Recurrent EML4-NTRK3 fusions in infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma suggest a revised testing strategy.

Infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma are tumors of infancy traditionally associated with the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion. However, a number of case reports have identified variant fusions in these tumors. In order to assess the frequency of variant NTRK3 fusions, and in particular whether the recently identified EML4-NTRK3 fusion is recurrent, 63 archival cases of infantile fibrosarcoma, congenital mesoblastic nephroma, mammary analog secretory carcinoma and secretory breast carcinoma (tumor types that are known to carry recurrent ETV6-NTRK3 fusions) were tested with NTRK3 break-apart FISH, EML4-NTRK3 dual fusion FISH, and targeted RNA sequencing. The EML4-NTRK3 fusion was identified in two cases of infantile fibrosarcoma (one of which was previously described), and in one case of congenital mesoblastic nephroma, demonstrating that the EML4-NTRK3 fusion is a recurrent genetic event in these related tumors. The growing spectrum of gene fusions associated with infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma along with the recent availability of targeted therapies directed toward inhibition of NTRK signaling argue for alternate testing strategies beyond ETV6 break-apart FISH. The use of either NTRK3 FISH or next-generation sequencing will expand the number of cases in which an oncogenic fusion is identified and facilitate optimal diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Application of a novel in silico high-throughput screen to identify selective inhibitors for protein-protein interactions.

Increasing numbers of target protein structures available for computational studies makes the structure-based screening paradigm more attractive for initial hit indentification. We have developed a novel in silico screening methodology incorporating Molecular Mechanics (MM)/implicit solvent methods to evaluate binding free energies and applied this technology to the identification of inhibitors of the TLR4/MD-2 interaction.

Detecting Gene Rearrangements in Patient Populations Through a 2-Step Diagnostic Test Comprised of Rapid IHC Enrichment Followed by Sensitive Next-Generation Sequencing.

Targeted therapy combined with companion diagnostics has led to the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for detection of molecular alterations. However, using a diagnostic test to identify patient populations with low prevalence molecular alterations, such as gene rearrangements, poses efficiency, and cost challenges. To address this, we have developed a 2-step diagnostic test to identify NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3, ROS1, and ALK rearrangements in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded clinical specimens. This test is comprised of immunohistochemistry screening using a pan-receptor tyrosine kinase cocktail of antibodies to identify samples expressing TrkA (encoded by NTRK1), TrkB (encoded by NTRK2), TrkC (encoded by NTRK3), ROS1, and ALK followed by an RNA-based anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction NGS assay. We demonstrate that the NGS assay is accurate and reproducible in identification of gene rearrangements. Furthermore, implementation of an RNA quality control metric to assess the presence of amplifiable nucleic acid input material enables a measure of confidence when an NGS result is negative for gene rearrangements. Finally, we demonstrate that performing a pan-receptor tyrosine kinase immunohistochemistry staining enriches detection of the patient population for gene rearrangements from 4% to 9% and has a 100% negative predictive value. Together, this 2-step assay is an efficient method for detection of gene rearrangements in both clinical testing and studies of archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens.

A novel fusion of TPR and ALK in lung adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion is the most common mechanism for overexpression and activation in non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Several fusion partners of ALK have been reported, including echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4, TRK-fused gene, kinesin family member 5B, kinesin light chain 1 (KLC1), protein tyrosine phosphatase and nonreceptor type 3, and huntingtin interacting protein 1 (HIP1). METHODS AND RESULTS: A 60-year-old Korean man had a lung mass which was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with ALK overexpression. By using an Anchored Multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay and sequencing, we found that tumor had a novel translocated promoter region (TPR)-ALK fusion. The fusion transcript was generated from an intact, in-frame fusion of TPR exon 15 and ALK exon 20 (t(1;2)(q31.1;p23)). The TPR-ALK fusion encodes a predicted protein of 1192 amino acids with a coiled-coil domain encoded by the 5'-2 of the TPR and juxtamembrane and kinase domains encoded by the 3'-end of the ALK. CONCLUSIONS: The novel fusion gene and its protein TRP-ALK, harboring coiled-coil and kinase domains, could possess transforming potential and responses to treatment with ALK inhibitors. This case is the first report of TPR-ALK fusion transcript in clinical tumor samples and could provide a novel diagnostic and therapeutic candidate target for patients with cancer, including non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

Selection, Preparation, and Evaluation of Small- Molecule Inhibitors of Toll-Like Receptor 4.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a membrane spanning receptor protein that functions in complex with its accessory protein MD-2, is an intriguing target for therapeutic development. Herein we report the identification of a series of novel TLR4 inhibitors and the development of a robust, enantioselective synthesis using an unprecedented Mannich-type reaction to functionalize a pyrazole ring. In silico and cellular assay results demonstrated that compound 1 and its analogues selectively block TLR4 activation in live cells. Animal model tests showed that 1 and its derivatives could potentiate morphine-induced analgesia in vivo, presumably by attenuating the opioid-induced TLR4 activation.