CBL0137 increases the targeting efficacy of Rovalpituzumab tesirine against tumour-initiating cells in small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterised by high relapse rates. Tumour-initiating cells (TICs) are responsible for drug resistance and recurrence of cancer. Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), a potent humanised antibody-drug conjugate, selectively targets delta-like protein 3, which is highly expressed in SCLC TICs. The experimental drug CBL0137 (CBL) inhibits the histone chaperone FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription), which is required for the expression of transcription factors that are essential for TIC maintenance. Rova-T and CBL each target SCLC TICs as single agents. However, acquired or intrinsic resistance to single agents is a major problem in cancer. Therefore, we investigated the potential effect of combining Rova-T and CBL in SCLC to eradicate TICs more effectively. Our preclinical studies report a novel and highly translatable therapeutic strategy of dual targeting TICs using Rova-T in combination with CBL to potentially increase survival of SCLC patients.

Vascular Patterning as Integrative Readout of Complex Molecular and Physiological Signaling by VESsel GENeration Analysis.

The molecular signaling cascades that regulate angiogenesis and microvascular remodeling are fundamental to normal development, healthy physiology, and pathologies such as inflammation and cancer. Yet quantifying such complex, fractally branching vascular patterns remains difficult. We review application of NASA's globally available, freely downloadable VESsel GENeration (VESGEN) Analysis software to numerous examples of 2D vascular trees, networks, and tree-network composites. Upon input of a binary vascular image, automated output includes informative vascular maps and quantification of parameters such as tortuosity, fractal dimension, vessel diameter, area, length, number, and branch point. Previous research has demonstrated that cytokines and therapeutics such as vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (fibroblast growth factor-2), transforming growth factor-beta-1, and steroid triamcinolone acetonide specify unique "fingerprint" or "biomarker" vascular patterns that integrate dominant signaling with physiological response. In vivo experimental examples described here include vascular response to keratinocyte growth factor, a novel vessel tortuosity factor; angiogenic inhibition in humanized tumor xenografts by the anti-angiogenesis drug leronlimab; intestinal vascular inflammation with probiotic protection by Saccharomyces boulardii, and a workflow programming of vascular architecture for 3D bioprinting of regenerative tissues from 2D images. Microvascular remodeling in the human retina is described for astronaut risks in microgravity, vessel tortuosity in diabetic retinopathy, and venous occlusive disease.

Identification of an mRNP complex regulating tumorigenesis at the translational elongation step.

Transcript-selective translational regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is directed by the hnRNP E1-containing TGF-ß-activated-translational (BAT) mRNP complex. Herein, eukaryotic elongation factor-1 A1 (eEF1A1) is identified as an integral component of the BAT complex. Translational silencing of Dab2 and ILEI, two EMT transcripts, is mediated by the binding of hnRNP E1 and eEF1A1 to their 3'UTR BAT element, whereby hnRNP E1 stalls translational elongation by inhibiting the release of eEF1A1 from the ribosomal A site. TGF-ß-mediated hnRNP E1 phosphorylation, through Akt2, disrupts the BAT complex, thereby restoring translation of target EMT transcripts. Attenuation of hnRNP E1 expression in two noninvasive breast epithelial cells (NMuMG and MCF-7) not only induced EMT but also enabled cells to form metastatic lesions in vivo. Thus, translational regulation by TGF-ß at the elongation stage represents a critical checkpoint coordinating the expression of EMT transcripts required during development and in tumorigenesis and metastatic progression.

MEK inhibition abrogates sunitinib resistance in a renal cell carcinoma patient-derived xenograft model.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) typically respond initially, but usually develop resistance to therapy. We utilised transcriptome analysis to identify gene expression changes during development of sunitinib resistance in a RCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. METHODS: RCC tumours were harvested during pre-treatment, response and escape phases. Direct anti-proliferative effects of sunitinib plus MEK inhibitor were assessed. Activation status (phosphorylation) of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 was determined, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) sub-fractions were quantitated and G-CSF was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: During the response phase, tumours exhibited 91% reduction in volume, characterised by decreased expression of cell survival genes. After 4-week treatment, tumours developed resistance to sunitinib, associated with increased expression of pro-angiogenic and cell survival genes. During tumour escape, cellular movement, inflammatory response and immune cell trafficking genes were induced, along with intra-tumoural accumulation of MDSC. In this PDX model, either continuous treatment with sunitinib plus MEK inhibitor PD-0325901, or switching from sunitinib to PD-0325901 was effective. The combination of PD-0325901 with TKI suppressed intra-tumoural phospho-MEK1/2, phospho-ERK1/2 and MDSC. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous treatment with sunitinib alone did not maintain anti-tumour response; addition of MEK inhibitor abrogated resistance, leading to improved anti-tumour efficacy.

Monoallelic loss of tumor suppressor GRIM-19 promotes tumorigenesis in mice.

Gene-associated with retinoid-interferon induced mortality-19 (GRIM-19), a STAT3-inhibitory protein, was isolated as a growth-suppressive gene product using a genome-wide expression knockdown screen. We and others have shown a loss of expression and occurrence of mutations in the GRIM-19 gene in a variety of primary human cancers, indicating its potential role as tumor suppressor. To help investigate its role in tumor development in vivo, we generated a genetically modified mouse in which Grim-19 can be conditionally inactivated. Deletion of Grim-19 in the skin significantly increased the susceptibility of mice to chemical carcinogenesis, resulting in development of squamous cell carcinomas. These tumors had high Stat3 activity and an increased expression of Stat3-responsive genes. Loss of Grim-19 also caused mitochondrial electron transport dysfunction resulting from failure to assemble electron transport chain complexes and altered the expression of several cellular genes involved in glycolysis. Surprisingly, the deletion of a single copy of the Grim-19 gene was sufficient to promote carcinogenesis and formation of invasive squamous cell carcinomas. These observations highlight the critical role of GRIM-19 as a tumor suppressor.

Kindlin-3 enhances breast cancer progression and metastasis by activating Twist-mediated angiogenesis.

The FERM domain containing protein Kindlin-3 has been recognized as a major regulator of integrin function in hematopoietic cells, but its role in neoplasia is totally unknown. We have examined the relationship between Kindlin-3 and breast cancer in mouse models and human tissues. Human breast tumors showed a ∼7-fold elevation in Kindlin-3 mRNA compared with nonneoplastic tissue by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Kindlin-3 overexpression in a breast cancer cell line increased primary tumor growth and lung metastasis by 2.5- and 3-fold, respectively, when implanted into mice compared with cells expressing vector alone. Mechanistically, the Kindlin-3-overexpressing cells displayed a 2.2-fold increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and enhanced ß1 integrin activation. Increased VEGF secretion resulted from enhanced production of Twist, a transcription factor that promotes tumor angiogenesis. Knockdown of Twist diminished VEGF production, and knockdown of ß1 integrins diminished Twist and VEGF production by Kindlin-3-overexpressing cells, while nontargeting small interfering RNA had no effect on expression of these gene products. Thus, Kindlin-3 influences breast cancer progression by influencing the crosstalk between ß1 integrins and Twist to increase VEGF production. This signaling cascade enhances breast cancer cell invasion and tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

Tumor-derived mutations in the gene associated with retinoid interferon-induced mortality (GRIM-19) disrupt its anti-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activity and promote oncogenesis.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein is critical for multiple cytokine and growth factor-induced biological responses in vivo. Its transcriptional activity is controlled by a transient phosphorylation of a critical tyrosine. Constitutive activation of STAT3 imparts resistance to apoptosis, promotes cell proliferation, and induces de novo micro-angiogenesis, three of the six cardinal hallmarks of a typical cancer cell. Earlier we reported the isolation of GRIM-19 as a growth suppressor using a genome-wide expression knockdown strategy. GRIM-19 binds to STAT3 and suppresses its transcriptional activity. To understand the pathological relevance of GRIM-19, we screened a set of primary head and neck tumors and identified three somatic mutations in GRIM-19. Wild-type GRIM-19 suppressed cellular transformation by a constitutively active form of STAT3, whereas tumor-derived mutants L71P, L91P and A95T significantly lost their ability to associate with STAT3, block gene expression, and suppress cellular transformation and tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, these mutants lost their capacity to prevent metastasis. These mutations define a mechanism by which STAT3 activity is deregulated in certain human head and neck tumors.

A novel PSMA-targeting tracer with highly negatively charged linker demonstrates decreased salivary gland uptake in mice compared to [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11.

BACKGROUND: The current generation of radiolabeled PSMA-targeting therapeutic agents is limited by prominent salivary gland binding, which results in dose-limiting xerostomia from radiation exposure. JB-1498 is a urea-based small molecule with a highly negatively charged linker targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Prior work on a similar tracer with the same negatively charged linker demonstrated low normal organ/soft tissue background uptake compared to [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. The purpose of this study was to investigate if [68Ga]Ga-JB-1498 had reduced salivary gland uptake in mice compared to [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. RESULTS: JB-1498 demonstrated high affinity for PSMA binding and tumor uptake in a murine tumor model. In an initial biodistribution study with low molar activity, [68Ga]Ga-JB-1498 demonstrated salivary gland uptake of 0.13 ± 0.01%ID/g. In a second biodistribution study in non-tumor-bearing mice with high molar activity, [68Ga]Ga-JB1498 demonstrated salivary gland uptake of 0.39 ± 0.24% ID/g and kidney activity of 10.12 ± 1.73% ID/g at one hour post IV injection. This salivary gland uptake is significantly less than the published uptake of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. Micro-PET visually confirmed the findings of the biodistribution studies. Dynamic micro-PET imaging demonstrated gradually decreasing [68Ga]Ga-JB1498 activity in salivary glands and kidneys, compared to gradually increasing [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 activity in these two organs during the first hour. CONCLUSION: Biodistribution and micro-PET imaging of [68Ga]Ga-JB-1498 demonstrate significantly decreased salivary gland uptake and different pharmacokinetic behavior in kidneys and salivary glands in mice compared to [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. Our findings suggest that constructing a PSMA-targeting molecule with a highly negatively charged linker is a promising strategy to reduce salivary gland uptake of GCP-II/PSMA ligands in theranostic applications.

Role of Kindlin 2 in prostate cancer.

Kindlin-2 is a cytoskeletal adapter protein that is present in many different cell types. By virtue of its interaction with multiple binding partners, Kindlin-2 intercalates into numerous signaling pathways and cytoskeletal nodes. A specific interaction of Kindlin-2 that is of paramount importance in many cellular responses is its direct binding to the cytoplasmic tails of integrins, an interaction that controls many of the adhesive, migratory and signaling responses mediated by members of the integrin family of cell-surface heterodimers. Kindlin-2 is highly expressed in many cancers and is particularly prominent in prostate cancer cells. CRISPR/cas9 was used as a primary approach to knockout expression of Kindlin-2 in both androgen-independent and dependent prostate cancer cell lines, and the effects of Kindlin-2 suppression on oncogenic properties of these prostate cancer cell lines was examined. Adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins was markedly blunted, consistent with the control of integrin function by Kindlin-2. Migration across matrices was also affected. Anchorage independent growth was markedly suppressed. These observations indicate that Kindlin-2 regulates hallmark features of prostate cancer cells. In androgen expressing cells, testosterone-stimulated adhesion was Kindlin-2-dependent. Furthermore, tumor growth of a prostate cancer cell line lacking Kindlin-2 and implanted into the prostate gland of immunocompromised mice was markedly blunted and was associated with suppression of angiogenesis in the developing tumor. These results establish a key role of Kindlin-2 in prostate cancer progression and suggest that Kindlin-2 represents an interesting therapeutic target for treatment of prostate cancer.

CD6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate as a new therapeutic agent for T cell lymphoma.

T cell lymphomas (TCL) are heterogeneous, aggressive, and have few available targeted therapeutics. In this study, we determined that CD6, an established T cell marker, was expressed at high levels on almost all examined TCL patient specimens, suggesting that CD6 could be a new therapeutic target for this life-threatening blood cancer. We prepared a CD6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (CD6-ADC) by conjugating monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), an FDA-approved mitotic toxin, to a high-affinity anti-human CD6 monoclonal antibody (mAb). In contrast to both the unconjugated anti-CD6 mAb, and the non-binding control ADC, CD6-ADC potently and selectively killed TCL cells in vitro in both time- and concentration-dependent manners. It also prevented the development of tumors in vivo in a preclinical model of TCL. More importantly, systemic or local administration of the CD6-ADC or its humanized version, but not the controls, significantly shrank established tumors in the preclinical mouse model of TCL. These results suggest that CD6 is a novel therapeutic target in TCLs and provide a strong rationale for the further development of CD6-ADC as a promising therapy for patients with these potentially fatal lymphoid neoplasms.

Neuroendocrine lineage commitment of small cell lung cancers can be leveraged into p53-independent non-cytotoxic therapy.

Small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) rapidly resist cytotoxic chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments. New, non-cross-resistant therapies are thus needed. SCLC cells are committed into neuroendocrine lineage then maturation arrested. Implicating DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in the maturation arrests, we find (1) the repression mark methylated CpG, written by DNMT1, is retained at suppressed neuroendocrine-lineage genes, even as other repression marks are erased; (2) DNMT1 is recurrently amplified, whereas Ten-Eleven-Translocation 2 (TET2), which functionally opposes DNMT1, is deleted; (3) DNMT1 is recruited into neuroendocrine-lineage master transcription factor (ASCL1, NEUROD1) hubs in SCLC cells; and (4) DNMT1 knockdown activated ASCL1-target genes and released SCLC cell-cycling exits by terminal lineage maturation, which are cycling exits that do not require the p53/apoptosis pathway used by cytotoxic chemotherapy. Inhibiting DNMT1/corepressors with clinical compounds accordingly extended survival of mice with chemorefractory and ICI-refractory, p53-null, disseminated SCLC. Lineage commitment of SCLC cells can hence be leveraged into non-cytotoxic therapy able to treat chemo/ICI-refractory SCLC.

A CD6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate as a potential therapy for T cell-mediated disorders.

The selective targeting of pathogenic T cells is a holy grail in the development of new therapeutics for T cell-mediated disorders, including many autoimmune diseases and graft versus host disease. We describe the development of a CD6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (CD6-ADC) by conjugating an inactive form of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), a potent mitotic toxin, onto a mAb against CD6, an established T cell surface marker. Even though CD6 is present on all T cells, only the activated (pathogenic) T cells vigorously divide and thus are susceptible to the antimitotic MMAE-mediated killing via the CD6-ADC. We found CD6-ADC selectively killed activated proliferating human T cells and antigen-specific mouse T cells in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo, whereas the CD6-ADC had no significant detrimental effect on normal T cells in naive CD6-humanized mice, the same dose of CD6-ADC, but not the controls, efficiently treated 2 preclinical models of autoimmune uveitis and a model of graft versus host disease. These results provide evidence suggesting that CD6-ADC could be further developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the selective elimination of pathogenic T cells and treatment of many T cell-mediated disorders.

Unrestricted Ketogenic Diet Feeding Enhances Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Growth In Vivo.

The ketogenic diet (KD) is hypothesized to impact tumor progression by altering tumor metabolism. In this study, we assessed the impact of an unrestricted KD on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tumor growth, gene expression, and metabolite concentration in a mouse model. ID8 EOC cells, which were syngeneic with C57Bl/6J mouse strain and transfected with luciferase (ID8-luc), were injectedand monitored for tumor development. Female mice were fed either a strict KD, a high fat/low carbohydrate (HF/LC) diet, or a low fat/high carbohydrate (LF/HC) diet (n = 10 mice per group) ad libitum. EOC tumor growth was monitored weekly, and tumor burden was determined based on luciferase fluorescence (photons/second). At the endpoint (42 days), tumors were collected and processed for RNA sequencing. Plasma and tumor metabolites were evaluated using LC-MS. The KD-fed mice exhibited a statistically significant increase in tumor progression in comparison to the HF/LC- and LF/HC-fed groups (9.1 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.1-fold, respectively, p < 0.001). The EOC tumors of the KD-fed mice exhibited significant enrichment of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling and fatty acid metabolism pathways based on the RNA sequencing analysis when compared to the LF/HC- and HF/LC-fed mice. Thus, unrestricted KD diet enhanced tumor progression in our mouse EOC model. KD was associated with the upregulation of fatty acid metabolism and regulation pathways, as well as enrichment of fatty acid and glutamine metabolites.

KDM6A Loss Triggers an Epigenetic Switch That Disrupts Urothelial Differentiation and Drives Cell Proliferation in Bladder Cancer.

Disruption of KDM6A, a histone lysine demethylase, is one of the most common somatic alternations in bladder cancer. Insights into how KDM6A mutations affect the epigenetic landscape to promote carcinogenesis could help reveal potential new treatment approaches. Here, we demonstrated that KDM6A loss triggers an epigenetic switch that disrupts urothelial differentiation and induces a neoplastic state characterized by increased cell proliferation. In bladder cancer cells with intact KDM6A, FOXA1 interacted with KDM6A to activate genes instructing urothelial differentiation. KDM6A-deficient cells displayed simultaneous loss of FOXA1 target binding and genome-wide redistribution of the bZIP transcription factor ATF3, which in turn repressed FOXA1-target genes and activated cell-cycle progression genes. Importantly, ATF3 depletion reversed the cell proliferation phenotype induced by KDM6A deficiency. These data establish that KDM6A loss engenders an epigenetic state that drives tumor growth in an ATF3-dependent manner, creating a potentially targetable molecular vulnerability. SIGNIFICANCE: A gain-of-function epigenetic switch that disrupts differentiation is triggered by inactivating KDM6A mutations in bladder cancer and can serve as a potential target for novel therapies.

Identification and characterization of GRIM-1, a cell-death-associated gene product.

Using a genome-wide technical knockout, we isolated a newly identified set of GRIM (genes associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality) genes; GRIM genes mediate IFN- and retinoic-acid (RA)-induced cell death. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of one such gene, GRIM-1. Three proteins, with identical C-termini, were produced from the GRIM-1 open reading frame when this gene was transcribed and translated in vitro. These protein isoforms, designated GRIM-1alpha, GRIM-1beta and GRIM-1gamma, differentially suppressed growth via apoptosis in various cell lines. We also show that a caspase-dependent mechanism generates the proapoptotic GRIM-1 isoforms. Lastly, GRIM-1 isoforms differentially blocked maturation of 18S ribosomal RNA, consistent with their respective growth-suppressive ability. Together, these studies identified a novel protein involved in growth suppression and cell death.

Novel SHP-1 inhibitors tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor-1 and analogs with preclinical anti-tumor activities as tolerated oral agents.

Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) has been implicated as a potential cancer therapeutic target by its negative regulation of immune cell activation and the activity of the SHP-1 inhibitor sodium stibogluconate that induced IFN-gamma(+) cells for anti-tumor action. To develop more potent SHP-1-targeted anti-cancer agents, inhibitory leads were identified from a library of 34,000 drug-like compounds. Among the leads and active at low nM for recombinant SHP-1, tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor-1 (TPI-1) selectively increased SHP-1 phospho-substrates (pLck-pY394, pZap70, and pSlp76) in Jurkat T cells but had little effects on pERK1/2 or pLck-pY505 regulated by phosphatases SHP-2 or CD45, respectively. TPI-1 induced mouse splenic-IFN-gamma(+) cells in vitro, approximately 58-fold more effective than sodium stibogluconate, and increased mouse splenic-pLck-pY394 and -IFN-gamma(+) cells in vivo. TPI-1 also induced IFN-gamma(+) cells in human peripheral blood in vitro. Significantly, TPI-1 inhibited ( approximately 83%, p < 0.002) the growth of B16 melanoma tumors in mice at a tolerated oral dose in a T cell-dependent manner but had little effects on B16 cell growth in culture. TPI-1 also inhibited B16 tumor growth and prolonged tumor mice survival as a tolerated s.c. agent. TPI-1 analogs were identified with improved activities in IFN-gamma(+) cell induction and in anti-tumor actions. In particular, analog TPI-1a4 as a tolerated oral agent completely inhibited the growth of K1735 melanoma tumors and was more effective than the parental lead against MC-26 colon cancer tumors in mice. These results designate TPI-1 and the analogs as novel SHP-1 inhibitors with anti-tumor activity likely via an immune mechanism, supporting SHP-1 as a novel target for cancer treatment.