Caveolae-Mediated Endocytosis Is Critical for Albumin Cellular Uptake and Response to Albumin-Bound Chemotherapy.

Nab-paclitaxel, a nanoparticle conjugate of paclitaxel to human albumin, exhibits efficacy in pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. However, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers to identify patients who might benefit most from its administration. This study addresses this gap in knowledge by identifying that caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a candidate mechanism-based biomarker. Caveolae are small membrane invaginations important for transendothelial albumin uptake. Cav-1, the principal structural component of caveolae, is overexpressed in the cancers noted above that respond to nab-paclitaxel. Thus, we hypothesized that Cav-1 may be critical for albumin uptake in tumors and perhaps determine their response to this drug. Cav-1 protein levels correlated positively with nab-paclitaxel sensitivity. RNAi-mediated attenuation of Cav-1 expression reduced uptake of albumin and nab-paclitaxel in cancer cells and rendered them resistant to nab-paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Conversely, Cav-1 overexpression enhanced sensitivity to nab-paclitaxel. Selection for cellular resistance to nab-paclitaxel in cell culture correlated with a loss of Cav-1 expression. In mouse xenograft models, cancer cells, where Cav-1 was attenuated, exhibited resistance to the antitumor effects of nab-paclitaxel therapy. Overall, our findings suggest Cav-1 as a predictive biomarker for the response to nab-paclitaxel and other albumin-based cancer therapeutic drugs. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5925-37. ©2017 AACR.

Inhibition of MEK confers hypersensitivity to X-radiation in the context of BRAF mutation in a model of childhood astrocytoma.

PURPOSE: Curative therapy for childhood glioma presents challenges when complete resection is not possible. Patients with recurrent low-grade tumors or anaplastic astrocytoma may receive radiation treatment; however, the long-term sequellae from radiation treatment can be severe. As many childhood gliomas are associated with activation of BRAF, we have explored the combination of ionizing radiation with MEK inhibition in a model of BRAF-mutant anaplastic astrocytoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The regulation of TORC1 signaling by BRAF was examined in BT-40 (BRAF mutant) and BT-35 (BRAF wild type) xenografts, in a cell line derived from the BT-40 xenograft and two adult BRAF mutant glioblastoma cell lines. The effect of MEK inhibition (selumetinib), XRT (total dose 10 Gy as 2 Gy daily fractions), or the combination of selumetinib and XRT was evaluated in subcutaneous BT-40 xenografts. RESULTS: Inhibition of MEK signaling by selumetinib suppressed TORC1 signaling only in the context of the BRAF-mutant both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of MEK signaling in BT-40 cells or in xenografts lead to a complete suppression of FANCD2 and conferred hypersensitivity to XRT in BT-40 xenografts without increasing local skin toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Selumetinib suppressed TORC1 signaling in the context of BRAF mutation. Selumetinib caused a rapid downregulation of FANCD2 and markedly potentiated the effect of XRT. These data suggest the possibility of potentiating the effect of XRT selectively in tumor cells by MEK inhibition in the context of mutant BRAF or maintaining tumor control at lower doses of XRT that would decrease long-term sequelae.

Inhibition of MDM2 by RG7388 confers hypersensitivity to X-radiation in xenograft models of childhood sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Curative therapy for childhood sarcoma presents challenges when complete resection is not possible. Ionizing radiation (XRT) is used as a standard modality at diagnosis or recurrence for childhood sarcoma; however, local recurrence is still problematic. Most childhood sarcomas are TP53 wild type at diagnosis, although approximately 5-10% have MDM2 amplification or overexpression. PROCEDURES: The MDM2 inhibitor, RG7388, was examined alone or in combination with XRT (20Gy given in 2 Gy daily fractions) to immune-deficient mice bearing Rh18 (embryonal) or a total of 30 Gy in 2 Gy fractions to mice bearing Rh30 (alveolar) rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts. RG7388 was administered by oral gavage using two schedules (daily ×5; schedule 1 or once weekly; schedule 2). TP53-responsive gene products (p21, PUMA, DDB2, and MIC1) as well as markers of apoptosis were analyzed. RESULTS: RG7388 showed no significant single agent antitumor activity. Twenty Grays XRT induced complete regressions (CR) of Rh18 with 100 percent tumor regrowth by week 7, but no tumor regrowth at 20 weeks when combined with RG7388. RG7388 enhanced time to recurrence combined with XRT in Rh30 xenografts compared to 30 Gy XRT alone. RG7388 did not enhance XRT-induced local skin toxicity. Combination treatments induced TP53 responsive genes more rapidly and to a greater magnitude than single agent treatments. CONCLUSIONS: RG7388 enhanced the activity of XRT in both rhabdomyosarcoma models without increasing local XRT-induced skin toxicity. Changes in TP53-responsive genes were consistent with the synergistic activity of RG7388 and XRT in the Rh18 model.