Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 38
Filter
3.
Gynecol Oncol ; 159(1): 221-228, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32778409

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Referral to Genetics for pre-testing counseling may be inefficient for women with ovarian cancer. This study assesses feasibility of gynecologic oncologists directly offering genetic testing. METHODS: A prospective pilot study was conducted at two gynecologic oncology hubs in an integrated healthcare system from May 1 to November 6, 2019. Gynecologic oncologists offered multigene panel testing to women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer, followed by selective genetic counseling. Outcomes were compared between study participants and women from other hubs in the health system. RESULTS: Of ovarian cancer patients at study sites, 40 participated and all underwent genetic testing. Of 101 patients diagnosed at other sites, 85% were referred to genetics (p = .0061 compared to pilot participants) and 67% completed testing (p < .0001). The time from diagnosis to blood draw and notification of result was 18.5 and 34 days for the pilot group compared to 25.5 and 53 days at other sites. Panel testing detected 9 (22.5%) and 7 (10.3%, p = .08) pathogenic mutations in each group, respectively. Patients and providers were highly satisfied with the streamlined process. CONCLUSION: Genetic testing performed at the gynecologic oncology point of care for patients with ovarian cancer is feasible, increases uptake of testing, and improves time to results.


Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Genetic Testing/methods , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Point-of-Care Testing/organization & administration , Aged , California , Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/statistics & numerical data , Feasibility Studies , Female , Genetic Counseling/statistics & numerical data , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genetic Testing/statistics & numerical data , Gynecology/methods , Gynecology/organization & administration , Health Plan Implementation , Humans , Medical Oncology/methods , Medical Oncology/organization & administration , Middle Aged , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Patient Satisfaction , Pilot Projects , Point-of-Care Testing/statistics & numerical data , Program Evaluation , Prospective Studies , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Time Factors
5.
Nat Commun ; 4: 1403, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23360994

ABSTRACT

Noradrenaline can modulate multiple cellular functions important for cancer progression; however, how this single extracellular signal regulates such a broad array of cellular processes is unknown. Here we identify Src as a key regulator of phosphoproteomic signalling networks activated in response to beta-adrenergic signalling in cancer cells. These results also identify a new mechanism of Src phosphorylation that mediates beta-adrenergic/PKA regulation of downstream networks, thereby enhancing tumour cell migration, invasion and growth. In human ovarian cancer samples, high tumoural noradrenaline levels were correlated with high pSrc(Y419) levels. Moreover, among cancer patients, the use of beta blockers was significantly associated with reduced cancer-related mortality. Collectively, these data provide a pivotal molecular target for disrupting neural signalling in the tumour microenvironment.


Subject(s)
Ovarian Neoplasms/enzymology , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/metabolism , src-Family Kinases/metabolism , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/pharmacology , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cyclic AMP/metabolism , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Female , Humans , Mice , Models, Molecular , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Metastasis , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Phosphoserine/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Stress, Physiological/drug effects , Survival Analysis , Tyrosine/metabolism , src-Family Kinases/chemistry
6.
Cancer Biol Ther ; 10(12): 1306-14, 2010 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20948320

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: EphA2 overexpression predicts poor prognosis in endometrial cancer. To explore mechanisms for this association and assess its potential as therapeutic target, the relationship of EphA2 expression to markers of angiogenesis was examined using patient samples and an orthotopic mouse model of uterine cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of EphA2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki-67, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in 85 endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinomas (EEC) by two independent investigators. Results were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. The effect of EphA2- agonist monoclonal antibody EA5, alone or in combination with docetaxel was studied in vitro and in vivo. Samples were analyzed for markers of angiogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis. RESULTS: Of 85 EEC samples, EphA2 was overexpressed in 47% of tumors and was significantly associated with high VEGF expression (p=0.001) and high MVD counts (p=0.02). High EphA2 expression, high VEGF expression and high MVD counts were significantly associated with shorter disease-specific survival. EA5 led to decrease in EphA2 expression and phosphorylation in vitro. In the murine model, while EA5 (33-88%) and docetaxel (23-55%) individually led to tumor inhibition over controls, combination therapy had the greatest efficacy (78-92%, p.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Endometrioid/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Endometrioid/metabolism , Endometrial Neoplasms/drug therapy , Endometrial Neoplasms/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic , Receptor, EphA2/metabolism , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Apoptosis/drug effects , Carcinoma, Endometrioid/blood supply , Carcinoma, Endometrioid/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Docetaxel , Endometrial Neoplasms/blood supply , Endometrial Neoplasms/genetics , Female , Gene Expression , Humans , Ki-67 Antigen/genetics , Mice , Microvessels/drug effects , Microvessels/ultrastructure , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Phosphorylation , Prognosis , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptor, EphA2/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptor, EphA2/genetics , Receptors, Estrogen/genetics , Receptors, Progesterone/genetics , Survival , Taxoids/therapeutic use , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
7.
J Clin Invest ; 120(5): 1515-23, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20389021

ABSTRACT

Chronic stress is associated with hormonal changes that are known to affect multiple systems, including the immune and endocrine systems, but the effects of stress on cancer growth and progression are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that human ovarian cancer cells exposed to either norepinephrine or epinephrine exhibit lower levels of anoikis, the process by which cells enter apoptosis when separated from ECM and neighboring cells. In an orthotopic mouse model of human ovarian cancer, restraint stress and the associated increases in norepinephrine and epinephrine protected the tumor cells from anoikis and promoted their growth by activating focal adhesion kinase (FAK). These effects involved phosphorylation of FAKY397, which was itself associated with actin-dependent Src interaction with membrane-associated FAK. Importantly, in human ovarian cancer patients, behavioral states related to greater adrenergic activity were associated with higher levels of pFAKY397, which was in turn linked to substantially accelerated mortality. These data suggest that FAK modulation by stress hormones, especially norepinephrine and epinephrine, can contribute to tumor progression in patients with ovarian cancer and may point to potential new therapeutic targets for cancer management.


Subject(s)
Adrenergic Agents/metabolism , Anoikis , Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism , Actins/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Disease Models, Animal , Epinephrine/metabolism , Female , Humans , Mice , Mice, Nude , Norepinephrine/metabolism , Phosphorylation
8.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs ; 19(4): 521-34, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20367193

ABSTRACT

Although platinum chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for ovarian cancer, recent advances in novel targeted drugs have generated anticipation and excitement. In addition, alternate administration schedules of already established cytotoxics have shown promise in both front line and recurrent disease settings. In this review, we outline the seminal trials that influenced our current management as well as introduce recent trials that have provided intriguing results to aid the understanding of ovarian tumour biology.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Clinical Trials as Topic/methods , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Animals , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Clinical Trials as Topic/trends , Female , Humans , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment Outcome
9.
Eur J Cancer ; 46(8): 1359-64, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20303743

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Confirmed doubling of CA125 value is one definition of progression in ovarian cancer patients. If asymptomatic, the management of these patients is unclear. To provide information which may assist in therapeutic decision making, we set out to determine the independent prognostic significance for the rate of rise in CA125 during surveillance in ovarian cancer patients as measured by CA125 doubling time. PATIENT AND METHODS: Clinical information was obtained through a 2-staged chart review of ovarian cancer patients treated in our department from 1994 to 2003. We searched for patients who met criteria for CA125 progression and doubling during surveillance following first-line therapy. RESULTS: A total of 296 patients were initially identified. During surveillance, the median doubling time of CA125 was 40 d and the median survival for patients with a CA125 doubling time of 40 d was 10.6 months compared to 22.1 months for those with doubling time>40 d. In a univariate analysis, age, high-grade, suboptimal cytoreduction, short CA125 doubling time, short time to progression and high CA125 at progression were significantly associated with poor survival, but in a multivariate analysis, a short CA125 doubling time of

Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , CA-125 Antigen/blood , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Analysis of Variance , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality , Prognosis , Survival Rate , Time Factors
10.
Cancer ; 116(8): 1918-25, 2010 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20166213

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cell-free DNA reflects both normal and tumor-derived DNA released into the circulation through cellular necrosis and apoptosis. The authors sought to determine the role of preoperative total plasma cell-free DNA levels in predicting clinical outcome in patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: After institutional review board consent, DNA was extracted from plasma of 164 women with invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), 49 with benign ovarian neoplasms, and 75 age-matched controls. The samples were randomly divided into training (n = 144) and validation (n = 144) sets. Quantification of cell-free DNA was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction for beta-globin, and the number of genome equivalents (GE) per milliliter of plasma was determined. Cell-free DNA was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. RESULTS: The training and validation sets were similar in terms of demographic features. In the training set, EOC patients had a median preoperative cell-free DNA level of 10,113 GE/mL, compared with patients with benign ovarian neoplasms (median, 2365 GE/mL; P < .0001) and controls (median, 1912 GE/mL, P < .0001). Cell-free DNA >22,000 GE/mL was significantly associated with decreased patient survival (P < .001). After adjusting for other clinical variables, preoperative cell-free DNA >22,000 GE/mL was an independent predictor (P = .02) for disease-specific survival. Analysis of the validation set confirmed significantly higher cell-free DNA levels in EOC (median, 13,672 GE/mL) and that cell-free DNA >22,000 GE/mL was associated with a 2.83-fold increased risk of death from disease (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative plasma total cell-free DNA levels are significantly elevated in patients with EOC. Elevated plasma cell-free DNA is an independent predictor for death from disease in ovarian cancer.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , DNA, Neoplasm/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Plasma/chemistry , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cell-Free System , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Preoperative Period , Prognosis , Reproducibility of Results
11.
Cancer Biol Ther ; 8(16): 1596-603, 2009 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19738426

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Metronomic chemotherapy regimens have shown anti-tumor activity by anti-angiogenic mechanisms, however, the efficacy of metronomic topotecan in ovarian cancer is not known and the focus of the current study. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In vivo dose-finding and therapy experiments with oral metronomic topotecan were performed in an orthotopic model of advanced ovarian cancer. Tumor vascularity (MVD: CD31), proliferation (PCNA) and apoptosis (TUNEL) were examined among treatment arms. In vitro experiments including MTT and western blot analysis were performed to identify specific anti-angiogenic mechanisms of topotecan. RESULTS: Compared to controls, metronomic (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg; daily) and maximum tolerated therapy (MTD; 7.5 and 15 mg/kg; weekly) dosing regimens reduced tumor growth in dose-finding experiments, but significant morbidity and mortality was observed with higher doses. Metronomic and MTD topotecan therapy significantly reduced tumor growth in both HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 models: 41-74% (metronomic), and 64-86% (MTD dosing) (p < 0.05 for both regiments compared to controls). Compared to controls, the greatest reduction in tumor MVD was noted with metronomic dosing (32-33%; p < 0.01). Tumor cell proliferation was reduced (p < 0.001 vs. controls) and apoptosis increased in all treatment arms (p < 0.01 vs. controls) for both dosing regimens. Endothelial cells demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity to topotecan using metronomic dosing versus MTD in vitro. Pro-angiogenic regulators Hif-1alpha and VEGF levels were reduced in vitro (HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1) with topotecan independent of proteasome degradation and topoisomerase I. CONCLUSION: Metronomic topotecan may be a novel therapeutic strategy for ovarian carcinoma with significant anti-tumor activity and target modulation of key pro-angiogenic mediators.


Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood supply , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Topotecan/administration & dosage , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Female , Humans , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Mice , Mice, Nude , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
12.
J Reprod Med ; 54(4): 259-60, 2009 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19438170

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnoses for pelvic masses with elevated CA 125 and serum testosterone are many, including primary tumors and metastases from nongynecologic primary cancers. CASE: A 63-year-old woman presented with a pelvic mass, abdominal pain and virilization. CA 125 and testosterone were elevated (74 U/mL and 384 ng/dL, respectively). Preoperative clinical diagnosis was suggestive of Sertoli-Leydig tumor. Final diagnosis was stage IV primary gallbladder malignancy with metastases to the ovaries. CONCLUSION: Ovarian metastases from other sites can clinically mimic primary ovarian tumors. In women with complex pelvic masses, metastasis should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis , Gallbladder Neoplasms/diagnosis , Testosterone/blood , Abdominal Pain , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/surgery , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , CA-125 Antigen/blood , Cholecystectomy , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Diagnosis, Differential , Fallopian Tubes/surgery , Fatal Outcome , Female , Gallbladder Neoplasms/pathology , Gallbladder Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Hysterectomy , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Ovarian Neoplasms/secondary , Ovariectomy , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ultrasonography , Gemcitabine
13.
Int J Cancer ; 124(5): 1045-53, 2009 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19058181

ABSTRACT

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) has recently been discovered on ovarian cancer cells, but its functional significance is unknown and is the focus of this study. By protein analysis, A2780-par and HeyA8 ovarian cancer cell lines expressed VEGFR-1 and HeyA8 A2774, and SKOV3ip1 expressed VEGFR-2. By in situ hybridization (ISH), 85% of human ovarian cancer specimens showed moderate to high VEGFR-2 expression, whereas only 15% showed moderate to high VEGFR-1 expression. By immunofluorescence, little or no VEGFR-2 was detected in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells, whereas expression was detected in 75% of invasive ovarian cancer specimens. To differentiate between the effects of tumor versus host expression of VEGFR, nude mice were injected with SKOV3ip1 cells and treated with either human VEGFR-2 specific antibody (1121B), murine VEGFR-2 specific antibody (DC101) or the combination. Treatment with 1121B reduced SKOV3ip1 cell migration by 68% (p < 0.01) and invasion by 72% (p < 0.01), but exposure to VEGFR-1 antibody had no effect. Treatment with 1121B effectively blocked VEGF-induced phosphorylation of p130Cas. In vivo treatment with either DC101 or 1121B significantly reduced tumor growth alone and in combination in the SKOV3ip1 and A2774 models. Decreased tumor burden after treatment with DC101 or 1121B correlated with increased tumor cell apoptosis, decreased proliferative index, and decreased microvessel density. These effects were significantly greater in the combination group (p < 0.001). We show functionally active VEGFR-2 is present on most ovarian cancer cells. The observed anti-tumor activity of VEGF-targeted therapies may be mediated by both anti-angiogenic and direct anti-tumor effects.


Subject(s)
Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/physiology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Apoptosis , Cell Proliferation , Crk-Associated Substrate Protein/physiology , Female , Humans , Mice , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood supply , Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy , Signal Transduction , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/analysis , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/antagonists & inhibitors , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
14.
N Engl J Med ; 359(25): 2641-50, 2008 Dec 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19092150

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We studied Dicer and Drosha, components of the RNA-interference machinery, in ovarian cancer. METHODS: We measured messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of Dicer and Drosha in specimens of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer from 111 patients, using a quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay, and compared the results with clinical outcomes. Validation was performed with the use of published microarray data from cohorts of patients with ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. Mutational analyses of genomic DNA from the Dicer and Drosha genes were performed in a subgroup of ovarian-cancer specimens. Dicer-dependent functional assays were performed by means of in vitro transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and short hairpin RNA (shRNA). RESULTS: Levels of Dicer and Drosha mRNA correlated with the levels of expression of the corresponding protein and were decreased in 60% and 51% of ovarian-cancer specimens, respectively. Low Dicer expression was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage (P=0.007), and low Drosha expression with suboptimal surgical cytoreduction (P=0.02). Cancer specimens with both high Dicer expression and high Drosha expression were associated with increased median survival (>11 years, vs. 2.66 years for other subgroups; P<0.001). We found three independent predictors of reduced disease-specific survival in multivariate analyses: low Dicer expression (hazard ratio, 2.10; P=0.02), high-grade histologic features (hazard ratio, 2.46; P=0.03), and poor response to chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 3.95; P<0.001). Poor clinical outcomes among patients with low Dicer expression were validated in additional cohorts of patients. Rare missense mutations were found in the Dicer and Drosha genes, but their presence or absence did not correlate with the level of expression. Functional assays indicated that gene silencing with shRNA, but not siRNA, may be impaired in cells with low Dicer expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that levels of Dicer and Drosha mRNA in ovarian-cancer cells have associations with outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer.


Subject(s)
DEAD-box RNA Helicases/metabolism , Endoribonucleases/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism , Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism , RNA Interference , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Ribonuclease III/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , Endoribonucleases/genetics , Female , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Mutation, Missense , Neoplasm Staging , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/genetics , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/mortality , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality , Prognosis , RNA, Small Interfering , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Ribonuclease III/genetics , Transfection , Treatment Outcome
15.
Neoplasia ; 10(11): 1259-67, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18953435

ABSTRACT

The alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is expressed on proliferating endothelial cells and some cancer cells, but its expression on ovarian cancer cells and its potential as a therapeutic target are unknown. In this study, expression of the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin on ovarian cancer cell lines and murine endothelial cells was tested, and the effect of a fully humanized monoclonal antibody against alpha(v)beta(3), Abegrin (etaracizumab), on cell invasion, viability, tumor growth, and the Akt pathway were examined in vitro and in vivo. We found that etaracizumab recognizes alpha(v)beta(3) on the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3ip1, HeyA8, and A2780ip2 (at low levels) but not on murine endothelial cells. Etaracizumab treatment decreased ovarian cancer proliferation and invasion. In vivo, tumor-bearing mice treated with etaracizumab alone gave variable results. There was no effect on A2780ip2 growth, but a 36% to 49% tumor weight reduction in the SKOV3ip1 and HeyA8 models was found (P < .05). However, combined etaracizumab and paclitaxel was superior to paclitaxel in the SKOV3ip1 and A2780ip2 models (by 51-73%, P < .001) but not in the HeyA8 model. Treatment with etaracizumab was then noted to decrease p-Akt and p-mTOR in SKOV3ip1, but not in HeyA8, which is Akt-independent. Tumors resected after therapy showed that etaracizumab treatment reduced the proliferating cell nuclear antigen index but not microvessel density. This study identifies tumor cell alpha(v)beta(3) integrin as an attractive target and defines the Akt pathway as a predictor of response to function-blocking antibody.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Integrin alphaVbeta3/immunology , Integrin alphaVbeta3/metabolism , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Immunoprecipitation , Mice , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology , Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Statistics, Nonparametric
16.
Clin Cancer Res ; 14(17): 5437-46, 2008 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18765535

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The Aurora kinase family plays pivotal roles in mitotic integrity and cell cycle. We sought to determine the effects of inhibiting Aurora kinase on ovarian cancer growth in an orthotopic mouse model using a small molecule pan-Aurora kinase inhibitor, MK-0457. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined cell cycle regulatory effects and ascertained the therapeutic efficacy of Aurora kinase inhibition both alone and combined with docetaxel using both in vitro and in vivo ovarian cancer models. RESULTS: In vitro cytotoxicity assays with HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 cells revealed >10-fold greater docetaxel cytotoxicity in combination with MK-0457. After in vivo dose kinetics were determined using phospho-histone H3 status, therapy experiments with the chemosensitive HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 as well as the chemoresistant HeyA8-MDR and A2780-CP20 models showed that Aurora kinase inhibition alone significantly reduced tumor burden compared with controls (P values<0.01). Combination treatment with docetaxel resulted in significantly improved reduction in tumor growth beyond that afforded by docetaxel alone (P

Subject(s)
Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Apoptosis/drug effects , Aurora Kinases , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Docetaxel , Female , Humans , Mice , Taxoids/administration & dosage , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
17.
Clin Cancer Res ; 14(11): 3372-9, 2008 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18519766

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Defects in the antigen processing machinery (APM) may provide tumor cells with a mechanism to escape immune recognition. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical significance of APM component down-regulation and tumor-infiltrating T cells in ovarian carcinoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: After institutional review board approval, tumor samples from 150 patients with invasive epithelial ovarian cancers were examined for TAP1, TAP2, tapasin, HLA class I heavy chain (HLA-HC), beta 2 microglobulin, and T-cell (CD3+ and CD8+) tumor infiltration using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The majority of tumors had either heterogeneous or positive expression of TAP1, TAP2, HLA-HC, and beta 2 microglobulin (66.7%, 73.3%, 70.7%, and 63.3%, respectively), except tapasin for which 58% of the tumors lacked expression. Furthermore, 67% and 88% of the lesions possessed intratumoral and peritumoral CD3+ or CD8+ cells, respectively. The majority of APM component expression examined was significantly associated with both intratumoral and peritumoral T-cell infiltration (P < 0.05). The expression of APM components and the presence of intratumoral T-cell infiltrates were significantly associated with improved survival (all P < or = 0.01); however, peritumoral T-cell infiltrates did not significantly affect survival (P = 0.33). APM component down-regulation (P < 0.001), lack of intratumoral T-cell infiltrates (P = 0.03), and suboptimal cytoreduction (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic markers for death from ovarian carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The negative effect of APM component down-regulation by itself and in combination with absent intratumoral T-cell infiltration on the survival of patients with ovarian carcinoma implies a role for immune escape in addition to immunosurveillance in the clinical course of disease.


Subject(s)
Antigen Presentation/physiology , Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2 , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3 , ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Middle Aged , Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism , Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality , Prognosis , Tumor Escape/immunology , beta 2-Microglobulin/metabolism
18.
J Natl Cancer Inst ; 100(5): 359-72, 2008 Mar 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18314475

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a proangiogenic cytokine that is overexpressed in many human cancers. We investigated the clinical and biologic significance of IL-8 in ovarian carcinoma using human samples and orthotopic mouse models. METHODS: Tumor expression of IL-8 was assessed by immunohistochemistry among ovarian cancer patients (n = 102) with available clinical and survival data. We examined the effect of IL-8 gene silencing with small interfering RNAs incorporated into neutral liposomes (siRNA-DOPCs), alone and in combination with docetaxel, on in vivo tumor growth, angiogenesis (microvessel density), and tumor cell proliferation in mice (n = 10 per treatment group) bearing orthotopic taxane-sensitive (HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1) and taxane-resistant (SKOV3ip2.TR) ovarian tumors. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Of the 102 cancer specimens, 43 (42%) had high IL-8 expression and 59 (58%) had low or no IL-8 expression; high IL-8 expression was associated with advanced tumor stage (P = .019), high tumor grade (P = .031), and worse survival (median survival for patients with high vs low IL-8 expression: 1.62 vs 3.79 years; P < .001). Compared with empty liposomes, IL-8 siRNA-DOPC reduced the mean tumor weight by 32% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 14% to 50%; P = .03) and 52% (95% CI = 27% to 78%; P = .03) in the HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 mouse models, respectively. In all three mouse models, treatment with IL-8 siRNA-DOPC plus the taxane docetaxel reduced tumor growth the most compared with empty liposomes (77% to 98% reduction in tumor growth; P < .01 for all). In the HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 models, tumors from mice treated with IL-8 siRNA-DOPC alone had lower microvessel density than tumors from mice treated with empty liposomes (HeyA8: 34% lower, 95% CI = 32% to 36% lower [P = .002]; SKOV3ip1: 39% lower, 95% CI = 34% to 44% lower [P = .007]). Compared with empty liposomes, IL-8 siRNA-DOPC plus docetaxel reduced tumor cell proliferation by 35% (95% CI = 25% to 44%; P < .001) and 38% (95% CI = 28% to 48%; P < .001) in the HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 models, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increased IL-8 expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in human ovarian carcinoma, and IL-8 gene silencing decreases tumor growth through antiangiogenic mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Gene Silencing , Interleukin-8/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage , Taxoids/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Docetaxel , Endothelial Cells , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Humans , Immunoblotting , Immunohistochemistry , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Liposomes , Mice , Mice, Nude , Microcirculation , Middle Aged , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood supply , Phosphorylation , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Up-Regulation
19.
Clin Cancer Res ; 13(24): 7487-95, 2007 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18094433

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is critical for angiogenesis and tumor progression; however, its role in endometrial cancer is not fully known. Therefore, we examined the clinical and therapeutic significance of VEGF in endometrial carcinoma using patient samples and an endometrioid orthotopic mouse model. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Following Institutional Review Board approval, VEGF expression and microvessel density (MVD) counts were evaluated using immunohistochemistry in 111 invasive endometrioid endometrial cancers by two independent investigators. Results were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics. For the animal model, Ishikawa or Hec-1A cancer cell lines were injected directly into the uterine horn. Therapy experiments with bevacizumab alone or in combination with docetaxel were done and samples were analyzed for markers of angiogenesis and proliferation. RESULTS: Of 111 endometrial cancers, high expression of VEGF was seen in 56% of tumors. There was a strong correlation between VEGF expression and MVD (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, stage (P = 0.04), grade (P = 0.003), VEGF levels (P = 0.03), and MVD (P = 0.037) were independent predictors of shorter disease-specific survival. In the murine model, whereas docetaxel and bevacizumab alone resulted in 61% to 77% tumor growth inhibition over controls, combination therapy had the greatest efficacy (85-97% inhibition over controls; P < 0.01) in both models. In treated tumors, combination therapy significantly reduced MVD counts (50-70% reduction over controls; P < 0.01) and percent proliferation (39% reduction over controls; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of VEGF and angiogenic markers are associated with poor outcome in endometrioid endometrial cancer patients. Using a novel orthotopic model of endometrioid endometrial cancer, we showed that combination of antivascular therapy with docetaxel is highly efficacious and should be considered for future clinical trials.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Endometrial Neoplasms/drug therapy , Endometrial Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasms, Experimental , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/biosynthesis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Bevacizumab , Docetaxel , Endometrial Neoplasms/blood supply , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Mice , Middle Aged , Neoplasms, Experimental/blood supply , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology , Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/biosynthesis , Prognosis , Survival Analysis , Taxoids/administration & dosage
20.
Cancer Res ; 67(21): 10389-96, 2007 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17974982

ABSTRACT

There is growing evidence that chronic stress and other behavioral conditions are associated with cancer pathogenesis and progression, but the mechanisms involved in this association are poorly understood. We examined the effects of two mediators of stress, norepinephrine and epinephrine, on the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), a transcription factor that contributes to many promalignant pathways. Exposure of ovarian cancer cell lines to increasing concentrations of norepinephrine or epinephrine showed that both independently increased levels of phosphorylated STAT3 in a dose-dependent fashion. Immunolocalization and ELISA of nuclear extracts confirmed increased nuclear STAT3 in response to norepinephrine. Activation of STAT3 was inhibited by blockade of the beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors with propranolol, and by blocking protein kinase A with KT5720, but not with the alpha receptor blockers prazosin (alpha1) and/or yohimbine (alpha2). Catecholamine-mediated STAT3 activation was not inhibited by pretreatment with an anti-interleukin 6 (IL-6) antibody or with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated decrease in IL-6 or gp130. Regarding the effects of STAT3 activation, exposure to norepinephrine resulted in an increase in invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) production. These effects were completely blocked by STAT3-targeting siRNA. In mice, treatment with liposome-incorporated siRNA directed against STAT3 significantly reduced isoproterenol-stimulated tumor growth. These studies show IL-6-independent activation of STAT3 by norepinephrine and epinephrine, proceeding through the beta1/beta2-adrenergic receptors and protein kinase A, resulting in increased matrix metalloproteinase production, invasion, and in vivo tumor growth, which can be ameliorated by the down-regulation of STAT3.


Subject(s)
Epinephrine/pharmacology , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Active Transport, Cell Nucleus , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/physiology , Female , Humans , Interleukin-6/physiology , Matrix Metalloproteinases/physiology , Mice , Neoplasm Invasiveness
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...