Immune phenotype and response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

509

Background: In TNBC patients (pts) receiving NAST, increasing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is associated with higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rates. However, since the presence of TIL do not consistently predict pCR, the current study was undertaken to more fully characterize the immune cell response and its association with pCR. Methods: T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, PD-L1 immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunofluorescence were performed on prospectively collected pre-NAST tumor samples from 98 pts with stage I-III TNBC enrolled in ARTEMIS (NCT: 02276443). TCR clonality was calculated using Shannon’s entropy. PD-L1+ was defined as ≥1% immune cell staining. Response to NAST was defined using the residual cancer burden (RCB) index. Associations between TCR clonality, immune phenotype, and response were examined with the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Spearman’s rank correlation and multivariable logistic regression using stepwise elimination (threshold p > 0.2), as appropriate. Results: The pCR rate was 39% (38/98). pCR was associated with higher TCR clonality (median = 0.2 [in pts with pCR] vs 0.1 [in pts with residual disease], p = 0.05). Notably, the association between pCR and higher TCR clonality was observed in pts with ≥5% TIL (n = 61; p = 0.05) but not in pts with < 5% TIL (n = 37; p = 0.87). Among pts with ≥5% TIL, TCR clonality emerged as the only independent predictor of response in a multivariable model of tumor immune characteristics (odds ratio/0.1 increase in TCR clonality: 3.0, p = 0.021). PD-L1+ status was associated with higher TCR clonality (median = 0.2 [in PD-L1+] vs 0.1 [in PD-L1-], p = 0.004). Higher TCR clonality was associated with higher CD3+ (rho = 0.32, p = 0.0018) and CD3+CD8+ (rho = 0.33, p = 0.0013) infiltration but lower expression of PD-1 on CD3+ (rho = -0.24, p = 0.021) and CD3+CD8+ cells (rho = -0.21, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In TNBC, a more clonal T cell population is associated with an immunologically active microenvironment (higher CD3+ and CD3/8+ T cell; lower PD-1+CD3+ and PD-1+CD3/8+ T cell; PD-L1+) and favorable response to NAST, especially in pts with ≥5% TIL, suggesting a role for deep immune phenotyping in further refining the predictive value of TILs.

Incidence of PI3K pathway alteration and response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes

561

Background: Limited cell line and human data suggest that TNBCs characterized as mesenchymal and luminal androgen receptor (LAR) commonly have alterations in the PI3K pathway. More data is needed to better characterize the role of the PI3K pathway across TNBC subtypes. Methods: Pre-treatment tumor biopsies were collected from operable TNBC patients (pts) enrolled on a clinical trial of genomically tailored NAT (ARTEMIS; NCT02276443). Tumors were categorized into 5 groups using the Pietenpol criteria: basal-like (BL) comprised of BL-1 and BL-2, mesenchymal and mesenchymal stem-like (M), immunomodulatory (IM), LAR, or unspecified (UNS). Using whole exome sequencing data, variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions/deletions) and copy number variations (CNVs) were identified in 32 genes known to activate the PI3K pathway. Results: Tumor subtyping and pathologic response to NAT was available in 127 pts (clinical stage I: 9; II: 84; III: 34). PI3K pathway alteration defined as a variant in one of the evaluated genes and/or deletion of PTEN was seen in 76 (60%) tumors. The most frequent alterations were: PTEN deletion (21%), PIK3CA variant (11%), and PIK3R1 variant (8%). PI3K alteration and residual cancer burden (RCB) rates across TNBC subtypes are shown in the table. There was a significant difference in pathologic complete response (pCR)/RCB 0 rate after NAT across TNBC subtypes (chi2 test; P = 0.02). There was a significant difference in the incidence of PI3K pathway alteration across TNBC subtypes (chi2 test; P < 0.01). Overall, the presence of PI3K alteration was not associated with pCR (Fisher exact test; P = 0.85). Pts with M tumors had a higher rate of substantial residual disease (RCB II-III) after NAT. Presence of PI3K pathway alteration was common in the M subtype and associated with RCB II-III (82% in PI3K-altered vs 33% in wild-type tumors; Fisher exact test; P = 0.02). Presence of PI3K pathway alteration was common but not associated with response in the LAR subtype. Conclusions: The incidence of PI3K pathway alteration varied by TNBC subtype but was not associated with pathologic response to NAT with the exception of increased substantial residual disease (RCB II-III) in the M subtype. [Table: see text]

SNHG7 Facilitates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurrence by Sequestering miR-9-5p to Upregulate CNNM1 Expression

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, has increased public concern. Data from previous work have validated that long noncoding RNAs are active participators in the malignant processes of a host of cancers. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) has been revealed to act as a tumor promoter in several cancers and SNHG7 inhibition was revealed to suppress cell invasion in HCC. Nevertheless, the specific role of SNHG7 in HCC deserves deeper exploration. Aim of the Study: This work aimed to uncover the role and the regulatory mechanisms of SNHG7 in HCC. Materials and Methods: The expression of SNHG7 and cyclin mediator 1 (CNNM1) in HCC cells were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The influences of SNHG7 on HCC occurrence were studied by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, flow cytometry analysis, and Western blot assays. Luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation assay was conducted to confirm the relationship between miR-9-5p and SNHG7 (or CNNM1). Results: SNHG7 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. SNHG7 facilitated cell proliferation, while suppressed cell apoptosis in HCC. Moreover, miR-9-5p expression was negatively modulated by SNHG7 and therefore was downregulated in HCC cells. We also found that CNNM1 existed in miR-9-5p induced RNA-induced silencing complex and a series of assays verified that CNNM1 acted as the target gene of miR-9-5p. Consequently, the messenger RNA and protein level of CNNM1 were detected to be inversely regulated by miR-9-5p. Moreover, rescue assays demonstrated that CNNM1 overexpression could countervail the SNHG7 depletion-mediated cellular functions of HCC cells. Conclusions: SNHG7 sponges miR-9-5p to upregulate CNNM1 in promoting HCC progression.

Abstract P2-16-09: Residual cancer burden in patients with early stage triple negative breast cancer who progress on anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in an ongoing clinical trial (ARTEMIS)

BACKGROUND: Current treatment for early stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) includes neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NAST), which is used to assess disease biology and the need for adjuvant treatment in case of residual disease at the time of surgery, also known as residual cancer burden (RCB). Patients with TNBC who experience RCB-0 (pathologic complete response [pCR]) or RCB-I after NAST have an excellent prognosis whereas patients with significant residual disease (RCB-II or RCB-III) are at a high risk of relapse. Standard NAST for TNBC achieves pCR in 30-50% of cases. NAST typically consists of anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed or preceded by a taxane +/- carboplatin. Disease progression (PD) is uncommon in TNBC patients receiving NAST and little is known regarding outcomes in patients who have PD during the initial phase of NAST. METHODS: Total 316 TNBC patients were evaluated from two prospectively accrued clinical trials of NAST (NCT02276443 and NCT01334021). The ARTEMIS trial (NCT02276443) aims to improve pCR rates by adding targeted therapy to chemotherapy as the second phase of NAST for those patients who do not experience at least a 70% volumetric reduction after 4 cycles of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC). Unique histopathologic features including % stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTIL), presence of mesenchymal histology (high vimentin expression by IHC), and androgen receptor expression are used to guide second phase therapy. RESULTS: 31 TNBC patients had PD while receiving AC as the first phase of NAST (10%; 95% CI= 6.69-13.31%). 9 of 31 patients proceeded to standard chemotherapy and all had RCB II/III disease. 22 of 31 patients were enrolled to targeted therapy trials. 6 were treated with the EGFR inhibitor panitumumab + carboplatin/paclitaxel, 9 with atezolizumab + nab-paclitaxel, and 7 with everolimus, bevacizumab, and liposomal doxorubicin (DAE). Of these 22 patients, 3 (13.6%) had pCR/RCB-0, 1 (4.5%) RCB-I and 18 (81.8%) had RCB II/III. All 4 patients who experienced RCB-0/I had T2N0 disease at diagnosis. 2 had sTIL &lt; 5% and 2 patients had 70% sTIL. CONCLUSION: PD is uncommon while receiving NAST. Patients with TNBC and progression on initial NAST with AC are unlikely to achieve pCR or RCB-I status despite subsequent standard chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy with targeted therapy on clinical trial resulted in a numerically higher rate of pCR+RCB-I (18%) as salvage therapy, but this was not statistically significant and requires confirmation in larger trials.

Citation Format: Haven Garber, Gaiane Rauch, Beatriz Adrada, Rosalind Candelaria, Elizabeth Mittendorf, Alastair Thompson, Jennifer Litton, Senthil Damodaran, Bora Lim, Banu Arun, Naoto Ueno, Vicente Valero, Nuhad Ibrahim, Rashmi Murthy, Debu Tripathy, Helen Piwnica-Worms, Fraser Symmans, Lei Huo, Stacy Moulder. Residual cancer burden in patients with early stage triple negative breast cancer who progress on anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in an ongoing clinical trial (ARTEMIS) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-16-09.

Abstract P3-01-10: Ndrg1-egfr axis in inflammatory breast cancer tumorigenesis and brain metastasis

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare (1-2%) but lethal form of primary breast cancer responsible for 10% of breast cancer-related deaths in the United States. IBC tumors grow aggressively and have a high risk of metastasis, particularly to the brain. Unraveling the pathways involved in IBC aggressiveness and metastasis could reveal new therapeutic targets. We recently identified NDRG1 (N-Myc downstream regulated gene1) in a newly isolated subline of MDA-IBC3 cells as a top candidate protein associated with enhanced propensity for brain metastasis. Although the metastasis suppressor properties of NDRG1 are widely described, its function in the pathobiology of IBC is unknown. Here we investigated the function of NDRG1 in tumorigenesis and metastatic progression to brain in IBC.

Methods: NDRG1 gene expression was analyzed in large publically available breast cancer clinical datasets and the IBC Consortium dataset, and median expression level was used to stratify patients into NDRG1-high and NDRG1-low groups. Tissue microarrays of IBC patient samples were immunostained with anti-NDRG1 antibody. Stable knockdown (KD) of NDRG1 in IBC cell lines (HER2+: MDA-IBC3; TNBC: SUM149, BCX010) was obtained by lentiviral gene transfer. For in vivo studies, control and NDRG1 KD IBC cell lines were transplanted into cleared mammary fat pads of SCID/Beige mice and tumor growth monitored via caliper measurements. Reverse phase protein array analysis was used for proteomic profiling.

Results: In several independent cohorts of patients with breast cancer (including The Cancer Genome Atlas), NDRG1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in ER-negative and high-grade breast tumors (p&lt;0.0001) and was associated with poor overall survival (p=0.0003), relapse-free survival (p&lt;0.0001), and metastasis-free survival (p=0.0012). NDRG1 expression was higher in more aggressive, basal-like and HER2+ subtypes than in hormone receptor-positive subtypes (p&lt;0.0001), and was also higher in IBC vs. non-IBC tumors (p=0.007, IBC consortium dataset). Immunostaining showed NDRG1 was frequently expressed in IBC patient tumors (83%) and was associated with worse overall survival (OS, p=0.0129) and disease-specific survival (DSS, p=0.013). On multivariate analysis, NDRG1 was an independent prognostic factor for poor OS [HR 2.5 (95%CI, 1.3-4.7), p=0.0047] and DSS [HR 2.6 (95%CI 1.3-5.1), p=0.006]. Notably, NDRG1 expression was higher in patients with brain metastasis vs. primary tumors (GSE43837, p=0.018) and correlated with shorter time to development of brain metastasis (GSE2034, p=0.026). NDRG1-high sublines had enhanced propensity for brain metastasis as shown by higher incidence (100% vs. 44% for NDRG1-low sublines, p=0.01) and increased brain metastasis burden (p=0.0008). Invitro, silencing NDRG1 in IBC cell lines significantly reduced colony formation, migration, invasion, and cancer stem-like properties. In vivo, silencing of NDRG1 inhibited primary tumor growth of SUM149 (p&lt;0.0001) and MDA-IBC3 (p=0.0426) xenografts. Proteomics analysis showed that NDRG1 correlated positively with activation of the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, NDRG1 knockdown in IBC cell lines reduced EGFR expression and suppressed phosphorylation of EGFR and STAT3, whereas NDRG1 overexpression increased EGFR expression and enhanced EGFR-STAT3 activation.

Conclusions: We showed that high NDRG1 was associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with IBC and that NDRG1 drives tumor progression in IBC potentially via activation of the EGFR-STAT3 signaling pathway. Targeting the NDRG1-EGFR axis may be a novel therapeutic approach in IBC and other aggressive breast cancers. Additional investigations are underway to determine the detailed mechanisms of NDRG1-mediated IBC tumorigenesis and brain metastasis

Citation Format: Emilly Schlee Villodre, Xiaoding Hu, Richard Larson, Bedrich L Eckhardt, Yun Gong, Lei Huo, Juhee Song, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Nuhad Ibrahim, Naoto T Ueno, Debu Tripathy, Wendy A Woodward, Bisrat G Debeb. Ndrg1-egfr axis in inflammatory breast cancer tumorigenesis and brain metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-01-10.

Abstract P2-16-08: Longitudinal response and selection under neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): Profiling results from a randomized, TNBC enrolling trial to confirm molecular profiling improves survival (ARTEMIS; NCT02276443)

Background: The heterogeneity of TNBC results in a spectrum of responses to NAST: 30-40% of patients (pts) have pathologic complete response (pCR) with excellent prognosis. Several methods have been used to measure and evaluate residual disease, including ultrasound, MRI scans, histo-pathology and transcriptional profiling (Seth, ASCO 2019). In addition, we hypothesize that integrative understanding of sub-clonal selection and changes in molecular pathways would lead to better stratification as a biomarker for chemotherapy, and subsequent targeted therapy trials. Methods: Pts with stage I-III TNBC began a planned 4 cycles of Adriamycin-based chemo (AC). Biopsies were performed pre (mandatory) and post (optional) AC. Volumetric change by ultrasound (VUS) at completion of AC (or progression) was calculated. Pts with sensitive disease received subsequent taxane-based (T) therapy. Pts with insensitive disease were offered phase II trials. Pathologic response was assessed at surgical resection in 55 pts. Matched samples, pre and post AC (N = 55 pts) underwent transcriptomic and genomic profiling. Samples were classified into six previously identified ARTEMIS subtypes of TNBC (ART-Type) and immune deconvolution and estimation was performed using RNA-Seq profiles. Somatic mutations and copy-number changes were evaluated using, Mutect, FACETS, and PyClone. Results: Predominately, tumors reacted to AC in 4 different patterns with variation in immune and EMT related pathways. Enrichment of EMT (Group 4) was associated with poor prognosis and higher RCB (10.3% vs 42% pCR rates, p&lt;0.05). The global changes in transcription led to ART-Type switching in all subtypes (44% of pts), except LAR subtype. MYC amplification was more prevalent (40%) in Group 4, associated with higher EMT and poor prognosis than other groups (28%). Phylogenetic evaluation of selection revealed, sub-clonal selection in 22% of evaluable cases with pre and post biopsies. Conclusions: Molecular profiling of longitudinal TNBC samples reveals distinct response patterns in tumors and their micro-environments upon treatment with AC. Integrative analysis of genomic and transcriptomic changes can lead to better stratification of response to NAST. These patterns were indicative of pathologic response in this cohort; however, they require validation in a separate cohort.

Citation Format: Sahil Seth, Lei Huo, Suhas Vasaikar, Gaiane Rauch, Bora Lim, Jason White, Beatriz Adrada, Helen Piwnica-Worms, Naoto T Ueno, Alastair Mark Thompson, Elizabeth Mittendorf, Debashish Tripathy, Jennifer Keating Litton, William Fraser Symmans, Giulio Draetta, Andrew Futreal, Jeffrey Chang, Stacy Moulder. Longitudinal response and selection under neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): Profiling results from a randomized, TNBC enrolling trial to confirm molecular profiling improves survival (ARTEMIS; NCT02276443) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-16-08.

Abstract P1-10-20: Serial TILs: Evaluating the role of mid-treatment tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) in early-stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Introduction High levels of TIL at baseline are associated with higher pCR rates and better overall survival in TNBC. Recent studies have also indicated that higher TIL in post-NACT residual disease in TNBC are an important independent predictor of improved survival. We evaluated the role of mid-treatment (post-AC; Adriamycin/Cyclophosphamide) TIL in predicting pCR rates in early-stage TNBC. Methods Of 242 patients with stage I-III TNBC enrolled in the ARTEMIS trial (NCT02276443), 156 patients had pre-AC TIL and pCR status available for this analysis. Both pre-and post-AC TIL counts were available in 29 patients. Post-AC TIL counts for the remaining patients were imputed using linear regression with age, race, stage III, vimentin &gt;50% and post-AC tumor volume reduction. Using these imputed TIL counts we evaluated the association of post-AC TIL with pCR. We also evaluated the change in TIL before and after treatment with AC. Results At baseline the median TIL count was 10% (n=156). In the post-AC samples, the median TIL count was 5%. Using imputed TIL counts, we did not conclude that post-AC TIL was associated with pCR (p= 0.28). Using a cut-point of 15% TIL, our analysis showed that baseline TIL is more strongly correlated with pCR than post-AC TIL (Table 1). In our univariable logistic regression, both baseline TIL and the difference in TIL pre-and post- treatment were significantly associated with pCR (p= 0.0015 and p=0.0068, respectively), however in the multivariable analysis only baseline TIL was significant. Our analysis did show that a decrease in TIL from pre- to post-treatment was significantly associated with pCR (p=0.022). However, this measure was not significant in our logistic regression model when pre-TIL was also included. Conclusion Higher pre-treatment TIL correlated more strongly with pCR rate when compared to post-AC TIL. Pre-treatment high TIL was associated with pCR regardless of changes in TIL pre and post treatment.

Table 1. Changes in TIL before and after treatmentBaseline TILPost-AC TILN#pCR (%)LowLow6217 (27%)LowHigh4012 (30%)HighLow2513 (52%)HighHigh2916 (55%)TIL; Low: &lt;15, High &gt;15

Citation Format: Nour Abuhadra, Kenneth Hess, Jennifer Litton, Gaiane Rauch, Alastair Thompson, Bora Lim, Beatriz Adrada, Elizabeth Mittendorf, Senthil Damodaran, Rosalind Candelaria, Banu Arun, Wei Tse Yang, Naoto Ueno, Lumarie Santiago, Rashmi Murthy, Nuhad Ibrahim, Sahin Aysegul, William Symmans, Lei Huo, Stacy Moulder. Serial TILs: Evaluating the role of mid-treatment tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) in early-stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-20.

Corrigendum: SCD1 Confers Temozolomide Resistance to Human Glioma Cells Via the Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Axis

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00960.].

Genomic analysis of primary and recurrent gliomas reveals clinical outcome related molecular features

Tremendous efforts have been made to explore biomarkers for classification and grading on gliomas. The goal of this study was to identify more molecular features that are associated with clinical outcomes by comparing the genomic profiles of primary and recurrent gliomas and determine potential recurrence leading factors that are significantly enriched in relapse tumors. Hybrid capture based next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis was performed on 64 primary and 17 recurrent glioma biopsies. Copy number variation (CNV) was more frequent in recurrent tumors and CDKN2A/B loss was significantly enriched. In addition, overall mutations in cell cycle pathway are more common in relapse tumors. The patterns of gene sets, including IDH1/TERT and IDH1/TP53 exhibited significant difference between the groups. Survival analysis uncovered the worse disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) associated with altered copy number and excessive activation of CELL CYCLE pathway. High Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) was also a biomarker with great potential for poor prognosis. The assessment of genomic characteristics in primary versus recurrent gliomas aids the discovery of potential predictive biomarkers. The prognostic value of TMB in gliomas was raised for the first time.

[MicroRNA-26a-5p targets Wnt5a to regulate osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cell from inflammatory microenvironment]

Objective: To investigate the effect of microRNA-26a-5p on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSC) and its related mechanisms. Methods: hPDLSC in periodontal tissues from healthy adults and hPDLSC from periodontitis patients (PPDLSC) were isolated and cultured in vitro, respectively. The PPDLSC were divided into Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ groups. Group Ⅰ is control group, and the other four groups were transiently transfected with miR-NC, miR-26a-5p, antimiR-NC and antimiR-26a-5p lentiviral vectors, respectively. The osteogenic differentiation abilities of the cells in vitro were determined by alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Totally 40 male mice (6-weeks) were equally divided into five groups with 8 mice in each group. The PPDLSCs cells (1×10(7)/ml) in Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ groups, which adhered to hydroxyapatine-tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP), were implanted into the nude mice subcutaneously and the animal models were constructed to analyze the effect of miR-26a-5p on the osteogenic differentiation of PPDLSCs in vivo. PPDLSCs were divided into A, B, C, D groups, and transfected with miR-26a-5p+Wnt5a-Wt, miR-NC+Wnt5a-Wt, miR-26a-5p+Wnt5a-Mut and miR-NC+Wnt5a-Mut in each of the above mentioned 5 groups, respectively. The luciferase activity assay was used to detect the relative luciferase in A, B, C and D groups to analyze the targeting relationship between miR-26a-5p and Wnt5a. Osteogenic differentiation related proteins expression were analyzed by western blotting. Results: hPDLSC and PPDLSC were observed consistent with the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and had osteogenic differentiation ability in vitro. Compared with hPDLSC [(89.87±8.12)%], the osteogenic capacity of PPDLSC [(31.46±6.56)%] was significantly lower (P<0.05). The ALP activity (1.88±0.59), calcified nodules (79.88±5.92), the expression of the osteogenic differentiation markers Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) (2.40±0.70), ALP (2.10±0.60) and osteocalcin (3.00±0.90) mRNA in the PPDLSC from Group Ⅲ were significantly higher in comparison with the control group [(0.88±0.34), (29.69±2.65), (1.30±0.30), (0.09±0.25), (1.71±0.50)], while those from Group Ⅴ[(0.44±0.07), (14.83±3.05), (0.50±0.11), (0.30±0.08) and (0.80±0.17)] were significantly lower (P<0.05). In vivo studies in nude mice showed that the proportion of the osteogenic region [(34.96±5.65)%] in the miR-26a-5p group was significantly increased in comparison with the control group [(23.28±3.03)%], while in the antimiR-26a-5p group [(8.02±2.27)%] was significantly lower (P<0.05). The luciferase activity of the Group A (0.46±0.06) was significantly lower than Group B (3.46±0.45) (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Wnt5a protein, calmodulin kinase Ⅱ and protein kinase C proteins in the Group Ⅲ were significantly decreased, while those in the GroupⅤ were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: MicroRNA-26a-5p could promote osteogenic differentiation of PPDLSC in vivo and in vitro, and its mechanism might be inhibiting the activation of Wnt/Ca(2+) signaling pathway by targeting Wnt5a.

Novel Function of lncRNA ADAMTS9-AS2 in Promoting Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma via Upregulating the FUS/MDM2 Ubiquitination Axis

Background

LncRNAs have been shown to play essential roles in cancer therapeutic response. However, the detailed mechanism of lncRNAs in temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in glioblastoma (GBM) remain to be elucidated.

Methods

To elucidate the mechanism maintaining TMZ resistance, we constructed two TMZ-resistant GBM cell lines (T98G-R/U118-R). LncRNAs from four public datasets were reanalyzed, and the candidate lncRNA ADAMTS9-AS2 was evaluated in TMZ-treated GBM patients and in vitro cell lines.

Results

Reanalysis of lncRNA expression profiles identified ADAMTS9-AS2 as significantly overexpressed in TMZ-resistant GBM cells and as positively associated with the IC₅₀ of TMZ in GBM cells. Overexpression of ADAMTS9-AS2 was also significantly associated with poor TMZ response and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in TMZ-treated GBM patients. Knockdown of ADAMTS9-AS2 inhibited proliferation and attenuated the IC₅₀ of TMZ, as well as mitigating invasion and migration in TMZ-resistant GBM cells. Subsequent investigations indicated that reduced expression of ADAMTS9-AS2 significantly suppressed expression of the FUS protein, which was predicted as a direct substrate of ADAMTS9-AS2. Expression trends of FUS were directly correlated with those of ADAMTS9-AS2, as shown by increasing concentrations and prolonged treatment with TMZ. RNA pull-down and RIP assays indicated that both endogenous and exogenous ADAMTS9-AS2 directly binds to the RRM and Znf_RanBP2 domains of FUS, consequently increasing FUS protein expression. Knockdown of ADAMTS9-AS2 reduced the half-life of FUS and decreased FUS protein stability via K48 ubiquitin degradation. Moreover, the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase MDM2 interacts with and down regulates FUS, while the RRM and Znf_RanBP2 domains of FUS facilitate its binding with MDM2. ADAMTS9-AS2 decreased the interaction between MDM2 and FUS, which mediates FUS K48 ubiquitination. Additionally, knockdown of the ADAMTS9-AS2/FUS signaling axis significantly alleviated progression and metastasis in TMZ-resistant cells.

Conclusion

ADAMTS9-AS2 possessed a novel function that promotes TMZ resistance via upregulating the FUS/MDM2 axis in GBM cells. The RRM or Znf_RanBP2 domains of FUS facilitate the combination of ADAMTS9-AS2 and FUS, competitively inhibiting MDM2-dependent FUS K48 ubiquitination and resulting in enhanced FUS stability and TMZ resistance. Our results suggest that the ADAMTS9-AS2/FUS/MDM2 axis may represent a suitable prognostic biomarker and a potential target in TMZ-resistant GBM therapy.

Clinical prognostic value of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation, O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation, and 1p19q co-deletion in glioma patients

Background

Gliomas are the most frequently occurring malignant brain cancers. Recently, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, and 1p/19q co-deletion have been suggested to indicate a favorable prognosis in gliomas. However, the clinical prognostic value of these genetic tests in human gliomas is not fully understood.

Methods

We included glioma patients who accepted genetic testing including IDH, MGMT and 1p/19q at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in China (Jan 2015 to Jun 2017) and further analyzed the effect of the above gene states in high-grade gliomas.

Results

In 103 high-grade glioma patients, IDH mutation, MGMT promoter methylation, and 1p/19q co-deletion had better progression-free survival (PFS) than IDH wild-type (P=0.005), MGMT unmethylated promoter (P=0.002), and without 1p19q co-deletion (P=0.008), respectively. Additionally, we classified the above gliomas into 5 molecular groups, triple-positive, IDH mutation and MGMT methylation, methylation in MGMT only, mutation in IDH only, and triple-negative, according to characteristics of recruited patients. We found that triple-positive gliomas had better PFS than triple-negative cases in high-grade patients (P=0.016). Moreover, the IDH mutation and MGMT methylation groups had prolonged PFS compared to triple-negative (P=0.029).

Conclusions

Our study reinforced the clinical value of biomarkers, including 1p/19q co-deletion, IDH mutation, and the most prominent MGMT methylation, as previously described in glioma prognosis. Further, triple-negative patients have poorer PFS, indicating that the states of these genes can be divided into subgroups as a potential prognostic marker for clinical treatment, which requires a larger, multicenter study to testify.

Optimal cut-points of visceral adipose tissue areas for cardiometabolic risk factors in a Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

AIM

To determine the optimal cut-points of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) areas at different anatomic levels to discriminate participants with cardiometabolic risk factors in a Chinese middle-aged population.

METHODS

A total of 1744 individuals who underwent regular health checks in Nanjing BENQ Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2016 were included in this cross-sectional study. VAT areas were measured by abdominal quantitative computed tomography at the L2/3 intervertebral disk and umbilicus levels. Cardiometabolic risk factors including serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol levels, plasma glucose and blood pressure were defined using IDF 2005 criteria for metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS

The cut-points for VAT area at the umbilicus level were 111 cm² for men and 96 cm² for women to identify people with one or more cardiometabolic risk factors. For VAT area at the L2/3 level, the optimal cut-points were 142 cm² for men and 115 cm² for women. A VAT area at the L2/3 level of ≥ 142 cm² for men or 115 cm² for women significantly increased the prevalence of hyperglycaemia [odds ratio (OR) 3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.45-4.13], hypertension (OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.27-3.49) and dyslipidaemia (OR 4.37, 95% CI 3.50-5.45) after adjusting age.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal cut-points for VAT area at the umbilicus level and L2/3 level were 111 cm² and 142 cm² for men and 96 cm² and 115 cm² for women to identify participants with one or more cardiometabolic risk factors.

Principles of STAGE Management for Diabetic Foot Ulcers Based on the Wagner and Texas Classification Systems

The current Wagner and Texas classifications of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are used worldwide to assess the extent of foot lesions, but wound treatment principles based on both the classification systems are lacking. We have summarized the STAGE principles of wound treatment for clinical practice based on the Wagner and Texas classification systems. The STAGE principles refer to the principles of surgical intervention during wound treatment of DFUs and emphasize that "based on anatomical layers, the management focuses on blood supply and includes layer-by-layer incision to the infected area, maintenance of effective wound drainage, and step-by-step treatment of the wound." During treatment, microcirculation improvement and microvascular angiogenesis (A) are essential for granulation tissue formation in the bone (skeleton, S) and tendons (T) and healing of the wound with reepithelialization (E). We defined the above mentioned steps as the STAGE principles, namely, layer-by-layer incision and step-by-step management (Phase A is essential for the treatments in Phases S-T and G-E). Ulcers or gangrene formed during Phases S-T or T should be treated according to the STAGE or TAGE principles, respectively. Similar treatment principles are applied in the other phases. However, treatments at each phase are not isolated and can be performed simultaneously. The STAGE principle can be combined with the tissue, infection, moisture, and wound edge (TIME) and TIME-H chronic wound treatment principles to eliminate the shortcomings of a single principle in wound management.

Clinical Management of Mucocele-Like Lesions of the Breast with Limited or no Epithelial Atypia on Core Biopsy: Experience from Two Institutions

PURPOSE

Mucocele-like lesions of the breast identified on core biopsy are rare high-risk lesions associated with variable upgrade rates to carcinoma on excision. We aimed to identify the clinicoradiopathological features that can help optimize management of this lesion.

METHODS

We evaluated 50 mucocele-like lesions identified on core biopsies from two institutions, including 36 with no atypia and 14 with limited atypia. Outcome data from excision or clinicoradiological follow-up were reviewed with core biopsy results.

RESULTS

Radiological targets were calcifications in 74% of cases, calcifications with associated mass or density in 16%, and mass in 10%. One of the 16 excised lesions without atypia on core biopsy, which was a mass lesion, was upgraded to mucinous carcinoma on excision. Of the 12 excised lesions with limited atypia, none were upgraded on excision. Among the lesions not excised, 20 without atypia had a median follow-up of 61 months, and 2 with limited atypia had follow-up of 97 and 109 months. None of these 22 patients had new development of their lesions on follow-up. The upgrade rate was 2% in our entire cohort, 3% for lesions without atypia, and 0% for lesions with limited atypia.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicoradiological surveillance can be appropriate when a mucocele-like lesion without atypia is identified on core biopsy for a non-mass lesion with pathological-radiological concordance. For mucocele-like lesions with limited atypia, a nonsurgical approach could be considered if the atypia by itself does not warrant excision. The latter recommendation requires careful clinicopathological correlation and support from additional studies.

Evaluation of predictive biomarkers for AR therapy and to identify the LAR subtype of TNBC

595

Background: Androgen-receptor-like (LAR) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype identified using Vanderbilt’s molecular signature. LAR subtype has the lowest pCR rate for NACT among all TNBC subtypes (10% vs. 28% for TNBC in general). We launched a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of enzalutamide and paclitaxel (ZT) in improving this poor chemo. response in the neoadjuvant setting for pts with anthracycline-refractory, androgen receptor (AR)+ TNBC (NCT02689427). However, we do not yet have a robust predictive biomarker to detect an activated AR pathway and have not seen a robust correlation between molecular LAR subtype and AR IHC staining intensity. Methods: Molecular profiling and immunohistochemical analysis of key biomarkers (LAR, Ki67, and vimentin) was performed for all pts enrolled in A Randomized triple negative breast cancer enrolling Trial to Confirm Molecular Profiling Improves Survival (ARTEMIS; NCT02276443). Patients receive 4 cycles of AC, followed by an experimental arm or standard taxane, tailored using nuclear IHC staining. IHC staining of ≥30% AR+ was used as a threshold for selection for enzalutamide combination arm. We evaluated the concordance between LAR-subtype using molecular profiling vs % AR+ cells via IHC. Results: As part of the clinical trial, tumors with ≥30% AR+ cells were classified as LAR. In addition, we used RNA profiling to assign Vanderbilt subtype scores, resulting in classification of 15 tumors as LAR+. We observed a significant correlation (r=0.75) between LAR score and %AR+ cells, with 13 of 15 LAR tumors having ≥30% AR+ cells. Among patients with high % of AR+ tumor cells, 11 received enzalutamide, with 43% (3/7) having responses (pCR or RCB-I). Conclusions: Comparison on numerical scores for Vanderbilt subtype and IHC scores suggests ≥30% AR+ IHC staining as the threshold (ppv=0.65, npv=0.98, Table) to identify the molecular LAR subtype. We observed a trend where response rate was higher in patients with ≥ AR+ IHC scores treated with enzalutamide; however, these results need confirmation in a larger cohort of patients. Clinical trial information: NCT02689427, NCT02276443. [Table: see text]

Beyond TILs: Predictors of pathologic complete response (pCR) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with moderate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) receiving neoadjuvant therapy

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Background: Increased TIL in TNBC is associated with higher rates of pCR. High TIL is also associated with improved disease free survival and overall survival. The aim of this study is to identify data cut-points of pre-treatment low, moderate and high TIL count based on pCR and to identify clinical and pathological predictors of pCR in patients with moderate TIL. Methods: We evaluated the relationship between pCR and TIL in 180 patients with stage I-III TNBC enrolled in the ARTEMIS trial (NCT02276443). Recursive portioning was used to identify cut-points. Clinical and pathological variables such as age at diagnosis, stage, race, histology as well as Ki-67, vimentin, and androgen receptor (AR) by immunohistochemistry, were evaluated in pts with moderate TIL. A multivariable logistic regression model identified variables independently, significantly associated with pCR. Results: Four TIL groups were identified with pCR rates of 23%, 31%, 48% and 78% respectively (p < 0.0001) (Table A). In the two combined moderate TIL groups, 90 (97%) pts were evaluable for the multivariate model. Stage I-II disease, high Ki-67 and low AR were associated with increased probability of pCR (Table B). The multivariable logistic regression model area under the ROC curve was 0.78 (95% CI=0.68-0.88; p<0.0001). A model of computed risk score [ Stage I-II (score 2)+Ki-67≥ 50% (score 1)+AR<10% (score 1)] predicted a probability of 67% for pCR when all three variables were favorable (Table). Conclusions: Four TIL groups were identified. In pts with moderate TIL levels, early stage disease, high Ki-67 and low AR were associated with increased probability of pCR with neoadjuvant therapy. [Table: see text]

Delineating longitudinal patterns of response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): Profiling results from a randomized, TNBC enrolling trial to confirm molecular profiling improves survival (ARTEMIS; NCT02276443)

586

Background: The heterogeneity of TNBC results in varied responses to NAST: 30-40% of patients (pts) have pathologic complete response (pCR) with excellent prognosis. Those with residual disease, have a much higher risk of recurrence. Longitudinal profiling assesses biologic response to NAST and mechanisms of resistance. Methods: Pts with stage I-III TNBC began a planned 4 cycles of Adriamycin-based chemo (AC). Biopsies were performed pre (mandatory) and post (optional) AC. Volumetric change by ultrasound (VUS) at completion of AC (or progression) was calculated. Pts with sensitive disease received subsequent taxane-based (T) therapy. Pts with insensitive disease were offered phase II trials. Pathologic response was assessed at surgical resection in 47 pts. Matched samples, pre and post AC (N = 48 pts) underwent transcriptomic and genomic profiling. Samples were classified into six previously identified ARTEMIS subtypes of TNBC (ART-Type). Immune deconvolution and estimation was performed using RNA-Seq profiles. Differential pathway-level analysis was performed comparing pre and post AC samples. Results: There was heterogeneity in response to AC with 4 predominate patterns of biologic response (Table). In 48% of cases the ART-Type of the tumor switched after AC, with androgen receptor like (LAR) and immune modulatory (IM) showing greatest stability. Tumors with enrichment in EMT or those with no significant dysregulation after AC (Groups C + D) were associated with less immune modulation and lower rates of pCR compared to those with depleted EMT (A and B) (8.7% vs 45.8%, p = 0.0078). Conclusions: Molecular profiling of longitudinal TNBC samples reveals distinct response patterns in tumors and their micro-environments upon treatment with AC. These patterns were indicative of pathologic response in this cohort; however, they require validation in a separate cohort. Clinical trial information: NCT02276443. [Table: see text]

Treatment of Diabetic Foot Gangrene Using the STAGE Principle: A Case Series

Diabetic foot gangrene with lower extremity ischemia can preclude amputation. However, wound treatment principles based on the Wagner classification system are lacking. We proposed the STAGE principle for the surgical management of diabetic foot wounds. The STAGE principle guides surgical intervention during the wound treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and emphasizes that "based on anatomical layers, the management focuses on blood supply and includes layer-by-layer incision to the infected area, maintenance of effective wound drainage, and step-by-step treatment of the wound." We applied the STAGE principle for the treatment of 7 patients with an ankle brachial index <0.5 and Wagner grade 4 diabetic foot gangrene. The average ankle brachial index was 0.42 (0.32-0.48; SD = 0.06), and male patients smoked an average of 1.28 packs/day (0.4-2; SD = 0.63). The average wound duration was 45.86 days (14-63 days; SD = 18.46). The average wound healing time was 8.86 months (5-13 months; SD = 2.36). The follow-up time was 37.71 months (3-84 months; SD = 25.04; median = 36 months). Patient 1 received endovascular interventional therapy twice for the lower extremity artery, and the wound healed. After 3 months of follow-up, the patient exhibited recurrence. After the third application of endovascular interventional therapy for the lower extremity artery, the blood supply was improved, and the wound healed after 1 month. In summary, the treatment of 7 cases of diabetic foot gangrene with severe lower extremity ischemia using the STAGE principle resulted in remarkable efficacy.

Short-term and long-term outcomes of liver resection for HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a sign of advanced stage disease, which is associated with poor prognosis. Liver resection (LR) may provide better prognosis in selected patients. In the present study, we aimed to assess information from HCC patients with PVTT who died within 3 months or 2 years after LR in order to identify preoperative factors correlated to short-term or long-term survival, by which inappropriate selection of patients for LR might be avoided in the future.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study consisting of 487 consecutive cases of HCC patients with PVTT was performed from 2008 to 2010 at Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital. Medical records, including laboratory values, imaging results and treatment information, were obtained from participants. Study endpoints were survival at 3 months and 2 years post-hepatectomy. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the significant pre-operative factors influencing short-term or long-term survival.

RESULTS

In multivariable analysis, α-fetoprotein, total bilirubin and radiologic ascites were significantly associated with short-term survival, while α-fetoprotein level, clinical significant portal hypertension, extent of PVTT and tumor differentiation were factors significantly associated with long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The independent risk factors of poor short-term survival were the liver function-associated, such as factors radiologic ascites and total bilirubin, while tumor differentiation indicating the tumor biology was associated with longer-term survival. In addition, α-fetoprotein was a risk factor associated with both short-term and longer-term survivals.

The value of FDP/FIB and D-dimer/FIB ratios in predicting high-risk APL-related thrombosis

Hemorrhage is the typical manifestation of APL-related coagulopathy while thrombosis is infrequently reported. In a retrospective analysis with 33 patients with hyperleukocytic APL, we found 6 out of 33 hyperleukocytic APL patients presented with thrombosis rather than hemorrhage. A notable feature in these high-risk APL patients with thrombosis is that there were no significant abnormalities in fibrinogen (FIB), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Compared with the normal ranges, both the high-risk APL patients with thrombosis and the high-risk APL patients with hemorrhage had a significant increase in fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) and d-dimer levels. However, the group with hemorrhage had noticeably higher plasma levels of FDP and d-dimer than the group with thrombosis. To find a close relationship between coagulation markers and the onset of thrombotic events in patients with high-risk APL, the potential effects of FDP/FIB and d-dimer/FIB ratios as risk markers were investigated. We demonstrated that FDP/FIB and d-dimer/FIB ratios in the patients with high-risk APL with thrombosis showed higher ratios than the normal range but significantly lower ratios than the patients with high-risk APL-related hemorrhage. Our data demonstrated that the alteration in FDP/FIB and d-dimer/FIB ratios have more significant relevance than the levels of FIB, FDP or d-dimer as potential factors for predicting thrombosis and may help with designing more appropriately risk-adapted treatment protocols or personalized therapy.

Abstract P3-07-01: Towards a therapeutically relevant subtyping scheme for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), profiling results from A Randomized, TNBC Enrolling trial to confirm Molecular profiling Improves Survival (ARTEMIS)

Triple-negative breast cancer is a highly diverse group of cancers, with poor prognosis, and currently, there are no targeted drugs available in the clinic. In TNBC around 50% percent of the patients respond to chemotherapy, while, the other 50% percent relapse with poor prognosis. There is a need to understand better the targetable mechanisms driving TNBC via integrative analysis of gene-expression, copy-number, and mutational data.

Samples from 220 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) pts treated with NACT were prioritized for transcriptomic and genomic profiling. Non-negative matrix factorization was used on array-based profiling to identify six robust (ARTEMIS) subtypes. Comparing ARTEMIS subtypes with Vanderbilt subtypes, revealed significant overlap with 4/6 clusters while identifying two new clusters. Logistic regression on ssGSEA scores vs. subtypes revealed several pathways, selectively enriched specific subtypes. CL1/IM (Immune subtype), was enriched in INFg and INFa, while CL2 (MYC/mTOR), showed enrichment of several proliferation-related pathways. In addition, LAR and M (Mesenchymal) pts formed overlapping clusters, using either method.

Two new subtypes did not associate significantly with any of the previous subtypes. The majority of the tumors from the Vanderbilt BL2 and MSL were reclassified into a CL5 (ANGIO) cluster, which was enriched in angiogenesis geneset, including targetable genes like VEGF and FGFR. Also, an MYO (CL3) subtype was identified, with myogenesis-related genes. Of note, TIL (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) and LAR quantification using IHC were associated with respective ARTEMIS subtypes. Finally, the IM subtype was significantly associated with higher rates of RCB 0-I and the M (CL4) subtype was associated with higher rates of RCB II-III, irrespective of the neoadjuvant treatment regimen.

ARTEMIS subtypes are a novel classification system for TNBC that is focused on therapeutic translation. Further, we show a possibility to classify previously un-classified (UNS) tumors, which will be validated using additional cohorts (TCGA/METABRIC).

Citation Format: Seth S, Huo L, Rauch G, Lau R, Gilcrease M, Adrada B, Piwnica-Worms H, Symmans WF, Draetta G, Futreal AP, Moulder S, Chang JT. Towards a therapeutically relevant subtyping scheme for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), profiling results from A Randomized, TNBC Enrolling trial to confirm Molecular profiling Improves Survival (ARTEMIS) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-01.