Search

Purpose:This phase 1 study (NCT03440437) evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and activity of FS118, a bispecific antibody–targeting LAG-3 and PD-L1, in patients with advanced cancer resistant to anti–PD-(L)1 therapy.Patients and Methods:Patients with solid tumors, refractory to anti–PD-(L)1–based therapy, received intravenous FS118 weekly with an accelerated dose titration design (800 μg to 0.3 mg/kg) followed by 3+3 ascending dose expansion (1 to 20 mg/kg). Primary objectives were safety, tolerability, and PK. Additional endpoints included antitumor activity, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamics.Results:Forty-three patients with a median of three prior regimens in the locally advanced/metastatic setting, including at least one anti–PD-(L)1 regimen, received FS118 monotherapy. FS118 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events relating to FS118 reported. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were observed, and an MTD was not reached. The recommended phase 2 dose of FS118 was established as 10 mg/kg weekly. The terminal half-life was 3.9 days. Immunogenicity was transient. Pharmacodynamic activity was prolonged throughout dosing as demonstrated by sustained elevation of soluble LAG-3 and increased peripheral effector cells. The overall disease control rate (DCR) was 46.5%; this disease control was observed as stable disease, except for one late partial response. Disease control of 54.8% was observed in patients receiving 1 mg/kg or greater who had acquired resistance to PD-(L)1–targeted therapy.Conclusions:FS118 was well tolerated with no DLTs observed up to and including 20 mg/kg QW. Further studies are warranted to determine clinical benefit in patients who have become refractory to anti–PD-(L)1 therapy.See related commentary by Karapetyan and Luke, p. 835

Supplementary Materials (clean)

Hyperpolarized 13C-MRI is an emerging tool for probing tissue metabolism by measuring 13C-label exchange between intravenously injected hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and endogenous tissue lactate. Here, we demonstrate that hyperpolarized 13C-MRI can be used to detect early response to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer. Seven patients underwent multiparametric 1H-MRI and hyperpolarized 13C-MRI before and 7–11 days after commencing treatment. An increase in the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio of approximately 20% identified three patients who, following 5–6 cycles of treatment, showed pathological complete response. This ratio correlated with gene expression of the pyruvate transporter MCT1 and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), the enzyme catalyzing label exchange between pyruvate and lactate. Analysis of approximately 2,000 breast tumors showed that overexpression of LDHA and the hypoxia marker CAIX was associated with reduced relapse-free and overall survival. Hyperpolarized 13C-MRI represents a promising method for monitoring very early treatment response in breast cancer and has demonstrated prognostic potential.Significance:Hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI allows response assessment in patients with breast cancer after 7–11 days of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and outperformed state-of-the-art and research quantitative proton MRI techniques.

Supplementary Table S1: Representativeness of Study Participants.Supplementary Table S2: Immunogenicity in patients treated with FS118.Supplementary Table S3: PK of FS118 by Dose Level.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Figure S1: Study design for the evaluation of FS118 in subjects with advanced solid tumors whoprogressed on or after prior PD-(L)1 therapy.Supplementary Figure S2: Time on FS118 treatment in patients with primary or acquired resistance to prioranti-PD-(L)1 therapies.Supplementary Figure S3: Total time on prior ICB therapies compared to the timeon FS118 treatment in patients with primary or acquired resistance to prior antiPD-(L)1 therapies.Supplementary Figure S4: Levels of soluble LAG-3 (sLAG-3) detected inthe serum of patients in the FS118 phase 1 trial.Supplementary Figure S5: Changes in circulating immune cells in FS118-treated patients.

Purpose:This phase 1 study (NCT03440437) evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and activity of FS118, a bispecific antibody–targeting LAG-3 and PD-L1, in patients with advanced cancer resistant to anti–PD-(L)1 therapy.Patients and Methods:Patients with solid tumors, refractory to anti–PD-(L)1–based therapy, received intravenous FS118 weekly with an accelerated dose titration design (800 μg to 0.3 mg/kg) followed by 3+3 ascending dose expansion (1 to 20 mg/kg). Primary objectives were safety, tolerability, and PK. Additional endpoints included antitumor activity, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamics.Results:Forty-three patients with a median of three prior regimens in the locally advanced/metastatic setting, including at least one anti–PD-(L)1 regimen, received FS118 monotherapy. FS118 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events relating to FS118 reported. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were observed, and an MTD was not reached. The recommended phase 2 dose of FS118 was established as 10 mg/kg weekly. The terminal half-life was 3.9 days. Immunogenicity was transient. Pharmacodynamic activity was prolonged throughout dosing as demonstrated by sustained elevation of soluble LAG-3 and increased peripheral effector cells. The overall disease control rate (DCR) was 46.5%; this disease control was observed as stable disease, except for one late partial response. Disease control of 54.8% was observed in patients receiving 1 mg/kg or greater who had acquired resistance to PD-(L)1–targeted therapy.Conclusions:FS118 was well tolerated with no DLTs observed up to and including 20 mg/kg QW. Further studies are warranted to determine clinical benefit in patients who have become refractory to anti–PD-(L)1 therapy.See related commentary by Karapetyan and Luke, p. 835

Word Document with legends for supplementary figures

Glucuronidation is an enzymatic process that terminally inactivates steroid hormones, including estrogens and androgens, thereby influencing carcinogenesis in hormone-dependent cancers. While estrogens drive breast carcinogenesis via the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), androgens play a critical role as prohormones for estrogen biosynthesis and ligands for the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, the expression and regulation of two androgen-inactivating enzymes, the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, was assessed in breast cancer. In large clinical cohorts, high UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 levels positively influenced disease-specific survival in distinct molecular subgroups. Expression of these genes was highest in cases positive for ERα. In cell line models, ERα, AR, and the transcription factor FOXA1 cooperated to increase transcription via tandem binding events at their proximal promoters. ERα activity was dependent on FOXA1, facilitated by AR activation, and potently stimulated by estradiol as well as estrogenic metabolites of 5α-dihydrotestosterone. AR activity was mediated via binding to an estrogen receptor half-site 3′ to the FOXA1 and ERα-binding sites. Although AR and FOXA1 bound the UGT promoters in AR-positive/ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines, androgen treatment did not influence basal transcription levels. Ex vivo culture of human breast tissue and ERα+ tumors provided evidence for upregulation of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 by estrogen or androgen treatment. ERα binding was evident at the promoters of these genes in a small cohort of primary tumors and distant metastases. Collectively, these data provide insight into sex steroid receptor-mediated regulation of androgen-inactivating enzymes in ERα+ breast cancer, which may have subtype-specific consequences for disease progression and outcomes. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5881–93. ©2016 AACR.

Word document containing additional details of materials and methods

Supplementary Figure 1. Correlation plots depicting the relationship between UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 mRNA expression in breast cancer. Supplementary Figure 3. Steroid-mediated regulation of GREB1, UGTB215 and UGTB17 in MCF7 cells. Supplementary Figure 4. Effect of ERα, FOXA1 or AR knockdown on UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 mRNA expression in MCF7 cells. Supplementary Figure 5. Genome browser images of showing FOXA1, ERα and AR chromatin occupancy at the UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 promoters in ZR75-1 and MCF7 cells. Supplementary Figure 6. Regulation of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 mRNA expression by the AR agonist Enobosarm in MCF7 cells (A and B) and steroid-mediated regulation of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 mRNA expression in normal breast tissues (C).

Supplementary Figure 2. Kaplan-Meier survival plots showing relationship between UGTB215 and UGTB17 levels and outcome in distinct breast cancer subtypes.

Supplementary Methods from Two Novel Determinants of Etoposide Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of risk-loci that require novel approaches to reveal the causal variants and target genes within them. As causal variants are most likely regulators of gene expression, we hypothesize that their identification is facilitated by pinpointing the variants with greater regulatory potential within risk-loci.MethodsWe performed genome-wide differential allelic expression (DAE) analysis using microarrays data from 64 normal breast tissue samples. Then, we mapped the variants associated with DAE (daeQTLs) and intersected these with GWAS data to reveal candidate risk regulatory variants. Finally, we validated our approach by functionally analysing the 5q14.1 breast cancer risk-locus.ResultsWe found widespread gene expression regulation by cis-acting variants in breast tissue, with 80% of coding and non-coding expressed genes displaying DAE (daeGenes). We identified over 23K daeQTLs for 2753 (16%) daeGenes, including at 154 known BC risk- loci. And in 31 of these risk-loci, we found risk-associated variant(s) and daeQTLs in strong linkage disequilibrium suggesting that the risk-causing variants are cis-regulatory, and in 27 risk-loci we propose 37 candidate target genes. As validation, we identified five candidate causal variants at the 5q14.1 risk-locus targeting the ATG10, RPS23, and ATP6AP1L genes, likely via modulation of miRNA binding, alternative transcription, and transcription factor binding.ConclusionOur study shows the power of DAE analysis and daeQTL mapping to identify causal regulatory variants and target genes at BC risk loci, including those with complex regulatory landscapes, and provides a genome-wide resource of variants associated with DAE for future functional studies.

Objective:\ud \ud It is typical in epidemiological research of osteoarthritis (OA) to collect data for the hand, hip, and knee. However, little population‐based data exist for this disease in the foot. Thus, we addressed patterns of OA for the foot compared with the hand, hip, and knee spanning 2000/2001 to 2017/2018 in England.\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud Secondary‐care data from 3 143 928 patients with OA of the foot, hand, hip, and knee were derived from the National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database. Distribution, population prevalence, and incidence of joint‐specific OA were stratified by age and sex.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud OA incidence increased significantly at the foot [3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0, 4.6)], hand [10.9% (10.1, 11.7)], hip [3.8% (2.9, 4.7)], and knee [2.9% (2.2, 3.6)] per year from 2000/2001 to 2017/2018. A higher proportion of women were diagnosed with OA, whereas greater incidence in men was estimated for the hand and hip. Foot OA presented comparable diagnosis numbers to the hand. More recently during 2012/2013 to 2017/2018, a significant rise in hip OA was estimated among younger adults, whereas knee OA decreased across all age groups. Incidence of OA in the foot and hand were particularly significant among the 75 or older age group, though bimodal age distributions were observed for both sites.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud \ud The significant increase in secondary care records for OA in England underscores the importance of exploring possible causative factors and identifying groups most at risk. Further detailed data may be particularly important for the hip, which represents significant incidence among younger adults. Greater incidence of OA in the foot compared with the knee emphasizes the need for well‐conducted epidemiological research in this area. Monitoring the performance of surgical outcomes at the population‐level for this frequently affected yet understudied site could have substantial potential to reduce the socioeconomic burden it represents to the NHS.

Hyperpolarized 13C-MRI is an emerging tool for probing tissue metabolism by measuring 13C-label exchange between intravenously injected hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and endogenous tissue lactate. Here, we demonstrate that hyperpolarized 13C-MRI can be used to detect early response to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer. Seven patients underwent multiparametric 1H-MRI and hyperpolarized 13C-MRI before and 7–11 days after commencing treatment. An increase in the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio of approximately 20% identified three patients who, following 5–6 cycles of treatment, showed pathological complete response. This ratio correlated with gene expression of the pyruvate transporter MCT1 and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), the enzyme catalyzing label exchange between pyruvate and lactate. Analysis of approximately 2,000 breast tumors showed that overexpression of LDHA and the hypoxia marker CAIX was associated with reduced relapse-free and overall survival. Hyperpolarized 13C-MRI represents a promising method for monitoring very early treatment response in breast cancer and has demonstrated prognostic potential. Significance: Hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI allows response assessment in patients with breast cancer after 7–11 days of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and outperformed state-of-the-art and research quantitative proton MRI techniques.

BackgroundHuntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) is an adaptor protein involved in transcriptional regulation and receptor-mediated endocytosis. Overexpression of HIP1 transforms cell and is associated with, increasing grades of prostate cancer (CaP) and poor patient outcomes. However, the precise mechanism for the role of HIP1 in prostate cancer progression remains unknown.MethodsUsing a phospho-kinase antibody array we identified changes in signalling associated with HIP1 overexpression PNT1 cells. For validation Western blots were used together with knockdown or inhibitor treatments and phenotypic assays for cellular transformation. The cell line was xenografted to assess tumour growth. Gene expression microarray analysis of the cell line was used to identify perturbations in transcript levels.ResultsHere we demonstrate cellular transformation and phenotypic effects of HIP1 overexpression in a benign prostate epithelial cell line to be dependent on STAT3 signalling. In vivo xenografts confirmed the cellular transformation phenotype. Gene expression analysis revealed serum protein GDF15 to be a marker of prostate cancer tumorigenesis in our model. We present a HIP1-STAT3-GDF15 axis in our pre-clinical model that mediates cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.ConclusionOur findings provide a model defining the functional effects of increased HIP1 expression in prostate tumorigenesis and progression. This model implicates increased STAT3 signalling in HIP1-dependent prostate carcinogenesis and identifies GDF15 as a secreted factor supporting this process. The role of HIP1-STAT3-GDF15 signalling may extend to other epithelial cancers shown to overexpress HIP1; such as gliomas, colon and breast cancer where STAT3 is an emerging oncology drug target.

Castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is poorly characterized and heterogeneous and while the androgen receptor (AR) is of singular importance, other factors such as c‐Myc and the E2F family also play a role in later stage disease. HES6 is a transcription co‐factor associated with stem cell characteristics in neural tissue. Here we show that HES6 is up‐regulated in aggressive human prostate cancer and drives castration‐resistant tumour growth in the absence of ligand binding by enhancing the transcriptional activity of the AR, which is preferentially directed to a regulatory network enriched for transcription factors such as E2F1. In the clinical setting, we have uncovered a HES6‐associated signature that predicts poor outcome in prostate cancer, which can be pharmacologically targeted by inhibition of PLK1 with restoration of sensitivity to castration. We have therefore shown for the first time the critical role of HES6 in the development of CRPC and identified its potential in patient‐specific therapeutic strategies.

Glucuronidation is an enzymatic process that terminally inactivates steroid hormones, including estrogens and androgens, thereby influencing carcinogenesis in hormone-dependent cancers. While estrogens drive breast carcinogenesis via the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), androgens play a critical role as prohormones for estrogen biosynthesis and ligands for the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, the expression and regulation of two androgen-inactivating enzymes, the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, was assessed in breast cancer. In large clinical cohorts, high UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 levels positively influenced disease-specific survival in distinct molecular subgroups. Expression of these genes was highest in cases positive for ERα. In cell line models, ERα, AR, and the transcription factor FOXA1 cooperated to increase transcription via tandem binding events at their proximal promoters. ERα activity was dependent on FOXA1, facilitated by AR activation, and potently stimulated by estradiol as well as estrogenic metabolites of 5α-dihydrotestosterone. AR activity was mediated via binding to an estrogen receptor half-site 3′ to the FOXA1 and ERα-binding sites. Although AR and FOXA1 bound the UGT promoters in AR-positive/ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines, androgen treatment did not influence basal transcription levels. Ex vivo culture of human breast tissue and ERα+ tumors provided evidence for upregulation of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 by estrogen or androgen treatment. ERα binding was evident at the promoters of these genes in a small cohort of primary tumors and distant metastases. Collectively, these data provide insight into sex steroid receptor-mediated regulation of androgen-inactivating enzymes in ERα+ breast cancer, which may have subtype-specific consequences for disease progression and outcomes. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5881–93. ©2016 AACR.

A new series of bisphosphonic acids bearing nitrogen containing heterocycles and carbocycles has been designed and synthesized. The most potent novel bisphosphonates were shown to have lower minera...

Background: Although the use of proliferation markers/profiles has been recommended when choosing the appropriate systemic-treatment for breast cancer (BC), the best molecular-marker/test that should be used needs to be identified. \ud \ud Methods: To identify factors that drive proliferation and its associated features in BC an artificial neural network (ANN) based integrative data-mining methodology was applied to three cohorts [(Nottingham-discovery (ND), Uppsala and METABRIC (Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium)]. The most prominent genes in the resulting interactome-map were then identified. Given that SPAG5 was associated with many features of proliferation, featured prominently in the interactome-map and has a fundamental role in mitotic-progression,, we hypothesized that it could be a better indicator of proliferation activity. (BC). Subsequently to test if it could provide a more accurate guide for the delivery of systemic therapies in BC, we investigated the clinico-pathological utility of SPAG5: gene copy number aberrations (CNAs); mRNA and protein expression, in over 10,000 BCs. Integrated analysis of SPAG5-gene CNAs, transcript and protein expression was conducted in the ND cohort (n=171) and validated in the METABRIC cohort (n=1980). In addition, the associations of SPAG5 CNAs, transcript and/or protein with BC specific survival (BCSS), disease free survival (DFS) and/or distant relapse free survival (DRFS) were analysed in multiple cohorts including Uppsala (n=249), METABRIC, three-untreated lymph node (LN) negative cohorts (n=684), a combined multicentre clinical data set (n=5439), Nottingham historical early-stage-primary BC (Nottingham-HES-BC; n=1650), Nottingham oestrogen receptor (ER) negative BC (n=697), Nottingham anthracycline-Neoadjuvant-chemotherapy (Nottingham-AC-Neo-ACT; n=200), and MD Anderson Cancer Centre Taxane/anthracycline (MDACC-T/AC-Neo-ACT; n=508) cohorts. The association of SPAG5 transcript and protein expression with pathological response rate (pCR) were also tested in [MDACC-T/AC-Neo-ACT (n=508) and the phase II trial NCT00455533; n=253)] and [Nottingham-AC-Neo-ACT (n=200)] cohorts; respectively. \ud \ud Findings: SPAG5 gene gain/amplification at the Ch17q11·2 locus was found in 10.4% of BC (206/1980 (; METABRIC) and was reported in 19·4% of PAM50-HER2 (46/237) and 17·8% of PAM50-LumB (87/488). SPAG5-CNA gain/amplification and high SPAG5-transcript and SPAG5-protein were associated with increased risk of death from BC [Uppsala; (HR (CI 95%): 1·50 (1·18-1·92); p=0·00010, METABRIC; (HR (CI 95%): 1·68 (1·40-2·01) p

// Theresa E. Hickey 1, * , Connie M. Irvine 1, * , Heidi Dvinge 2, 3 , Gerard A. Tarulli 1 , Adrienne R. Hanson 1 , Natalie K. Ryan 1 , Marie A. Pickering 1 , Stephen N. Birrell 1 , Dong Gui Hu 4 , Peter I. Mackenzie 4 , Roslin Russell 5 , Carlos Caldas 5 , Ganesh V. Raj 6 , Scott M. Dehm 7, 8 , Stephen R. Plymate 9 , Robert K. Bradley 2, 3 , Wayne D. Tilley 1, 10 , Luke A. Selth 1, 10 1 Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia 2 Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle, WA 98109, USA 3 Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA 4 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Flinders University School of Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia 5 Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK 6 Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA 7 Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55905, USA 8 Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55905, USA 9 Department of Medicine and VAPSHCS, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA 10 Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Luke A. Selth, e-mail: luke.selth@adelaide.edu.au Wayne D. Tilley, e-mail: wayne.tilley@adelaide.edu.au Keywords: androgen receptor, breast cancer, androgen deprivation therapy, alternative splicing, biomarker Received: October 19, 2015 Accepted: October 26, 2015 Published: November 05, 2015 ABSTRACT The importance of androgen receptor (AR) signaling is increasingly being recognized in breast cancer, which has elicited clinical trials aimed at assessing the efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic disease. In prostate cancer, resistance to ADT is frequently associated with the emergence of androgen-independent splice variants of the AR (AR variants, AR-Vs) that lack the LBD and are constitutively active. Women with breast cancer may be prone to a similar phenomenon. Herein, we show that in addition to the prototypical transcript, the AR gene produces a diverse range of AR-V transcripts in primary breast tumors. The most frequently and highly expressed variant was AR-V7 (exons 1/2/3/CE3), which was detectable at the mRNA level in > 50% of all breast cancers and at the protein level in a subset of ERα-negative tumors. Functionally, AR-V7 is a constitutively active and ADT-resistant transcription factor that promotes growth and regulates a transcriptional program distinct from AR in ERα-negative breast cancer cells. Importantly, we provide ex vivo evidence that AR-V7 is upregulated by the AR antagonist enzalutamide in primary breast tumors. These findings have implications for treatment response in the ongoing clinical trials of ADT in breast cancer.

Summary Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is the key transcriptional driver in a large proportion of breast cancers. We report that APOBEC3B (A3B) is required for regulation of gene expression by ER and acts by causing C-to-U deamination at ER binding regions. We show that these C-to-U changes lead to the generation of DNA strand breaks through activation of base excision repair (BER) and to repair by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathways. We provide evidence that transient cytidine deamination by A3B aids chromatin modification and remodelling at the regulatory regions of ER target genes that promotes their expression. A3B expression is associated with poor patient survival in ER+ breast cancer, reinforcing the physiological significance of A3B for ER action., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • APOBEC3B is associated with poor survival in ER+ breast cancer patients • APOBEC3B controls breast cancer cell growth by promoting ER transcriptional activity • APOBEC3B can cause C-to-U mutations at ER target genes, to activate DNA repair • Repair of APOBEC3B-induced lesions allows chromatin remodelling that stimulates gene expression, Periyasamy et al. show that APOBEC3B is required for the regulation of gene expression by the estrogen receptor in breast cancer cells. They report APOBEC3B can promote cytidine deamination at gene regulatory regions, with consequent repair providing a mechanism for chromatin remodelling that facilitates gene expression.

Atypical femoral fractures have been associated with long-term bisphosphonate treatment.1,2 However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. We studied three sisters who had atypical femoral fractures after receiving various oral bisphosphonates for 6 years. Two of the sisters had a single fracture (at the ages of 64 and 73 years), and one had bilateral fractures (one at the age of 60 years and the other at the age of 61 years). Given the low incidence of atypical femoral fractures in the general population (5.9 per 10,000 person-years),3 we hypothesized that these sisters might have an underlying genetic background that contributed to these fractures.

Background Understanding the heterogeneous genotypes and phenotypes of prostate cancer is fundamental to improving the way we treat this disease. As yet, there are no validated descriptions of prostate cancer subgroups derived from integrated genomics linked with clinical outcome. Methods In a study of 482 tumour, benign and germline samples from 259 men with primary prostate cancer, we used integrative analysis of copy number alterations (CNA) and array transcriptomics to identify genomic loci that affect expression levels of mRNA in an expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) approach, to stratify patients into subgroups that we then associated with future clinical behaviour, and compared with either CNA or transcriptomics alone. Findings We identified five separate patient subgroups with distinct genomic alterations and expression profiles based on 100 discriminating genes in our separate discovery and validation sets of 125 and 103 men. These subgroups were able to consistently predict biochemical relapse (p = 0.0017 and p = 0.016 respectively) and were further validated in a third cohort with long-term follow-up (p = 0.027). We show the relative contributions of gene expression and copy number data on phenotype, and demonstrate the improved power gained from integrative analyses. We confirm alterations in six genes previously associated with prostate cancer (MAP3K7, MELK, RCBTB2, ELAC2, TPD52, ZBTB4), and also identify 94 genes not previously linked to prostate cancer progression that would not have been detected using either transcript or copy number data alone. We confirm a number of previously published molecular changes associated with high risk disease, including MYC amplification, and NKX3-1, RB1 and PTEN deletions, as well as over-expression of PCA3 and AMACR, and loss of MSMB in tumour tissue. A subset of the 100 genes outperforms established clinical predictors of poor prognosis (PSA, Gleason score), as well as previously published gene signatures (p = 0.0001). We further show how our molecular profiles can be used for the early detection of aggressive cases in a clinical setting, and inform treatment decisions. Interpretation For the first time in prostate cancer this study demonstrates the importance of integrated genomic analyses incorporating both benign and tumour tissue data in identifying molecular alterations leading to the generation of robust gene sets that are predictive of clinical outcome in independent patient cohorts., Highlights • Integrated genomic profiling of 259 men with prostate cancer Cambridge discovery cohort and Stockholm validation cohort • 100-feature gene set that reliably differentiates five subgroups (iClusters) of prostate cancer • Prognostic gene signature that predicts relapse-free survival Studies in other cancers have shown the advantage of integrated genomic approaches in stratifying disease (e.g. Curtis et al., 2012, breast cancer) but such approaches have not yet been undertaken in prostate cancer. In this study we conducted a comprehensive integrated analysis of a Cambridge discovery and Stockholm validation cohort to stratify men into 5 molecular clusters of varying clinical risk based on copy number and gene expression profiling of 100 key genes. The study then showed that we could predict disease relapse based on a refined subgroup of this gene set and showed the superiority of this ‘signature’ compared to other available signatures. The study introduces to the prostate cancer research community 259 men who have been profiled with copy number, transcript expression, TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion status and tissue microarray data.

BRCA1, a key factor in homologous recombination (HR) repair may also regulate base excision repair (BER). Targeting BRCA1?BER deficient cells by blockade of ATM and DNA?PKcs could be a promising strategy in breast cancer. We investigated BRCA1, XRCC1 and pol ? protein expression in two cohorts (n = 1602 sporadic and n = 50 germ?line BRCA1 mutated) and mRNA expression in two cohorts (n = 1952 and n = 249). Artificial neural network analysis for BRCA1?DNA repair interacting genes was conducted in 249 tumours. Pre?clinically, BRCA1 proficient and deficient cells were DNA repair expression profiled and evaluated for synthetic lethality using ATM and DNA?PKcs inhibitors either alone or in combination with cisplatin. In human tumours, BRCA1 negativity was strongly associated with low XRCC1, and low pol ? at mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.0001). In patients with BRCA1 negative tumours, low XRCC1 or low pol ? expression was significantly associated with poor survival in univariate and multivariate analysis compared to high XRCC1 or high pol ? expressing BRCA1 negative tumours (ps < 0.05). Pre?clinically, BRCA1 negative cancer cells exhibit low mRNA and low protein expression of XRCC1 and pol ?. BRCA1?BER deficient cells were sensitive to ATM and DNA?PKcs inhibitor treatment either alone or in combination with cisplatin and synthetic lethality was evidenced by DNA double strand breaks accumulation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We conclude that XRCC1 and pol ? expression status in BRCA1 negative tumours may have prognostic significance. BRCA1?BER deficient cells could be targeted by ATM or DNA?PKcs inhibitors for personalized therapy.

The epidermis is maintained by multiple stem cell populations whose progeny differentiate along diverse, and spatially distinct, lineages. Here we show that the transcription factor Gata6 controls the identity of the previously uncharacterized sebaceous duct (SD) lineage and identify the Gata6 downstream transcription factor network that specifies a lineage switch between sebocytes and SD cells. During wound healing differentiated Gata6(+) cells migrate from the SD into the interfollicular epidermis and dedifferentiate, acquiring the ability to undergo long-term self-renewal and differentiate into a much wider range of epidermal lineages than in undamaged tissue. Our data not only demonstrate that the structural and functional complexity of the junctional zone is regulated by Gata6, but also reveal that dedifferentiation is a previously unrecognized property of post-mitotic, terminally differentiated cells that have lost contact with the basement membrane. This resolves the long-standing debate about the contribution of terminally differentiated cells to epidermal wound repair.

The rapid cell turnover of the intestinal epithelium is achieved from small numbers of stem cells located in the base of glandular crypts. These stem cells have been variously described as rapidly cycling or quiescent. A functional arrangement of stem cells that reconciles both of these behaviours has so far been difficult to obtain. Alternative explanations for quiescent cells have been that they act as a parallel or reserve population that replace rapidly cycling stem cells periodically or after injury; their exact nature remains unknown. Here we show mouse intestinal quiescent cells to be precursors that are committed to mature into differentiated secretory cells of the Paneth and enteroendocrine lineage. However, crucially we find that after intestinal injury they are capable of extensive proliferation and can give rise to clones comprising the main epithelial cell types. Thus, quiescent cells can be recalled to the stem-cell state. These findings establish quiescent cells as an effective clonogenic reserve and provide a motivation for investigating their role in pathologies such as colorectal cancers and intestinal inflammation.

Two independent regions within HNF1B are consistently identified in prostate and ovarian cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS); their functional roles are unclear. We link prostate cancer (PC) risk SNPs rs11649743 and rs3760511 with elevated HNF1B gene expression and allele-specific epigenetic silencing, and outline a mechanism by which common risk variants could effect functional changes that increase disease risk: functional assays suggest that HNF1B is a pro-differentiation factor that suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in unmethylated, healthy tissues. This tumor-suppressor activity is lost when HNF1B is silenced by promoter methylation in the progression to PC. Epigenetic inactivation of HNF1B in ovarian cancer also associates with known risk SNPs, with a similar impact on EMT. This represents one of the first comprehensive studies into the pleiotropic role of a GWAS-associated transcription factor across distinct cancer types, and is the first to describe a conserved role for a multi-cancer genetic risk factor.

Bisphosphonates are chemically stable analogs of inorganic pyrophosphate, which are resistant to breakdown by enzymatic hydrolysis. The biological effects of bisphosphonates on calcium metabolism were originally ascribed to their physico-chemical effects on hydroxyapatite crystals. Although such effects may contribute to their overall action, their effects on cells are probably of greater importance, particularly for the more potent compounds. Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the potency of bisphosphonates as inhibitors of bone resorption, and the most potent compounds in current use are characterized by the presence of a nitrogen atom at critical positions in the side chain which, together with the bisphosphonate moiety itself, seems to be essential for maximal activity. As a class the bisphosphonates offer a very effective means of treating Paget's disease.

Deer antler growth provides a unique natural model of rapid and complete bone regeneration. In this study, the distal antler tips of male red deer (Cervus elaphus) were collected post-mortem during the annual growth period (April-August), and an in vitro system established for the culture of cells from three regions; the inner layer of the perichondrium, the reserve mesenchyme and the cartilage zone. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression by cultured cells, as demonstrated by enzyme histochemistry and biochemical assay, reflected the stage of cellular differentiation. ALP activity was highest in cells cultured from the hypertrophic cartilage region (3.6 ± 0.2 μmol/μg cell protein/minute), and lowest in undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (0.3 ± 0.01 μmol/μg cell protein/minute). ALP expression was lost with passage in culture. Levels of ALP activity in cultured cells correlated with the pattern and extent of enzyme expression in tissue sections as demonstrated by histochemical staining. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I (10−9M-10−7M) was found to be mitogenic for cultured cells from all three zones as shown by increased incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. These results demonstrate that cells from three different regions of the antler tip can be maintained in culture, and that antler cells share certain phenotypic characteristics of growth plate chondrocytes. These data provide further evidence of a role for IGF-1 in the regulation of antler growth. Antler regrowth is a potentially useful model for the study of the factors that regulate bone formation.

Osteoblasts undergo apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo in response to high dose glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive, hindering the prevention and treatment of this side-effect. Apoptosis was induced by dexamethasone (Dex) in murine MBA-15.4 osteoblasts within 24-48 h of treatment. We found dose- and time-dependent upregulation of Bim protein, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, with highest levels at 24-48 h for 1 microM Dex. This was also observed in primary human bone marrow stromal cells. Bim is subjected to stringent transcriptional and post-translational regulation in osteoblasts. Bim mRNA was upregulated in response to 1 microM Dex; both cycloheximide and the GC receptor antagonist, RU486, prevented Dex-induction of Bim protein, indicating transcriptional regulation involving the GC receptor. The proteasome inhibitor, MG132, potently increased Bim protein levels. Bim was also upregulated in osteoblasts undergoing apoptosis in response to serum deprivation and matrix detachment. Gene silencing experiments show that short interference RNA (siRNA) specific for Bim or the downstream effector Bax both reduced apoptosis induced by Dex in osteoblastic cells. These findings suggest that Bim is a novel regulator of osteoblast apoptosis and may be a therapeutic target.

Over the past three decades, changes to the chemical structures of the bisphosphonates have resulted in progressive improvements in their antiresorptive potencies. Ibandronate is a potent, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that possesses a tertiary nitrogen group on its R2 side chain and a hydroxyl group on its R1 side chain, which together confer one of the highest antiresorptive potencies of all bisphosphonates. In common with other nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, ibandronate is a strong inhibitor of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, which probably accounts for its major effects on osteoclast activity. In addition, it binds strongly to hydroxyapatite. The pharmacological efficacy and safety of various continuous and intermittent regimens of ibandronate have been extensively investigated in experimental models of osteoporosis in several animal species, including rats, dogs, and monkeys. In ovariectomized (OVX) rats, intermittent (dosing interval 2, 4, and 6 weeks) and continuous ibandronate regimens provided equivalent results per total dose irrespective of the dosing regimen. Similar results were obtained in OVX dogs and monkeys. High doses of ibandronate many times those used therapeutically were well tolerated and did not impair bone quality or mineralization in rats. Moreover, bone mass, architecture, and strength were maintained or improved, and bone healing was not adversely affected in animal models, regardless of whether ibandronate was administered intermittently or daily. The findings from all these studies demonstrate the efficacy and safety of intermittent ibandronate regimens and support the development of such regimens for the clinical management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Much is now known about skeletal biology and the changes that take place during diseases. Skeletal development is programmed by the sequential activation of specific genetic pathways that culminate in the production of the adult skeleton, which is light but strong. Systemic hormones including parathyroid hormone, vitamin D metabolites, and calcitonin regulate blood calcium levels and contribute to the overall calcium economy of the body. Many other hormones have subtle but important effects on skeletal behaviour and its modelling and remodelling activity. At a local level, the integration of cellular differentiation and function within the microenvironment of bone is under the influence of a large number of cytokines and growth factors. Osteoporosis is a very common disorder and is a result of perturbation in these regulatory mechanisms. Much has been learnt in recent years about the many pathogenic processes that contribute to bone loss and fragility. Several drug treatments are now available to prevent bone loss and reduce the incidence of fractures, and there are prospects for the development of further novel pharmacological interventions that may modify some of the pathogenic processes themselves. Among the newer pathways for pharmacological intervention, the calcium-sensing receptor and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B/osteoprotegerin system involved in osteoblast-osteoclast interactions offer exciting opportunities.

1. The diphosphonate, disodium etidronate (disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate; EHDP), is known to increase plasma inorganic phosphate in man. The present study examines the mechanism of this effect. 2. When EHDP was given by mouth at a dose of 80 μmol (20 mg) kg−1 day−1, plasma phosphate was significantly increased 24 h after the first dose but did not reach its maximum value for 2–3 weeks. When the drug was stopped, plasma phosphate returned to pretreatment values within 3 weeks. 3. Urinary excretion rate of phosphate was not greatly changed during treatment with EHDP despite the large increase in plasma phosphate, suggesting an alteration in renal handling. This was examined directly by infusing phosphate and inulin in six patients off and on EHDP. 4. EHDP had no effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but produced a large increase in the maximum rate of renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (Tm,P). The ratio Tm,P/GFR increased from a mean value of 1.15 mmol/l to 2.10 mmol/l on EHDP. This increase accounted for the hyperphosphataemia. 5. The same amount of phosphate infused at the same rate produced a greater rise in plasma phosphate when patients were on EHDP than when they were not, indicating a reduced net rate of entry of phosphate into tissues other than kidney. 6. Fasting total plasma calcium concentration and urine calcium excretion rate were not significantly altered by EHDP but the ability of infused phosphate to decrease plasma calcium was diminished. 7. It is suggested that EHDP alters phosphate transport in kidney and other tissues by a mechanism which is probably independent of the known hormonal influences on phosphate metabolism.

Twelve patients with Paget's disease of bone were treated with high doses of disodium etidronate for one month and compared with patients given treatments for longer periods. The effects of treatment for one month with etidronate 20 mg/kg daily were indistinguishable from six months' continuous treatment with the same dose but significantly better than treatment with 5 mg/kg daily in suppressing biochemical indices of disease activity. Treatment for one month was associated with transient osteomalacia but sustained suppression of bone resorption. Short term treatments with high doses of disodium etidronate may maximise suppression of disease activity but decrease exposure to unwanted effects.