A novel ALK secondary mutation and EGFR signaling cause resistance to ALK kinase inhibitors

Drug resistance in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-rearranged lung cancer

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, and many kinds of ALK fusion genes have been found in a variety of carcinomas. There is almost no detectable expression of ALK in adults. However, through ALK gene rearrangement, the resultant ALK fusion protein is aberrantly overexpressed and dimerized through the oligomerization domains, such as the coiled‐coil domain, in the fusion partner that induces abnormal constitutive activation of ALK tyrosine kinase. This results in dysregulated cell proliferation. ALK gene rearrangement has been observed in 3%‐5% of non‐small‐cell lung cancers, and multiple ALK inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of ALK‐positive lung cancer. Among those inhibitors, in Japan, 3 (4 in the USA) ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been approved and are currently used in clinics. All of the currently approved ALK‐TKIs have been shown to induce marked tumor regression in ALK‐rearranged non‐small‐cell lung cancer; however, tumors inevitably relapse because of acquired resistance within a few years. This review focuses on ALK‐TKIs, their resistance mechanisms, and the potential therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance.

Established, emerging and elusive molecular targets in the treatment of lung cancer

Although histological subtype still underlies tumour classification and treatment, the recognition that lung cancer is, largely, a genetic disease has prompted a push to reconfigure cancer taxonomies according to molecular criteria. In this review, we discuss established (e.g. EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and programmed cell death 1/programmed death-ligand 1), emerging (e.g. MET, RET, and NTRK) and elusive (e.g. TP53, KRAS, and MYC) molecular targets in the treatment of lung cancer. We synthesize a large and rapidly growing body of literature regarding the discovery and therapeutic inhibition of these targets in lung cancer. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

TKI sensitivity patterns of novel kinase-domain mutations suggest therapeutic opportunities for patients with resistant ALK+ tumors

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein drives tumorigenesis in subsets of several tumors through chromosomal rearrangements that express and activate its C-terminal kinase domain. In addition, germline predisposition alleles and acquired mutations are found in the full-length protein in the pediatric tumor neuroblastoma. ALK-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have become important new drugs for ALK-driven lung cancer, but acquired resistance via multiple mechanisms including kinase-domain mutations eventually develops, limiting median progression-free survival to less than a year. Here we assess the impact of several kinase-domain mutations that arose during TKI resistance selections of ALK+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) cell lines. These include novel variants with respect to ALK-fusion cancers, R1192P and T1151M, and with respect to ALCL, F1174L and I1171S. We assess the effects of these mutations on the activity of six clinical inhibitors in independent systems engineered to depend on either the ALCL fusion kinase NPM-ALK or the lung-cancer fusion kinase EML4-ALK. Our results inform treatment strategies with a likelihood of bypassing mutations when detected in resistant patient samples and highlight differences between the effects of particular mutations on the two ALK fusions.

Resisting Resistance: Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancer

Drug resistance inevitably limits the efficacy of all targeted therapies including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Understanding the biological underpinnings of TKI resistance is key to the successful development of future therapeutic strategies. Traditionally, mechanisms of TKI resistance have been viewed under a dichotomous lens. Tumor cells are TKI-sensitive or TKI-refractory, exhibit intrinsic or acquired resistance, and accumulate alterations within or outside the target to promote their survival. Such classifications facilitate our comprehension of an otherwise complex biology, but are likely an oversimplification. Recent studies underscore the multifaceted, genetically heterogeneous nature of TKI resistance, which evolves dynamically with changes in therapy. In this Review, we provide a broad framework for understanding the diverse mechanisms of resistance at play in oncogene-driven lung cancers.

Metformin restores crizotinib sensitivity in crizotinib-resistant human lung cancer cells through inhibition of IGF1-R signaling pathway

Aim

Despite the impressive efficacy of crizotinib for the treatment of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, patients invariably develop therapeutic resistance. Suppression of the IGF-1R signaling pathway may abrogate this acquired mechanism of drug resistance to crizotinib. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic agent, may reverse crizotinib resistance through inhibition of IGF-1R signaling.

Results

The present study revealed that metformin effectively increased the sensitivity of both crizotinib-sensitive and -resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells to crizotinib, as evidenced by decreased proliferation and invasion and enhanced apoptosis. Metformin reduced IGF-1R signaling activation in crizotinib-resistant cells. Furthermore, the addition of IGF-1 to crizotinib-sensitive H2228 cells induced crizotinib resistance, which was overcome by metformin.

Experimental design

The effects of metformin to reverse crizotinib resistance were examined in vitro by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT), invasion assay, ki67 incorporation assay, flow cytometry analysis, Western blot analysis, and colony-forming assay.

Conclusions

Metformin may be used in combination with crizotinib in ALK+ NSCLC patients to overcome crizotinib resistance and prolong survival.

Importance of protein flexibility in molecular recognition: a case study on Type-I1/2 inhibitors of ALK

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been regarded as a promising target for the therapy of various cancers.

Functional Genomics Approach Identifies Novel Signaling Regulators of TGFα Ectodomain Shedding

Ectodomain shedding of cell-surface precursor proteins by metalloproteases generates important cellular signaling molecules. Of importance for disease is the release of ligands that activate the EGFR, such as TGFα, which is mostly carried out by ADAM17 [a member of the A-disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) domain family]. EGFR ligand shedding has been linked to many diseases, in particular cancer development, growth and metastasis, as well as resistance to cancer therapeutics. Excessive EGFR ligand release can outcompete therapeutic EGFR inhibition or the inhibition of other growth factor pathways by providing bypass signaling via EGFR activation. Drugging metalloproteases directly have failed clinically because it indiscriminately affected shedding of numerous substrates. It is therefore essential to identify regulators for EGFR ligand cleavage. Here, integration of a functional shRNA genomic screen, computational network analysis, and dedicated validation tests succeeded in identifying several key signaling pathways as novel regulators of TGFα shedding in cancer cells. Most notably, a cluster of genes with NFκB pathway regulatory functions was found to strongly influence TGFα release, albeit independent of their NFκB regulatory functions. Inflammatory regulators thus also govern cancer cell growth-promoting ectodomain cleavage, lending mechanistic understanding to the well-known connection between inflammation and cancer.Implications: Using genomic screens and network analysis, this study defines targets that regulate ectodomain shedding and suggests new treatment opportunities for EGFR-driven cancers. Mol Cancer Res; 16(1); 147-61. ©2017 AACR.

Suppression of Adaptive Responses to Targeted Cancer Therapy by Transcriptional Repression

Acquired drug resistance is a major factor limiting the effectiveness of targeted cancer therapies. Targeting tumors with kinase inhibitors induces complex adaptive programs that promote the persistence of a fraction of the original cell population, facilitating the eventual outgrowth of inhibitor-resistant tumor clones. We show that the addition of a newly identified CDK7/12 inhibitor, THZ1, to targeted therapy enhances cell killing and impedes the emergence of drug-resistant cell populations in diverse cellular and in vivo cancer models. We propose that targeted therapy induces a state of transcriptional dependency in a subpopulation of cells poised to become drug tolerant, which THZ1 can exploit by blocking dynamic transcriptional responses, promoting remodeling of enhancers and key signaling outputs required for tumor cell survival in the setting of targeted therapy. These findings suggest that the addition of THZ1 to targeted therapies is a promising broad-based strategy to hinder the emergence of drug-resistant cancer cell populations.Significance: CDK7/12 inhibition prevents active enhancer formation at genes, promoting resistance emergence in response to targeted therapy, and impedes the engagement of transcriptional programs required for tumor cell survival. CDK7/12 inhibition in combination with targeted cancer therapies may serve as a therapeutic paradigm for enhancing the effectiveness of targeted therapies. Cancer Discov; 8(1); 59-73. ©2017 AACR.See related commentary by Carugo and Draetta, p. 17This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.

Monocarboxylate transporter 1 contributes to growth factor-induced tumor cell migration independent of transporter activity

Tumor progression to metastatic disease contributes to the vast majority of incurable cancer. Understanding the processes leading to advanced stage cancer is important for the development of future therapeutic strategies. Here, we establish a connection between tumor cell migration, a prerequisite to metastasis, and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1). MCT1 transporter activity is known to regulate aspects of tumor progression and, as such, is a clinically relevant target for treating cancer. Knockdown of MCT1 expression caused decreased hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced as well as epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced tumor cell scattering and wound healing. Western blot analysis suggested that MCT1 knockdown (KD) hinders signaling through the HGF receptor (c-Met) but not the EGF receptor. Exogenous, membrane-permeable MCT1 substrates were not able to rescue motility in MCT1 KD cells, nor was pharmacologic inhibition of MCT1 able to recapitulate decreased cell motility as seen with MCT1 KD cells, indicating transporter activity of MCT1 was dispensable for EGF- and HGF-induced motility. These results indicate MCT1 expression, independent of transporter activity, is required for growth factor-induced tumor cell motility. The findings presented herein suggest a novel function for MCT1 in tumor progression independent of its role as a monocarboxylate transporter.

ALK and ROS1 as targeted therapy paradigms and clinical implications to overcome crizotinib resistance

During the past decade, more than 10 targetable oncogenic driver genes have been validated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and ROS1 kinase are two new driver genes implicated in ALK- and ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Inhibition of ALK and ROS1 by crizotinib has been reported to be highly effective and well tolerated in these patients. However, resistance to crizotinib emerges years after treatment, and increasing efforts have been made to overcome this issue. Here, we review the biology of ALK and ROS1 and their roles in cancer progression. We also summarize the ongoing and completed clinical trials validating ALK and ROS1 as targets for cancer treatment. In the last section of the review, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms of crizotinib resistance and focus approaches to overcome it. This review describes an exciting new area of research and may provide new insights for targeted cancer therapies.

Oncogenic ALK regulates EMT in non-small cell lung carcinoma through repression of the epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1

A subset of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) carries chromosomal rearrangements involving the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene. ALK-rearranged NSCLC are typically adenocarcinoma characterized by a solid signet-ring cell pattern that is frequently associated with a metastatic phenotype. Recent reports linked the presence of ALK rearrangement to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in NSCLC, but the extent and the mechanisms of an ALK-mediated EMT in ALK-rearranged NSCLC are largely unknown. We found that the ALK-rearranged H2228 and DFCI032, but not the H3122, cell lines displayed a mesenchymal phenotype. In these cell lines, oncogenic ALK activity dictated an EMT phenotype by directly suppressing E-cadherin and up-regulating vimentin expression, as well as expression of other genes involved in EMT. We found that the epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), a key regulator of the splicing switch during EMT, was repressed by EML4-ALK activity. The treatment of NSCLC cells with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) led to up-regulation of ESRP1 and E-cadherin, thus reverting the phenotype from mesenchymal to epithelial (MET). Consistently, ESRP1 knock-down impaired E-cadherin up-regulation upon ALK inhibition, whereas enforced expression of ESRP1 was sufficient to increase E-cadherin expression. These findings demonstrate an ALK oncogenic activity in the regulation of an EMT phenotype in a subset of NSCLC with potential implications for the biology of ALK-rearranged NSCLC in terms of metastatic propensity and resistance to therapy.

Fusions in solid tumours: diagnostic strategies, targeted therapy, and acquired resistance

Structural gene rearrangements resulting in gene fusions are frequent events in solid tumours. The identification of certain activating fusions can aid in the diagnosis and effective treatment of patients with tumours harbouring these alterations. Advances in the techniques used to identify fusions have enabled physicians to detect these alterations in the clinic. Targeted therapies directed at constitutively activated oncogenic tyrosine kinases have proven remarkably effective against cancers with fusions involving ALK, ROS1, or PDGFB, and the efficacy of this approach continues to be explored in malignancies with RET, NTRK1/2/3, FGFR1/2/3, and BRAF/CRAF fusions. Nevertheless, prolonged treatment with such tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leads to the development of acquired resistance to therapy. This resistance can be mediated by mutations that alter drug binding, or by the activation of bypass pathways. Second-generation and third-generation TKIs have been developed to overcome resistance, and have variable levels of activity against tumours harbouring individual mutations that confer resistance to first-generation TKIs. The rational sequential administration of different inhibitors is emerging as a new treatment paradigm for patients with tumours that retain continued dependency on the downstream kinase of interest.

Managing Resistance to EFGR- and ALK-Targeted Therapies

Targeted therapies have transformed the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and placed an increased emphasis on stratifying patients on the basis of genetic alterations in oncogenic drivers. To date, the best characterized molecular targets in NSCLC are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Despite steady advances in targeted therapies within these molecular subsets, however, acquired resistance to therapy is near universal. Recent preclinical models and translational efforts have provided critical insights into the molecular mechanisms of resistance to EGFR and ALK inhibitors. In this review, we present a framework for understanding resistance to targeted therapies. We also provide overviews of the molecular mechanisms of resistance and strategies to overcome resistance among EGFR-mutant and ALK-rearranged lung cancers. To date, these strategies have centered on the development of novel next-generation inhibitors, rationale combinations, and use of local ablative therapies, such as radiotherapy.

Recent Progress of Small-Molecule Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitors against C797S Resistance in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been a particular interest for drug development for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current third-generation EGFR small-molecule inhibitors, especially osimertinib, are at the forefront clinically for treatment of patients with NSCLC. However, a high percentage of these treated patients developed a tertiary cystein-797 to serine-790 (C797S) mutation in the EGFR kinase domain. This C797S mutation is thought to induce resistance to all current irreversible EGFR TKIs. In this Miniperspective, we present key mechanisms of resistance in response to third-generation EGFR TKIs, and emerging reports on novel EGFR TKIs to combat the resistance. Specifically, we analyze the allosteric and ATP-competitive inhibitors in terms of drug discovery, binding mechanism, and their potency and selectivity against EGFR harboring C797S mutations. Lastly, we provide some perspectives on new challenges and future directions in this field.

Combating Drug-Resistant Mutants of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase with Potent and Selective Type-I1/2 Inhibitors by Stabilizing Unique DFG-Shifted Loop Conformation

Targeted inhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) dramatically improved therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of ALK-positive cancers, but unfortunately patients invariably progressed due to acquired resistance mutations in ALK. Currently available drugs are all type-I inhibitors bound to the ATP-binding pocket and are most likely to be resistant in patients harboring genetic mutations surrounding the ATP pocket. To overcome drug resistance, we rationally designed a novel kind of "bridge" inhibitor, which specially bind into an extended hydrophobic back pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site of ALK. The novel type-I1/2 inhibitors display excellent antiproliferation activity against ALK-positive cancer cells and appear superior to two clinically used drugs, crizotinib and ceritinib. Structural and molecular modeling analyses indicate that the inhibitor induces dramatic conformational transition and stabilizes unique DFG-shifted loop conformation, enabling persistent sensitivity to different genetic mutations in ALK. These data highlight a rationale for further development of next-generation ALK inhibitors to combat drug resistance.

Treatment of ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer: A review of the landscape and approach to emerging patterns of treatment resistance in the Australian context

Since the identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2005, the treatment of ALK-rearranged NSCLC (ALK+ NSCLC) has evolved at a rapid pace. This molecularly distinct subset of NSCLC has uniquely important biology, clinicopathologic features and mechanisms of drug resistance which impact on the choice of treatment for a patient with this disease. There are multiple ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors now available in clinical practice with efficacy data continuing to emerge and guide the optimal treatment algorithm. A detailed search of medical databases and clinical trial registries was conducted to capture all relevant articles on this topic enabling an updated detailed overview of the landscape of management of ALK-rearranged NSCLC.

Crizotinib resistance: implications for therapeutic strategies

In 2007, a chromosomal rearrangement resulting in a gene fusion leading to expression of a constitutively active anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion protein was identified as an oncogenic driver in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ALK rearrangements are detected in 3%-7% of patients with NSCLC and are particularly enriched in younger patients with adenocarcinoma and a never or light smoking history. Fortuitously, crizotinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor initially developed to target cMET, was able to be repurposed for ALK-rearranged (ALK+) NSCLC. Despite dramatic and durable initial responses to crizotinib; however, the vast majority of patients will develop resistance within a few years. Diverse molecular mechanisms underlie resistance to crizotinib. This review will describe the clinical activity of crizotinib, review identified mechanisms of crizotinib resistance, and end with a survey of emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at overcoming crizotinib resistance.

GCC2-ALK as a targetable fusion in lung adenocarcinoma and its enduring clinical responses to ALK inhibitors

OBJECTIVES

ALK, RET and ROS1 fusions have been identified as treatable targets in 5%-15% of non-small-cell lung cancers, and thanks to the advanced sequencing technologies, their new partner genes have been steadily detected. Here we identified a rare fusion of ALK (GCC2-ALK) in a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and monitored the treatment efficacy of ALK inhibitors on this patient. We further performed in vitro functional studies of this fusion protein for evaluating its oncogenic potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The GCC2-ALK fusion gene was identified by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) from the tumor DNA samples, and its fusion product was confirmed by Sanger sequencing the cDNA product. The functional study of GCC2-ALK was performed in Ba/F3 cells with cell proliferation and viability assays. The activation of downstream signaling pathways of ALK and their responses to crizotinib inhibition were studied in HEK-293 and 293T cells with ectopic expression of GCC2-ALK. In parallel, disease progression in the patient was monitored by computed tomography scanning and targeted NGS of either liquid or tissue biopsy samples throughout and after crizotinib treatment.

RESULTS

Similarly to EML4-ALK, the GCC2-ALK fusion protein promotes IL-3-independent growth of Ba/F3 cells. Ectopic expression of GCC2-ALK leads to hyper-activation of ALK downstream signaling that can be inhibited by crizotinib. Crizotinib treatment of the patient resulted in 18 months of progression free survival without any trace of GCC2-ALK fusion in the liquid biopsies. Re-biopsy of a lung lesion at progression identified the re-occurrence of GCC2-ALK. The patient was then administrated with a second-generation ALK inhibitor, ceritinib, and received partial response until the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We identified and functionally validated GCC2-ALK as a constitutively activated fusion in NSCLC. The patient was benefited from crizotinib treatment initially and then ceritinib after progression, suggesting GCC2-ALK as a novel therapeutic target for ALK inhibitors.

Molecular breakdown: a comprehensive view of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer

Most anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) show good clinical response to ALK inhibitors. However, some ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients show various primary responses with unknown reasons. Previous studies focused on the clinical aspects of ALK fusions in small cohorts, or were conducted in vitro and/or in vivo to investigate the function of ALK. One of the suggested theories describes how echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK variants play a role towards different sensitivities in ALK inhibitors. Until now, there has been no integrated comprehensive study that dissects ALK at the molecular level in a large scale. Here, we report the largest extensive molecular analysis of 158 ALK-rearranged NSCLCs and have investigated these findings in a cell line construct experiment. We discovered that NSCLCs with EML4-ALK short forms (variant 3/others) had more advanced stage and frequent metastases than cases with the long forms (variant 1/others) (p = 0.057, p < 0.05). In vitro experiments revealed that EML4-ALK short forms show lower sensitivity to ALK inhibitors than do long forms. Clinical analysis also showed a trend for the short forms showing worse PFS. Interestingly, we found that breakpoints of ALK are evenly distributed mainly in intron 19 and almost all of them undergo a non-homologous end-joining repair to generate ALK fusions. We also discovered four novel somatic ALK mutations in NSCLC (T1151R, R1192P, A1280V, and L1535Q) that confer primary resistance; all of them showed strong resistance to ALK inhibitors, as G1202R does. Through targeted deep sequencing, we discovered three novel ALK fusion partners (GCC2, LMO7, and PHACTR1), and different ALK fusion partners showed different intracellular localization. With our findings that the EML4-ALK variants, new ALK somatic mutations, and novel ALK-fusion partners may affect sensitivity to ALK inhibitors, we stress the importance of targeted therapy to take the ALK molecular profiling into consideration. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase in Cutaneous Malignancies

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of neoplasms. As suggested by its name, ALK was first described as part of a translocation product in cases of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, with other genetic and cytogenetic ALK mutations subsequently coming to attention in the development of many other hematologic and solid organ malignancies. ALK has now been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of several cutaneous malignancies, including secondary cutaneous systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and primary cutaneous ALCL, melanoma, spitzoid tumors, epithelioid fibrous histiocytoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. The characterization of ALK-positivity in these cutaneous malignancies presents exciting opportunities for utilizing ALK-targeted inhibitors in the treatment of these diseases.

Endometrial Carcinoma: Specific Targeted Pathways

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the western world with more than 280,000 cases per year worldwide. Prognosis for EC at early stages, when primary surgical resection is the most common initial treatment, is excellent. Five-year survival rate is around 70 %.Several molecular alterations have been described in the different types of EC. They occur in genes involved in important signaling pathways. In this chapter, we will review the most relevant altered pathways in EC, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK, Tyrosine kinase, WNT/β-Catenin, cell cycle, and TGF-β signaling pathways. At the end of the chapter, the most significant clinical trials will be briefly discussed.This information is important to identify specific targets for therapy.

Expression of SESN1, UHRF1BP1, and miR-377-3p as prognostic markers in mutated TP53 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It represents a known transcription factor that controls different microRNAs (miRNA) and target genes involved in the regulation of cellular stress, apoptosis and response to DNA damage. We used The Cancer Genome Atlas database to investigate the difference in transcriptome and proteome levels between mutated and wild-type TP53 HPV-negative HNSCC. Using different databases and an extensive literature review, we built the transcriptional and post-transcriptional network regulated by TP53. TP53 mutation was associated with poor overall survival in 203 HPV-negative patients compared to 40 patients with TP53 wild-type tumors. Using the enrichment analysis, we found that UHRF1BP1 and SESN1 mRNA were linked to prognosis in the TP53 mutated group. This is also the case for miR-377-3p, an important miRNA regulator of SESN1. Our study shows that SESN1 mRNA, UHRF1BP11 mRNA and miRNA-377-3p levels are prognostically relevant in HPV-negative HNSCC patients. This finding may help with patient stratification and the development of potential new therapeutic targets to treat patients with HNSCC.

Non-invasive diagnostic platforms in management of non-small cell lung cancer: opportunities and challenges

Several non-invasive diagnostic platforms are already being incorporated in routine clinical practice in the work up and monitoring of patients with lung cancer. These approaches have great potential to improve patient selection and monitor patients while on therapy, however several challenges exist in clinical validation and standardization of such platforms. In this review, we summarize the current technologies available for non-invasive diagnostic evaluation from the blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and discuss the technical and logistical challenges associated incorporating such testing in clinical practice.

Discovery of N-(5-((5-chloro-4-((2-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)amino)pyrimidin-2-yl)amino)-4-methoxy-2-(4-methyl-1,4-diazepan-1-yl)phenyl)acrylamide (CHMFL-ALK/EGFR-050) as a potent ALK/EGFR dual kinase inhibitor capable of overcoming a variety of ALK/EGFR associated drug resistant mutants in NSCLC

Recently, more and more concomitant EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangement are observed from the clinic, which still lacks effective single-agent therapy. Starting from ALK inhibitor 14 (TAE684), we have developed a highly potent EGFR/ALK dual kinase inhibitor compound 18 (CHMFL-ALK/EGFR-050), which potently inhibited EGFR L858R, del 19 and T790M mutants as well as EML4-ALK, R1275Q, L1196M, F1174L and C1156Y mutants biochemically. Compound 18 significantly inhibited the proliferation of EGFR mutant and EML4-ALK driven NSCLC cell lines. In the cellular context it strongly affected EGFR and ALK mediated signaling pathways, induced apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. In the in vivo studies, 18 significantly suppressed the tumor growth in H1975 cell inoculated xenograft model (40 mg/kg/d, TGI: 99%) and H3122 cell inoculated xenograft model (40 mg/kg/d, TGI: 78%). Compound 18 might be a potential drug candidate for EGFR- or ALK-individual as well as concomitant EGFR/ALK NSCLC.

Responses to crizotinib and chemotherapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma harboring a concomitant EGFR mutation and ALK gene rearrangement: A case report and review of the literature

Previous studies have indicated that, in lung cancers, the gene rearrangement of ALK is mutually exclusive with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. However, the coexistence of EML4-ALK fusions and EGFR mutations (double positive) has been occasionally reported, with frequencies ranging from 0-8%. Currently, no consensus standard therapy exists for tumors with double positive mutations. In the present case report, the case is described of a 53-year-old woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, harboring a concomitant EGFR mutation and ALK gene rearrangement, who was refractory to gefitinib administration but demonstrated a good response to crizotinib and pemetrexed chemotherapy. A review of the literature revealed a total of 65 cases, including our case, harboring double positive mutations, and of these cases, 39 (60.0%) patients had received an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EHGR-TKI), and 15 (23%) patients had received crizotinib treatment, the majority of whom had crizotinib selected for them as a second-line or third-line therapy. The disease control rate (DCR) of EGFR-TKI was 72.2%, with the progression-free survival (PFS) being 11.9 months, whereas the DCR of crizotinib was 93.3%, with the PFS being 10 months.

Resistance to RET-Inhibition in RET-Rearranged NSCLC Is Mediated By Reactivation of RAS/MAPK Signaling

Oncogenic rearrangements in RET are present in 1%-2% of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Ponatinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor with low-nanomolar potency against the RET kinase domain. Here, we demonstrate that ponatinib exhibits potent antiproliferative activity in RET fusion-positive LC-2/ad lung adenocarcinoma cells and inhibits phosphorylation of the RET fusion protein and signaling through ERK1/2 and AKT. Using distinct dose escalation strategies, two ponatinib-resistant LC-2/ad cell lines, PR1 and PR2, were derived. PR1 and PR2 cell lines retained expression, but not phosphorylation of the RET fusion and lacked evidence of a resistance mutation in the RET kinase domain. Both resistant lines retained activation of the MAPK pathway. Next-generation RNA sequencing revealed an oncogenic NRAS p.Q61K mutation in the PR1 cell. PR1 cell proliferation was preferentially sensitive to siRNA knockdown of NRAS compared with knockdown of RET, more sensitive to MEK inhibition than the parental line, and NRAS dependence was maintained in the absence of chronic RET inhibition. Expression of NRAS p.Q61K in RET fusion expressing TPC1 cells conferred resistance to ponatinib. PR2 cells exhibited increased expression of EGFR and AXL. EGFR inhibition decreased cell proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT in PR2 cells, but not LC-2/ad cells. Although AXL inhibition enhanced PR2 sensitivity to afatinib, it was unable to decrease cell proliferation by itself. Thus, EGFR and AXL cooperatively rescued signaling from RET inhibition in the PR2 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that resistance to ponatinib in RET-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma is mediated by bypass signaling mechanisms that result in restored RAS/MAPK activation. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(8); 1623-33. ©2017 AACR.

Lung cancer as a paradigm for precision oncology in solid tumours

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the western world. However, the combination of molecular genotyping and subsequent systematic treatment of decoded target structures is a prime example of precision oncology in solid tumours. In this review, current targets of approved therapeutics and potential targets in clinical and preclinical trials are outlined. Furthermore, immune checkpoint inhibitors, as promising new therapeutic options, which have already been applied successfully in cases of lung cancer, are introduced. A major issue of targeted treatment of lung tumours is the persistent development of resistance. The underlying mechanisms and established and potentially applicable alternative therapeutic approaches are described. In this process of precision oncology, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and parallel sequencing are crucial diagnostic tools.

Spotlight on ceritinib in the treatment of ALK+ NSCLC: design, development and place in therapy

The identification of echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has radically changed the treatment of a subset of patients harboring this oncogenic driver. Crizotinib was the first ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor to receive fast approval and is currently indicated as the first-line therapy for advanced, ALK-positive NSCLC patients. However, despite crizotinib's efficacy, patients almost invariably progress, with the central nervous system being one of the most common sites of relapse. Different mechanisms of acquired resistance have been identified, including secondary ALK mutations, ALK copy number alterations and activation of bypass tracks. Different highly potent and brain-penetrant next-generation ALK inhibitors have been developed and tested in NSCLC patients with ALK rearrangements. Ceritinib, a structurally distinct and selective ALK inhibitor, showed 20 times higher potency than crizotinib in inhibiting ALK and had activity against the most common crizotinib-resistant mutations, including L1196M and G1269A, in preclinical models. In Phase I and II studies, ceritinib demonstrated pronounced activity in both crizotinib-naïve and crizotinib-refractory patients, with responses observed regardless of the presence of ALK resistance mutations. Ceritinib was the first ALK inhibitor to be approved for the treatment of crizotinib-refractory, ALK-rearranged NSCLC, and recent results from a Phase III study have demonstrated superior efficacy compared to standard chemotherapy in the first- and second-line setting. We provide an extensive overview of ceritinib from the design of the compound through preclinical data until efficacy and toxicity results from Phase I-III clinical studies. We review the molecular alterations associated with resistance to ceritinib and highlight the importance of obtaining tumor biopsy at progression to tailor therapy based upon the underlying resistance mechanism. We finally provide an outlook on novel rational therapeutic combinations.

Monitoring for and Characterizing Crizotinib Progression: A Chart Review of ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

INTRODUCTION

Crizotinib is recommended as first-line therapy for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but within a year of treatment initiation many patients develop resistance. With the recent approval of second-generation ALK inhibitors, this study assessed how physicians monitor for and diagnose progression and how they alter treatment following progression on crizotinib.

METHODS

A panel of oncologists from the United States were surveyed regarding their monitoring practices and criteria for diagnosing progression on crizotinib. The physicians also retrospectively provided data (March-June 2016) from the medical charts of their adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC who progressed on crizotinib after the approval (April 2014) of the first second-generation ALK inhibitor, ceritinib.

RESULTS

A total of 28 physicians responded to the survey. Data was abstracted on 74 patients. In the physician survey, most physicians (71%) reported monitoring for radiographic progression every 3-4 months. When new lesions were detected, physician response varied. Following a symptomatic isolated lesion, most physicians (75%) would add local therapy and resume crizotinib. Following multiple symptomatic lesions, 96% and 64% of physicians would switch to a new therapy depending on whether the lesions were extracranial or isolated to the brain, respectively. For the patient cohort, physician-defined progression on crizotinib was diagnosed after a median of 10 months, and within 30 days of diagnosis, 86% of patients discontinued crizotinib. Among all patients who discontinued crizotinib, 77% switched to ceritinib, 14% to chemotherapy, and 1% to alectinib. The remaining 7% did not receive additional systemic antineoplastic therapy.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this physician survey and retrospective chart review study suggest that physician response to the development of new lesions in crizotinib-treated ALK-positive NSCLC patients varies with location and extent of the lesions. Once patients were considered to have progressed, most of them were immediately switched to ceritinib.

FUNDING

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

HER2 regulates cancer stem-like cell phenotype in ALK translocated NSCLC

We have previously shown that cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) can mediate therapy resistance in ALK translocated lung cancers. HER2 has been linked to CSLCs in breast cancers and, therefore, we wanted to assess whether HER2 has a role in CSLCs in ALK translocated cancers. ALK translocated cell lines, H3122 and H2228, with variable sensitivity to ALK inhibition were used in the study. HER2 overexpression or knockdown was induced by retro- or lentiviral infections and cells were treated with pharmacological agents targeting HER2 and ALK signaling. Furthermore, tumorigenic properties of the cells were assessed in vitro using colony and sphere formation assays. In the ALK inhibitor sensitive H3122 cells, HER2 overexpression unaltered the primary response to ALK inhibition, but increased CSLC marker expression and enhanced colony and sphere formation and late AKT and ERK1/2 signaling recovery. In the ALK inhibitor semi-sensitive H2228 cells, HER2 knockdown reduced basal expression of CSLC markers, modestly increased sensitivity to ALK inhibition in colony and sphere formation assays, and reduced late AKT and ERK1/2 signaling recovery. In addition, HER2 induced cross activation of other ErbB-members of which HER3 followed most closely the CSLC marker expression and neuregulin-1, a HER3 ligand, or pan-ErbB inhibitor afatinib, were able to alter CSLC marker expression and colony formation. the present study suggests that HER2 has an important role in the regulation of the CSLC phenotype in ALK translocated lung cancers that is mainly orchestrated by HER2/HER3 heterodimers.

Advances in the Development of Molecularly Targeted Agents in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a significant global health challenge and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The traditional 'one-size-fits-all' treatment approach has now evolved into one that involves personalized strategies based on histological and molecular subtypes. The molecular era has revolutionized the treatment of patients harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and ROS1 gene aberrations. In the appropriately selected population, anti-tumor agents against these molecular targets can significantly improve progression-free survival. However, the emergence of acquired resistance is inevitable. Novel potent compounds with much improved and rational selectivity profiles, such as third-generation EGFR T790M resistance mutation-specific inhibitors, have been developed and added to the NSCLC armamentarium. To date, attempts to overcome resistance bypass pathways through downstream signaling blockade has had limited success. Furthermore, the majority of patients still do not harbor known driver genetic or epigenetic alterations and/or have no new available treatment options, with chemotherapy remaining their standard of care. Several potentially actionable driver aberrations have recently been identified, with the early clinical development of multiple inhibitors against these promising targets currently in progress. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to significant benefit for advanced NSCLC patients with durable responses observed. Further interrogation of the underlying biology of NSCLC, coupled with modern clinical trial designs, is now required to develop novel targeted therapeutics rationally matched with predictive biomarkers of response, so as to further advance NSCLC therapeutics through the next decade.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements occur in a small portion of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These gene rearrangements lead to constitutive activation of the ALK kinase and subsequent ALK-driven tumor formation. Patients with tumors harboring such rearrangements are highly sensitive to ALK inhibitors, such as crizotinib, ceritinib, and alectinib. Resistance to these kinase inhibitors occurs through several mechanisms, resulting in ongoing clinical challenges. This review summarizes the biology of ALK-positive lung cancer, methods for diagnosing ALK-positive NSCLC, current FDA-approved ALK inhibitors, mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibition, and potential strategies to combat resistance.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors in phase I and phase II clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Crizotinib is a first-in-class ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which has proven its superiority over standard platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line therapy of ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The development of acquired resistance to crizotinib represents an ongoing challenge with the central nervous system being one of the most common sites of relapse. Ceritinib and alectinib are approved second-generation ALK TKIs. Several novel ALK inhibitors, more potent and with different selectivity compared to crizotinib, are currently in development. Areas covered: This review will focus on new ALK inhibitors, currently in phase 1 or 2 clinical studies. We will also comment on the mechanisms of resistance to ALK inhibition and the strategies to delay or overcome resistance. Expert opinion: The therapeutic management of ALK-rearranged NSCLC has been greatly improved. Next-generation ALK inhibitors have shown differential potency against ALK rearrangements and ALK resistance mutations. The molecular profile of the tumor at the time of disease progression to crizotinib is crucial for the sequencing of novel ALK TKIs. Ongoing clinical studies will address key issues, including the optimal therapeutic algorithm and whether combinational approaches are more effective than single ALK inhibition for the outcome of ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients.

Multiple receptor tyrosine kinase activation related to ALK inhibitor resistance in lung cancer cells with ALK rearrangement

The activation of alternative receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is known to mediate resistance to ALK inhibitors. However, the role of multiple RTK activation in resistance has yet to be determined. Two crizotinib-resistant (H3122/CR-1 and H3122/CR-2) and one TAE684-resistant (H2228/TR) cell lines were established. Multi-RTK arrays and Western blots were performed to detect the activation of bypass signals. There were no secondary mutations in the sequencing. EGFR and MET were activated in H3122/CR-1 cells whereas EGFR and IGF1R were activated in H3122/CR-2 cells. Concomitant activation of MET did not contribute to resistance as crizotinib completely suppressed both p-MET and p-ALK in H3122/CR-1 cells, whose survival was not affected by crizotinib. However, combined inhibition of EGFR and ALK was effective in controlling this resistant cell line. In H3122/CR-2 cells, the inhibition of both ALK and IGF1R could effectively suppress cell growth, whereas simultaneous inhibition of ALK and EGFR brought about a less-effective suppression, indicating that IGF1R activation is the main resistance mechanism. H2228/TR cells showed activation of the HER family (EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3). Afatinib, a pan-HER inhibitor, was more potent in suppressing resistant cells than gefitinib when combined with crizotinib, which suggests that coactivation of ErbB2 and ErbB3 also contributes to resistance. Interestingly, all three resistant cell lines responded well to AUY922, which can inhibit ALK, EGFR, and IGF1R activity. Activation of multiple RTKs can occur during acquired resistance to ALK inhibitors, in which case the dominant or significant bypass signal should be identified to provide a more appropriate combination therapy.

Discovery of a potent dual ALK and EGFR T790M inhibitor

The mutational activations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are validated oncogenic events and the targets of approved drugs to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we report highly potent dual small molecule inhibitors of both ALK and EGFR, particularly the T790M mutant which confers resistance to first generation EGFR inhibitors. Dual ALK/EGFR inhibitors may provide an efficient approach to prevent resistance that arises as a consequence of clinically reported reciprocal activation mechanisms. Our lead compound 7c displayed remarkable inhibitory activities against both ALK and EGFR in enzymatic and cellular assays. We demonstrate that 7c is capable of recapitulating the signaling effects and antiproliferative activity of combined treatment with the approved ALK inhibitor ceritinib and T790M EGFR inhibitor osimertinib against patient-derived non-small cell lung cancer cell line, DFCI032 which harbors both EML4-ALK and activated EGFR.

Treatment Patterns and Early Outcomes of ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Ceritinib: A Chart Review Study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to provide the first real-world description of the characteristics, treatments, dosing patterns, and early outcomes of patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received ceritinib in US clinical practice.

METHODS

US oncologists provided data from medical charts of adult patients diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC who received ceritinib following crizotinib. Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, ceritinib dosing, early outcomes, and occurrence of gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) by dose and instructions on food intake were assessed, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to describe clinician-defined progression-free survival (PFS) on ceritinib.

RESULTS

Medical charts of 58 ALK-positive NSCLC patients treated with ceritinib were reviewed (median age 63 years; 41% male; 21% with prior chemotherapy experience). At ceritinib initiation, 44 patients had multiple distant metastases, most commonly in the liver (60%), bone (53%), and brain (38%). Initial ceritinib dose varied: 71% received 750 mg, 19% 600 mg, and 10% 450 mg. Although median follow-up after ceritinib initiation was short (3.8 months), most patients achieved either a complete or partial response (69%) on ceritinib, regardless of metastatic sites present at initiation or initial dose. Median PFS on ceritinib was 12.9 months. 17% of patients had a gastrointestinal AE reported during follow-up. The majority of events occurred in patients instructed to fast; no patients instructed to take a lower dose of ceritinib with food reported gastrointestinal AEs.

CONCLUSION

These early findings of ceritinib use in clinical practice suggest that ceritinib is effective at treating crizotinib-experienced ALK-positive NSCLC patients, regardless of metastatic sites or initial dose, and dosing ceritinib with food may lead to fewer gastrointestinal AEs. Future studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted, including an ongoing randomized trial to assess the gastrointestinal tolerability of ceritinib 450 and 600 mg with low-fat meals.

FUNDING

Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Collateral sensitivity networks reveal evolutionary instability and novel treatment strategies in ALK mutated non-small cell lung cancer

Drug resistance remains an elusive problem in cancer therapy, particularly for novel targeted therapies. Much work is focused upon the development of an arsenal of targeted therapies, towards oncogenic driver genes such as ALK-EML4, to overcome the inevitable resistance that develops over time. Currently, after failure of first line ALK TKI therapy, another ALK TKI is administered, though collateral sensitivity is not considered. To address this, we evolved resistance in an ALK rearranged non-small cell lung cancer line (H3122) to a panel of 4 ALK TKIs, and performed a collateral sensitivity analysis. All ALK inhibitor resistant cell lines displayed significant cross-resistance to all other ALK inhibitors. We then evaluated ALK-inhibitor sensitivities after drug holidays of varying length (1-21 days), and observed dynamic patterns of resistance. This unpredictability led us to an expanded search for treatment options, where we tested 6 further anti-cancer agents for collateral sensitivity among resistant cells, uncovering possibilities for further treatment, including cross-sensitivity to standard cytotoxic therapies, as well as Hsp90 inhibitors. Taken together, these results imply that resistance to targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer is highly dynamic, and also one where there are many opportunities to re-establish sensitivities where there was once resistance. Drug resistance in cancer inevitably emerges during treatment; particularly with novel targeted therapies, designed to inhibit specific molecules. A clinically-relevant example of this phenomenon occurs in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, where targeted therapies are used to inhibit the ALK-EML4 fusion protein. A potential solution to this may lie in finding drug sensitivities in the resistant population, termed collateral sensitivities, and then using these as second-line agents. This study shows how the evolution of resistance in ALK-positive lung cancer is a dynamic process through time, one in which patterns of drug resistance and collateral sensitivity change substantially, and therefore one where temporal regimens, such as drug cycling and drug holidays may have great benefit.

Concomitant EML4-ALK rearrangement and EGFR mutation in non-small cell lung cancer patients: a literature review of 100 cases

The discovery of EGFR mutations and EML4-ALK gene rearrangements has radically changed the therapeutic scenario for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. ALK and EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors showed better activity and efficacy than standard chemotherapy in the first and second line treatment settings, leading to a clear advantage in overall survival of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring these genetic alterations.

Historically the coexistence of EGFR mutations and EML4-ALK rearrangements in the same tumor has been described as virtually impossible. Nevertheless many recent observations seem to show that it is not true in all cases.

In this review we will discuss the available literature data regarding this rare group of patients in order to give some suggestions useful for their clinical management. Furthermore we report here two cases of concomitant presence of both alterations that will help us in the development of discussion.

Concomitant Presence of EGFR and ALK Fusion Gene Mutation in Adenocarcinoma of Lung: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Empirical evidence has long suggested that oncogenic driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer are mutually independent. However, recent studies reported in pertinent literature reveal that concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement can occur in a subset of patients with NSCLC. In order to shed further light on this issue, we report a case of adenocarcinoma of lung harboring both EGFR mutation in exon 21 (L861Q) and ALK rearrangement. This allows us to speculate on likely molecular mechanisms underlying this uncommon phenomenon, while also offering some practical guidelines on the therapeutic options that could benefit patients diagnosed with this dual-positive tumor.

EGFR Mediates Responses to Small-Molecule Drugs Targeting Oncogenic Fusion Kinases

Oncogenic kinase fusions of ALK, ROS1, RET, and NTRK1 act as drivers in human lung and other cancers. Residual tumor burden following treatment of ALK or ROS1⁺ lung cancer patients with oncogene-targeted therapy ultimately enables the emergence of drug-resistant clones, limiting the long-term effectiveness of these therapies. To determine the signaling mechanisms underlying incomplete tumor cell killing in oncogene-addicted cancer cells, we investigated the role of EGFR signaling in drug-naïve cancer cells harboring these oncogene fusions. We defined three distinct roles for EGFR in the response to oncogene-specific therapies. First, EGF-mediated activation of EGFR blunted fusion kinase inhibitor binding and restored fusion kinase signaling complexes. Second, fusion kinase inhibition shifted adaptor protein binding from the fusion oncoprotein to EGFR. Third, EGFR enabled bypass signaling to critical downstream pathways such as MAPK. While evidence of EGFR-mediated bypass signaling has been reported after ALK and ROS1 blockade, our results extended this effect to RET and NTRK1 blockade and uncovered the other additional mechanisms in gene fusion-positive lung cancer cells, mouse models, and human clinical specimens before the onset of acquired drug resistance. Collectively, our findings show how EGFR signaling can provide a critical adaptive survival mechanism that allows cancer cells to evade oncogene-specific inhibitors, providing a rationale to cotarget EGFR to reduce the risks of developing drug resistance. Cancer Res; 77(13); 3551-63. ©2017 AACR.

Down-regulation of miR-214 reverses erlotinib resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer through up-regulating LHX6 expression

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are standard treatments for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs is widely detected across the world, and the exact mechanisms have not been fully demonstrated until now. This study aimed to examine the role of miR-214 in the acquired resistance to erlotinib in NSCLC, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. qRT-PCR assay detected higher miR-214 expression in the plasma of NSCLC patients with acquired EGFR-TKI resistance than prior to EGFR-TKI therapy, and in the generated erlotinib-resistant HCC827 (HCC827/ER) cells than in HCC827 cells. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay indentified LHX6 as a direct target gene of miR-214, and LHX6 expression was detected to be down-regulated in erlotinib-resistant HCC827 cells. Transwell invasion assay revealed that overexpressing LHX6 reversed the increase in the invasive ability of HCC827 cells induced by miR-214 overexpression, and the CRISPR-Cas9 system-mediated LHX6 knockdown reversed the reduction in the invasion of erlotinib-resistant HCC827 cells caused by miR-214 down-regulation. The results of the present study demonstrate that down-regulation of miR-214 may reverse acquired resistance to erlotinib in NSCLC through mediating its direct target gene LHX6 expression.

Overcoming On-Target Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

Advances in genomics, an improved understanding of malignant transformation, and the development of potent small molecule inhibitors capable of targeting key kinases have led to the adoption of genotype-guided approaches for the treatment of advanced cancers. As regulators of complex signaling networks, tyrosine kinases are among the most attractive targets. Moreover, insight into the conserved three-dimensional structures of these kinases and their mechanism of activation has facilitated the development of selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). TKIs have shown robust clinical activity in many different oncogene-addicted cancers; however, resistance invariably develops. In a significant proportion of patients, resistance results from acquired genetic alterations within the kinase target that allow cancer cells to escape TKI-mediated growth suppression. In this review, we discuss clinically observed and preclinical on-target resistance events in oncogene-driven solid tumors and describe current and future therapeutic strategies to overcome this type of resistance.

Therapeutic strategies and mechanisms of drug resistance in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged lung cancer

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene encoding the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK is expressed as a fusion gene in a variety of carcinomas. The expression of ALK is nearly undetectable in adults, and its activation is normally regulated by its ligands, FAM150A/B. However, ALK gene rearrangements result in constitutive ALK fusion proteins expression via the active promoter of fusion partner genes. ALK fusion proteins dimerize in a ligand-independent manner and lead to the dysregulation of cell proliferation via abnormal constitutive activation of ALK tyrosine kinase. Many ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed to date, three of which are currently in clinical use for the treatment of ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ALK TKIs often achieve marked tumor regression in NSCLC patients with ALK rearrangements; however, ALK TKI-resistant tumors inevitably emerge within a few years in most cases. In this review, we summarize diverse ALK TKI resistance mechanisms identified in NSCLC with ALK rearrangements, and review potential therapeutic strategies to overcome ALK TKI resistance in these patients.