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The field of tumor immunology has faced many complex challenges over the last century, but the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 [CTLA4] and anti-programmed cell death-1 [PD-1]/PD-ligand 1 [PD-L1]) and talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma have awakened a new wave of interest in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, combinations of vaccines and oncolytic viral therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other systemic agents seem to be promising synergistic strategies to further boost the immune response against cancer. These combinations are undergoing clinical investigation, and if successful, will hopefully soon become available to patients. Here, we review key basic concepts of tumor-induced immune suppression in malignant melanoma, the historical perspective around vaccine development in melanoma, and advances in oncolytic viral therapies. We also discuss the emerging role for combination approaches with different immunomodulatory agents as well as new developments in personalized immunization approaches.

Background: Studies have shown that implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices could reduce morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients. Aims of this study are to examine the temporal trends and outcomes in CRT device implanted cancer survivors. Method: This study was a retrospective analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample during the period 2005-2014. Patients ≥18 years and who underwent CRT device implantation were included in the study. CCS codes 11-44 were used to identify cancer survivors. The International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) primary procedure codes 00.50 and 00.51 were used to identify patients with device implantation. Association between cancer diagnosis and in-hospital mortality and complications were determined using multivariable analyses. Result: During 2005 to 2014, a total of 392,758 inpatient CRT implantations were performed in the United States. Nearly 8.3% of these procedures were performed among patients with history of cancer. Number of procedures among cancer survivors decreased from 3127 in 2005 to 2115 in 2015. However, proportion of cancer patients undergoing CRT implantations increased from 6.8% in 2005 to 10.3% in 2014 (relative increase: 51.4%, P Discussion: Our study found that proportion of CRT implantations among cancer survivors increased from 6.8% to 10.3% during the study period. In addition, CRT implantations among cancer survivors were associated higher in-hospital complications. Strategies like prehabilitation and close collaboration between cardiologists and oncologists could improve outcome and general well-being of cancer survivors undergoing CRT implantations.

2051 Background: GSK-3β, a serine/threonine kinase, is a key regulator of metabolism and glycogen biosynthesis. GSK-3β aberrant overexpression promotes tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance through NF-κB and p53-mediated apoptotic pathways. GSK-3β inhibition impacts immunomodulation through downregulation of checkpoints, such as PD-L1 and LAG-3, and increasing NK and T-cell mediated killing of tumor cells. 9-ING-41 is a small-molecule potent selective GSK-3β inhibitor with preclinical antitumor activity against several tumor types. In chemoresistant PDX models of glioblastoma (GBM), 9-ING-41 enhanced the antitumor effect of CCNU and CPT-11. Methods: In the first-in-human study (NCT03678883), patients (pts) with refractory malignancies received 9-ING-41 monotherapy (n = 65) or in combination with one of 8 cytotoxic regimens after prior treatment with the same chemotherapy (n = 162). We report the subset of pts with recurrent gliomas treated with 9-ING-41 monotherapy IV twice a week in 21-day cycles at different dose levels (3.3, 5, 9.3, 15mg/kg), or in combination with lomustine 30 mg/m² orally once weekly in 84-day cycles. Primary objective was safety and tolerability. Results: An RP2D of 15mg/kg IV was confirmed across all 9 regimens, no accentuation of chemotherapy-related toxicity noted. Of 18 glioma patients enrolled, 13 were GBM, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas, 1 diffuse astrocytoma, and 1 anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Four patients received single agent 9-ING-41, 14 treated concurrently with lomustine. Demographics: 6 female, 12 male; median age 52 (30-69) years; median ECOG was 1 (0-2). All received first-line radiation and temozolomide (18/18), prior therapies for recurrences included nitrosoureas (15/18), bevacizumab (8/18), TTFields (6/18), immune checkpoint inhibitor (4/18). Median recurrences 3 (1-6). Genomic alterations from available NGS reports included: IDH WT (11), IDH mutation (3), MGMT promoter unmethylated (11), MGMT promoter methylated (1), 1p19q co-deletion (10), EGFR amplification (6), EGFR v3 mutation (3), TERT promoter mutation (6), PTEN loss (3), NF1 rearrangement (2), ATRX loss (2), TP53 mutated (4), CDKN2A deletion (2), RB1 loss (1), PALB-2 mutation (10). No SAEs or grade 3/4 AEs attributed to 9-ING-41 were noted; AEs included G1/2 transient vision changes (9/18, 50%), infusion reactions (4/18, 22%). Side effects from lomustine included: G3/4 thrombocytopenia (3/14, 21%), and G1/2 fatigue (4/14, 28%). Best overall response: 1 minimal response (-43%) after 2 cycles of 9-ING-41 and lomustine. Median days on therapy was 55 (4-305), 4/18 (22%) were stable for 20 weeks or longer. Conclusions: These results show 9-ING-41 alone or in combination is safe and warrants further study in glioma patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03678883.

3507 Background: Overexpression of GSK-3β, a serine/threonine kinase, is associated with advanced stage malignancies, aggressive tumor growth, and chemotherapy resistance. 9-ING-41 is a GSK-3β inhibitor with significant broad spectrum pre-clinical antitumor activity, including chemotherapy-resistant models. This first-in-human study (NCT03678883) is evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy of 9-ING-41 monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in patients (pts) with refractory malignancies. Methods: 9-ING-41 is given intravenously (IV) twice-weekly as a single-agent (21-day cycle) or combined with gemcitabine, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, carboplatin, carboplatin/paclitaxel, doxorubicin, lomustine or irinotecan in patients previously treated with the same chemotherapy. Results: As of Jan 2020, 101 pts were enrolled. Tumor types: 25 pancreatic (PDAC), 14 colorectal (CRC), 10 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 8 GBM and other gliomas, 7 melanoma, 5 appendiceal, 4 breast (BC), 30 others. Seven single agent dose levels (DL) completed (1, 2, 3.3, 5, 7, 9.3, 12.4 mg/kg) without any 9-ING-41-attributable SAEs. 9-ING-41 attributable AEs include: transient visual change (color perception; n = 29), starting at DL 3 (3.3mg/kg), all G1/2; infusion reactions (n = 14), all G1/2, starting at DL 5 (7mg/kg). 9-ING-41’s mean terminal half-life is 12-20 hrs. Cmax and AUC0-72, are dose proportional with no accumulation. One BRAFV600K-mutated melanoma with > 20 brain metastases, post checkpoint/BRAF/MEK failure has an ongoing CR starting at cycle 2 and sustained after 9 months on treatment. 32 (31%) pts had SD as best response (6 PDAC, 6 CRC, 3 appendiceal, 2 BC, 2 salivary gland, 2 melanoma, 1 Merkel cell, 2 GBM/glioma, 1 RCC, 1 HCC, 1 NSCLC, 1 esophageal, 1 parotid gland, 1 nasopharyngeal, 1 peritoneal, 1 T cell-ALL). 8 pts remained on study treatment > 5 months (1 melanoma, 3 PDAC, 1 appendiceal, 1 GBM, 1 peritoneal, 1 salivary gland) with median treatment duration of 198 days (range 163-261). 32 pts continue to receive 9-ING-41. Conclusions: 9-ING-41 has dose-proportional PK, is well tolerated with significant antitumor activity as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in pts with refractory tumors. 1 ongoing CR was observed in a refractory BRAF-mutated melanoma. A biologically active dose has been reached, although MTD has not been determined. Enrollment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03678883 .

827 Background: 9-ING-41 is a selective GSK-3β inhibitor with significant pre-clinical antitumor activity in a broad spectrum of malignancies as a single agent and in combination with cytotoxic agents. GSK-3β is a serine/threonine kinase whose overexpression is associated with advanced stage, aggressive tumor growth, and chemotherapy resistance. We report the preliminary results of patients (pts) with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Methods: Phase 1b/2 study evaluating safety and efficacy of 9-ING-41 as monotherapy and combination therapy in pts with refractory cancers. 9-ING-41 is administered intravenously twice-weekly as a single agent (21-day-cycle) or combined with chemotherapy agents, including gemcitabine (GEM), nab-paclitaxel + GEM, carboplatin, or paclitaxel. Study parts 1 and 2 evaluate the safety, describe dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), determine the maximum tolerated dose and the recommended phase 2 study dose (RP2D) for 9-ING-41 as monotherapy (Part 1) and as combination therapy (Part 2). Part 3 (Simon 2-Stage Phase 2) assess clinical benefit in pts treated with 9-ING-41-based combinations at the RP2D established in Part 2. Response is assessed by RECIST 1.1 criteria in the evaluable lesions. Results: To date, the study accrued 63 pts. Five dose levels (1, 2, 3.3, 5 and 7 mg/kg) have been completed without DLTs. Part 2 of the study evaluating 9-ING-41-based chemotherapy combinations is ongoing. Five out of nine pts with pancreas cancer (PCa) enrolled had stable disease (SD) as the best response; 2 out of 9 pts had a 40-45% decline of CA 19-9. One pt completed 6 cycles with 9-ING-41, two pts completed 4 cycles with 9-ING-41/GEM. Two active pts are receiving 9-ING-41/GEM with SD after 3 and 4 cycles. Three out of four pts with adenocarcinoma of the appendix enrolled had SD as the best response; two pts in active treatment are receiving cycles 5 and 6. One out of 13 pts with colorectal cancer had SD. 9-ING-41-attributable AE to date are reversible grade 1 transient visual changes (color perception). Conclusions: 9-ING-41 is well-tolerated with encouraging SD among heavily pretreated pts with carcinoma of the pancreas and appendix. Clinical trial information: NCT03678883.

Immunotherapy has been one of the recent major breakthroughs in cancer therapy. The basic mechanism of immunotherapy agents is to facilitate the immune system to view cancer cells as a foreign presence. The recent success demonstrated by immune checkpoint inhibition in melanoma has launched a boom in immune checkpoint inhibitor trials in several different histologies, but these unfortunately have not shown the same outcome as melanoma. There still exists a significant gap to bridge in therapeutic improvement of these therapies, with patient selection still a major unresolved issue.

Due to its extremely high mortality rates, strong efforts continue to be made to develop new therapies in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The use of combined modality chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains an approach with both promise and controversy. This article reviews the conflicting data with regards to role of combined modality therapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and provides an update on current studies in the field.

Background: We have previously identified Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) nuclear accumulation as a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and demonstrated the antitumor effects of GSK-3β tool compound inhibitors in vivo (Ougolkov, Clin Cancer Res 2006). 9-ING-41 (Actuate Therapeutics Inc), a first-in-class, small-molecule potent selective GSK-3β inhibitor, has significant preclinical antitumor activity in PDAC. 9-ING-41 is synergistic with gemcitabine (GEM) in significantly reducing PDAC cell proliferation via impairment of ATR/Chk1 DNA damage response (Ding, Clin Cancer Res 2019). These data provided the rationale for inclusion of patients with PDAC in the 1801 phase 1/2 study evaluating 9-ING-41 alone and in combination with chemotherapy, including GEM and GEM plus nab-paclitaxel. Methods: Parts 1 and 2 of the 1801 phase 1/2 study evaluate the safety and tolerability of 9-ING-41 in patients with refractory malignancies. Part 1 establishes the recommended phase 2 study dose (RP2D) for 9-ING-41 monotherapy, while Part 2 assesses 9-ING-41 in combination with chemotherapies. For Part 1, patients received twice-weekly IV infusions of 9-ING-41 (21-day cycle). Based on prior treatment, Part 2 for those with PDAC consists of 9-ING-41 plus GEM (1000 to 1250 mg/m2 days 1 and 8; 21-day cycle) or 9-ING-41 plus GEM and nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m2). Part 3 (Simon 2-stage phase 2 at the RP2D) will assess clinical benefit in patients with refractory PDAC treated with 9-ING-41-based combinations at the RP2D established in Part 2. Response is defined by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) criteria in evaluable lesions. The study is opening in 25 sites globally and will accrue approximately 300 patients. Results: To date, the study has accrued 34 patients with advanced solid tumors (n=33) or hematologic malignancies (n=1). Four dose levels (1, 2, 3.3, and 5 mg/kg) have been completed without dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). Part 2 of the study evaluating combination of 9-ING-41 with chemotherapy agents has been activated. Six patients with advanced PDAC have enrolled. One patient has completed 5 cycles of treatment with 9-ING-41 (1mg/kg) with stable disease (SD) as the best response. Another patient with SD as the best response has completed 6 cycles and now is joining the arm combining 9-ING-41 with GEM after disease progression. Four additional patients are awaiting first response assessment with enrollment ongoing. 9-ING-41-attributable AE to date are Grade 1 transient visual changes (color perception). Conclusions: 9-ING-41 is well tolerated. Preclinical data support the inclusion of patients with advanced PDAC on clinical studies of 9-ING-41. Citation Format: Benedito A. Carneiro, Malika Dhawan, Brittany Borden, Ludimila Cavalcante, Howard Safran, Andrey Ugolkov, Andrew P. Mazar, Daniel D. Billadeau, Francis J. Giles, Pamela Munster. GSK-3β blockade with 9-ING-41 in pancreas cancer: The 1801 phase 1/2 study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care; 2019 Sept 6-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(24 Suppl):Abstract nr B09.

Background 9-ING-41 is a first-in-class, intravenously (IV) administered, small molecule potent selective GSK-3β inhibitor with significant pre-clinical antitumor activity in a broad spectrum of malignancies, both as a single agent and in combination with cytotoxic agents. GSK-3β is a serine/threonine kinase important in tumor progression and modulation of oncogenes, cell cycle regulators and mediators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Aberrant overexpression of GSK-3β is associated with advanced stage and aggressive tumor growth as well as chemotherapy resistance. Trial design This Phase 1/2 study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 9-ING-41 as a single agent and in combination with cytotoxic agents, in patients with refractory cancers. Treatment consists of twice-weekly IV infusion of 9-ING-41 as a single agent (21-day-cycle) or combined with chemotherapeutic agents including gemcitabine, doxorubicin, lomustine, carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel, or paclitaxel. Study parts 1 and 2 will evaluate the safety and tolerability, describe any dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended Phase 2 study dose (RP2D) for 9-ING-41 as monotherapy (Part 1) and in combination with chemotherapies (Part 2). Part 3 (Simon 2-Stage Phase 2 at the RP2D) will assess clinical benefit in patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies treated with 9-ING-41-based combinations at the RP2D established in Part 2. Safety will be assessed by recording and monitoring adverse events (CTCAE). For solid tumors, response will be defined by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria in the evaluable lesion(s). For lymphoma, response will be assessed per the International Working Group Response Criteria. For CNS tumors, response will be followed by the RANO and the MacDonald criteria. The study is opening in 25 sites globally and will accrue approximately 250 patients. Clinical trial identification NCT03678883. Legal entity responsible for the study Actuate Therapeutics Inc. Funding Actuate Therapeutics Inc. Disclosure B. Carneiro: Research grant / Funding (institution): Actuate Therapeutics Inc; Research grant / Funding (institution): Abbvie; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer. L. Cavalcante: Research grant / Funding (institution): Actuate Therapeutics Inc. P. Munster: Research grant / Funding (institution): Actuate Therapeutics Inc. F. Giles: Leadership role, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Actuate Therapeutics Inc. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Ludimila Cavalcante,1 Asim Amin,2 Jose Lutzky1 1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA; 2Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA Abstract: This is a unique report of two cases of patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, receiving ipilimumab for treatment of metastatic melanoma, as there is a paucity of safety and efficacy data in this patient subgroup. Keywords: report of cases, hemodialysis, advanced melanoma

96 Background: ACC is an exceedingly rare malignancy with an estimated incidence of 0.7 cases per million per year. Patients presenting with metastatic disease have an estimated 5-year survival rate of < 15%, without effective standard treatment options. Immunotherapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as effective therapies for multiple malignancies. Nivolumab, a monoclonal IgG4 antibody against the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor on T-cells, acts by inhibiting the interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 and thus eliciting an increased anti-tumor immune response. This phase II study will assess the efficacy of nivolumab monotherapy according to objective response rate (ORR) in patients with advanced ACC – the study is currently in the patient enrollment phase. Methods: Patients with metastatic or locally advanced ACC with disease progression after treatment with ≥ 1 line of therapy (including mitotane and/or chemotherapy), or not eligible for first-line chemotherapy are currently being enrolled on this phase II study. Nivolumab is given at a fixed dose of 240mg IV q2 weeks until confirmed disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Planned accrual of up to 33 patients will follow a Simon two stage design with interim analysis for efficacy after 10 evaluable patients are enrolled. Results: This is an initial report of the first 7 evaluable patients enrolled on study. Median age 57 years; female (4/7); endocrine hyperfunction (2/7); prior chemotherapy with EDP +/- mitotane (5/7). Patients were treated with a median of 4 doses of nivolumab. Median time to progression of 8 weeks. Best overall response rate thus far has been progression of disease in 5 pts, with 2 pts pending evaluation. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) at least possibly related to nivolumab: tremor, hypokalemia (1 pt each). Reported grade 1 and 2 AEs: LFT elevation (3 pts), lower extremity edema (2 pts), lymphopenia, urinary frequency and fatigue (1 pt each). Conclusions: Nivolumab has been well tolerated in this population of patients with metastatic ACC. Clinical trial information: NCT02720484.

Background: Axillary lymph node status at diagnosis remains the strongest predictor of long-term survival in breast cancer. Patients with more than ten axillary lymph nodes at diagnosis have a poor long-term survival. In this single institutional study, we set out to evaluate the prognosis of this high-risk group in the era of multimodality therapy. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we looked at all breast cancer patients with greater than ten axillary lymph nodes diagnosed at Mount Sinai Medical Center (MSMC) from January 1st 1990 to December 31st 2007 (n=161). In the univariate analysis, descriptive frequencies, median survival, and 5- and 10-year survival rates were estimated for common prognostic factors. A multivariate prognostic analysis for time-to-event data, using the extended Cox regression model was carried out. Results: With a median and mean follow-up of 70 and 89.9 months, respectively, the overall median survival was estimated to be 99 months. The five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 59.3% and the ten-year DFS was 37.9%, whereas the five- and ten-year overall survival (OS) was 66.6% and 43.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant improvement in DFS among black patients compared to whites (p=0.05), improved DFS and OS among young patients (ages 21-45) compared to elderly patients (age greater than 70) (p=0.00176, p=0.0034, respectively), and improved DFS and OS among patients whose tumors were ER positive (p=0.049, p=0.0034). Conclusions: In this single institution study of patients with greater than 10 positive axillary nodes, black patients had a significantly improved DFS compared with white patients. Young age and ER tumor positivity was associated with improved outcomes. Using multivariate analysis, there were no other variables associated with statistically significant improvements in DFS or OS including date of diagnosis. Further work is needed to improve breast cancer survival in this subgroup of patients.

11105 Background: Axitinib (AX) is a potent inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) of VEGFR-1,2,3. We previously showed that exposure to AX resulted in a decrease in tumor proliferation and v...

e11575 Background: Axillary lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer, and those with more than ten metastatic lymph nodes at diagnosis have a decreased overall survival. The purpose of this study is to better characterize the clinical course of this high-risk, poorly described patient population and determine the factors associated with long-term survival. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of all breast cancer patients with greater than ten metastatic lymph nodes diagnosed at Mt. Sinai Medical Center from January 1990 to December 2007 (n= 175). Descriptive frequencies, overall median survival (OMS), 5- and 10-year survival were calculated for standard prognostic factors and treatment variables. Univariate statistical analysis was performed, followed by a multivariate prognostic analysis for time-to-event data, using the Cox and extended Cox regression model. Results: The majority of patients were non-Hispanic white females between the ages of 56-70, diagnosed between 1990-1999, with tumors between 2-5 cm and 10-15 metastatic lymph nodes. Most were ER/PR positive, HER2 negative, and treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy. The OMS was 94 months (CI = 69-114) with 5- and 10-year survival rates of 64.3 and 41.6%, respectively. Ages between 21-45 years (OMS of 187 months, p = 0.03), tumors less than 2 cm (146 months (95% CI = 85-198), p = 0.02), ER positivity (131 months (95% CI = 94-157) vs. 39 months (95% CI = 27-59), p = 0.0003) and treatment received between 2000-2003 (98 months (95% CI = 55-133), p = 0.02) were all associated with significantly improved survival. Conclusions: Over the past decade there were significant gains in the long-term survival of breast cancer patients with greater than ten positive nodes at diagnosis, possibly due to improvements in multimodality therapy, such as the introduction of taxanes, although stage migration may be another contributing factor. Our study further showed an encouraging survival for ER positive patients and a dismal one for ER negative patients, highlighting the need for new targeted therapies directed towards ER negative tumors.

7049 Background: The use of combined modality treatment (CMT) has been demonstrated to improve survival in patients with inoperable, locally advanced NSCLC. Elderly patients have been traditionally excluded from prospective clinical trials investigating CMT and thus the optimal treatment strategy for these patients remains unclear. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of elderly patients who received concurrent and sequential chemoradiation. Methods: All lung cancer patients age 70 or older who received chemotherapy and radiation treatment at Mt. Sinai Medical Center for stage III NSCLC between 1997 and 2010 were analyzed from tumor registry data. Among 282 lung cancer elderly patients diagnosed with stage III disease, 64 patients (22.7 %) received CMT as part of their treatment. Patients who underwent surgery and palliative radiation were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed by log-rank, Kaplan-Meier methods, and t-test. Results: Median age at diagnosis for the CMT group was 75 years (70-87), male/female: 34/30, TNM: T4N0-1: 12, T3N1: 1, TXN2: 41, TXN3: 10. Concurrent chemoradiation was delivered in 43 cases and sequential in 21 cases. RT doses ranged from 50 to 63 Gy. The most common chemotherapy regimens used were carboplatin and taxol (44 %) and carboplatin and etoposide (15%). The most common treatment-related toxicities were esophagitis (42%), anemia (39%), and pneumonia (24%). Median survival (MST) was 19 months and 11 months in the concurrent and sequential chemoradiation groups (p=0.67). Observed two, three and five-year overall survival (OS) in the CMT group was 49.1%, 27.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Although CMT is not commonly used in elderly patients with lung cancer, the treatment is feasible and beneficial for selected patients in the community setting. Interestingly, the MST of elderly patients who received CMT in this cohort was comparable to that of younger historical controls with CMT. There was also a trend for increased survival in the concurrent versus sequential chemoradiation group.

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on tumor burden and hypoxia in the LHBETATAG retinal tumors. Methods: Group A: 17-week-old LHBETATAG transgenic mice (n=30) received periocular injections of saline and 2-DG (62.5, 125, 250, and 500mg/kg). Injections were given 2 times a week for 3 weeks. Group B: 4-week-old mice received oral delivery of 2-DG in custom made food pellets and were treated for either 8 or 18 weeks. 17-week-old mice received oral 2-DG for 8 weeks. At the time of enucleation, all eye samples were snap frozen and analyzed for tumor burden and hypoxic regions using immunohistochemistry. Results: Following injections of 2-DG, tumor control was not different between the control and the lowest two doses (62.5 and 125mg/kg). However, the difference in tumor burden was significant from 250mg/kg dose (p Conclusions: This study exhibits the efficacy of focal 2-DG as potential therapy to decrease both intratumoral hypoxia and tumor burden. The current study also shows that the non-invasive oral delivery 2-DG treatment has similar or better effects on the tumor depending on the treatment schedule used. In advanced disease of LHBETATAG retinal tumors, hypoxia is increasingly present. The use of glycolytic inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy has the potential to enhance current retinoblastoma treatments. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2050. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2050

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to establish the distribution of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) during tumor development in a transgenic retinoblastoma mouse model, study the contribution of bone-marrow derived macrophages in these tumors, and assess the supportive role of TAMs in retinoblastoma tumor growth. Methods: Macrophage infiltration in transgenic retinoblastoma tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry at different time points in tumorigenesis. To establish the origin of TAMs in transgenic retinoblastoma tumors, 107 bone marrow cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) positive 16-week-old mice were transplanted into age-matched, irradiated LHBETATAG mice via tail vein injections. Macrophage depletion was performed by subconjuctival (SC) delivery of liposomal clodronate. Results: TAMs’ density increased from 4- to 12-weeks of age in mice with small to medium-sized tumors (p=0.037), and remained stable in the later stages of the disease (i.e., 16-week-old with large tumors; p=0.20). 38% of TAMs (2.5 ± 3.2 cells per 400X hpf) in 16-week old mice were GFP-positive, bone marrow-derived macrophages. Total TAM depletion was correlated with a significant decrease in the expression levels of MMP-9 (p=0.014) and mature vessels (p Conclusions: The current study expands our understanding of the complex role that macrophages play in retinoblastoma. Macrophage modulation in the tumor microenvironment is a critical factor in retinoblastoma tumor development. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1517. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1517

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to examine vessel targeting, chemotherapy, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor agents in LHBETATAG retinal tumors and their impact on tumor burden. Methods: Group A: Ten-week-old, LHBETATAG mice (n=30) received a single subconjunctival injection of anecortave acetate (AA; 1200, 600, 300, and 150 µg) delivered to right eyes only. Group B: Ten-week-old, LHBETATAG mice (n=30) received a single subconjunctival injection of AA (600, 300, and 150 µg) delivered to right eyes only, either during a cycle of carboplatin (six subconjunctival deliveries) or after the completed cycle. Carboplatin was delivered at the subtherapeutic concentration of 62.5 µg. All animals were euthanatized at 16 weeks of age, and the eyes were examined histopathologically. Group C: Eighteen-week-old, LHBETATAG mice received (n=30) subconjunctival injections of rapamycin once weekly for two consecutive weeks (0.00333, 0.167, 3.33, and 6.67 mg/kg). Tumor sections were analyzed for tumor burden with immunohistochemistry techniques. Results: A statistically significant reduction in tumor burden was detected after a single periocular injection of AA. The reduction of tumor burden followed a U-shaped dose-response curve. Tumor burden was significantly decreased when AA and carboplatin were combined. However, varying doses and delivery schedule of these agents had significant impact on the effectiveness of the combined treatment. The most effective scheme was delivering a low dose (150-300 µg) of AA after a complete cycle of carboplatin. Reduction in tumor burden were significantly different between rapamycin doses and control (p Conclusions: AA, as monotherapy or as adjuvant therapy, significantly controlled tumor burden in a murine model of retinoblastoma. Moreover, adjuvant therapy enabled the use of typically subtherapeutic carboplatin doses without decreasing efficacy of the therapy. Inhibition of mTOR reduced tumor burden during late disease in the LHBETATAG retinoblastoma tumor model. Rapamycin may have a role in combination with chemotherapy or other adjuvant therapies to enhance retinoblastoma tumor control. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5352. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5352