Oncologies
Abstract
IL-12 is a potent cytokine that can promote innate and adaptive anticancer immunity, but its clinical development has been limited by toxicity when delivered systemically. Intratumoral (i.t.) administration can expand the therapeutic window of IL-12 and other cytokines but is in turn limited by rapid drug clearance from the tumor, which reduces efficacy, necessitates frequent administration, and increases systemic accumulation. To address these limitations, we developed an anchored IL-12 designated ANK-101, composed of an engineered IL-12 variant that forms a stable complex with the FDA-approved vaccine adjuvant aluminum hydroxide (Alhydrogel). Following i.t. administration of murine ANK-101 (mANK-101) in early intervention syngeneic mouse tumors, the complex formed a depot that was locally retained for weeks as measured by IVIS or SPECT/CT imaging, while unanchored protein injected i.t. was cleared within hours. One or 2 i.t. injections of mANK-101 induced single-agent antitumor activity across a diverse range of syngeneic tumors, including models resistant to checkpoint blockade at doses where unanchored IL-12 had no efficacy. Local treatment with mANK-101 further induced regressions of noninjected lesions, especially when combined with systemic checkpoint blockade. Antitumor activity was associated with remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, including prolonged IFN-γ and chemokine expression, recruitment and activation of T and NK cells, M1 myeloid cell skewing, and increased antigen processing and presentation. Subcutaneous administration of ANK-101 in cynomolgus macaques was well tolerated. Together, these data demonstrate that ANK-101 has an enhanced efficacy and safety profile and warrants future clinical development.
Authors
Sailaja Battula, Gregory Papastoitsis, Howard L. Kaufman, K. Dane Wittrup, Michael M. Schmidt
Abstract
Personalized cancer vaccines aim to activate and expand cytotoxic antitumor CD8+ T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. However, the role of CD4+ T cell activation in the clinical benefit of these vaccines is not well defined. We previously established a personalized neoantigen vaccine (PancVAX) for the pancreatic cancer cell line Panc02, which activates tumor-specific CD8+ T cells but required combinatorial checkpoint modulators to achieve therapeutic efficacy. To determine the effects of neoantigen-specific CD4+ T cell activation, we generated a vaccine (PancVAX2) targeting both major histocompatibility complex class I– (MHCI-) and MHCII-specific neoantigens. Tumor-bearing mice vaccinated with PancVAX2 had significantly improved control of tumor growth and long-term survival benefit without concurrent administration of checkpoint inhibitors. PancVAX2 significantly enhanced priming and recruitment of neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells into the tumor with lower PD-1 expression after reactivation compared with the CD8+ vaccine alone. Vaccine-induced neoantigen-specific Th1 CD4+ T cells in the tumor were associated with decreased Tregs. Consistent with this, PancVAX2 was associated with more proimmune myeloid-derived suppressor cells and M1-like macrophages in the tumor, demonstrating a less immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This study demonstrates the biological importance of prioritizing and including CD4+ T cell–specific neoantigens for personalized cancer vaccine modalities.
Authors
Amanda L. Huff, Gabriella Longway, Jacob T. Mitchell, Lalitya Andaloori, Emily Davis-Marcisak, Fangluo Chen, Melissa R. Lyman, Rulin Wang, Jocelyn Mathew, Benjamin Barrett, Sabahat Rahman, James Leatherman, Mark Yarchoan, Nilofer S. Azad, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian, Luciane T. Kagohara, Elana J. Fertig, Elizabeth M. Jaffee, Todd D. Armstrong, Neeha Zaidi
Abstract
The use of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) to characterize therapeutic sensitivity and resistance is a promising precision medicine approach, and its potential to inform clinical decisions is now being tested in several large multi-institutional clinical trials. PDOs are cultivated in extracellular matrix from basement membrane extracts (BMEs) that are most commonly acquired commercially. Each clinical site utilizes distinct BME lots and may be restricted due to the availability of commercial BME sources. However, the impact of different sources of BMEs on organoid drug response is unknown. Here, we tested the impact of BME source on proliferation, drug response, and gene expression in mouse and human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) organoids. Both human and mouse organoids displayed increased proliferation in Matrigel (Corning) compared to Cultrex (RnD) and UltiMatrix (RnD). However, we observed no substantial impact on drug response when organoids were cultured in Matrigel, Cultrex, or UltiMatrix. We also did not observe major shifts in gene expression across the different BME sources, and PDOs maintained their Classical or Basal-like designation. Overall, we find that BME source (Matrigel, Cultrex, UltiMatrix) does not shift PDO dose-response curves and drug testing results, indicating that PDO pharmacotyping is a robust approach for precision medicine.
Authors
Jan C. Lumibao, Shira R. Okhovat, Kristina L. Peck, Xiaoxue Lin, Kathryn Lande, Shira Yomtoubian, Isabella Ng, Herve Tiriac, Andrew M. Lowy, Jingjing Zou, Dannielle D. Engle
Abstract
To provide complementary information and reveal the molecular characteristics and therapeutic insights of HER2-low breast cancer, we performed this multiomics study of hormone receptor–negative (HR–) and HER2-low breast cancer, also known as HER2-low triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and identified 3 subgroups: basal-like, receptor tyrosine kinase–relevant (TKR), and mesenchymal stem–like. These 3 subgroups had distinct features and potential therapeutic targets and were validated in external data sets. Interestingly, the TKR subgroup (which exists in both HR+ and HR– breast cancer) had activated HER2 and downstream MAPK signaling. In vitro and in vivo patient-derived xenograft experiments revealed that pretreatment of the TKR subgroup with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (lapatinib or tucatinib) could inhibit HER2 signaling and induce accumulated expression of nonfunctional HER2, resulting in increased sensitivity to the sequential HER2-targeting, Ab–drug conjugate DS-8201. Our findings identify clinically relevant subgroups and provide potential therapeutic strategies for HER2-low TNBC subtypes.
Authors
Lie Chen, Cui-Cui Liu, Si-Yuan Zhu, Jing-Yu Ge, Yu-Fei Chen, Ding Ma, Zhi-Ming Shao, Ke-Da Yu
Abstract
Neuroblastomas have shed light on the differentiation disorder that is associated with spontaneous regression or differentiation in the same tumor at the same time. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) actively participate in a broad spectrum of biological processes. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNA regulation of differentiation in neuroblastomas remain largely unknown. Here, we sequenced clinical samples of ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and neuroblastoma. We compared transcription profiles of neuroblastoma cells, ganglion cells, and intermediate state cells; verified the profiles in a retinoic acid–induced cell differentiation model and clinical samples; and screened out the lncRNA ADAMTS9 antisense RNA 2 (ADAMTS9-AS2), which contributed to neuroblastoma differentiation. ADAMTS9-AS2 upregulation in neuroblastoma cell lines inhibited proliferation and metastatic potential. Additional mechanistic studies illustrated that the interactions between ADAMTS9-AS2 and LIN28B inhibited the association between LIN28B and primary let-7 (pri-let-7) miRNA, then released pri-let-7 into cytoplasm to form mature let-7, resulting in the inhibition of oncogene MYCN activity that subsequently affected cancer stemness and differentiation. Furthermore, we showed that the observed differential expression of ADAMTS9-AS2 in neuroblastoma cells was due to N6-methyladenosine methylation. Finally, ADAMTS9-AS2 upregulation inhibited proliferation and cancer stem-like capabilities in vivo. Taken together, these results show that ADAMTS9-AS2 loss leads to malignant neuroblastoma by increasing metastasis and causing dysfunctional differentiation.
Authors
Yun Liu, Jun Zhang, Fang Cao, Xiaobao Dong, Jie Li, Yanna Cao, Zhanglin Li, Yan Guo, Jie Yan, Yuanyuan Liu, Qiang Zhao
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have garnered considerable interest for the treatment of adult and pediatric malignant brain tumors. However, owing to their broad-spectrum nature and inability to effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier, HDAC inhibitors have failed to provide substantial clinical benefit to patients with glioblastoma (GBM) to date. Moreover, global inhibition of HDACs results in widespread toxicity, highlighting the need for selective isoform targeting. Although no isoform-specific HDAC inhibitors are currently available, the second-generation hydroxamic acid–based HDAC inhibitor quisinostat possesses subnanomolar specificity for class I HDAC isoforms, particularly HDAC1 and HDAC2. It has been shown that HDAC1 is the essential HDAC in GBM. This study analyzed the neuropharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and radiation-sensitizing properties of quisinostat in preclinical models of GBM. It was found that quisinostat is a well-tolerated and brain-penetrant molecule that extended survival when administered in combination with radiation in vivo. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic-efficacy relationship was established by correlating free drug concentrations and evidence of target modulation in the brain with survival benefit. Together, these data provide a strong rationale for clinical development of quisinostat as a radiosensitizer for the treatment of GBM.
Authors
Costanza Lo Cascio, Tigran Margaryan, Ernesto Luna-Melendez, James B. McNamara, Connor I. White, William Knight, Saisrinidhi Ganta, Zorana Opachich, Claudia Cantoni, Wonsuk Yoo, Nader Sanai, Artak Tovmasyan, Shwetal Mehta
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is among the most common childhood cancers in Eastern and Central Africa. Pediatric KS has a distinctive clinical presentation compared with adult KS, which includes a tendency for primary lymph node involvement, a considerable proportion of patients lacking cutaneous lesions, and a potential for fulminant disease. The molecular mechanisms or correlates for these disease features are unknown.METHODS This was a cross-sectional study. All cases were confirmed by IHC for KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) LANA protein. Baseline blood samples were profiled for HIV and KSHV genome copy numbers by qPCR and secreted cytokines by ELISA. Biopsies were characterized for viral and human transcription, and KSHV genomes were determined when possible.RESULTS Seventy participants with pediatric KS were enrolled between June 2013 and August 2019 in Malawi and compared with adult patients with KS. They exhibited high KSHV genome copy numbers and IL-6/IL-10 levels. Four biopsies (16%) had a viral transcription pattern consistent with lytic viral replication.CONCLUSION The unique features of pediatric KS may contribute to the specific clinical manifestations and may direct future treatment options.FUNDING US National Institutes of Health U54-CA-254569, PO1-CA019014, U54-CA254564, RO1-CA23958.
Authors
Carolina Caro-Vegas, Alice Peng, Angelica Juarez, Allison Silverstein, William Kamiyango, Jimmy Villiera, Casey L. McAtee, Rizine Mzikamanda, Tamiwe Tomoka, Erin C. Peckham-Gregory, Razia Moorad, Carrie L. Kovarik, Liane R. Campbell, Parth S. Mehta, Peter N. Kazembe, Carl E. Allen, Michael E. Scheurer, Nmazuo W. Ozuah, Dirk P. Dittmer, Nader Kim El-Mallawany
Abstract
Increased mitochondrial function may render some cancers vulnerable to mitochondrial inhibitors. Since mitochondrial function is regulated partly by mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), accurate measurements of mtDNAcn could help reveal which cancers are driven by increased mitochondrial function and may be candidates for mitochondrial inhibition. However, prior studies have employed bulk macrodissections that fail to account for cell type-specific or tumor cell heterogeneity in mtDNAcn. These studies have often produced unclear results, particularly in prostate cancer. Herein, we developed a multiplex in situ method to spatially quantify cell type specific mtDNAcn. We show that mtDNAcn is increased in luminal cells of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), is increased in prostatic adenocarcinomas (PCa), and is further elevated in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Increased PCa mtDNAcn was validated by two orthogonal methods and is accompanied by increases in mtRNAs and enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, MYC inhibition in prostate cancer cells decreases mtDNA replication and expression of several mtDNA replication genes, and MYC activation in the mouse prostate leads to increased mtDNA levels in the neoplastic prostate cells. Our in situ approach also revealed elevated mtDNAcn in precancerous lesions of the pancreas and colon/rectum, demonstrating generalization across cancer types using clinical tissue samples.
Authors
Jiayu Chen, Qizhi Zheng, Jessica L. Hicks, Levent Trabzonlu, Busra Ozbek, Tracy Jones, Ajay M. Vaghasia, Tatianna C. Larman, Rulin Wang, Mark C. Markowski, Samuel R. Denmeade, Kenneth J. Pienta, Ralph H. Hruban, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, Anuj Gupta, Chi V. Dang, Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian, Angelo M. De Marzo
MIG6 loss confers resistance to ALK/ROS1 inhibitors in NSCLC through EGFR activation by low-dose EGF
Abstract
Although tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy shows marked clinical efficacy in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), most of these patients eventually relapse with acquired resistance. Therefore, genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening was performed using an ALK-positive NSCLC cell line established from pleural effusion without ALK-TKI treatment. After 9 days of ALK-TKI therapy, sequencing analysis was performed, which identified several tumor-suppressor genes, such as NF2 or MED12, and multiple new candidate genes. Among them this study focused on ERRFI1, which is known as MIG6 and negatively regulates EGFR signaling. Interestingly MIG6 loss induced the resistance to ALK-TKIs by treatment with quite a low dose of EGF, which is equivalent to plasma concentration through the upregulation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Combination therapy with ALK-TKIs and anti-EGFR antibodies could overcome the acquired resistance in both in vivo and in vitro models. In addition, this confirmed that MIG6 loss induces resistance to ROS1-TKIs in ROS1-positive cell lines. This study found a novel factor that plays a role in ALK and ROS1-TKI resistance by activating the EGFR pathway with low-dose ligands.
Authors
Nobuyuki Kondo, Takahiro Utsumi, Yuki Shimizu, Ai Takemoto, Tomoko Oh-hara, Ken Uchibori, Sophia Subat-Motoshi, Hironori Ninomiya, Kengo Takeuchi, Makoto Nishio, Yasunari Miyazaki, Ryohei Katayama
Abstract
Aberrant angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with tumor growth, progression, and local or distant metastasis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor that plays a major role in regulating angiogenesis during adaptation of tumor cells to nutrient-deprived microenvironment. Genetic defects in Krebs cycle enzymes, such as succinate dehydrogenase and fumarate hydratase, result in elevation of oncometabolites succinate and fumarate, thereby increasing HIF-1α stability and activating the HIF-1α signaling pathway. However, whether other metabolites regulate HIF-1α stability remains unclear. Here, we reported that the enzyme in phenylalanine/tyrosine catabolism glutathione S-transferase zeta 1 (GSTZ1) deficiency led to accumulation of succinylacetone, which was structurally similar to α-ketoglutarate. Succinylacetone competed with α-ketoglutarate for PHD2 binding and inhibited PHD2 activity, preventing hydroxylation of HIF-1α, thus resulting in its stabilization and consequent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Our findings suggest that GSTZ1 may serve as an important tumor suppressor owing to its ability to inhibit the HIF-1α/VEGFA axis in HCC. Moreover, we explored the therapeutic potential of HIF-1α inhibitor combined with anti-PD-L1 therapy to effectively prevent HCC angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in Gstz1-knockout mice, suggesting a potentially actionable strategy for HCC treatment.
Authors
Huating Luo, Qiujie Wang, Fan Yang, Rui Liu, Qingzhu Gao, Bin Cheng, Xue Lin, Luyi Huang, Chang Chen, Jin Xiang, Kai Wang, Bo Qin, Ni Tang
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