Probes for INS

Oncogenic fusion proteins generated by chromosomal translocations play major roles in cancer. Among them, fusions between EWSR1 and transcription factors generate oncogenes with powerful chromatin regulatory activities, capable of establishing complex gene expression programs in permissive precursor cells. Here we define the epigenetic and 3D connectivity landscape of Clear Cell Sarcoma, an aggressive cancer driven by the EWSR1-ATF1 fusion gene. We find that EWSR1-ATF1 displays a distinct DNA binding pattern that requires the EWSR1 domain and promotes ATF1 retargeting to new distal sites, leading to chromatin activation and the establishment of a 3D network that controls oncogenic and differentiation signatures observed in primary CCS tumors. Conversely, EWSR1-ATF1 depletion results in a marked reconfiguration of 3D connectivity, including the emergence of regulatory circuits that promote neural crest-related developmental programs. Taken together, our study elucidates the epigenetic mechanisms utilized by EWSR1-ATF1 to establish regulatory networks in CCS, and points to precursor cells in the neural crest lineage as candidate cells of origin for these tumors.

The lack of effective RAS inhibition represents a major unmet medical need in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we investigate the anticancer activity of RRSP-DTB, an engineered biologic that cleaves the Switch I of all RAS isoforms, in KRAS-mutant PDAC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). We first demonstrate that RRSP-DTB effectively engages RAS and impacts downstream ERK signaling in multiple KRAS-mutant PDAC cell lines inhibiting cell proliferation at picomolar concentrations. We next tested RRSP-DTB in immunodeficient mice bearing KRAS-mutant PDAC PDXs. Treatment with RRSP-DTB led to 95% tumor regression after 29 days. Residual tumors exhibited disrupted tissue architecture, increased fibrosis and fewer proliferating cells compared to controls. Intratumoral levels of phospho-ERK were also significantly lower, indicating in vivo target engagement. Importantly, tumors that started to regrow without RRSP-DTB shrank when treatment resumed, demonstrating resistance to RRSP-DTB had not developed. Tracking persistence of the toxin activity following intraperitoneal injection showed that RRSP-DTB is active in sera from immunocompetent mice for at least one hour, but absent after 16 hours, justifying use of daily dosing. Overall, we report that RRSP-DTB strongly regresses hard-to-treat KRAS-mutant PDX models of pancreatic cancer, warranting further development of this pan-RAS biologic for the management of RAS-addicted tumors.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is widely recognized as a potentially severe toxicity that often leads to dose reduction or discontinuation of cancer treatment. Symptoms may persist despite discontinuation of chemotherapy and quality of life can be severely compromised. The clinical symptoms of CIPN, and the cellular and molecular targets involved in CIPN, are just as diverse as the wide variety of anticancer agents that cause peripheral neurotoxicity. There is an urgent need for extensive molecular and functional investigations aimed at understanding the mechanisms of CIPN. Furthermore, a reliable human cell culture system that recapitulates the diversity of neuronal modalities found in vivo and the pathophysiological changes that underlie CIPN would serve to advance the understanding of the pathogenesis of CIPN. The demonstration of experimental reproducibility in a human peripheral neuronal cell system will increase confidence that such an in vitro model is clinically useful, ultimately resulting in deeper exploration for the prevention and treatment of CIPN. Herein, we review current in vitro models with a focus on key characteristics and attributes desirable for an ideal human cell culture model relevant for CIPN investigations.

Ocular adnexal (OA) sebaceous carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy. Oncologic drivers of ocular sebaceous carcinoma are incompletely understood. A retrospective search of our pathology archives for OA sebaceous carcinoma identified 18 primary resection specimens. Immunohistochemistry for p16 and ZEB1 and RNA in situ hybridization for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes were performed. High-risk HPV was demonstrated in 2/11 (18%) cases. p16 overexpression was observed in 10/11 (91%). No association between gender, age at presentation, tumor location, intraepithelial spread, tumor size, and T stage was observed between HPV-driven and nonviral cases. High expression of ZEB1 was observed in the intraepithelial component of 4/14 (28%) cases and in the subepithelial component of 1/13 (7%) cases. ZEB1 overexpression was not associated with HPV-status, T stage, or tumor size. As previously described by others, our findings suggest that a subset of OA sebaceous carcinomas may arise via an HPV-dependent pathway. However, unlike high-risk HPV-driven carcinomas of the oropharynx, we did not identify an association between HPV-status and prognostic features. Furthermore, p16 expression was not a useful surrogate marker for HPV-driven disease. ZEB1 overexpression is not associated with HPV in our cohort of ocular sebaceous carcinoma.

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) and tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) share misleadingly similar names, soft texture and brown color macroscopically, osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells microscopically and localisation in the musculoskeletal system. However, these two tumor types are biologically and clinically two distinct entities with different natural courses of progression and considerably different modes of surgical and medical treatment. In this article, we provide a detailed update on the similarities and the differences between both tumor types.GCTB is a locally aggressive osteolytic bone tumor, commonly seen in patients in their third decade of life. It usually occurs as a solitary lesion in the meta-epiphyseal region of long bones. It can be diagnosed using plain radiographic imaging, CT radiography or MRI to estimate the tumor extent, soft tissue and joint involvement. GCTB is usually treated with intralesional excision by curettage. Systemically, it can be treated with bisphosphonates and denosumab or radiotherapy.TGCT is a rare, slowly progressing tumor of synovial tissue, affecting the joint, tendon sheath or bursa, mostly seen in middle-aged patients. TGCT is usually not visible on radiographs and MRI is mostly used to enable assessment of potential bone involvement and distinguishing between two TGCT types. Localised TGCT is mostly treated with marginal surgical resection, while diffuse TGCT is optimally treated with total synovectomy and is more difficult to remove. Additionally, radiotherapy, intraarticular injection of radioactive isotopes, anti-TNF-α antibodies and targeted medications may be used.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of miR-29a-3p in regulating endometrial cancer (EC) progression.A total of 72 EC patients were enrolled. EC cells were transfected. Cells proliferation, cloning ability, migration and invasion were researched by MTT assay, colony formation experiment, cell scratch test and Transwell experiment respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed. Xenograft experiment was conducted using nude mice. miR-29a-3p, VEGFA, CDC42, PAK1 and p-PAK1 expression in cells/tissues was investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blot.miR-29a-3p expression was aberrantly reduced in EC patients, which was associated with poor outcome. miR-29a-3p inhibited EC cells proliferation, cloning formation, migration and invasion (P <  0.05 or P <  0.01 or P <  0.001). miR-29a-3p inhibited CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway activity in EC cells (P <  0.01). VEGFA expression was directly inhibited by miR-29a-3p. miR-29a-3p suppressed EC cells malignant phenotype in vitro and growth in vivo by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).miR-29a-3p inhibits EC cells proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway.

4521 Background: Rogaratinib (R) is a novel pan-FGFR inhibitor that showed promising efficacy and safety in a Phase I trial in pts with advanced solid tumors, including UC, with FGFR1-3 mRNA overexpression. The Phase Ib/II FORT-2 study (NCT03473756) of R plus atezolizumab (A) in pts with first-line cisplatin-ineligible, FGFR-positive, advanced/metastatic UC previously identified a maximum tolerated dose of R 600 mg twice daily (BID) plus A (1200 mg every 3 weeks) . We report updated safety, efficacy, and the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) for combination therapy from the Phase Ib study. Methods: Pts with cisplatin-ineligible, locally advanced/metastatic UC with FGFR1/3 mRNA overexpression detected by RNA in situ hybridization of archival tissue (RNAscope) received oral R 600 mg BID plus A 1200 mg on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Archival tissue was examined for programmed cell-death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression levels, FGFR3-activating mutations via a targeted Illumina NGS panel, and FGFR fusions via an Archer fusion plex assay. Primary objectives were safety, tolerability, and determination of the RP2D. Results: 26 pts (enrolled May 25, 2018 to Nov 25, 2020) were treated; 89% were male, median age was 76 years (range 47-85), 58% had an ECOG performance status of 1, and 77% displayed low or absent (negative or non-detectable) PD-L1 expression (combined positive score < 10%). Common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included diarrhea (n = 17, 65%; 1 grade [G] 3), hyperphosphatemia (n = 15, 58%; all G1 or 2), and nausea (n = 11, 42%; 1 G3). The most common G3/4 TEAEs were elevated lipase without pancreatitis (n = 5, 19%), elevated amylase (n = 3, 12%), and rash and syncope (n = 2, 8% each). TEAEs led to interruption/reduction/discontinuation of R in 69%/46%/19% of pts. R-related unique TEAEs were hyperphosphatemia in 15 pts (58%) and retinal pigment epithelium detachment in 1 pt (4%). G5 events occurred in 3 pts (12%), unrelated to treatment. 13 of 24 evaluable pts (54%) had an objective response (OR) per RECIST v1.1. The disease control rate was 83%, including 3 pts (13%) with a complete response (CR), 10 (42%) with a partial response (PR), and 7 (29%) with stable disease. Median duration of response was not reached. OR rate was 56% (2 CRs and 7 PRs) in the 16 pts with tumors having low/negative PD-L1 protein and FGFR3 mRNA overexpression without mutation. The RP2D for R+A was 600 mg BID. Conclusions: First-line treatment with the RP2D of R+A achieved favorable clinical efficacy and tolerability in pts with cisplatin-ineligible, metastatic UC characterized by high FGFR1/3 mRNA expression and generally low/negative PD-L1 expression. Encouraging efficacy was observed regardless of PD-L1 expression or FGFR3 mutation status, warranting future investigation. Clinical trial information: NCT03473756.

Background Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) modulates Wnt signaling and contributes to an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. DKN-01 (D), a neutralizing DKK1 antibody, in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody, has demonstrated safety and clinical activity in advanced previously treated DKK1-high GEA. We report response and survival outcomes in GEA patients (pts) treated with D + tislelizumab (T) + capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CAPOX) as a first line therapy. Methods We enrolled advanced GEA pts in a phase IIa study of D + T + CAPOX (NCT04363801). Tumoral DKK1 mRNA expression was assessed by a chromogenic in situ hybridization RNAscope assay and assigned an H-score (0-300). Objective response rate (ORR) [primary efficacy objective], duration of response (DoR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression free survival (PFS) were evaluated in a modified intent to treat (mITT) population (completed ≥ 1 cycle) as well as compared between DKK1 high (H-score ≥35) and low groups. Results Twenty-five GEA pts were enrolled. Median age was 61 (22, 80); 19 males, 6 females. 17 pts (68%) had gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma; 8 pts (32%) had gastric cancer (GC). 18 GEA pts had RNAscope DKK1 expression available; 9 pts DKK1-high [5 GEJ, 4 GC) and 9 pts DKK1-low [7 GEJ, 2 GC]. Mean duration of treatment 3 mos, longest duration to date on study 7 mos, 19 pts remain on therapy. Most common D + T + CAPOX regimen related TEAEs were G1/2: anemia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea each in 3 pts. No related G3/4 toxicities; overall four G5 events; 1 related event pulmonary embolism. mITT analysis included 22 pts. Preliminary ORR in response evaluable (RE) mITT was 68% (13 PR, 6 SD, 1 NE, 2 pending first scan) and DCR 100%. In RE DKK1 high pts (n=7) there was an ORR of 100% (6 PR, 1 NE) compared with DKK1 low pts (n=9) ORR of 56% (5 PR, 4 SD). Median DoR and PFS were not reached. Conclusions D + T + CAPOX was well tolerated and has encouraging early activity as first line treatment for advanced GEA (unselected for PD-L1), with a preliminary ORR of 68% and DCR of 100%. Higher ORR in biomarker RE population: DKK1 high compared with DKK1 low (ORR 100% vs 56%). Updated ORR, DoR, PFS and PD-L1 expression will be reported.

Full size image [/article/10.1007/s42764-021-00038-x/figures/1] The findings described above support the statement that HPV infection is common, but, in comparison, cervical cancer is quite rare, leading to the conclusion that HPV infection alone is not sufficient to produce cancer, as tumor development and progression require the contribution of multiple factors. Among the risk factors for cancer development and progression in women infected with HR HPV are the determinants of persistent infection, as it is well established that only women in whom HR HPV infection persists are at risk for cervical lesions that may progress to cancer (Banister et al. 2015 and references therein). HPV persistence has also been linked to HPV-mediated disease in men (Bettampadi et al. 2020 [/article/10.1007/s42764-021-00038-x#ref-CR16]). This is an important area of study, because in principle, if we were able to determine at a single visit whether or not an incident HR HPV infection will persist, we could target HPV-mediated cancer surveillance resources to the people who present with persistent infection. Our own (unpublished) findings support the concept that women with persistent HPV infection fail to mount a strong immune response to HPV. In turn, immune responses to HPV are likely to be influenced by HLA and SNP profiles, both of which have been linked with cervical cancer susceptibility (Chen et al. 2014; Das Gosh et al. 2017). Among the many SNPs that have relevance for cervical cancer development, the Arg/Pro TP53 polymorphism at codon 72 has received considerable attention, as the homozygote Arg/Arg phenotype is associated with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, at least in certain populations (Ojeda et al. 2003; Chuery et al. 2017). TP53 codon 72 polymorphism has been connected with higher HPV E6/E7 expression, which appears to correlate with the Arg/Arg genotype (Chuery et al. 2017). Despite the continuing controversies in this area, there is evidence that this particular polymorphism plays a role in cervical cancer development, albeit with additional intervening factors that may modulate its impact in different populations.

Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the main causes of death in men all over the world. To date, the emerging issue is the search for new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to distinguish patients with different risk types. Recent studies of PCa biomarkers have drawn attention to the remarkable heterogeneity of this tumor. Tumor heterogeneity (TH) is the main limitation of the ability to use biomarkers’ gene panels in clinics because of different cell subclones within one tumor. Methods Here we describe the relationship between tumor cells in a model of heterogeneous prostate cancer. Our model was based on direct and indirect co-cultivation of 2 prostate cell lines with aggressive (PC3-GFP) and indolent (22Rv1) phenotypes. To evaluate the tumor aggressiveness, we described the surface phenotype of adhesion molecules, measured the expression of genes related to metastasis in prostate cancer (Ai et al., 2017; Fan et al., 2018) and performed the motility tests. Results In experiments with direct co-cultivation of PC3 (aggressive) and 22Rv1 (indolent) cancer cells, we found a decrease of CD29 (integrin beta 1) on PC3 cells within 3 days, while the expression of other surface adhesion molecules (CD54, CD38, CD24 and CD44) was not altered, the surface phenotype of 22Rv1 did not change. Next, we assessed the expression of genes related to metastasis and showed that after 3 days of direct co-cultivation the expression of FLNC, AMACR, SNCG, HPN genes increases at least 2.5 times in 22Rv1, while HPN and FASN are upregulated in PC3 cells (for all measurements p

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive, highly immunosuppressive cancer with a high mortality rate. Interactions between programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1; on T cells) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1; on tumor cells) within the tumor microenvironment facilitates T-lymphocyte exhaustion. Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a distinct lymphocyte population, expressing the transcription factor forkhead homeobox protein-3 (FoxP3), which downregulates immune responses in OSCC. PD-L1+ tumor cells and FoxP3+ Treg expression in OSCC has been associated with poor prognosis. This research investigates the expression of PD-L1+ cells and Tregs in control, dysplastic, and OSCC tissues. Objective To investigate and compare the expression of PD-L1+ tumor cells and FoxP3+ Tregs in nondysplastic tisssue, dysplastic tissue, and OSCC using immunohistochemistry. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, archival tissues. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of positively stained cells were undertaken and the dysplastic (n = 20) and OSCC groups (n = 20) were compared against the non-dysplastic control group (n = 20), using image analysis Results A higher proportion score and immunoreactive score for PD-L1+ and FoxP3+ Tregs was found in OSCC and dysplastic groups when compared to the nondysplastic control group (P < .05). There was no significant difference between the OSCC and dysplastic tissues. Conclusions Significantly more PD-L1+ cells and Tregs were detected in dysplastic and OSCC tissues. An increase in PD-L1 and FoxP3 expression may serve as an indicator of progression from normal to a potentially malignant lesion.

We herein report the treatment outcome of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) at Kyushu University Hospital, the total number of OPSCC cases, and changes in the proportion of human papilloma virus (HPV)-related carcinomas over time.We performed a retrospective analysis of 237 cases treated for OPSCC at Kyushu University Hospital between 2013 and 2019. We performed HPV-mRNA in situ hybridization and p16 immunohistochemistry.This study included 197 males (82.1%) and 40 females (17.9%). The disease-specific, progression-free and overall survival (OS) were 69%, 62% and 61%, respectively, over the decade-long study period. p16-Immunohistochemistory and highrisk HPV mRNA in situ hybridization were positive in 114 (48.1%) and 105 (44.3%) cases, respectively. The number of HPV-related OPSCC cases increased according to an annual analysis. HPV+ cases had a significantly better prognosis than HPV- cases. In addition, p16+/HPV- cases had a significantly worse prognosis than p16+/HPV+ cases (OS: p = 0.0484). HPV+ OPSCC cases were associated with a younger age (< 60 years old) (p = 0.0429), non-smoker (p = 0.0001), lateral tumor site (< 0.00001), lymphoid metastasis (< 0.0001) and low clinical stage (< 0.0001).The frequency of HPV-related OPSCC cases is increasing in Japan as well as worldwide, and such cases are characterized by no smoking habit, a young age, and a good prognosis. Even in p16+ OPSCC, HPV- cases had a poor prognosis, suggesting the importance of accurate HPV determination. To determine the intensity of treatment for HPV-related and non-related OPSCC, it is necessary to accumulate cases for the accurate HPV determination and comparison of treatment effects.