect (Figure 2, E and F) (18). Our results indicate that Lkb1-null spheroids are indeed dependent on FAK activity to align collagen fibers during collective 3D invasion.

Early treatment of Kras and Lkb1 mutant lung tumors with a FAK inhibitor suppresses tumor progression in vivo. Based on our previous results, we hypothesized that a dependence on high FAK activity could represent a vulnerability in Kras and Lkb1 lung adenocarcinoma. To test this in vivo, and to treat stage-matched early tumors, we combined a Rosa26-luciferase allele with our KLLenti mouse to create KLLLenti mice. Total flux in KLLLenti mice is proportional to tumor grade and tumor burden, and it correlates with metastatic colonization of the lymph node (Figure 3A and Supplemental Figure 4), which allowed us to use photons/second (p/s) as a sensitive measure of invasive progression and metastatic potential. To facilitate the translation of our results into human trials, mice were treated with GSK6098, an ATP-competitive FAK inhibitor that has shown efficacy in animal models and is currently in clinical development (19). Western blot analyses indicated that GSK6098 inhibited FAK pathway activity in Kras and Lkb1 mutant mouse lung tissue in vivo (Figure 3J). To ensure enrollment of mice with early-stage (preinvasive) tumors, a test cohort of KLLLenti mice were bioluminescent imaged to establish a maximum enrollment score (BLIEnr). For the trial, KLLLenti mice were imaged until luciferase-positive tumors were detected at or below BLIEnr, after which they were randomly assigned to receive either vehicle (n = 10) or GSK6098 (n = 9) (75 mg/kg PO BID) (Figure 3B and Supplemental Table 2). Mice were treated for 5 weeks, reimaged (BLINec) and necropsied for histology. Five-week treatment with GSK6098 had a significant effect on tumor progression in KLLLenti mice, as measured by total flux (Figure 3, C and D). Moreover, histologic staging of tumor grade revealed a correlation between GSK6098 treatment and lower-grade tumors (Supplemental Table 1). Strikingly, KLLLenti mice showed significant reductions in lung tumor burden after treatment with GSK6098 (Figure 3E). No changes in caspase-dependent apoptosis nor cell proliferation were observed in GSK6098-treated tumors (Melissa Gilbert-Ross, unpublished observations); however, a positive trend in the number of tumor-associated CD45+ leukocytes was observed in GSK6098-treated mice (Supplemental Figure 4D). This suggests that FAK inhibition may prevent or delay tumor onset and/or progression via effects on the tumor immune microenvironment. We quantitated the effect of GSK6098 treatment on invasion by measuring the area of invasive tumors in vehicle- vs. GSK6098-treated mice (invasive burden). GSK6098-treated mice exhibited a strong trend in decreased invasive burden (Figure 3F). No correlation was found between mean total tumor burden and invasive burden in control mice (Supplemental Figure 4C). This suggests that the inhibition of invasion in GSK6098-treated mice is not due solely to a decrease in tumor burden. Similar to our in vitro results, 5-week treatment of KLLLenti mice with the FAK inhibitor GSK6098 led to a decrease in the levels and alignment of collagen in stage-matched grade IV vehicle- vs. GSK6098-treated lung tumors (Figure 3G). Taken together, our data support our hypothesis that FAK activity represents a vulnerability in Kras and Lkb1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma in vivo, with treatment resulting in both tumor cell-autonomous and tumor microenvironmental effects.

Treatment with a FAK inhibitor results in multiple therapeutic responses inFigure 3

Treatment with a FAK inhibitor results in multiple therapeutic responses in Kras and Lkb1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma in vivo. (A) (Top panel) Dorsal bioluminescent images (BLI) of 2 KrasG12D/+ Lkb1fl/fl Rosa-luc mice induced with lenti-Cre (KLLLenti) on day 0 and imaged 10 weeks post-infection (wpi). Regions of interest (ROIs) indicate total flux in photons/second. (Bottom panel) H&E-stained primary lung tumors from mice pictured above (50×). (B) Graphic of preclinical trial design. (C) BLI images of vehicle- and GSK6098-treated mice after 5-week treatment protocol (Nec, necropsy). (D) Total flux (photons/second) at enrollment (Enr) vs. necropsy (Nec) for vehicle- (n = 10) and GSK6098-treated mice (n = 9) in 5-week treatment trial. Each box represents an individual mouse pictured in C; one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, ****P < 0.0001, *P < 0.05). (E) Mean tumor burden (μm2) in vehicle- (n = 10) vs. GSK6098-treated mice (n = 9); 2-tailed t test, ****P < 0.0001. (Bottom panel) Representative images of lung tumors in vehicle- vs. GSK6098-treated mice. Scale bar: 3 mm. (F) Mean invasive burden in vehicle- (n = 10) vs. GSK6098-treated mice (n = 9); 2-tailed t test, P = 0.1089. (Bottom panel) Representative images of invasive tumors (outlined in yellow) in vehicle- vs. GSK6098-treated mice (40×; Nanozoomer; 8× digital zoom). (G) SHG imaging of collagen (white) in vehicle- vs. GSK6098-treated KLLLenti lung tumors. Images are 2 independent stage-matched (Inv Adc) fields per treatment group. (H) Kaplan Meier analysis of days from enrollment to the onset of clinical symptoms of chronically treated vehicle (n = 12) vs. GSK6098 (n = 11) KLLLenti mice. Wilcoxon test, P = 0.0647. (I) Representative lymph nodes from chronically treated vehicle (3 independent lymph nodes from a single mouse pictured [numbered 1–3] vs. GSK6098 [1 positive lymph node from a single mouse pictured]). Yellow outlines mark metastatic tumor cells. Scale bar: 2 mm. (J) Western blot analysis of the FAK/Src pathway in vehicle- vs. GSK6098-treated lung lobes. Numbers in parentheses indicate fold change in the vehicle/GSK6098 mean signal intensity ratio. SE, short exposure; LE, long exposure.

We further evaluated whether chronic treatment with GSK6098 could extend the time to onset of clinical symptoms in mice with Kras and Lkb1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma. KLLLenti mice were imaged until tumor onset and randomly assigned to either vehicle or GSK6098 treatment (75 mg/kg PO BID) to be continued until mice developed clinical symptoms (see Methods). To account for the emergence of potential resistance mechanisms during long-term treatment, survival curves were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Taking into account the relatively small sample size, the analysis indicates a significant difference in days to onset of clinical symptoms in GSK6098- vs. vehicle-treated KLLLenti mice (Figure 3H). Analysis of the mediastinal lymph nodes from these mice revealed a significant association between treatment and the extent to which metastatic tumor cells spread to 2 or more lymph nodes (vehicle = 5/7 vs. GSK6098 = 0/5; Fisher’s exact test, P =.0278) (Figure 3I).

KRAS and LKB1 comutation in human lung adenocarcinoma patients is associated with focal pYFAK upregulation and collagen-associated CIPs. We investigated whether our results could be applied to identify KRAS and LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients who may benefit from FAK pathway inhibition. We used a targeted and clinically validated next-generation sequencing (NGS) mutation panel (22) to assay formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) patient tissue to identify KRAS and KRAS and LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma. Tissue sections from 12 total patients (n = 6 KRAS and n = 6 KRAS and LKB1) were assayed by confocal microscopy for E-Cad expression, and identical fields were then imaged via SHG to visualize collagen. Collagen density was then quantified by measuring mean SHG signal intensity across the entire field of view (2 fields/patient). In KRAS-only (LKB1 WT) lung adenocarcinoma, we identified E-Cad in noninvasive tumor cells that was associated with low levels of collagen (Figure 4, A and C). In contrast, in KRAS and LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma, we identified E-Cad+ CIPs that were associated with high levels of collagen (Figure 4, B and C). Importantly, E-Cad+ CIPs had high levels of pYFAK397 (Figure 4B). Next, we sought to determine if we could identify a pattern of pYFAK397 upregulation in comutated vs. KRAS-only mutant patients of various stages. We performed IHC for pYFAK397 on 13 patient samples (n = 7 KRAS and n = 6 KRAS LKB1 patients), and tumor tissue was scored as either having a majority diffuse pYFAK staining pattern or alternatively as having focally upregulated pYFAK (see Methods). Using this criteria, pYFAK focal upregulation was significantly associated with KRAS and LKB1 comutated patients (Figure 4D and Supplemental Table 3).

KRAS and LKB1 comutated human lung adenocarcinoma exhibits focal upregulatiFigure 4

KRAS and LKB1 comutated human lung adenocarcinoma exhibits focal upregulation of pYFAK and collagen-associated collective invasion packs (CIPs). (A) Representative confocal image (left) of E-Cadherin (green) and SHG image (right) of collagen (white) in human KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma. The field imaged by confocal microscopy was subsequently reimaged for collagen using SHG (200×) (B) Representative confocal images (left column) and SHG images of E-Cadherin (green) and collagen (white) of 2 independent fields from a KRAS and LKB1 mutant human primary lung adenocarcinoma (top and middle panels). As in A, fields imaged by confocal microscopy were subsequently reimaged with SHG to detect collagen. Confocal imaging of E-Cadherin (left) and an adjacent section stained for pYFAK (right) is pictured in the bottom panel. Red arrows mark CIPs present in both sections that are E-Cadherin– and pYFAK-positive. All panels imaged at 200×. (C) Quantitation of collagen density by mean SHG signal intensity. Each data point represents an independent field, and 2 independent fields were imaged per patient with n = 6 KRAS and n = 6 KRAS and LKB1 mutant patients. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Two-tailed t test; *P < 0.05. (D) Representative images of pYFAK397 IHC from 3 independent patient samples per indicated genotype (representative images from a total of n = 7 KRAS and n = 6 KRAS and LKB1 mutant patients samples [15 total patients]).

Discussion

LKB1 is the third most frequently altered gene in adenocarcinoma of the lung and leads to aggressive metastatic disease in multiple tumor types. Currently, there are no targeted therapies against tumors with this genetic alteration. Our study presents a lentiviral-Cre–induced KrasG12D Lkb1 mutant genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) that results in the exclusive generation of lung adenocarcinoma. We used our model to conduct the first rolling-enrollment preclinical trial and to show that adhesion therapy with a FAK inhibitor is a viable treatment strategy for this high-risk molecular subtype.

Evidence from mouse models indicates that Kras and Lkb1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma is largely resistant to both standard-of-care docetaxel and combination treatment with a MEK inhibitor (7). This is in contrast to both Kras and Kras, p53 mutant lung cancer models. Clearly, the molecular heterogeneity of coexisting tumor suppressor mutations effects therapeutic response. Our results suggest that the Kras and Lkb1 molecular subtype is highly sensitive to FAK inhibition in vivo due to deregulated pathway signaling during collective invasion and collagen alignment, and they predict that adhesion therapy could represent the first viable targeted-treatment strategy for these patients. Our results do not rule out the possibility that additional molecular subtypes will also benefit from FAK inhibitors. Also, it remains to be addressed whether the full spectrum of LKB1 loss-of-function mutations found in human tumors, in addition to patients with functional inactivation of the LKB1-AMPK axis in LKB1 mutation-negative tumors (13), will benefit from FAK therapy.

Importantly, our data supports the design of a clinical trial in early-stage KRAS and LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients and suggest that current clinical trials designed to enroll patients with metastatic or recurrent disease may not be beneficial. Early clinical intervention with FAK inhibitors creates the need to compare and/or combine adhesion therapy with standard-of-care agents. We propose that FAK inhibitors may synergize with standard agents and targeted therapies, and may render KRAS and LKB1 mutant lung adenocarcinoma sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibition due to the increased access of immune cells to tumors afforded by the reduction in high levels of aligned collagen in the surrounding microenvironment. In conclusion, our results support the continued refinement of FAK inhibitors as a clinical strategy in selected lung adenocarcinoma patients and open a potential new therapeutic opportunity for additional tumor types with inactivated LKB1 and collective invasion strategies.

Methods

Mouse Studies

LSL-KrasG12D (23) and Lkb1fl/fl (24) mice were obtained from the Mouse Models of Human Cancers Consortium to create KLLenti mice. Rosa26-Lox-Stop-Lox-Luc mice were obtained from Jackson Laboratories courtesy of Bill Kaelin (25) to create KLLLenti mice. KP lung tumor sections were obtained from AL Kasinski (Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA). Lung tumors were induced by i.n. or intratracheal inhalation of lentiviral-Cre. KLLenti mice exhibited decreased time to clinical symptoms and moribundity (16 weeks post infection [wpi]; n = 15) when compared with LSL-KrasG12D/+ animals (>25 wpi; n = 5). For the 5-week therapeutic trial, mice were imaged starting at 6 wpi at least once a week on an IVIS Spectrum (Perkin Elmer), enrolled under the maximum enrollment BLI (1 × 106 p/s), and imaged again at the end of the 5-week treatment period (BLINec). Living Image software was used to compare longitudinally acquired calibrated signals. GSK6098 FAK inhibitor was delivered at 75 mg/kg PO BID for 5 weeks, after which mice were imaged and necropsied. For the chronic treatment trial, mice were imaged until tumor detection and then continuously treated with either vehicle or GSK6098 (75 mg/kg PO BID) until the onset of clinical symptoms (tachypnea, extreme weight loss), at which point treatment was stopped and the mice euthanized according to IACUC guidelines. Mouse lung tumors were scored by a board-certified lung pathologist using criteria previously published in ref. 26. Percent lymph node colonization was calculated as area occupied by metastatic tumor cells/total lymph node area (um2). Lung tumor burden was calculated by measuring tumor area (um2) area, and invasive burden was calculated by measuring the area of invasive tumors (um2) using whole slide scanned images (40×; Olympus Nanozoomer) of H&E-stained KLLLenti lungs and lymph nodes using ImageScope software.

Immunofluorescence/Immunohistochemistry

Paraformaldehyde-fixed OCT-embedded mouse lung sections (5 μm–thick), and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mouse and human tumor lung sections were stained with rabbit anti-pYFAK397 (Abcam, catalog ab39967), rabbit anti–SP-C (Millipore, catalog AB3786), mouse anti–E-Cadherin (BD Biosciences, clone 36, catalog 610181), and rabbit anti-Vimentin (Cell Signaling Technology, clone R28 , catalog 3932S). Secondary antibodies were purchased from ThermoFisher Scientific (anti–mouse Alexa Fluor 488; anti–rabbit Biotin-XX; Streptavidin, Alexa Fluor 555 Conjugate), and Vector Laboratories (Vector M.O.M and ImmPact reagents).

3D Invasion Assays

Lkb1 WT and -null mouse tumor cells (Kwok-Kin Wong, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA) were grown to 70% confluency and then trypsinized, neutralized, and resuspended in complete RPMI (Invitrogen). To generate spheroids, 3,000 cells were added to a Spheron Nunclon 96-well plate (ThermoFisher Scientific). After 3 days of incubation, spheroids were collected and resuspended in 2.0 mg/ml Collagen Type I (Advanced Biomatrix), then plated in a Lab-Tek 8-well borosilicate bottom plate (ThermoFisher Scientific) for immunofluorescence or a 35-mm glass bottom dish (In Vitro Scientific) for multiphoton microscopy. After collagen solidified, complete RPMI was added to the top of the collagen matrix to provide a chemogradient for the spheroids. In 3D spheroid FAK inhibitor studies, 2 μM PF-562271 was added directly to collagen before solidification and was also added to the growth media after solidification of the collagen. DMSO was used as a vehicle control. Spheroids were incubated at 37oC and 5% CO2 for 24–48 hours to allow for invasion. Spheroid invasion was quantified using ImageJ (NIH). The total area of cellular invasion into the collagen matrix was measured, and the spheroid bulk (i.e., the noninvasive area) was then subtracted from this total area, leaving an invasive area measurement.

Spheroid microscopy

Widefield imaging. Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null spheroids were embedded in collagen as described above. Still images were taken at 0, 24, and 48 hours after embedding using an Olympus IX51 at 10× (0.30 numerical aperture [NA] air) and 20× (0.45 NA air).

Confocal imaging. Spheroids generated from Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null cells were embedded in a 3D collagen matrix as previously described. Twenty-four hours later, cells were fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde (Electron Microscopy Sciences) for 15 minutes at room temperature and then quenched with 0.1 M glycine in PBS (Sigma-Aldrich) for 10 minutes. Spheroids were then permeabilized with 0.5% Triton-X (Promega) for 1.5 hours, washed with PBS for 10 minutes, and blocked with 5% normal goat serum (NGS, Jackson ImmunoResearch) for 1.5 hours. Spheroids were probed with rabbit pFAKY397 (Abcam, catalog ab3996; 1:250 in PBS with 1% BSA and 1% NGS), rabbit anti-Vimentin (Cell Signaling Technology, clone R28, catalog 3932S), or mouse anti–E-Cadherin (BD Biosciences, clone 36, catalog 610181) overnight at 4oC. Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti-rabbit (1:750 in PBS with 1% NGS) or M.O.M. anti-mouse secondary was added the next day for 1.5 hours with gentle shaking at room temperature. Spheroids were then stained with 350 nM DAPI for 10 minutes, followed by 3 more PBS washes. Fixed spheroids were imaged using the FV1000 inverted confocal mounted on an Olympus IX81 inverted microscope (40× 0.90 NA, Water PlanApo) with 1.3-μm z-stack intervals and sequential scanning (405 nm, 488 nm). In FAK inhibitor–treated spheroids, PF-562271 (250nM) or DMSO control was added to the collagen matrix and growth media. Fresh growth media plus inhibitor was added every 10–12 hours. After 48 hours, cells were fixed and stained with pFAKY397 as described above.

Multiphoton microscopy

Spheroids of Lkb1 WT and Lkb1-null cells were imaged at 72 hours after embedding. In FAK inhibitor studies, spheroids were dyed using 1 μM of Red CellTracker (Invitrogen) to visualize invasion. Spheroids were imaged at 0 and 24 hours after invasion using a Zeiss Axio Examiner Z1 microscope with 20× water immersion objective (1.0 NA DIC [UV] VIS-IR). The SHG signal was obtained using a band pass 380–430 nm3. To image the cells stained with Red CellTracker, we used a band pass of 570–610 nm cube with a long pass of 555 nm. Images were taken with a Coherent Chameleon Verdi laser at 790 nm wavelength. Z-stack images were taken with a 1-μm interval. Mouse tissue sections were imaged as above but at 820 nm wavelength. For quantitative comparisons, image acquisition settings were kept constant. Collagen SHG images were analyzed using FIJI (ImageJ) by calculating the mean pixel intensity across the entire image.

Human lung tumor tissue

Human lung adenocarcinoma tissue is a mixed cohort obtained from Emory University and WellStar Health System tumor bank tissue and Emory clinical FFPE tumor specimens. The former cohort was sequenced using a custom-designed standard NGS workflow for analyzing mutations in 17 genes, including KRAS, and the entire coding region and 30 bp flanking each exon of STK11 (LKB1). Emory clinical FFPE specimens were analyzed using NGS libraries prepared with the Tru-Sight Tumor-26 kit (exons 1, 4, 6, 8 of STK11) and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq (26). pYFAK IHC was scored on a scale from 0–3, and diffuse staining was defined as a score that represented greater than 50% of tumor cells. Focal upregulation was defined as a higher score in less than 50% of the tumor cells as compared with the score of the surrounding tissue.

Statistics

Prism software was used to generate and analyze the Pearson correlations (Figure 3, B and D) and to generate P values using the one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison test, the 2-tailed student’s t test, and the Fisher’s exact tests. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis for analyzing days from enrollment to onset of clinical symptoms in the long-term treatment trial was conducted using SAS version 9.3 and SAS macros developed by the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource at Winship Cancer Institute (27). The association of treatment with time to onset of clinical symptoms was assessed using the Cox Proportional hazards model. As symptoms related to treatment are expected to develop early, a Wilcoxon test was done to compare the Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Due to the relatively small sample size, a P value of less than 0.1 was considered significant.

Study Approval

The Emory Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approved all animal studies and procedures. Studies performed using human lung adenocarcinoma tissue was performed with approval from the Emory University IRB and in concordance with regulatory guidelines regarding clinical assay validation. Informed consent was obtained from all patients, and the investigator performing the IHC was blinded to the identity of the samples.

Author contributions

WZ, AIM, and MGR designed the study, interpreted all data, and wrote the manuscript. MGR, J. Konen, J. Koo, JS, WGW, CH, and WDM performed the experiments. MR, ZC, and J. Kowlaski performed the statistical analyses. BSR and GLS scored the human and mouse pathology specimens. MB assisted with obtaining human tumor specimens. ALK provided the KP lung adenocarcinoma specimens. GHS, CEH, and MRR led the information technology, molecular pathology, and sequencing workflow for the human lung adenocarcinoma tissues. SSR, HF, and FRK participated in study design and edited the manuscript.

Supplemental material

View Supplemental data

View Supplemental Video 1

View Supplemental Video 2

Acknowledgments

Glaxo Smith Kline provided the GSK6098 FAK inhibitor. This work was supported by grants P01CA116676 (FRK), R01CA142858 (AIM), R01CA140571 (WZ), R00CA178091 (ALK), R01CA194027 (WZ, AIM, MGR) and R01CA201340 (AIM, MGR) from the US National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute. Research reported in this publication was supported in part by the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, the Emory Integrated Cellular Imaging Core, and the Cancer Tissue and Pathology Core of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and NIH/NCI under award number P30CA138292 (WJC). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Lentiviral-Cre was obtained from the Emory Viral Vector Core, supported by the Emory Neuroscience NINDS Core Facilities grant P30NS055077.

Address correspondence to: Melissa Gilbert-Ross, Adam I. Marcus, or Wei Zhou, 1365C Clifton Road, C4090, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. Phone: 404.712.8370; E-mail: mmgilbe@emory.edu (MGR). Phone: 404.778.4597; E-mail: aimarcu@emory.edu (AIM). Phone: 404.778.2134; E-mail: wzhou2@emory.edu (WZ). Or to: Fadlo R. Khuri, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: 961.1.347127; E-mail: frkhuri@aub.edu.lb.

Footnotes

FRK’s present address is: The American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.

Conflict of interest: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Reference information: JCI Insight. 2017;2(5):e90487. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.90487.

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Version history
  • Version 1 (March 9, 2017):

    Electronic publication

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