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Background Activating mutations of the tyrosine kinase receptor KIT have been described in both mastocytosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but are usually found in separate domains and often respond differently to signal transduction inhibitors. We describe here a large family with both GIST, mastocytosis, and achalasia. Affected family members have a unique activating mutation in exon 9 of KIT which show promise to a novel signal transduction inhibitor. Methods Clinical data was collected from 15 family members, 7 of whom were variably affected with GIST, achalasia and mastocytosis. DNA was prepared from WBC of 12 subjects (6 affected and 6 unaffected) and exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 of KIT were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. Results A unique activating single base pair mutation in the extracellular domain of KIT was found in all 6 affected subjects resulting in a K>I amino acid change at codon 509. Conclusions In the family reported here, a unique mutation in the extracellular domain leads to receptor activation resulting in GIST and mastocytosis as well as achalasia. Initial data suggests that this activation can be suppressed by signal transduction inhibitors and these patients may benefit from such therapy.

Summary: Deregulated signal transduction is a cancer hallmark, and its complexity and interconnectivity imply that combination therapy should be considered, but large data volumes that cover the complexity are required in user-friendly ways. Here, we present a searchable database resource of synthetic lethality with a PI3 kinase signal transduction inhibitor by performing a saturation screen with an ultra-complex shRNA library containing 30 independent shRNAs per gene target. We focus on Ras-PI3 kinase signaling with T cell leukemia as a screening platform for multiple clinical and experimental reasons. Our resource predicts multiple combination-based therapies with high fidelity, ten of which we confirmed with small molecule inhibitors. Included are biochemical assays, as well as the IPI145 (duvelisib) inhibitor. We uncover the mechanism of synergy between the PI3 kinase inhibitor GDC0941 (pictilisib) and the tubulin inhibitor vincristine and demonstrate broad synergy in 28 cell lines of 5 cancer types and efficacy in preclinical leukemia mouse trials. : Mues et al. present a web browser-based, searchable database of their synthetic lethal screen to identify a potentially potent combination therapy in cancer. They validated their screen with ten small molecule inhibitors in leukemia and four solid tumor types and in a T cell leukemia mouse model preclinical trial. Keywords: cancer, synthetic lethality, shRNA, screen, PI3 kinase, inhibitors, signaling pathways, leukemia, preclinical mouse trials, GDC0941, vincristine

Purpose Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is a key pathological event in proliferative retinal diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). This study aimed to explore a new method to reverse EMT in RPE cells to develop an improved therapy for proliferative retinal diseases. Methods In vitro, human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cells were passaged and cultured at low density for an extended period of time to establish an EMT model. At different stages of EMT after treatment with known molecules or combinations of molecules, the morphology was examined, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) was measured, and expression of RPE- and EMT-related genes were examined with RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. In vivo, a rat model of EMT in RPE cells was established via subretinal injection of dispase. Retinal function was examined by electroretinography (ERG), and retinal morphology was examined. Results EMT of RPE cells was effectively induced by prolonged low-density culture. After EMT occurred, only the combination of the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y27632 and the TGF-β receptor inhibitor RepSox (RY treatment) effectively suppressed and reversed the EMT process, even in cells in an intermediate state of EMT. In dispase-treated Sprague-Dawley rats, RY treatment maintained the morphology of RPE cells and the retina and preserved retinal function. Conclusions RY treatment might promote mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), the inverse process of EMT, to maintain the epithelial-like morphology and function of RPE cells. This combined RY therapy could be a new strategy for treating proliferative retinal diseases, especially those involving EMT of RPE cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly metastatic malignancy. Approximately 85% of pancreatic cancers are classified as PDACs. The survival of PDAC patients is very poor and only 5–10% of patients survive 5 years after diagnosis. Mutations at the KRAS and TP53 gene are frequently observed in PDAC patients. The PANC-28 cell line lacks wild-type (WT) TP53. In the following study, we have investigated the effects of restoration of WT TP53 activity on the sensitivity of PANC-28 pancreatic cancer cells to various drugs which are used to treat PDAC patients as well as other cancer patients. In addition, we have examined the effects of signal transduction inhibitors which target critical pathways frequently deregulated in cancer. The effects of the anti-diabetes drug metformin and the anti-malarial drug chloroquine were also examined as these drugs may be repurposed to treat other diseases. Finally, the effects of certain nutraceuticals which are used to treat various ailments were also examined. Introduction of WT-TP53 activity in PANC-28 PDAC cells, can increase their sensitivity to various drugs. Attempts are being made clinically to increase TP53 activity in various cancer types which will often inhibit cell growth by multiple mechanisms.

Neurobeachin plays a crucial role when it comes to the formation, maturation, and differentiation of functional synapses, within the central nervous system (CNS). Glioblastoma has cellular compartments that have been shown to form functional synapses, integrating themselves to existing neuronal networks. We present evidence that GBM cells form electrophysiologically active networks, mediated by both electrical and chemical synapses during their growth. These networks carry information about changes in the tumor microenvironment, similar to those observed in neuronal networks. We present data about signature signaling patterns, dependent on stimuli, leading to transcriptional changes. These patterns are conducted through the network by means of electrical/chemical synapses, mediated by Neurobeachin. When the tumor network was acutely treated with a signaling inhibitor, Meclofenamate, functional synapses were altered, leading to an abolishment of electrical signaling, resulting in loss of biological organization. These results were validated in both extracellular electrophysiological recordings and Ca2+ imaging experiments. The formation of these functional networks plays a vital role in the resistance to alkylating agents or harsh metabolic imbalances, which was completely lost when the network was disrupted. Acute downregulation of Neurobeachin expression causes electrophysiological disruption of the GBM network, leading to loss of connectivity, terminally resulting in cell apoptosis/necrosis, transcriptionally validated by means of RNA-seq. This combined therapeutic approach could lead to potential alternative therapy, where the basic biological functionality of the GBM is targeted.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and the degeneration of bone structure, conditions which increase the risk of fracture. Aloin has been shown to affect bone metabolism, but its role in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remains unclear. The aim of our study was to determine whether aloin promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and, if so, whether it acts via activation of the ERK1/2-Runx2 signaling pathway. We found that the different concentrations of aloin tested had no obvious cytotoxic effects on the viability of BMSCs. Under osteogenic induction conditions, aloin increased cellular alkaline phosphatase activity, promoted BMSC mineralization, and increased osteogenic-related gene expression. In addition, treating the BMSCs with the signal transduction inhibitor PD98059 (ERK1/2) effectively attenuated Runx2 activation in these cells and also suppressed osteoblastic differentiation. Overall, our study demonstrates that aloin promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through activation of the ERK1/2-Runx2 signaling pathway.

Background Deregulated Notch signaling due to mutation or overexpression of ligands and/or receptors is implicated in various human malignancies. γ-Secretase inhibitors inhibit Notch signaling by preventing cleavage of transmembrane domain of Notch protein. LY3039478 is a novel, potent Notch inhibitor decreases Notch signaling and its downstream biologic effects. In this first-in-human study, we report the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, pharmacodynamic effects, and antitumor activity of LY3039478 in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. Methods This phase I, open-label, multicenter, nonrandomized, and dose-escalation phase study determined and confirmed the recommended phase II dose of LY3039478 (oral dose: 2.5–100 mg, thrice weekly (TIW) on a 28-day cycle). The primary objectives are to determine (part A) and confirm (part B) a recommended phase II dose that may be safely administered to patients with advanced or metastatic cancer, and secondary objectives include evaluation of safety, tolerability, PK parameters, and preliminary antitumor activity of LY3039478. Results A total of 110 patients were treated with LY3039478 monotherapy between 31 October 2012 and 15 July 2016. Dose-limiting toxicities were thrombocytopenia, colitis, and nausea. Most adverse events were gastrointestinal. The recommended phase II dose was 50 mg TIW, because of its better tolerability compared with 75 mg. The PKs of LY3039478 appeared dose proportional. Pharmacodynamic data indicate an ∼80% inhibition of plasma Aβ, and >50% inhibition of Notch-regulated genes hairy and enhancer of split-1, cyclin D1, and Notch-regulated ankyrin repeat at 45–100-mg dose. Clinical activity (tumor necrosis, metabolic response, or tumor shrinkage) was observed in patients with breast cancer, leiomyosarcoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. Conclusion Potent inhibition of Notch signaling by LY3039478 was well tolerated at doses associated with target engagement, and demonstrated evidence of clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients. Further investigation with LY3039478 as monotherapy and in combination with targeted agent or chemotherapy is ongoing. Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT01695005.

Background:\ud \ud There is an urgent need for new therapies to treat cancer metastasis. Fish oil, with high omega 3 fatty acid content, has shown anticancer activity and signal transduction inhibitors have shown anti-metastatic properties.\ud \ud \ud Objective:\ud \ud To provide preliminary in vitro data on the anti-migration potential of signal transduction inhibitors and co-administered fish oil.\ud \ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud MCF-7, TamR and FasR breast cancer cell lines were used to determine the effects of combinations of PD98059, LY294002 and fish oil in growth assays. Modulations of p-Src and COX-2, both mediators of motility and invasion, were then determined by Western blotting and IHC to ascertain effects on migration potential.\ud \ud \ud Results:\ud \ud Migration rates for the three cell lines examined were ranked: FasR>TamR>MCF-7 (p

Objetivo: Conduzimos estudo de fase I/II para avaliar atividadeantitumoral do álcool perílico (AP) por via inalatóriaem pacientes com gliomas recidivantes. Pacientes e Métodos: Trinta e sete pacientes com glioma recidivanteapós tratamento convencional foram matriculados,dos quais 29 com glioblastoma (GBM), 5 com astrocitomaanaplásico (AA) e 3 com oligodendroglioma anaplásico (OA).O objetivo foi determinar a sobrevida livre de progressão no6º mês e a toxicidade do AP administrado 4 vezes ao dia empacientes refratários ao tratamento convencional. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram no 6º mês de tratamento, resposta parcial em 1 paciente (3,4%) com GBM e 1paciente (33,3%) com OA; doença estável em 13 pacientes(44,8%) com GBM, 3 pacientes (60%) com AA e 1 paciente(33,3%) com OA; progressão da doença em 15 pacientes(51,7%) com GBM, 2 pacientes (40%) com AA e 1 paciente(33,3%) com OA. A sobrevida livre de progressão (somatóriode resposta parcial e doença estável) foi de 48,2% para pacientescom GBM, 60% para pacientes com AA e 66,6% parapacientes com OA. Conclusão: O presente trabalho mostrou pela primeira vez,que a administração intranasal de um inibidor da transduçãodo sinal, álcool perílico, é uma estratégia segura, não invasiva,de baixo custo, e a regressão do volume tumoral em algunspacientes é sugestivo de atividade antitumoral.

Pancreatic cancer is devastating cancer worldwide with few if any truly effective therapies. Pancreatic cancer has an increasing incidence and may become the second leading cause of death from cancer. Novel, more effective therapeutic approaches are needed as pancreatic cancer patients usually survive for less than a year after being diagnosed. Control of blood sugar levels by the prescription drug metformin in diseases such as diabetes mellitus has been examined in association with pancreatic cancer. While the clinical trials remain inconclusive, there is hope that certain diets and medications may affect positively the outcomes of patients with pancreatic and other cancers. Other natural compounds may share some of the effects of metformin. One “medicinal” fruit consumed by millions worldwide is berberine (BBR). Metformin and BBR both activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which is a key mediator of glucose metabolism. Glucose metabolism has been shown to be very important in cancer and its significance is increasing. In the following studies, we have examined the effects of metformin, BBR and a panel of modified BBRs (NAX compounds) and chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of four different human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (PDAC). Interestingly, the effects of metformin could be enhanced by BBR and certain modified BBRs. Upon restoration of WT-TP53 activity in MIA-PaCa-2 cells, an altered sensitivity to the combination of certain NAX compounds and metformin was observed compared to the parental cells which normally lack WT-TP53. Certain NAX compounds may interact with WT-TP53 and metformin treatment to alter the expression of key molecules involved in cell growth. These results suggest a therapeutic approach by combining certain pharmaceutical drugs and nutraceuticals to suppress the growth of cancer cells.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant problem globally because of viral infections and the increasing incidence of obesity and fatty liver disease. However, it is difficult to treat because its inherent genetic heterogeneity results in activation of numerous signaling pathways. Kinases have been targeted for decades with varying results, but the development of therapeutic resistance is a major challenge. Areas covered: The key roles of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTORC1, TP53 microRNAs (miRs) as therapeutic targets are discussed and we suggests novel approaches for targeting miRs or their downstream targets to combat HCC. We performed literature searches using the Medline Database from 2000 to the present. Expert opinion: The involvement of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTORC and TP53 pathways as drivers of the disease and drug resistance is a challenge. Moreover, miRs regulate the expression of key genes in these pathways. What we and others are proposing is the prospect of targeting miRs and their downstream targets to improve conventional approaches to treat HCC. Combination approaches are often promising because multiple signaling pathways are deregulated due to diverse mutations and events.

Berberine (BBR) is a common nutraceutical consumed by millions worldwide. BBR has many different effects on human health, e.g., diabetes, diarrhea, inflammation and now more recently it has been proposed to have potent anti-cancer effects. BBR has been shown to suppress the growth of cancer cells more than normal cells. BBR has been proposed to exert its growth-inhibitory effects by many different biochemical mechanisms including: suppression of cell cycle progression, induction of reactive oxygen species, induction of apoptosis and autophagy and interactions with DNA potentially leading to DNA damage, and altered gene expression. Pancreatic cancer is a leading cancer worldwide associated with a poor prognosis. As our population ages, pancreatic cancer has an increasing incidence and will likely become the second leading cause of death from cancer. There are few truly-effective therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer. Surgery and certain chemotherapeutic drugs are used to treat pancreatic cancer patients. Novel approaches to treat pancreatic cancer patients are direly needed as they usually survive for less than a year after being diagnosed. In the following manuscript, we discuss the abilities of BBR and certain chemically- modified BBRs (NAX compounds) to suppress growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

To the editor: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder partly dependent on the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. The novel BCR signal transduction inhibitor ibrutinib has emerged as an effective therapeutic agent for CLL.[1][1] Ibrutinib covalently binds

The antitumor activity of vandetanib [a multiple signal transduction inhibitor including the RET tyrosine kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR), ERK and with antiangiogenic activity], in primary anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cells, in the human cell line 8305C [undifferentiated thyroid cancer (TC)] and in an ATC‑cell line (AF), was investigated in the present study. Vandetanib (1 and 100 nM; 1, 10, 25 and 50 µM) was tested by WST‑1, apoptosis, migration and invasion assays: in primary ATC cells, in the 8305C continuous cell line, and in AF cells; and in 8305C cells in CD nu/nu mice. Vandetanib significantly reduced ATC cell proliferation (P

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive, highly metastatic malignancy and accounts for 85% of pancreatic cancers. PDAC patients have poor prognosis with a five-year survival of only 5–10%. Mutations at the TP53 gene are readily detected in pancreatic tumors isolated from PDAC patients. We have investigated the effects of restoration of wild-type (WT) TP53 activity on the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, as well as, nutraceuticals. Upon introduction of the WT-TP53 gene into the MIA-PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell line, the sensitivity to drugs used to treat pancreatic cancer cells such as: gemcitabine, fluorouracil (5FU), cisplatin, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and paclitaxel increased significantly. Likewise, the sensitivity to drugs used to treat other cancers such as: doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, and 4 hydroxy tamoxifen (4HT) also increased upon introduction of WT-TP53 into MIA-PaCa-2 cells. Furthermore, the sensitivity to certain inhibitors which target: PI3K/mTORC1, PDK1, SRC, GSK-3, and biochemical processes such as proteasomal degradation and the nutraceutical berberine as increased upon introduction of WT-TP53. Furthermore, in some cases, cells with WT-TP53 were more sensitive to the combination of drugs and suboptimal doses of the MDM2 inhibitor nutlin-3a. However, TP53-independent effects of nutlin-3a were observed upon treatment with either a proteasomal or a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. These studies indicate the sensitizing effects that WT-TP53 can have in PDAC cells which normally lack WT-TP53 to various therapeutic agents and suggest approaches to improve PDAC therapy.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive, highly metastatic malignancy and accounts for 85% of pancreatic cancers. PDAC patients have poor prognosis with a five-year survival of only 5–10%. Mutations at the TP53 gene are readily detected in pancreatic tumors isolated from PDAC patients. We have investigated the effects of restoration of wild-type (WT) TP53 activity on the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, as well as, nutraceuticals. Upon introduction of the WT-TP53 gene into the MIA-PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell line, the sensitivity to drugs used to treat pancreatic cancer cells such as: gemcitabine, fluorouracil (5FU), cisplatin, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and paclitaxel increased significantly. Likewise, the sensitivity to drugs used to treat other cancers such as: doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, and 4 hydroxy tamoxifen (4HT) also increased upon introduction of WT-TP53 into MIA-PaCa-2 cells. Furthermore, the sensitivity to certain inhibitors which target: PI3K/mTORC1, PDK1, SRC, GSK-3, and biochemical processes such as proteasomal degradation and the nutraceutical berberine as increased upon introduction of WT-TP53. Furthermore, in some cases, cells with WT-TP53 were more sensitive to the combination of drugs and suboptimal doses of the MDM2 inhibitor nutlin-3a. However, TP53-independent effects of nutlin-3a were observed upon treatment with either a proteasomal or a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. These studies indicate the sensitizing effects that WT-TP53 can have in PDAC cells which normally lack WT-TP53 to various therapeutic agents and suggest approaches to improve PDAC therapy.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive, highly metastatic malignancy and accounts for 85% of pancreatic cancers. PDAC patients have poor prognosis with a five-year survival of only 5–10% after diagnosis and treatment. Pancreatic cancer has been associated with type II diabetes as the frequency of recently diagnosed diabetics that develop pancreatic cancer within a 10-year period of initial diagnosis of diabetes in increased in comparison to non-diabetic patients. Metformin is a very frequently prescribed drug used to treat type II diabetes. Metformin acts in part by stimulating AMP-kinase (AMPK) and results in the suppression of mTORC1 activity and the induction of autophagy. In the following studies, we have examined the effects of metformin in the presence of various chemotherapeutic drugs, signal transduction inhibitors and natural products on the growth of three different PDAC lines. Metformin, by itself, was not effective at suppressing growth of the pancreatic cancer cell lines at concentration less than 1000 nM, however, in certain PDAC lines, a suboptimal dose of metformin (250 nM) potentiated the effects of various chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat pancreatic cancer (e.g., gemcitabine, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) and other cancer types (e.g., doxorubicin, docetaxel). Furthermore, metformin could increase anti-proliferative effects of mTORC1 and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors as well as natural products such as berberine and the anti-malarial drug chloroquine in certain PDAC lines. Thus, metformin can enhance the effects of certain drugs and signal transduction inhibitors which are used to treat pancreatic and various other cancers.

BACKGROUND The process of vascular calcification has been associated with the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in cell cultures and animal studies. The relationship between circulating Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors and vascular calcification in dialysis patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between serum dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and sclerostin, two circulating inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, and the severity of aortic calcification (AoC) and cardiovascular outcomes in dialysis patients. METHODS This was a prospective observational cohort study. One hundred and twenty-five patients on maintenance haemodialysis participated in the study. Serum levels of Dkk-1 and sclerostin were measured. AoC scores were calculated from plain films of both posterior-anterior and lateral views. The patients were followed up for 2 years or until death or withdrawal. RESULTS The circulating sclerostin level was inversely associated with the severity of AoC (P = 0.035) and indicators of the bone turnover rate including serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (r = -0.235, P = 0.008) and intact parathyroid hormone (r = -0.523, P < 0.001). Furthermore, Cox regression analysis indicated that the patients with high circulating sclerostin levels were less likely to experience future cardiovascular events [1 pmol/L sclerostin increase, hazard ratio 0.982 (95% CI, 0.967-0.996), P = 0.015] after adjusting for a propensity score. In contrast, serum Dkk-1 was not associated with AoC and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In long-term haemodialysis patients, circulating sclerostin but not Dkk-1 is inversely associated with AoCs and future cardiovascular events. Our findings suggest that sclerostin, as a bone-related protein, might act as a communicator between uraemic bone and vasculature.

Medulloblastoma represents the most common childhood brain tumor. Despite aggressive multimodal therapy, a significant proportion of surviving patients suffer from severe treatment-related side effects, including tumor relapse. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic modalities that can improve patient survival while minimizing tumor recurrence. Our recent study identified GNAS as a novel tumor-suppressor gene in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastomas (Ref.1). Low expression or mutation of GNAS was tightly correlated with poor prognosis of Sonic hedgehog-group tumors and their resistance to the treatment of Sonic hedgehog signaling inhibitors alone. Ablation of the single GNAS gene in anatomically-distinct progenitors in the ventricular zone of the cerebellum and dorsal brainstem is sufficient to induce medulloblastoma formation, recapitulating their human counterparts. Gsα activation suppresses Sonic hedgehog signaling by regulating both the cAMP-dependent PKA pathway and ciliary trafficking of Hedgehog pathway components. Elevation of a Gsα effector, cAMP, effectively inhibits tumor growth in GNAS mutants. Strikingly, we find that in the drug-resistant tumor lesion and recurrent tumors after radiation therapy, there is an increase of Olig2 expression and Olig2+ progenitor cells. High levels of Olig2 are correlated with poor prognosis of medulloblastomas in human patients. We show that elimination of the mitotic Olig2-expressing cells blocks tumor progression in Olig2-TK transgenic mice. In addition, cell type-specific deletion of Olig2 halts tumor progression. Moreover, we find that Olig2 activates gene regulatory networks inferred for tumor cell stemness and regulates chromatin accessibility of oncogenic factors by altering epigenome landscapes. Furthermore, our single cell analyses reveal that Olig2-expressing progenitors are the distinct tumor-initiating cells during the onset of primary and recurrent medulloblastoma, highlighting potential therapeutic avenues for treating recurrent medulloblastomas by targeting Olig2-expressing progenitors. Ref.1: He, X. et al., “The G protein-alpha subunit Ga is a tumor suppressor in Sonic hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma”. Nat Med 20: 1035–1042.

Introduction: Venetoclax (VEN) based therapy has become a standard of care in front line and relapsed-refractory (R/R) CLL based on favorable efficacy and toxicity. Whereas prospective data regarding activity of therapies following ibrutinib (IBR) or idelalisib (IDE) are available in the settings of progression (VEN, non-covalent BTKi) and intolerance (acalabrutinib), how best to manage patients (pts) who discontinue (dc) VEN remains a key unanswered question. With the increased use of VEN in early lines of therapy (LOT; CLL 14, MURANO), the activity of BTK inhibitors (BTKi) and cellular therapies following VEN becomes a critical issue. No prospective study has addressed this question, and currently reported VEN clinical trials have limited information about subsequent treatments. While recent data describe VEN resistance mechanisms (Guieze 2018, Blombery 2019), the impact of VEN resistance on efficacy of post VEN therapies is unknown. To address this gap, we conducted an international study to identify a large cohort of pts who dc VEN and have been subsequently treated. Methods: We conducted an IRB approved multicenter (31 US, EU, South American sites, in partnership with UK CLL Forum and CORE registry), retrospective cohort study of CLL pts who dc VEN for any reason. We examined demographics, dc reasons, responses, survival, adverse events (AEs) and activity of post VEN therapies. Primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) and progression free survival (PFS) for the post VEN treatments stratified by treatment type (BTKi, PI3Ki and cellular therapy: CAR-T or alloHSCT). ORR was defined by iwCLL criteria and PFS was defined from VEN dc to disease progression (PD), death, or last follow up for next treatment. Pts were further stratified by BTKi (resistant / intolerant) and PI3Ki exposure prior to VEN. PFS-2 was defined as time from VEN start to tumor progression on IBR or death from any cause. Results: 326 CLL pts who dc VEN in the front line (4%) and R/R settings (96%) were identified. The cohort was 69% male, 87% white, median (med) age 66 (38-91) at VEN start, 27% treated with VEN based combinations (n=88, med 6 cycles anti-CD20 abs). Pre VEN prognostic features: 82% IGHV unmutated (n tested=166), 47% del17p (n=306), 45% TP53 mut (n=217), 39% complex karyotype (n=273), 23% BTK mut (n=79), 18% NOTCH1 mut (n=103), 10% PLCγ2 mut (n=74). Pts received med 3 therapies (0-11) prior to VEN; 40% were BTKi naïve (n=130), 60% were BTKi exposed (196) and 81% were IDE naïve (n=263). Most common reasons for VEN dc were PD (38%), AE (20%), Richter's transformation (RT, 14%), 8% pt preference, and HSCT 5%. Of 326 pts who dc VEN, 188 (58%) were treated with a subsequent LOT, 61 are alive and untreated and 77 died prior to a subsequent LOT. Post VEN sequencing analyses focused on BTKi, PI3Ki and cellular therapy (CAR-T or alloHSCT) activities following VEN dc (Table1). ORR to BTKi was 84% (n=44) vs. 54% (n=30, p Conclusions: In the largest experience of therapies following VEN dc in CLL, we demonstrated that therapy selection following VEN requires consideration of prior novel agent exposure and reasons for discontinuation. For BTKi naïve pts, selection of a covalently binding BTKi results in high ORR and durable remissions. PFS-2 data provide reassurance for using VEN prior to IBR. For BTKi exposed pts, BTK inhibition is not effective in the setting of BTKi resistance but should be considered if prior BTKi intolerance. PI3K inhibition following VEN does not appear to result in durable remissions even in PI3Ki naïve pts, suggesting possible overlap in resistance mechanisms (BTK or VEN with PI3K). We conclude that BTKi in naïve or previously responsive pts and alloHSCT following VEN appear to be the most effective strategies with durable responses. These data suggest that a number of effective regimens exist for post VEN pts, providing support for VEN use earlier in the course of CLL. Disclosures Mato: Acerta: Consultancy; LOXO: Consultancy, Research Funding; DTRM Biopharma: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Gilead: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Johnson & Johnson: Consultancy, Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: DSMB member , Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy. Roeker:AbbVie: Equity Ownership; Abbott Laboratories: Equity Ownership. Eyre:Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Research support, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria; Abbvie: Honoraria, Other: Travel to Conferences; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel to Conferences ; Takeda: Other: Travel to Conferences . Jacobs:Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AstraZeneca: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Speakers Bureau; JUNO: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hill:TG therapeutics: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celegene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Lamanna:Celgene: Consultancy; Infinity/ Verastem: Research Funding; Ming: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Oncternal: Research Funding. Brander:Tolero: Research Funding; MEI: Research Funding; BeiGene: Research Funding; DTRM Biopharma: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Teva: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding. Shadman:AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy; BeiGene: Research Funding; TG Therapeutic: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Atara Biotherapeutics: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy; Acerta Pharma: Research Funding; Sunesis: Research Funding; Mustang Bio: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sound Biologics: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding. Ujjani:AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Abbvie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Perini:Janssen: Other: Advisory Board; Abbvie: Other: Advisory Board; AstraZeneca: Other: Advisory Board. Pinilla Ibarz:Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Teva: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy. Barrientos:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy. Skarbnik:Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; CLL Society: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Verastem Oncology: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kite Pharma: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Gilead Sciences: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Acerta: Research Funding. Pagel:AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy. Choi:Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Rigel: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Oncternal: Research Funding. Coombs:H3 Biomedicine: Research Funding. Barr:Janssen: Consultancy; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy. Portell:Xencor: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding; Acerta/AstraZeneca: Research Funding. Schuster:AstraZeneca: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Acerta: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Loxo Oncology: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Nordic Nanovector: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Patents & Royalties: Combination Therapies of CAR and PD-1 Inhibitors with royalties paid to Novartis, Research Funding; Merck: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding. Martinez-Calle:ABBVIE: Other: Travel support. Munir:AbbVie: Honoraria; Alexion: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Morphosys: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sunesis: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Other: TBC; Acerta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Nabhan:Aptitude Health: Employment. King:Astrazeneca: Other: Advisory board; Genentech: Other: Advisory Board ; Incyte: Other: Advisory Board. Zelenetz:Karyopharm: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MEI Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics/AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beigene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beigene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics/AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; DAVA Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; DAVA Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MEI Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Morphosys: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Morphosys: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cheson:Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Symbios: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Portola: Research Funding; Kite: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Epizyme: Research Funding; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Acerta: Consultancy, Research Funding. Fox:Gilead: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Sunesis: Consultancy; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Atara Biotherapeutics: Consultancy; Adienne: Other: Travel Support. Allan:Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company: Consultancy; Verastem Oncology, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Acerta Pharma: Consultancy.

Mouse models that reflect human cancer genetics are valuable tools for dissecting disease mechanisms and for discovering novel therapeutic vulnerabilities, although such models for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have been largely lacking until now. The most commonly used CLL model, the TCL1 mouse, is based on constitutive B-cell restricted expression of the human TCL1 oncogene, but does not reflect CLL genetics per se. Novel mouse models, such as the MDR mice (modeling del[13q]) and our recently developed Sf3b1mut/Atmdel double mutant mice, are able to recapitulate the expression of CLL driver mutations and develop CLL-like disease with a rather delayed onset (~18 months), mimicking the indolent nature of human CLL. To understand the utility and limitations of these murine CLL models as preclinical platforms for drug screening, we compared BH3 profiles of murine and genetically-matched human CLLs in response to a panel of drugs including 3 BCL-2 signaling inhibitors (BCL-2i, including BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-199, BCL-2/XL inhibitor ABT-263, BCL-XL inhibitor A133 and MCL1 inhibitor S63845) and 7 BCR signaling inhibitors (BCRi, including PI3K inhibitors idelalisib, duvelisib, umbralisib, the mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055, the MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor trametinib, the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib and the BRAF inhibitor sorafenib). BH3 profiling is based on exposure of cellular mitochondria to synthetic peptides that mimic the BH3 domains of pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members followed by measurement of mitochondrial permeabilization using flow-cytometry based detection of cytochrome-c loss. We measured apoptotic priming (BIM peptide), and the dependence on BCL-2 or MCL-1 (BAD and MS1 peptides, respectively) after drug exposure. The assay was miniaturized into 384 well plates, where OP9 stromal cells (used as a support to limit human and murine CLL spontaneous apoptosis) were coated at a 1:10 ratio compared to CLL cells, before treatment with drugs (experiments were performed in duplicate). As a starting point, to determine whether primary CLLs with different mutated drivers have distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities, we profiled 6 primary human CLLs (4 carrying del[13q] and 2 carrying del[13q], [11q] and mutant SF3B1). We observed a general increase in BCL-2 dependence in response to the aggregate set of 7 BCRi as compared to 3 BCL-2i (ABT-199, ABT-263 and A133) (p Similar analyses were performed using splenocytes from NSG recipient mice, transplanted with murine CLLs carrying either MDR or Sf3b1mut/Atmdel mutations. Reduced activity of the MCL1 inhibitor S63845 was observed in murine CLLs compared to human CLLs (p=0.024, Mann-Whitney U test), consistent with the higher affinity of this compound for human, rather than murine MCL1. Notably, Sf3b1mut/Atmdel CLL cells were more resistant to the panel of BCRi than MDR cells (p=0.046, the Van Elteren test) and their dependence on BCL-2 for survival after BCRi was likewise diminished (p=0.018, the Van Elteren test), similar to human CLLs carrying del(13q)/(11q)-SF3B1. These results support the use of the Sf3b1mut/Atmdel line as a valuable platform for the exploration of therapeutic vulnerabilities of primary CLLs carrying the same genetic lesions. Altogether, these results suggest that both MDR and Sf3b1mut/Atmdel mouse lines are valuable tools for predicting therapeutic sensitivities of genetically matched primary CLLs. We are currently extending this approach to the testing of additional drugs, and to the validation of the most relevant compounds in larger cohorts of primary CLLs. Disclosures Valentin: Abbvie Inc: Other: Travel reimbursement; Roche: Other: Travel reimbursement. Kipps:Pharmacyclics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Velos-Bio: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jannsen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AstraZeneca, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Verastem: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Neuberg:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Madrigal Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Research Funding. Davids:Acerta Pharma, Ascentage Pharma, Genentech, MEI pharma, Pharmacyclics, Surface Oncology, TG Therapeutics, Verastem: Research Funding; Research to Practice: Honoraria; AbbVie, Acerta Pharma, Adaptive, Biotechnologies, Astra-Zeneca, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Pharmacyclics, TG therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie, Astra-Zeneca, Genentech, Janssen, MEI, Pharmacyclics, Syros Pharmaceuticals, Verastem: Consultancy. Letai:Zeno Pharmaceuticals, Vivid Bioscience, Flash Therapeutics, Dialectic Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Cofounder or Advisory Board member; AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Wu:Neon Therapeutics: Other: Member, Advisory Board; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding.

Background Colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) serve crucial functions in tumor relapse, metastasis and therapy failure. Interleukin 17 receptor A (IL-17RA) is a potent mediator in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer. Our previous study showed that IL-17RA could promote angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. In addition, IL-17RA was correlated with CRC recurrence. Recent study showed IL-17RA play a potential role in self-renewal in glioma stem cells. This study aims to evaluate the functional role and mechanism of IL-17RA in colorectal CSCs. Methods In this study, IL-17RA stable overexpression cells were used to examine the change of sphere formation, proliferation, CSC markers and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers and the regulation mechanism of signaling pathway. The specific IL-17RA signaling inhibitors were used to evaluate the function of the IL-17RA signaling affecting the CSC markers, epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene expression and sphere formation. Results We observed high IL-17RA expression can significantly promote the self-renewal by increasing stem cell markers CD133, ALDH1, Lgr5 and Sox2 expression and the ability to form tumorsphere in SW480 and SW620 cells. In additional, IL-17RA overexpression markedly increased chemoresistant ability and mesenchymal markers Vimentin, Slug, Snail, Zeb1expression. The STAT3 inhibitor remarkably decreased the CD133 stem cell gene, drug resistance and tumorsphere ability. Conclusions IL-17RA can enhance the self-renewal ability via activating the STAT3 pathway. Therefore, we expect that IL-17RA could serves as a prognosis marker and a potential therapeutic target in CRC. Legal entity responsible for the study Chih-Yung Yang. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

OBJECTIVES: Our previous case-control study found that maternal MI deficiency was associated with an increased risk of NTDs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway might be one of the important regulatory mechanisms of inositol deficiency-induced NTDs. So, we intended to explore the possible mechanisms of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling in inositol deficiency-induced neural tube defects (NTDs) in this study. METHODS: The activity of the PI3-kinase in MI deficiency NE-4C cells was detected by the PI3-kinase ELISA kit. Using the method of western blot, we analyzed the activity of the PI3K/Akt/mTore/p70S6K signaling pathway and the level of LC3B. And the LC3B levels were also detected by electron microscopy. RESULTS: The result showed that PI3K activity was significantly higher in the Li2CO3-treated group than in the control cells (P

Ependymomas are the third most common pediatric brain tumor. Nine ependymoma subgroups have been described based on tumor location and genetics. Of supratentorial ependymomas, the C11orf95-RELA fusion (ST-EPN-RELA) subgroup is the most aggressive. The RELA encoded protein is an NF-κB transcription factor family member and activates NF-κB signaling. It has been reported that NF-κB and other pathways are important for ST-EPN-RELA tumors. We therefore hypothesized that ST-EPN-RELA cells may be sensitive to NF-κB signaling cascade inhibitors. To test our hypothesis we evaluated the cytotoxicity of multiple NF-kB signaling inhibitors on DKFZ-EP1NS RELA-fusion positive ependymoma cells and on our established patient-derived ST-EPN-RELA line (CPITT-1). Cells were treated with a single drug or combinations of drugs at concentrations ranging from 10 µM- 0.01 nM for 3–4 days and a WST-1 assay was used to assess viability. Of multiple inhibitors initially tested, Trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, in combination with MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, displayed the highest level of cytotocity against both RELA-fusion lines. These findings led us to test clinically applicable drugs, including Marizomib, a brain penetrant proteasome inhibitor, and HDAC inhibitors, Panobinostat and Valproic acid. For DKFZ-EP1NS cells, the IC(50) for Marizomib alone was 40.82 nM, Marizomib in combination with Panobinostat had an IC(50) of 7.4 nM, and Marizomib in combination with Valproic Acid had an IC(50) of 44.19. For CPITT-1 cells, the IC(50) for Marizomib alone was 25.8nM, Marizomib in combination with Panobinostat had and IC(50) of 3.07 nM, and Marizomib in combination with Valproic Acid had an IC(50) of 27.04 nM. Overall, we observed that combination of proteasome and HDAC inhibitors are highly toxic to the RELA-fusion ependymoma cells tested. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the use these inhibitors for treating ST-EPN-RELA tumors.

The majority of human cancers harbour mutations promoting activation of the Akt protein kinase, and Akt inhibitors are being evaluated in clinical trials. An important question concerns the understanding of the innate mechanisms that confer resistance of tumour cells to Akt inhibitors. SGK (serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase) is closely related to Akt and controlled by identical upstream regulators {PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase), PDK1 (phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1) and mTORC2 [mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) complex 2]}. Mutations that trigger activation of Akt would also stimulate SGK. Moreover, Akt and SGK possess analogous substrate specificities and are likely to phosphorylate overlapping substrates to promote proliferation. To investigate whether cancers possessing high SGK activity could possess innate resistance to Akt-specific inhibitors (that do not target SGK), we analysed SGK levels and sensitivity of a panel of breast cancer cells towards two distinct Akt inhibitors currently in clinical trials (AZD5363 and MK-2206). This revealed a number of Akt-inhibitor-resistant lines displaying markedly elevated SGK1 that also exhibited significant phosphorylation of the SGK1 substrate NDRG1 [N-Myc (neuroblastoma-derived Myc) downstream-regulated gene 1]. In contrast, most Akt-inhibitor-sensitive cell lines displayed low/undetectable levels of SGK1. Intriguingly, despite low SGK1 levels, several Akt-inhibitor-sensitive cells showed marked NDRG1 phosphorylation that was, unlike in the resistant cells, suppressed by Akt inhibitors. SGK1 knockdown markedly reduced proliferation of Akt-inhibitor-resistant, but not -sensitive, cells. Furthermore, treatment of Akt-inhibitor-resistant cells with an mTOR inhibitor suppressed proliferation and led to inhibition of SGK1. The results of the present study suggest that monitoring SGK1 levels as well as responses of NDRG1 phosphorylation to Akt inhibitor administration could have a use in predicting the sensitivity of tumours to compounds that target Akt. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential that SGK inhibitors or dual Akt/SGK inhibitors might have for treatment of cancers displaying elevated SGK activity.

The Chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) are important players involved in cross-talk between leukemia cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. CXCR4 expression is associated with poor prognosis in AML patients with and without the mutated FLT3 gene. CXCL12 which is constrictively secreted from the BM stroma and AML cells is critical for the survival and retention of AML cells within the BM. In vitro, CXCR4 antagonists were shown to inhibit the migration of AML cells in response to CXCL12. In addition, such antagonists were shown to inhibit the survival and colony forming potential of AML cells and abrogate the protective effects of stromal cells on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in AML cells. In vivo, using immune deficient mouse models, CXCR4 antagonists were found to induce the mobilization of AML cells and progenitor cells into the circulation and enhance anti leukemic effects of chemotherapy. The hypothesis that CXCL12/CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of AML cells to signal transduction inhibitor- and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis is currently being tested in a series of Phase I/II studies in humans.

Background: The spectrum of FL varies from an indolent disease course spanning decades to early transformation and death. Longitudinal studies have identified a subset of high risk patients (pts) who progress within 24 months of frontline therapy. It is still unclear how best to treat these patients and as yet, there is no standard 2nd line therapy for FL. Given the multitude of treatments available and the heterogenous disease course, it is challenging to compare outcomes of 2nd line therapy. It is unclear if the efficacy of second-line therapy in FL is influenced by the type of therapy, disease biology (early vs. late progression) or both. We conducted a single institute, retrospective study to determine the clinical benefit of 2nd line therapy in FL and to evaluate if any particular type of therapy was associated with improved outcomes in FL patients with early progression (EP). Methods: All patients with relapsed/refractory FL treated at our Institute between 1990 and 2014 were included. Patients were included if they received anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapy in the first-line setting and completed both, first-line and second-line therapy at our Institution. Demographic, clinical, pathological and outcomes data was collected by retrospective chart review. Clinical endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS). Treatments were divided in two groups for comparison: immunotherapy alone (anti-CD20 mAb) (IT) or chemo-immunotherapy (CIT). Differences in clinical outcomes were analyzed between FL patients with early progression after 1st line therapy (EP, i.e. progression ≤ 2yrs) vs. FL with late relapse (LP, i.e. progression > 2yrs). Comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U and Person chi-square tests as appropriate. Survival outcomes were assessed using standard Kaplan-Meier methods. All analyses were conducted in SAS v9.4 (Cary, NC) at a significance level of 0.05. Results: A total of 537 newly diagnosed FL pts were identified of which 291 pts received 1st line therapy at our Institute. IT or CIT was given to 19.6% and 80.4% pts respectively. IT treated pts were older (median age: 61y vs 57y, p=0.033) and had lower FLIPI scores (1.5 vs 2.1, p Conclusion: FL pts with LR have excellent outcomes to 2nd line therapy and treatment selection could be determined by the agent(s) toxicity profile. In contrast, EP predicts poor clinical outcomes with short duration of response to standard IT or CIT. Therapeutic approaches incorporating clinically available targeted agents (i.e. immunomodulatory agents of B-cell receptor signaling inhibitors) or novel agents in the context of clinical trials, may provide a more effective disease control in this subgroup. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Current research in lymphoma is focused on two areas of lymphoma biology—the signal transduction pathways used to maintain the growth of malignant lymphocytes and the role of the tumor microenvironment in lymphoma growth and survival. This review focuses on three signaling pathways: the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) pathway, the B-cell receptor/spleen tyrosine kinase (BCR/Syk) pathway, and the protein kinase C-beta (PKC-β) pathway, known to be important to lymphoma cells. The mTOR inhibitors temsirolimus and everolimus have demonstrated antitumor activity in all types of lymphoma, the Syk inhibitor fostamatinib has activity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and the PKC-β inhibitor enzastaurin is being used as consolidation therapy after remission in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This review discusses the biology behind the development of each new agent and the results of initial clinical trials. The goal is to provide the hematologist/oncologist background information on these new agents and understand their current and potential role in the management of patients.

SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling plays a key role in leukemia/bone marrow microenvironment interactions. We previously reported that bone marrow–derived stromal cells inhibit chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here we demonstrate that the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3465 antagonized stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α)–induced and stroma-induced chemotaxis and inhibited SDF-1α–induced activation of prosurvival signaling pathways in leukemic cells. Further, CXCR4 inhibition partially abrogated the protective effects of stromal cells on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in AML cells. Fetal liver tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) gene mutations activate CXCR4 signaling, and coculture with stromal cells significantly diminished antileukemia effects of FLT3 inhibitors in cells with mutated FLT3. Notably, CXCR4 inhibition increased the sensitivity of FLT3-mutated leukemic cells to the apoptogenic effects of the FLT3 inhibitor sorafenib. In vivo studies demonstrated that AMD3465, alone or in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, induced mobilization of AML cells and progenitor cells into circulation and enhanced antileukemic effects of chemotherapy and sorafenib, resulting in markedly reduced leukemia burden and prolonged survival of the animals. These findings indicate that SDF-1α/CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of leukemic cells to signal transduction inhibitor– and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in systems mimicking the physiologic microenvironment. Disruption of these interactions with CXCR4 inhibitors represents a novel strategy of sensitizing leukemic cells by targeting their protective bone marrow microenvironment.

IL-17- and IFN-γ-secreting T cells play an important role in autoimmune responses in multiple sclerosis and the model system experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Dendritic cells (DCs) in the periphery and microglia in the CNS are responsible for cytokine polarization and expansion of this T cell subset. Our results indicate that in vivo administration of a signal transduction inhibitor that targets DCs to mice with EAE led to a decrease in CNS infiltration of pathogenic Ag-specific T cells. Since this approach does not target T cells directly, we assessed the effects on the APCs that are involved in generating the T cell responses. Since in EAE and multiple sclerosis, both microglia and peripheral DCs are likely to contribute to disease, we utilized a bone marrow chimera system to distinguish between these two populations. These studies show that peripheral DCs are the primary target but that microglia are also modestly affected by CEP-701, as numbers and activation states of the cells in the CNS are decreased after therapy. Our results also showed a decrease in secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23 by DCs as well as a decrease in expression of costimulatory molecules. We further determined that levels of phospho-Stat1, Stat3, Stat5, and NF-κB, which are signaling molecules that have been implicated in these pathways, were decreased. Thus, use of this class of signal transduction inhibitors may represent a novel method to treat autoimmunity by dampening the autoreactive polarizing condition driven by DCs.

Imatinib mesylate (STI571, Gleevec) is a signal transduction inhibitor and novel anti-cancer agent. It selectively inhibits aberrantly activated tyrosine kinases in malignant cells, for example, bcr-abl in leukaemia, platelet-derived growth factor receptor and stem cell factor receptor (c-Kit) in solid cancers including malignant glioma. However, recently published clinical studies with imatinib monotherapy in patients with malignant glioma demonstrated only very modest anti-tumour activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological activity of imatinib, its cellular mechanisms of action and its synergism with other chemotherapeutic agents in human malignant glioma cells in culture. Expression of PDGF/R and c-Kit was analyzed by RT-PCR. Proliferation was measured by MTT assays and drug synergy was assessed by the Chou-Talalay method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and migration by monolayer migration assays. Multi-immunoblot was performed on imatinib-treated and control malignant glioma cells. Results indicate that imatinib is more effective in inhibiting cell colony formation and migration rather than proliferation. Imatinib treatment caused cell cycle arrest of glioma cells in G0-G1 or G2/M, with significant elevation of a few cyclin-dependent kinases. Furthermore, imatinib acted synergistically with chemotherapy agents, such as the DNA alkylating agent, temozolomide, and riboneucleotide reductase inhibitors, for example, hydroxyurea at varied effective dose levels. In conclusion, imatinib exerts varied biological effects on malignant glioma cells in culture. Synergistic interaction of imatinib with chemotherapy agents may be related to cell cycle control mechanisms and could be potentially important in a clinical setting.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Angiogenesis, primarily mediated through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is one of the key steps in tumor growth and metastasis. VEGF is now a validated target for NSCLC based on the results of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial E4599 which showed that the addition of bevacizumab, a VEGF monoclonal antibody, to cytotoxic chemotherapy improves survival compared with chemotherapy alone in patients with metastatic NSCLC. As NSCLC has complex and integrated signaling pathways, a rational approach is to target more than one of these pathways concurrently. Sorafenib, which is approved for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, is a multitargeted signal transduction inhibitor that inhibits raf-kinases, VEGF receptor-2, platelet derived growth factor receptor-B, and c-kit. In a phase II monotherapy trial in patients with previously treated NSCLC, sorafenib demonstrated activity with a disease control rate and survival rate comparable to other small molecules. Additionally, sorafenib has shown preliminary activity in combination with chemotherapy and with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Future directions will include the development of rational combinations either with cytotoxic compounds or biologically targeted compounds and the identification of subsets of patients that might benefit from the other targets of sorafenib.