BAP1 loss is unusual in well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma and may predict development of malignant mesothelioma

Literature on BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) expression status in well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is limited. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of BAP1 loss in WDPM by immunohistochemistry with clinical correlation, along with CDKN2A deletion status by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Eight patients diagnosed as having WDPM were identified from the surgical pathology file. Adenomatoid tumors (n = 8) and malignant mesothelioma (MM) (n = 39) were included for comparison. BAP1 immunohistochemistry was performed on representative block(s) from each case. CDKN2A FISH was also performed in the WDPMs and adenomatoid tumors. Clinical information was obtained from the medical records. Three of 8 WDPM patients showed synchronous or metachronous MM. All 3 cases showed BAP1 loss in both WDPM and the matched MM. Single-nucleotide polymorphism genomic microarray (n = 3) demonstrated a similar genetic profile in the WDPM and MM components, which supports their clonal relationship. The remaining 5 WDPM cases had intact BAP1 expression and had no evidence of disease on follow-up imaging studies at 1 to 71 months (median, 35 months). All 8 adenomatoid tumors had intact BAP1 expression, whereas 17 of 39 MM had BAP1 loss. CDKN2A FISH was negative for deletion in 4 WDPMs tested (including the case that developed MM) and all 8 adenomatoid tumors. In our study, WDPM did not show CDKN2A deletion in any case. BAP1 loss was also absent in all pure WDPM cases but was identified in all WDPM with synchronous or metachronous MM. Similar genetic landscape in WDPM and MM components suggested their clonal relationship.

A regulatory circuit composed of DNA methyltransferases and receptor tyrosine kinases controls lung cancer cell aggressiveness

Overexpression of DNMT1 and KIT is prevalent in lung cancer, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. While the deregulated activation of DNMT1 or KIT has been implicated in lung cancer pathogenesis, whether and how DNMT1 and KIT orchestrate lung tumorigenesis are unclear. Here, using human lung cancer tissue microarrays and fresh frozen tissues, we found that the overexpression of DNMT1 is positively correlated with the upregulation of KIT in tumor tissues. We demonstrated that DNMT1 and KIT form a positive regulatory loop, in which ectopic DNMT1 expression increases, whereas targeted DNMT1 depletion abrogates KIT signaling cascade through Sp1/miR-29b network. Conversely, an increase of KIT levels augments, but a reduction of KIT expression ablates DNMT1 transcription by STAT3 pathway leading to in-parallel modification of the DNA methylation profiles. We provided evidence that KIT inactivation induces global DNA hypomethylation, restores the expression of tumor suppressor p15INK4B through promoter demethylation; in turn, DNMT1 dysfunction impairs KIT kinase signaling. Functionally, KIT and DNMT1 co-expression promotes, whereas dual inactivation of them suppresses, lung cancer cell proliferation and metastatic growth in vitro and in vivo, in a synergistic manner. These findings demonstrate the regulatory and functional interplay between DNA methylation and tyrosine kinase signaling in propelling tumorigenesis, providing a widely applicable approach for targeting lung cancer.

Abstract 3093: Expression of DLL3 in metastatic melanoma, glioblastoma and high-grade extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas as potential indications for rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T; SC16LD6.5), a delta-like protein 3 (DLL3)-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC)

Expression of DLL3 was examined in additional tumor types, as it was found to be highly expressed in tumor-initiating cells (TIC) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), where a DLL3-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC), rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T; SC16LD6.5; Saunders et al. 2015 Sci Transl Med 7:302ra136)) exerted clinically meaningful anti-tumor effects in a phase I trial (Spigel et al. 2016 Lancet Oncology; In Press). DLL3 expression was profiled by qRT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry in multiple tumor types. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) from melanoma and ovarian small cell carcinoma were established and used for efficacy studies to determine the ability of Rova-T to impact tumor growth and TIC frequency. DLL3 expression was seen in metastatic melanoma (55%), low grade gliomas (90%), glioblastoma (70%), medullary thyroid cancer (65%), carcinoids (33%), dispersed neuroendocrine tumors in the pancreas (9%), bladder (57%) and prostate (24%), testicular cancer (90%), and lung adenocarcinomas with neuroendocrine features (80%). Unlike SCLC, where DLL3 does not predict clinical outcome on standard therapies, DLL3 expression negatively correlates with overall survival in melanoma and small cell bladder cancer. In mice bearing DLL3 positive melanoma PDX, treatment with a single dose of Rova-T resulted in effective and durable responses (>100 days), which correlated with a significant impact on TIC frequency. Similarly, in mice bearing DLL3-positive ovarian small cell PDX, a single dose of Rova-T resulted in effective and durable responses (>100 days). Our results show that DLL3 is expressed in many neuroendocrine tumors (lung, ovarian, prostate, bladder, etc), metastatic melanoma, medullary thyroid cancer, low-grade gliomas and glioblastoma. Given pre-clinical results showing efficacy of Rova-T in melanoma and ovarian small cell carcinoma, as well as encouraging clinical data with Rova-T in patients with recurrent/refractory SCLC, clinical evaluation of Rova-T in DLL3-positive melanoma, glioblastoma, medullary thyroid cancer and other high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas is warranted. A “basket” trial enrolling patients with DLL3-positive solid tumors is now recruiting patients (NCT02709889).

Citation Format: Laura R. Saunders, Samuel A. Williams, Sheila Bheddah, Kumiko Isse, Sarah Fong, Marybeth A. Pysz, Himisha Beltran, Loredana Puca, Verena Sailer, Juan M. Mosquera, Yu Yin, Jiaoti Huang, Andrew J. Armstrong, Jorge Garcia, Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, Vadim Koshkin, Petros Grivas, Farhad Kosari, John Cheville, Justin C. Moser, Thomas J. Flotte, Thorvardur Halfdanarson, Aaron Mansfield, Konstantinos N. Leventakos, Julian R. Molina, Douglas W. Ball, Barry D. Nelkin, Jill E. Shea, Courtney L. Scaife, Scott J. Dylla. Expression of DLL3 in metastatic melanoma, glioblastoma and high-grade extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas as potential indications for rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T; SC16LD6.5), a delta-like protein 3 (DLL3)-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3093. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3093

Management of Multifocal Lung Cancer: Results of a Survey

INTRODUCTION

Multifocal lung cancer is an increasingly common clinical scenario, but there is lack of high-level evidence for its optimal treatment. Thus, we surveyed members of the interdisciplinary International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer on their therapeutic approaches and analyzed the resultant practice patterns.

METHODS

We described the clinical scenario of an otherwise healthy 60-year-old man with bilateral pulmonary nodules and asked the 6373 members of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer whether they would recommend surgery, and if so, the extent of surgery. We also asked what other measures would be recommended to complete the staging and whether radiation therapy or chemotherapy would be suggested.

RESULTS

We received 221 responses (response rate 3.5%) from multiple specialists. Most respondents (140 [63%]) recommended surgery for this scenario. Surgeons were significantly more likely to recommend surgery than were those in other specialties. Of those who recommended surgery, most would obtain a PET/CT scan to rule out distant metastases and a magnetic resonance imaging scan to rule out brain metastases; but in the absence of radiographic lymph node involvement, most would not stage the mediastinum by bronchoscopy or mediastinoscopy before resection. When surgery was not recommended or declined, respondents commonly recommended radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey suggests that therapeutic recommendations for multifocal lung cancer are influenced to a large extent by physicians' specialty training, probably because of the lack of high-level evidence for its standard treatment. Ongoing systematic and multidisciplinary approaches with robust short-term and long-term patient outcomes may improve the quality of evidence for the optimal management of this clinical entity.

Brigatinib (BRG) in patients (pts) with crizotinib (CRZ)-refractory ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastases in the pivotal randomized phase 2 ALTA trial

e20502

Background: The CNS is often a site of first disease progression in CRZ-treated ALK+ NSCLC. The ALTA trial is assessing BRG, an investigational next-generation ALK inhibitor, in pts with CRZ-refractory advanced ALK+ NSCLC, including pts with baseline brain metastases. Methods: In ALTA (NCT02094573), pts were stratified by presence of baseline brain metastases and best response to prior CRZ and randomized 1:1 to receive BRG at 90 mg qd (arm A) or 180 mg qd with a 7-d lead-in at 90 mg (arm B). Here, we show data for pts with baseline brain metastases. An independent review committee (IRC) assessed intracranial efficacy. Results: Of 222 pts (112 in arm A; 110 in arm B), 80 (71%)/74 (67%) in A/B had baseline brain metastases per investigators, with median age 49/55 y; 74%/76% had received chemotherapy. As of May 31, 2016, 51%/59% of these pts continued to receive BRG in A/B; median follow-up was 9.6/11.4 mo. Intracranial efficacy is shown in the table. Among these pts, most common treatment-emergent adverse events were: nausea 35%/46% (A/B), headache 30%/31%, vomiting 29%/31%, diarrhea 21%/38%, cough 25%/32%; grade ≥3: increased blood CPK 1%/12%, hypertension 4%/7%, increased lipase 4%/3%. Conclusions: BRG yielded substantial intracranial responses with robust iPFS and acceptable safety in ALK+ NSCLC pts with baseline brain metastases in ALTA. 180 mg (with lead-in) showed consistently improved intracranial efficacy compared with 90 mg. Clinical trial information: NCT02094573. [Table: see text]

Lobectomy with mediastinal nodal dissection versus partial lobectomy in patients with bronchial carcinoid tumors: A NCDB analysis

8549

Background: Bronchial carcinoid tumors are a rare group of neoplasms that usually have an indolent clinical behavior. Surgical resection is the main treatment modality for patients with early stage disease, however it is unclear if lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (L) is superior compared to partial lobectomy (PL). Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database from 2004-2012, 1551 patients diagnosed with T1N0 or T2N0 typical carcinoid tumors (CT), and 167 atypical carcinoid tumors (ACT), who underwent L or PL (segmental or wedge resection) as initial treatment strategy, and did not receive chemotherapy or radiation were identified. All patients had pathologically confirmed diagnosis, negative surgical margins, and complete follow up data. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed utilizing Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank tests were used for statistical comparisons. Cox proportional hazards were performed to control for age, sex, race, grade, year of diagnosis, Charlson/Deyo Score, insurance, income, and facility type. T-test was used to compare post-surgical hospital stay. Results: The entire cohort median age was 61 years (range 18-90), and male to female ratio was 0.43. 75% of patients with CT and 78% of ATC underwent L. The 90 day mortality following surgery was < 1 % in both surgical groups. Patients who underwent L had longer post-operative hospitalization stay (mean 5.3 vs. 4.3 days; p < 0.001). The 5 year survival for patients with CT was 95% in the L versus 93% in the PL group (p = 0.62), and for ACT 89% in the L versus 81% PL group (p = 0.28). In a multivariate analysis increasing age was the only prognostic factor, and was associated with inferior survival. The HR for death comparing PL to L was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.65-1.78; p = 0.71) for CT and 1.25 (95% CI: 0.45-3.23; p = 0.65) for ACT. Conclusions: Patients with localized node-negative CT and ACT have excellent 5 year survival. Performing a lobectomy with mediastinal node dissection may not provide additional benefit compared to partial lobectomy, but this may increase the length of hospital stay.

Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in non-metastatic node positive bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (BNET)

8533

Background: BNET are a rare and frequently indolent group of neoplasms. Lobectomy is frequently done for patients with non-metastatic disease, and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with node positive disease (N+) is debated. Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database from 2004-2012 we identified 1682 patients with N+ non-metastatic BNET. All patients underwent primary resection, had pathologically confirmed diagnosis, complete follow up data, and were alive > 30 days following surgery. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed utilizing Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank tests were used to compare 2 groups of patients that differed based on receiving or not adjuvant chemotherapy. Subgroup analyses were performed based on histologic subtypes. Cox proportional hazards was performed to control for age, sex, race, grade, surgical margins, type of surgery, year of diagnosis, Charlson/Deyo Score, insurance, facility type, and location. Results: 651 patients with typical carcinoid (CT), 239 atypical carcinoid (ACT), 426 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and 366 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) were analyzed. The cohort median age was 61, and the female:male ratio was 1.8 for CT, ACT and NEC, and 1 for LCNEC 90% of patients were White and there were no significant differences amongst histologic subtypes. 6% of patients with CT received ADJ-CT, compared to 40% ACT, 42% NEC, and 70% LCNEC. In a multivariate analysis, only increasing age was associated with worse prognosis across all histologic subtypes, and non-academic facility for CT, and male sex for NEC. ADJ-CT was not associated with OS benefit for patients with ACT (HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.68-1.78; p:0.6), was associated with inferior OS in CT (HR: 3.8 (95% CI 1.9-7.0; p = 0.004) and NEC (HR: 2.15; 95% CI 1.5-3.0; p < 0.001), and may provide benefit for LCNEC (HR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.5-0.9; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with survival benefit for patients with node positive and non-metastatic BNET except for LCNEC, and may be harmful for patients with CT and NEC.

Activity of brigatinib (BRG) in crizotinib (CRZ)-resistant ALK+ NSCLC patients (pts) according to ALK plasma mutation status

9065

Background: BRG is a potent and selective ALK inhibitor with preclinical and clinical activity against wild-type ALK and a broad range of mutants associated with clinical CRZ resistance, including G1202R. Herein we examine the association between BRG efficacy and ALK mutation status using plasma specimens from the initiation of BRG treatment (baseline [BL]) and the end of BRG treatment (EOT) in CRZ-resistant ALK+ NSCLC pts enrolled in the BRG Ph1/2 or pivotal Ph2 (ALTA) trials. Methods: Plasma samples were analyzed using the Resolution Bioscience ctDx Lung Panel v3.0. BRG activity was described using the confirmed objective response rate (cORR) (RECIST v1.1). Data are reported as of May 31, 2016 for the Ph1/2 (NCT01449461) and ALTA (NCT02094573) trials. Results: Of 291 CRZ-resistant ALK+ NSCLC pts enrolled in the Ph1/2 (N = 69) and ALTA (N = 222) trials, evaluable plasma samples were obtained from 67 pts at BL. cORR to BRG in these pts was 49% (33/67). An ALK fusion was detected in plasma in 45% (30/67) of these pts (cORR 57% [17/30]), of whom 33% (10/30) had secondary ALK mutations (cORR 50% [5/10]) and 67% (20/30) did not (cORR 60% [12/20]). Best responses in pts with secondary ALK mutations were: 2 CR (ALK amplification [Amp] copy number [CN] = 10; T1151M); 3 PR (L1196M; E1408V; Amp CN = 6); 4 SD (L1196M; E1419K; F1174C; C1156Y+S1206F+G1269A); 1 PD (T1151R+C1156Y+E1161D+F1174L). Of 67 pts with evaluable plasma at BL, 35 discontinued BRG therapy, of whom 20 had evaluable samples collected at EOT. No new mutations were detected at EOT in 75% (15/20) of pts. Complex mutation patterns were associated with resistance in the remaining 25% (5/20): High-level ALK-Amp (CN = 58); ALK-Amp (CN = 14)+MET-Amp (CN = 6); ALK-S1206F+S1206C+Amp (CN = 6); ALK-G1202R+L1196M+L1198Q; ALK-G1202R+BRAF-V600E+KRAS-G12D. Conclusions: ALK fusions were detected in plasma in < 50% of CRZ-resistant ALK+ NSCLC pts. BRG had substantial activity in ALK fusion–positive pts with a range of CRZ-resistance mutations. Neither primary nor secondary resistance to BRG was associated with any single plasma ALK mutation. The therapeutic implications of complex secondary resistance patterns associated with BRG require further exploration. Clinical trial information: NCT01449461, NCT02094573.

Factors associated with better overall survival (OS) in patients with previously treated, PD-L1–expressing, advanced NSCLC: Multivariate analysis of KEYNOTE-010

9090

Background: We identified factors associated with better OS for previously treated, PD-L1–expressing advanced NSCLC using data from KEYNOTE-010 (NCT01905657; Herbst et al. Lancet. 2016;387:1540-50), in which pembrolizumab had superior OS over docetaxel. Methods: 1033 patients were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to pembrolizumab 2 or 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks (Q3W) or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 Q3W. Response was assessed per RECIST v1.1 by independent central review. Multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model on OS in the pembrolizumab arms. A set of variable selection methods was applied to 19 baseline demographic and disease characteristics, including smoking status, and identified 7 factors that contributed to OS. Data cut was September 30, 2016. Results: Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the factors in the pembrolizumab arm from the model are shown in the Table. Updated OS with an additional 6 months of follow-up from this data lock for KEYNOTE-010 will be presented. Conclusions: While the overall result of KEYNOTE-010 revealed improved OS with pembrolizumab compared with docetaxel in previously treated patients with PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC, exploratory, post hoc multivariate analyses showed that some laboratory and tumor characteristics such as nonsquamous histology, normal baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), PD-L1 TPS ≥50%, and wild-type EGFR mutation status were associated with better OS among patients treated with pembrolizumab. Clinical trial information: NCT01905657. [Table: see text]

digit—a tool fordetection andidentification ofgenomicinterchromosomaltranslocations

Structural variations (SVs) in genomic DNA can have profound effects on the evolution of living organisms, on phenotypic variations and on disease processes. A critical step in discovering the full extent of structural variations is the development of tools to characterize these variations accurately in next generation sequencing data. Toward this goal, we developed a software pipeline named digit that implements a novel measure of mapping ambiguity to discover interchromosomal SVs from mate-pair and pair-end sequencing data. The workflow robustly handles the high numbers of artifacts present in mate-pair sequencing and reduces the false positive rate while maintaining sensitivity. In the simulated data set, our workflow recovered 96% of simulated SVs. It generates a self-updating library of common translocations and allows for the investigation of patient- or group-specific events, making it suitable for discovering and cataloging chromosomal translocations associated with specific groups, traits, diseases or population structures.

Elevated Cellular PD1/PD-L1 Expression Confers Acquired Resistance to Cisplatin in Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Although small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly responsive to chemotherapies (e.g., cisplatin-etoposide doublet), virtually almost all responsive SCLC patients experience disease recurrence characterized by drug resistance. The mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance remain elusive. Here we report that cell-intrinsic expression of PD1 and PD-L1, two immune checkpoints, is required for sustained expansion of SCLC cells under cisplatin selection. Indeed, PD1 and PD-L1 were expressed at a higher level in lung cancer cell lines, tumor tissues, and importantly, in SCLC cells resistant to cisplatin (H69R, H82R), when compared to respective controls. Genetic abrogation of PD1 and PD-L1 in H69R and H82R cells decreased their proliferation rate, and restored their sensitivity to cisplatin. Mechanistically, PD-L1 upregulation in H69R and H82R cells was attributed to the overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) or receptor tyrosine kinase KIT, as knockdown of DNMT1 or KIT in H69R and H82R cells led to PD-L1 downregulation. Consequently, combined knockdown of PD-L1 with KIT or DNMT1 resulted in more pronounced inhibition of H69R and H82R cell growth. Thus, cell intrinsic PD1/PD-L1 signaling may be a predictor for poor efficacy of cisplatin treatment, and targeting the cellular PD1/PD-L1 axis may improve chemosensitization of aggressive SCLC.

Abstract 4513: A prognostic model for pulmonary carcinoid tumors based on large chromosomal alterations

PURPOSE: Previous mutational analyses have failed to identify a predictive or prognostic marker for pulmonary carcinoid tumors (PCT). The heterogeneity of PCTs coupled with a lack of detailed information about the tumor biology, impedes patient stratification into groups based on tumor phenotypes or treatment response. We sought to use high-throughput next-generation sequencing to improve prognostication.

METHODS: We stratified 37 patients with resected PCTs as low risk (n = 17) and high risk (n = 20) based on a 5 year long follow up for recurrence. Patients with no recurrence within 5 years from initial treatment were deemed low risk. Macrodissection was followed by genomic DNA isolation and next-generation sequencing was performed using an Illumina Mate Pair library protocol. Sequence reads were mapped to the human genome, and primers spanning the fusion junctions were used for validation polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

Carcinoids commonly harbor rearrangements (median 3.5, range 1-167). Large chromosomal gains or losses were found in 24 of the cases (64.8%). We developed a prognostic score that included the total amount of genetic alterations (deletions and translocations). ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.76. High risk patients had a mean score of 20 and low risk patients had a mean score of 5.45 (p value = 0.03, Welch Two Sample t-test). Further analysis of the specific genetic alterations harbored by high and low risk PCTs and correlation with the pathologic and immunohistochemical information is currently underway.

CONCLUSION:

Large chromosomal rearrangements and aneuploidy portend a poor prognosis for patients with PCTs. Mate Pair sequencing of PCTs provides valuable prognostic information for this highly heterogeneous group of cancers.

Citation Format: Konstantinos Leventakos, Aaron S. Mansfield, Stephen J. Murphy, Sarah H. Johnson, Sarah E. Kerr, Marie Christine Aubry, George Vasmatzis, Julian R. Molina. A prognostic model for pulmonary carcinoid tumors based on large chromosomal alterations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4513.

Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Identifies a Subset of Crizotinib-Responsive ALK-Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Not Detected by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

INTRODUCTION

For patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to benefit from ALK inhibitors, sensitive and specific detection of ALK genomic rearrangements is needed. ALK break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved and standard-of-care diagnostic assay, but identification of ALK rearrangements by other methods reported in NSCLC cases that tested negative for ALK rearrangements by FISH suggests a significant false-negative rate. We report here a large series of NSCLC cases assayed by hybrid-capture-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in the course of clinical care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hybrid-capture-based CGP using next-generation sequencing was performed in the course of clinical care of 1,070 patients with advanced lung cancer. Each tumor sample was evaluated for all classes of genomic alterations, including base-pair substitutions, insertions/deletions, copy number alterations and rearrangements, as well as fusions/rearrangements.

RESULTS

A total of 47 patients (4.4%) were found to harbor ALK rearrangements, of whom 41 had an EML4-ALK fusion, and 6 had other fusion partners, including 3 previously unreported rearrangement events: EIF2AK-ALK, PPM1B-ALK, and PRKAR1A-ALK. Of 41 patients harboring ALK rearrangements, 31 had prior FISH testing results available. Of these, 20 were ALK FISH positive, and 11 (35%) were ALK FISH negative. Of the latter 11 patients, 9 received crizotinib based on the CGP results, and 7 achieved a response with median duration of 17 months.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive genomic profiling detected canonical ALK rearrangements and ALK rearrangements with noncanonical fusion partners in a subset of patients with NSCLC with previously negative ALK FISH results. In this series, such patients had durable responses to ALK inhibitors, comparable to historical response rates for ALK FISH-positive cases.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) that includes hybrid capture and specific baiting of intron 19 of ALK is a highly sensitive, alternative method for identification of drug-sensitive ALK fusions in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had previously tested negative using standard ALK fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) diagnostic assays. Given the proven benefit of treatment with crizotinib and second-generation ALK inhibitors in patients with ALK fusions, CGP should be considered in patients with NSCLC, including those who have tested negative for other alterations, including negative results using ALK FISH testing.

Mitochondrial oligomers boost glycolysis in cancer stem cells to facilitate blebbishield-mediated transformation after apoptosis

Apoptosis culminates in secondary necrosis due to lack of ATP. Cancer stem cells form spheres after apoptosis by evoking the blebbishield emergency program. Hence, determining how blebbishields avoid secondary necrosis is crucial. Here we demonstrate that N-Myc and VEGFR2 control transformation from blebbishields, during which oligomers of K-Ras, p27, BAD, Bax, and Bak boost glycolysis to avoid secondary necrosis. Non-apoptotic cancer cells also utilize oligomers to boost glycolysis, which differentiates the glycolytic function of oligomers from their apoptotic action. Smac mimetic in combination with TNF-α or TRAIL but not in combination with FasL abrogates transformation from blebbishields by inducing secondary necrosis. Thus blebbishield-mediated transformation is dependent on glycolysis, and Smac mimetics represent potential candidates to abrogate the blebbishield emergency program.

A First-in-Human Phase I Study of the Oral p38 MAPK Inhibitor, Ralimetinib (LY2228820 Dimesylate), in Patients with Advanced Cancer

PURPOSE

p38 MAPK regulates the production of cytokines in the tumor microenvironment and enables cancer cells to survive despite oncogenic stress, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Ralimetinib (LY2228820 dimesylate) is a selective small-molecule inhibitor of p38 MAPK. This phase I study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ralimetinib, as a single agent and in combination with tamoxifen, when administered orally to patients with advanced cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The study design consisted of a dose-escalation phase performed in a 3+3 design (Part A; n = 54), two dose-confirmation phases [Part B at 420 mg (n = 18) and Part C at 300 mg (n = 8)], and a tumor-specific expansion phase in combination with tamoxifen for women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer refractory to aromatase inhibitors (Part D; n = 9). Ralimetinib was administered orally every 12 hours on days 1 to 14 of a 28-day cycle.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients received ralimetinib at 11 dose levels (10, 20, 40, 65, 90, 120, 160, 200, 300, 420, and 560 mg). Plasma exposure of ralimetinib (Cmax and AUC) increased in a dose-dependent manner. After a single dose, ralimetinib inhibited p38 MAPK-induced phosphorylation of MAPKAP-K2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The most common adverse events, possibly drug-related, included rash, fatigue, nausea, constipation, pruritus, and vomiting. The recommended phase II dose was 300 mg every 12 hours as monotherapy or in combination with tamoxifen. Although no patients achieved a complete response or partial response,19 patients (21.3%) achieved stable disease with a median duration of 3.7 months, with 9 of these patients on study for ≥ 6 cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

Ralimetinib demonstrated acceptable safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics for patients with advanced cancer.

DNA damage-induced ephrin-B2 reverse signaling promotes chemoresistance and drives EMT in colorectal carcinoma harboring mutant p53

Mutation in the TP53 gene positively correlates with increased incidence of chemoresistance in different cancers. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of chemoresistance and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer involving the gain-of-function (GOF) mutant p53/ephrin-B2 signaling axis. Bioinformatic analysis of the NCI-60 data set and subsequent hub prediction identified EFNB2 as a possible GOF mutant p53 target gene, responsible for chemoresistance. We show that the mutant p53-NF-Y complex transcriptionally upregulates EFNB2 expression in response to DNA damage. Moreover, the acetylated form of mutant p53 protein is recruited on the EFNB2 promoter and positively regulates its expression in conjunction with coactivator p300. In vitro cell line and in vivo nude mice data show that EFNB2 silencing restores chemosensitivity in mutant p53-harboring tumors. In addition, we observed high expression of EFNB2 in patients having neoadjuvant non-responder colorectal carcinoma compared with those having responder version of the disease. In the course of deciphering the drug resistance mechanism, we also show that ephrin-B2 reverse signaling induces ABCG2 expression after drug treatment that involves JNK-c-Jun signaling in mutant p53 cells. Moreover, 5-fluorouracil-induced ephrin-B2 reverse signaling promotes tumorigenesis through the Src-ERK pathway, and drives EMT via the Src-FAK pathway. We thus conclude that targeting ephrin-B2 might enhance the therapeutic potential of DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents in mutant p53-bearing human tumors.

Pulmonary Artery Agenesis Associated With Emphysema and Multiple Invasive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers

Pulmonary artery (PA) agenesis in the absence of associated cardiac abnormalities is a rare congenital abnormality. It may remain undiagnosed until adulthood when patients present with respiratory symptoms such as hemoptysis, dyspnea, repeated respiratory infections, or pulmonary hypertension. Herein we present a case of a 50-year-old woman who was found to have multiple, morphologically distinct non-small cell lung cancers in association with agenesis of the PA. This instance represents the fourth reported case of such association in the English literature.

The DNA Methyltransferase DNMT1 and Tyrosine-Protein Kinase KIT Cooperatively Promote Resistance to 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Decitabine) and Midostaurin (PKC412) in Lung Cancer Cells

Lung cancer cells are sensitive to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) or midostaurin (PKC412), because decitabine restores the expression of methylation-silenced tumor suppressor genes, whereas PKC412 inhibits hyperactive kinase signaling, which is essential for cancer cell growth. Here, we demonstrated that resistance to decitabine (decitabine(R)) or PKC412 (PKC412(R)) eventually results from simultaneously remethylated DNA and reactivated kinase cascades. Indeed, both decitabine(R) and PKC412(R) displayed the up-regulation of DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 and tyrosine-protein kinase KIT, the enhanced phosphorylation of KIT and its downstream effectors, and the increased global and gene-specific DNA methylation with the down-regulation of tumor suppressor gene epithelial cadherin CDH1. Interestingly, decitabine(R) and PKC412(R) had higher capability of colony formation and wound healing than parental cells in vitro, which were attributed to the hyperactive DNMT1 or KIT, because inactivation of KIT or DNMT1 reciprocally blocked decitabine(R) or PKC412(R) cell proliferation. Further, DNMT1 knockdown sensitized PKC412(R) cells to PKC412; conversely, KIT depletion synergized with decitabine in eliminating decitabine(R). Importantly, when engrafted into nude mice, decitabine(R) and PKC412(R) had faster proliferation with stronger tumorigenicity that was caused by the reactivated KIT kinase signaling and further CDH1 silencing. These findings identify functional cross-talk between KIT and DNMT1 in the development of drug resistance, implying the reciprocal targeting of protein kinases and DNA methyltransferases as an essential strategy for durable responses in lung cancer.