Abstract 2818: Investigating TNIK as a radiosensitizing target in lung squamous cell carcinoma

In this study, we investigated the potential of TNIK inhibition as a radiosensitizing strategy in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). LSCC is a type of lung malignancy that accounts for about 30% of all lung cancer cases. As there are no known actionable oncogenic drivers in LSCC, there is currently no FDA-approved targeted therapy for LSCC patients. Most still receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced disease. As such, there is a critical need for the identification of therapeutic targets in LSCC. The protein kinase TNIK represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. A positive regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, TNIK is implicated in promoting tumorigenesis and treatment resistance in different cancers. Importantly, TNIK copy number amplification is a signature genomic alteration in LSCC as it is observed in about 50% of LSCC patients. Recently, it was shown that disrupting TNIK activity with NCB-0846, a small-molecule inhibitor of TNIK, inhibited the proliferation of TNIKhigh LSCC tumors. To extend this finding, we investigated whether TNIK inhibition can sensitize LSCC tumors to chemo- and radiotherapy. By employing NCB-0846 and a panel of LSCC cell lines with low and high TNIK expression, we conducted short-term and long-term cell viability experiments to evaluate the synergy between TNIK inhibition and chemo- and radiotherapy. The combination of NCB-0846 with conventional chemotherapeutic agents was antagonistic. Interestingly, we observed that treating LSCC cells with NCB-0846 prior to ionizing radiation (IR) enhanced the tumor-killing effects of IR in a TNIK-specific fashion. The radiosensitizing effect was only observed in TNIKhigh but not in TNIKlow cell lines. Further mechanistic studies suggested that TNIK inhibition may radiosensitize LSCC tumors by impairing the endogenous DNA damage repair process and G2/M cell cycle arrest in response to IR. Consequently, tumor cells incurred elevated DNA damage from IR and underwent more catastrophic cell division events. To test whether TNIK inhibition radiosensitizes in vivo, we subcutaneously implanted in immunocompromised NSG mice LK2 (TNIKhigh) and KNS62 (TNIKlow) human LSCC cells. The mice were treated with (1) vehicle control, (2) NCB-0846 only, (3) IR only, or (4) IR following pre-treatment with NCB-0846. We observed that pretreatment with NCB-0846 significantly potentiated the efficacy of IR in eradicating TNIKhigh LK2 tumors but not TNIKlow KNS62 tumors. Overall, these results indicate that TNIK inhibition may be a viable strategy to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in LSCC tumors with high TNIK expression.

Citation Format: Triet M. Nguyen, Audrey M. Lafargue, Francesca A. Carrieri, Nick Connis, Jinhee Chang, Shreya Jagtap, Pedro Torres-Ayuso, John Brognard, Christine L. Hann, Phuoc T. Tran. Investigating TNIK as a radiosensitizing target in lung squamous cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2818.

Griseofulvin Radiosensitizes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Activates cGAS

Extra copies of centrosomes are frequently observed in cancer cells. To survive and proliferate, cancer cells have developed strategies to cluster extra-centrosomes to form bipolar mitotic spindles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether centrosome clustering (CC) inhibition (CCi) would preferentially radiosensitize non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Griseofulvin (GF; FDA-approved treatment) inhibits CC, and combined with radiation treatment (RT), resulted in a significant increase in the number of NSCLC cells with multipolar spindles, and decreased cell viability and colony formation ability in vitro. In vivo, GF treatment was well tolerated by mice, and the combined therapy of GF and radiation treatment resulted in a significant tumor growth delay. Both GF and radiation treatment also induced the generation of micronuclei (MN) in vitro and in vivo and activated cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) in NSCLC cells. A significant increase in downstream cGAS-STING pathway activation was seen after combination treatment in A549 radioresistant cells that was dependent on cGAS. In conclusion, GF increased radiation treatment efficacy in lung cancer preclinical models in vitro and in vivo. This effect may be associated with the generation of MN and the activation of cGAS. These data suggest that the combination therapy of CCi, radiation treatment, and immunotherapy could be a promising strategy to treat NSCLC.

Extrusion-based 3D printing of biodegradable, osteogenic, paramagnetic, and porous FeMn-akermanite bone substitutes

The development of biodegradable Fe-based bone implants has rapidly progressed in recent years. Most of the challenges encountered in developing such implants have been tackled individually or in combination using additive manufacturing technologies. Yet not all the challenges have been overcome. Herein, we present porous FeMn-akermanite composite scaffolds fabricated by extrusion-based 3D printing to address the unmet clinical needs associated with Fe-based biomaterials for bone regeneration, including low biodegradation rate, MRI-incompatibility, mechanical properties, and limited bioactivity. In this research, we developed inks containing Fe, 35 wt% Mn, and 20 or 30 vol% akermanite powder mixtures. 3D printing was optimized together with the debinding and sintering steps to obtain scaffolds with interconnected porosity of 69%. The Fe-matrix in the composites contained the γ-FeMn phase as well as nesosilicate phases. The former made the composites paramagnetic and, thus, MRI-friendly. The in vitro biodegradation rates of the composites with 20 and 30 vol% akermanite were respectively 0.24 and 0.27 mm/y, falling within the ideal range of biodegradation rates for bone substitution. The yield strengths of the porous composites stayed within the range of the values of the trabecular bone, despite in vitro biodegradation for 28 d. All the composite scaffolds favored the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts, as revealed by Runx2 assay. Moreover, osteopontin was detected in the extracellular matrix of cells on the scaffolds. Altogether, these results demonstrate the remarkable potential of these composites in fulfilling the requirements of porous biodegradable bone substitutes, motivating future in vivo research. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We developed FeMn-akermanite composite scaffolds by taking advantage of the multi-material capacity of extrusion-based 3D printing. Our results demonstrated that the FeMn-akermanite scaffolds showed an exceptional performance in fulfilling all the requirements for bone substitution in vitro, i.e., a sufficient biodegradation rate, having mechanical properties in the range of trabecular bone even after 4 weeks biodegradation, paramagnetic, cytocompatible and most importantly osteogenic. Our results encourage further research on Fe-based bone implants in in vivo.

Fate of charge order in overdoped La-based cuprates

In high-temperature cuprate superconductors, stripe order refers broadly to a coupled spin and charge modulation with a commensuration of eight and four lattice units, respectively. How this stripe order evolves across optimal doping remains a controversial question. Here we present a systematic resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study of weak charge correlations in La2-xSrxCuO4 and La1.8-xEu0.2SrxCuO4. Ultra high energy resolution experiments demonstrate the importance of the separation of inelastic and elastic scattering processes. Long-range temperature-dependent stripe order is only found below optimal doping. At higher doping, short-range temperature-independent correlations are present up to the highest doping measured. This transformation is distinct from and preempts the pseudogap critical doping. We argue that the doping and temperature-independent short-range correlations originate from unresolved electron-phonon coupling that broadly peaks at the stripe ordering vector. In La2-xSrxCuO4, long-range static stripe order vanishes around optimal doping and we discuss both quantum critical and crossover scenarios.

In situ uniaxial pressure cell for x-ray and neutron scattering experiments

We present an in situ uniaxial pressure device optimized for small angle x-ray and neutron scattering experiments at low-temperatures and high magnetic fields. A stepper motor generates force, which is transmitted to the sample via a rod with an integrated transducer that continuously monitors the force. The device has been designed to generate forces up to 200 N in both compressive and tensile configurations, and a feedback control allows operating the system in a continuous-pressure mode as the temperature is changed. The uniaxial pressure device can be used for various instruments and multiple cryostats through simple and exchangeable adapters. It is compatible with multiple sample holders, which can be easily changed depending on the sample properties and the desired experiment and allow rapid sample changes.

Constraints on Heavy Decaying Dark Matter from 570 Days of LHAASO Observations

The kilometer square array (KM2A) of the large high altitude air shower observatory (LHAASO) aims at surveying the northern γ-ray sky at energies above 10 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity. γ-ray observations have long been one of the most powerful tools for dark matter searches, as, e.g., high-energy γ rays could be produced by the decays of heavy dark matter particles. In this Letter, we present the first dark matter analysis with LHAASO-KM2A, using the first 340 days of data from 1/2-KM2A and 230 days of data from 3/4-KM2A. Several regions of interest are used to search for a signal and account for the residual cosmic-ray background after γ/hadron separation. We find no excess of dark matter signals, and thus place some of the strongest γ-ray constraints on the lifetime of heavy dark matter particles with mass between 10^{5} and 10^{9}  GeV. Our results with LHAASO are robust, and have important implications for dark matter interpretations of the diffuse astrophysical high-energy neutrino emission.

Intraarticular steroids as DMARD-sparing agents for juvenile idiopathic arthritis flares: Analysis of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry

BACKGROUND

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who achieve a drug free remission often experience a flare of their disease requiring either intraarticular steroids (IAS) or systemic treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). IAS offer an opportunity to recapture disease control and avoid exposure to side effects from systemic immunosuppression. We examined a cohort of patients treated with IAS after drug free remission and report the probability of restarting systemic treatment within 12 months.

METHODS

We analyzed a cohort of patients from the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry who received IAS for a flare after a period of drug free remission. Historical factors and clinical characteristics and of the patients including data obtained at the time of treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 46 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Of those with follow up data available 49% had restarted systemic treatment 6 months after IAS injection and 70% had restarted systemic treatment at 12 months. The proportion of patients with prior use of a biologic DMARD was the only factor that differed between patients who restarted systemic treatment those who did not, both at 6 months (79% vs 35%, p < 0.01) and 12 months (81% vs 33%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

While IAS are an option for all patients who flare after drug free remission, it may not prevent the need to restart systemic treatment. Prior use of a biologic DMARD may predict lack of success for IAS. Those who previously received methotrexate only, on the other hand, are excellent candidates for IAS.

OS10.6.A What is the initial cell in the subventricular zone for human glioblastoma genesis?

Background

We all have a fundamental question about why glioblastoma (GBM) develops. In order to find the answer to this fundamental question, if you find out what the first cell is, you will get closer to the answer. GBM arises from the subventricular zone (SVZ). GBM is one of the most devastating tumour of human brain as the most optimal treatment barely prolongs the survival, and it does not cure the disease. As the majority of GBM tissues show copy number variations (CNV) of co-altered chromosomal 7 gain and 10 loss, we hypothesized the origin cell (Oc) of SVZ may be traced back with these markers. The cellular identity of the Oc is still unknown and it is different from the tumour-derived progenitor-like cells. We aimed to define these cells from the SVZ that have a potential to get activated into GBM.

Material and Methods

We compared bulk RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data of IDHwt GBM tumor tissue (n=122), tumor free SVZ from GBM patients (n=40), tumor-free control SVZ of non-glial tumor (n=9). Pared single nucleus RNAseq (snRNAseq) or single cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) samples of tumor free SVZ (n=11) and GBM tumor (n=8), were done to see cell specific CNVs. We developed genetically engineered mouse models for GBM genesis introducing three driver mutations (TP53, PTEN, and EGFRviii) into SVZ to isolate mouse Oc (mOc) and mouse cancer cells (mCc). The biological characteristics of separated mOc and mCc were compared. Bulk RNAseq and scRNAseq were performed on these cells (mOc, mCc), and their cellular state was compared with the human gene set.

Results

In this work, we found two types of the Oc in the RNA sequencing of 60 human tumour free-SVZ samples. Furthermore, single-cell level analysis revealed that two Oc types in SVZ harbor ongoing patterns of CNV co-alterations from Oc1 to Oc2, and finally to GBM. The Oc1 type cells contained the CNV signature of Oc2 ancestor with neural progenitor cell (NPC) signature. Oc2 type cells expressed a high level of EGFR than other cells with astrocyte-like cell signature. Both of these cells expressed oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC)-like signatures in the SVZ. We validated the human-based findings by using the P53/PTEN/EGFR-mutant mouse model with EGFR/tdTomato overexpression and P53/PTEN knockout in the SVZ cells. As a result, non-tumourigenic and highly motile Oc-like cell-states are found in the mouse models, supporting the firework-like migration pattern from the SVZ.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate how members of Oc preoccupy the SVZ, known as the stem cell niche and give rise to the tumour. We anticipate that a new therapy may emerge by targeting the Oc in the SVZ.