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Piki E, Dini A, Raivola J, Salokas K, Zhang K, Varjosalo M, Pellinen T, Välimäki K, Veskimäe KT, Staff S, Hautaniemi S, Murumägi A, Ungureanu D. ROR1-STAT3 signaling contributes to ovarian cancer intra-tumor heterogeneity. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:222. [PMID: 37400436 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01527-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt pathway dysregulation through genetic and non-genetic alterations occurs in multiple cancers, including ovarian cancer (OC). The aberrant expression of the non-canonical Wnt signaling receptor ROR1 is thought to contribute to OC progression and drug resistance. However, the key molecular events mediated by ROR1 that are involved in OC tumorigenesis are not fully understood. Here, we show that ROR1 expression is enhanced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and Wnt5a binding to ROR1 can induce oncogenic signaling via AKT/ERK/STAT3 activation in OC cells. Proteomics analysis of isogenic ROR1-knockdown OC cells identified STAT3 as a downstream effector of ROR1 signaling. Transcriptomics analysis of clinical samples (n = 125) revealed that ROR1 and STAT3 are expressed at higher levels in stromal cells than in epithelial cancer cells of OC tumors, and these findings were corroborated by multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) analysis of an independent OC cohort (n = 11). Our results show that ROR1 and its downstream STAT3 are co-expressed in epithelial as well as stromal cells of OC tumors, including cancer-associated fibroblasts or CAFs. Our data provides the framework to expand the clinical utility of ROR1 as a therapeutic target to overcome OC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Piki
- Disease Networks Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Alice Dini
- Disease Networks Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juuli Raivola
- Applied Tumor Genomics, Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Salokas
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaiyang Zhang
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teijo Pellinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Välimäki
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristina Tabor Veskimäe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014, Tampere, Finland
| | - Synnöve Staff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sampsa Hautaniemi
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Astrid Murumägi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniela Ungureanu
- Disease Networks Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
- Applied Tumor Genomics, Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Multiomics characterization implicates PTK7 in ovarian cancer EMT and cell plasticity and offers strategies for therapeutic intervention. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:714. [PMID: 35977930 PMCID: PMC9386025 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05161-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Most patients with ovarian cancer (OC) are diagnosed at a late stage when there are very few therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. This is due to the lack of clearly defined underlying mechanisms or an oncogenic addiction that can be targeted pharmacologically, unlike other types of cancer. Here, we identified protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) as a potential new therapeutic target in OC following a multiomics approach using genetic and pharmacological interventions. We performed proteomics analyses upon PTK7 knockdown in OC cells and identified novel downstream effectors such as synuclein-γ (SNCG), SALL2, and PP1γ, and these findings were corroborated in ex vivo primary samples using PTK7 monoclonal antibody cofetuzumab. Our phosphoproteomics analyses demonstrated that PTK7 modulates cell adhesion and Rho-GTPase signaling to sustain epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell plasticity, which was confirmed by high-content image analysis of 3D models. Furthermore, using high-throughput drug sensitivity testing (525 drugs) we show that targeting PTK7 exhibited synergistic activity with chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel, CHK1/2 inhibitor prexasertib, and PLK1 inhibitor GSK461364, among others, in OC cells and ex vivo primary samples. Taken together, our study provides unique insight into the function of PTK7, which helps to define its role in mediating aberrant Wnt signaling in ovarian cancer.
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The Anti-ROR1 Monoclonal Antibody Zilovertamab Inhibits the Proliferation of Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040837. [PMID: 35456672 PMCID: PMC9033071 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-canonical Wnt signalling receptor ROR1 is aberrantly expressed in numerous cancers, including ovarian and endometrial cancer. We previously reported that silencing ROR1 could inhibit the proliferation and metastatic potential of ovarian and endometrial cancer cells in vitro. Zilovertamab is an ROR1-targeting humanised monoclonal antibody, with demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials of several ROR1-related malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of zilovertamab alone, or in combination with commonly utilised gynaecological cancer therapies (cisplatin, paclitaxel and the PARP inhibitor—Olaparib) on high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), including models of platinum resistance and homologous recombination deficiency (CaOV3, CaOV3CisR, PEO1 and PEO4) and endometrial cancer (EC) cell lines (Ishikawa and KLE). The effect of zilovertamab (at 25 µg/mL or 50 µg/mL) +/− agents was investigated using the IncuCyte S3 Live Cell imaging system. Zilovertamab alone inhibited the proliferation of HGSOC and EC cells in vitro, including in models of platinum resistance and homologous recombination deficiency. In general, the addition of commonly used chemotherapies to a fixed dose of zilovertamab did not enhance the observed anti-proliferative activity. This study supports the potential of zilovertamab, or other ROR1-targeting therapies, for treating women with HGSOC and EC.
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Okamoto D, Yamauchi N, Takiguchi G, Nishita M, Kakeji Y, Minami Y, Kamizaki K. Autonomous and intercellular chemokine signaling elicited from mesenchymal stem cells regulates migration of undifferentiated gastric cancer cells. Genes Cells 2022; 27:368-375. [PMID: 35261108 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence demonstrates that bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play critical roles in regulating progression of various types of cancer. We have previously shown that Wnt5a-Ror2 signaling in MSCs induces expression of CXCL16, and that CXCL16 secreted from MSCs then binds to its cognate receptor CXCR6 on the surface of an undifferentiated gastric cancer cell line MKN45 cells, eventually leading to proliferation and migration of MKN45 cells. However, it remains unclear about a possible involvement of another (other) cytokine (s) in regulating progression of gastric cancer. Here, we show that CXCL16-CXCR6 signaling is also activated in MSCs through cell-autonomous machinery, leading to up-regulated expression of CCL5. We further show that CCR1 and CCR3, receptors of CCL5, are expressed on the surface of MKN45 cells, and that CCL5 secreted from MSCs promotes migration of MKN45 cells presumably via its binding to CCR1/CCR3. These data indicate that cell-autonomous CXCL16-CXCR6 signaling activated in MSCs up-regulates expression of CCL5, and that subsequent activation of CCL5-CCR1/3 signaling in MKN45 cells through intercellular machinery can promote migration of MKN45 cells. Collectively, these findings postulate the presence of orchestrated chemokine signaling emanated from MSCs to regulate progression of undifferentiated gastric cancer cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Okamoto
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.,Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Natsuko Yamauchi
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.,Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Gosuke Takiguchi
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Michiru Nishita
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kakeji
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Minami
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koki Kamizaki
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
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5
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Castro MV, Lopez-Bergami P. Cellular and molecular mechanisms implicated in the dual role of ROR2 in cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 170:103595. [PMID: 35032666 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ROR1 and ROR2 are Wnt receptors that are critical for β-catenin-independent Wnt pathways and have been linked to processes driving tumor progression, such as cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and therapy resistance. Both receptors have garnered interest as potential therapeutic targets since they are largely absent in adult tissue, are overexpressed in several cancers, and, as members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, are easier to target than all other components of the pathway. Unlike ROR1 which always promotes tumorigenesis, ROR2 has a very complex role in cancer acting either to promote or inhibit tumor progression in different tumor types. In the present article, we summarize the findings on ROR2 expression in cancer patients and its impact on clinical outcome. Further, we review the biological processes and signaling pathways regulated by ROR2 that explain its dual role in cancer. Finally, we describe the ongoing strategies to target ROR2 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Castro
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, 1425, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, 1425, Argentina.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The Wnt receptors ROR1 and ROR2 are generating increased interest as cancer therapeutic targets but remain understudied in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Compared to canonical Wnt/ β-catenin signalling, the role of noncanonical Wnt signalling in PDAC remains largely unknown. Only one study has investigated the prognostic significance of the noncanonical Wnt signalling receptor, ROR2 in PDAC. No studies have investigated the prognostic role of ROR1 in PDAC. METHODS Here, we performed analysis of ROR1 and ROR2 mRNA expression in three publicly available datasets ICGC-PACA-AU (n = 81), TCGA-PAAD (n = 150) and CPTAC-PDAC (n = 137). ROR1 and ROR2 protein expression from the CPTAC-PDAC discovery cohort were also analysed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the validated anti ROR1 monoclonal antibody (4A5) was performed on the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative (APGI) cohort of PDAC samples (n = 152). Association between ROR1 cytoplasmic staining intensity and clinicopathological parameters including stage, grade and overall survival (OS) was investigated. RESULTS High ROR1 mRNA expression levels correlated with a favourable OS outcome in all of the ICGC-PACA-AU, TCGA-PAAD and CPTAC-PDAC cohorts. ROR1 protein expression was not associated with stage, grade or OS in the APGI cohort. CONCLUSION ROR1 and ROR2 have potential as prognostic markers when measured at the mRNA level in PDAC. Our IHC cohort did not support ROR1 protein expression in predicting OS, and highlighted the discrepancy of prognostic biomarkers when measured by MS, IHC and RNAseq.
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7
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Chavkin NW, Sano S, Wang Y, Oshima K, Ogawa H, Horitani K, Sano M, MacLauchlan S, Nelson A, Setia K, Vippa T, Watanabe Y, Saucerman JJ, Hirschi KK, Gokce N, Walsh K. The Cell Surface Receptors Ror1/2 Control Cardiac Myofibroblast Differentiation. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019904. [PMID: 34155901 PMCID: PMC8403294 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background A hallmark of heart failure is cardiac fibrosis, which results from the injury-induced differentiation response of resident fibroblasts to myofibroblasts that deposit extracellular matrix. During myofibroblast differentiation, fibroblasts progress through polarization stages of early proinflammation, intermediate proliferation, and late maturation, but the regulators of this progression are poorly understood. Planar cell polarity receptors, receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 and 2 (Ror1/2), can function to promote cell differentiation and transformation. In this study, we investigated the role of the Ror1/2 in a model of heart failure with emphasis on myofibroblast differentiation. Methods and Results The role of Ror1/2 during cardiac myofibroblast differentiation was studied in cell culture models of primary murine cardiac fibroblast activation and in knockout mouse models that underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to induce cardiac injury by pressure overload. Expression of Ror1 and Ror2 were robustly and exclusively induced in fibroblasts in hearts after transverse aortic constriction surgery, and both were rapidly upregulated after early activation of primary murine cardiac fibroblasts in culture. Cultured fibroblasts isolated from Ror1/2 knockout mice displayed a proinflammatory phenotype indicative of impaired myofibroblast differentiation. Although the combined ablation of Ror1/2 in mice did not result in a detectable baseline phenotype, transverse aortic constriction surgery led to the death of all mice by day 6 that was associated with myocardial hyperinflammation and vascular leakage. Conclusions Together, these results show that Ror1/2 are essential for the progression of myofibroblast differentiation and for the adaptive remodeling of the heart in response to pressure overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W. Chavkin
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Soichi Sano
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
- Department of CardiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Ying Wang
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyXinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Kosei Oshima
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Hayato Ogawa
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Keita Horitani
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Miho Sano
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Susan MacLauchlan
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Anders Nelson
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Karishma Setia
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Tanvi Vippa
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Yosuke Watanabe
- Vascular Biology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Jeffrey J. Saucerman
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Karen K. Hirschi
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineYale UniversityNew HavenCT
| | - Noyan Gokce
- Boston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
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Quinn CM, Porwal M, Meagher NS, Hettiaratchi A, Power C, Jonnaggadala J, McCullough S, Macmillan S, Tang K, Liauw W, Goldstein D, Zeps N, Crowe PJ. Moving with the Times: The Health Science Alliance (HSA) Biobank, Pathway to Sustainability. Biomark Insights 2021; 16:11772719211005745. [PMID: 35173407 PMCID: PMC8842439 DOI: 10.1177/11772719211005745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human biobanks are recognised as vital components of translational research infrastructure. With the growth in personalised and precision medicine, and the associated expansion of biomarkers and novel therapeutics under development, it is critical that researchers can access a strong collection of patient biospecimens, annotated with clinical data. Biobanks globally are undertaking transformation of their operating models in response to changing research needs; transition from a ‘classic’ model representing a largely retrospective collection of pre-defined specimens to a more targeted, prospective collection model, although there remains a research need for both models to co-exist. Here we introduce the Health Science Alliance (HSA) Biobank, established in 2012 as a classic biobank, now transitioning to a hybrid operational model. Some of the past and current challenges encountered are discussed including clinical annotation, specimen utilisation and biobank sustainability, along with the measures the HSA Biobank is taking to address these challenges. We describe new directions being explored, going beyond traditional specimen collection into areas involving bioimages, microbiota and live cell culture. The HSA Biobank is working in collaboration with clinicians, pathologists and researchers, piloting a sustainable, robust platform with the potential to integrate future needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel M Quinn
- Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Mamta Porwal
- Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicola S Meagher
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anusha Hettiaratchi
- UNSW Biorepository, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Carl Power
- Biological Resources Imaging Laboratory, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Jitendra Jonnaggadala
- Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Stephanie Macmillan
- Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Katrina Tang
- NSW Health Pathology, South-East Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia
| | - Winston Liauw
- Cancer Care Clinic, St George Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN), UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Nikolajs Zeps
- Epworth Healthcare, VIC, Australia
- Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Philip J Crowe
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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9
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Menck K, Heinrichs S, Baden C, Bleckmann A. The WNT/ROR Pathway in Cancer: From Signaling to Therapeutic Intervention. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010142. [PMID: 33445713 PMCID: PMC7828172 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The WNT pathway is one of the major signaling cascades frequently deregulated in human cancer. While research had initially focused on signal transduction centered on β-catenin as a key effector activating a pro-tumorigenic transcriptional response, nowadays it is known that WNT ligands can also induce a multitude of β-catenin-independent cellular pathways. Traditionally, these comprise WNT/planar cell polarity (PCP) and WNT/Ca2+ signaling. In addition, signaling via the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptors (RORs) has gained increasing attention in cancer research due to their overexpression in a multitude of tumor entities. Active WNT/ROR signaling has been linked to processes driving tumor development and progression, such as cell proliferation, survival, invasion, or therapy resistance. In adult tissue, the RORs are largely absent, which has spiked the interest in them for targeted cancer therapy. Promising results in preclinical and initial clinical studies are beginning to unravel the great potential of such treatment approaches. In this review, we summarize seminal findings on the structure and expression of the RORs in cancer, their downstream signaling, and its output in regard to tumor cell function. Furthermore, we present the current clinical anti-ROR treatment strategies and discuss the state-of-the-art, as well as the challenges of the different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Menck
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Saskia Heinrichs
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Cornelia Baden
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Annalen Bleckmann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0251-8352712
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10
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Ikeda T, Nishita M, Hoshi K, Honda T, Kakeji Y, Minami Y. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived CXCL16 promotes progression of gastric cancer cells by STAT3-mediated expression of Ror1. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:1254-1265. [PMID: 32012403 PMCID: PMC7156785 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to be recruited to various types of tumor tissues, where they interact with tumor cells to promote their proliferation, survival, invasion and metastasis, depending on the type of the tumor. We have previously shown that Ror2 receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, Wnt5a, are expressed in MSC, and Wnt5a‐Ror2 signaling in MSC induces expression of CXCL16, which, in turn, promotes proliferation of co–cultured MKN45 gastric cancer cells via the CXCL16‐CXCR6 axis. However, it remains unclear how CXCL16 regulates proliferation of MKN45 cells. Here, we show that knockdown of CXCL16 in MSC by siRNA suppresses not only proliferation but also migration of co–cultured MKN45 cells. We also show that MSC‐derived CXCL16 or recombinant CXCL16 upregulates expression of Ror1 through activation of STAT3 in MKN45 cells, leading to promotion of proliferation and migration of MKN45 cells in vitro. Furthermore, co–injection of MSC with MKN45 cells in nude mice promoted tumor formation in a manner dependent on expression of Ror1 in MKN45 cells, and anti–CXCL16 neutralizing antibody suppressed tumor formation of MKN45 cells co–injected with MSC. These results suggest that CXCL16 produced through Ror2‐mediated signaling in MSC within the tumor microenvironment acts on MKN45 cells in a paracrine manner to activate the CXCR6‐STAT3 pathway, which, in turn, induces expression of Ror1 in MKN45 cells, thereby promoting tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Ikeda
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.,Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Michiru Nishita
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kyoka Hoshi
- Department of Biochemistry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takashi Honda
- Department of Human Life Science, Fukushima Medical University School of Nursing, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kakeji
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Minami
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
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Coopes A, Henry CE, Llamosas E, Ford CE. An update of Wnt signalling in endometrial cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:ERC-18-0112. [PMID: 30093601 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed nations, and its prevalence is rising as women defer or decide not to have children and as obesity rises, both key risk factors. Despite this, treatment options remain limited, particularly for advanced or refractory disease. New genomic analyses have revealed distinct mutational profiles with therapeutic and prognostic potential. Wnt signalling, which is pivotal in embryogenesis, healing and homeostasis, is of importance in the endometrium and has been linked to carcinogenesis. This review aims to update and discuss the current evidence for the role of β-catenin dependent and independent Wnt signalling, including the ROR receptors in the endometrium and its potential as a therapeutic target, in light of recent trials of Wnt-targeted therapy in multiple tumour types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Coopes
- A Coopes, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Adult Cancer Program, Sydney, Australia
| | - Claire E Henry
- C Henry, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Adult Cancer Program, Sydney, Australia
| | - Estelle Llamosas
- E Llamosas, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Adult Cancer Program, Sydney, Australia
| | - Caroline Elizabeth Ford
- C Ford, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Adult Cancer Program, Sydney, Australia
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12
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Townsend MH, Shrestha G, Robison RA, O’Neill KL. The expansion of targetable biomarkers for CAR T cell therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:163. [PMID: 30031396 PMCID: PMC6054736 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0817-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are an integral part of cancer management due to their use in risk assessment, screening, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of response to treatment, and monitoring progress of disease. Recently, with the advent of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, a new category of targetable biomarkers has emerged. These biomarkers are associated with the surface of malignant cells and serve as targets for directing cytotoxic T cells. The first biomarker target used for CAR T cell therapy was CD19, a B cell marker expressed highly on malignant B cells. With the success of CD19, the last decade has shown an explosion of new targetable biomarkers on a range of human malignancies. These surface targets have made it possible to provide directed, specific therapy that reduces healthy tissue destruction and preserves the patient's immune system during treatment. As of May 2018, there are over 100 clinical trials underway that target over 25 different surface biomarkers in almost every human tissue. This expansion has led to not only promising results in terms of patient outcome, but has also led to an exponential growth in the investigation of new biomarkers that could potentially be utilized in CAR T cell therapy for treating patients. In this review, we discuss the biomarkers currently under investigation and point out several promising biomarkers in the preclinical stage of development that may be useful as targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H. Townsend
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Gajendra Shrestha
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
- Thunder Biotech, Highland, UT USA
| | - Richard A. Robison
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Kim L. O’Neill
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
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13
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Jiang H, Yang H, Wang H, Zheng M, Liu B. Elevated IL-7Rα is linked to recurrence and poorer survival of gastric adenocarcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:1645-1652. [PMID: 31938264 PMCID: PMC6958162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
IL-7Rα expression has been suggested to be involved in the development of cancer and has been reported to be linked to poor overall survival in patients with lung cancer. However, no evidence has been reportedregarding the significance of IL-7Rα expression in gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) untilnow. In the present investigation, to understand the clinicopathological significance of IL-7Rα expression in GA, expression of IL-7Rα was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in 121 cases of paired GA and its corresponding normal controls. As further confirmation, detection of IL-7Rα expression was extended from the protein level to the mRNA level using qRT-PCR. Clinicopathological association was statistically analyzed between IL-7Rα expression and clinicopathological variables, including demographic, T classification, clinical stage, lymph nodes metastases, differentiation, recurrence or not, and overall prognosis. IL-7Rα expression was markedly up-regulated in GA tissues relative to paired normal controls at both the protein or mRNA level. Elevation of IL-7Rα was markedly associated with lymph nodes metastases (P=0.006), differentiation (P=0.005), recurrence (P=0.043), and poor overall prognosis (P=0.039). There were trends toward statistical significance forboth T classification (P=0.063) and clinical stage (P=0.065) despite no significant associations found. Together, our study is the first toanalyze the significance of IL-7Rα expression in GA, suggesting its potential predictive value for recurrence and overall prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Qingdao Hiser Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266001, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Affiliated Qingdao Hiser Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266001, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Hongzhou Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Qingdao Hiser Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266001, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Mei Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The People’s Hospital of Zhangqiu AreaJinan 250200, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Baolong Liu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The Affiliated Qingdao Hiser Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266001, Shandong, P. R. China
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14
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Henry CE, Llamosas E, Daniels B, Coopes A, Tang K, Ford CE. ROR1 and ROR2 play distinct and opposing roles in endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2018; 148:576-584. [PMID: 29395309 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In recent years, the Wnt signalling pathway and the ROR1 and ROR2 receptors have been implicated in a range of gynecological cancers. These receptors have been described as prospective therapeutic targets, and this study investigated such potential in an endometrial cancer context. METHOD Immunohistochemistry for ROR1 and ROR2 was performed in a patient cohort, and expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters including type, stage, grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular involvement, patient age and survival. The functional role of these receptors in endometrial cancer was investigated via siRNA knockdown of ROR1 and ROR2 in three cell line models (KLE, RL95-2 and MFE-319). Effects on proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion were measured. RESULTS High ROR1 expression in patient samples correlated with worse overall survival (p = 0.0169) while high ROR2 expression correlated with better overall survival (p = 0.06). ROR1 knockdown in KLE cells significantly decreased proliferation (p = 0.047) and reduced migration and invasion. ROR2 knockdown in RL95-2 cells increased cell migration and invasion (p = 0.011). Double ROR1 and ROR2 knockdown in MFE-319 cells decreased adhesion and significantly increased cell migration (P = 0.008) and invasion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION ROR1 and ROR2 play distinct roles in endometrial cancer. ROR1 may promote tumor progression, similar to its role in ovarian cancer, while ROR2 may act as a tumor suppressor in endometrioid endometrial cancer, similar to its role in colorectal cancer. With several ROR-targeting therapies currently in development and phase I clinical trials for other tumor types, this study supports the potential of these receptors as therapeutic targets for women with endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Henry
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - E Llamosas
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - B Daniels
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - A Coopes
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Tang
- South Eastern Area Laboratory Services Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - C E Ford
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia.
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15
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Henry C, Hacker N, Ford C. Silencing ROR1 and ROR2 inhibits invasion and adhesion in an organotypic model of ovarian cancer metastasis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:112727-112738. [PMID: 29348860 PMCID: PMC5762545 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Elevated expression of the ROR1 and ROR2 Wnt receptors has been noted in both the tumour and stromal compartments of ovarian cancer patient tissue samples. In vitro studies have suggested these receptors play a role in ovarian cancer metastasis. However, these previous studies have utilised simple 2D in vitro models to investigate cancer cell growth and migration, which does not allow investigation of stromal involvement in Wnt driven metastasis. AIM To investigate targeting ROR1 and ROR2 using a primary co-culture 3D model of epithelial ovarian cancer dissemination to the omentum. METHODS Primary fibroblasts (NOF) and mesothelial (HPMC) cells were isolated from fresh samples of omentum collected from women with benign or non-metastatic conditions and cultured with collagen to produce a organotypic 3D model. Stable shRNA knockdown of ROR1, ROR2 and double ROR1/ROR2 in OVCAR4 cells were plated onto the 3D model to measure adhesion, or using a transwell to measure invasion. Gene expression changes in primary cells upon OVCAR4 interaction was evaluated using indirect transwell co-culture. RESULTS Double knockdown of ROR1 and ROR2 strongly inhibited cell adhesion (p<0.05) and invasion (P<0.05) to the omentum model. ROR2 was up regulated in primary fibroblasts when cultured with OVCAR4 (P=0.05) and ectopic overexpression of ROR2 in NOFs inhibited cell proliferation (P<0.01) but increased cell migration. CONCLUSION The combination of ROR1 and ROR2 signalling influences ovarian cancer dissemination to the omentum, however ROR2 may also play a role in stromal activation during metastasis. Therefore, targeting both ROR1 and ROR2 may be a powerful approach to treating ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Henry
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre and School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Neville Hacker
- Gynaecological Cancer Centre, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia
| | - Caroline Ford
- Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre and School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Gohil SH, Paredes-Moscosso SR, Harrasser M, Vezzalini M, Scarpa A, Morris E, Davidoff AM, Sorio C, Nathwani AC, Della Peruta M. An ROR1 bi-specific T-cell engager provides effective targeting and cytotoxicity against a range of solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2017; 6:e1326437. [PMID: 28811962 PMCID: PMC5543882 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1326437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a humanized bi-specific T-cell engager (BiTE) targeting receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), a cell surface antigen present on a range of malignancies and cancer-initiating cells. Focusing initially on pancreatic cancer, we demonstrated that our ROR1 BiTE results in T cell mediated and antigen-specific cytotoxicity against ROR1-expressing pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro at exceedingly low concentrations (0.1 ng/mL) and low effector to target ratios. Our BiTE prevented engraftment of pancreatic tumor xenografts in murine models and reduced the size of established subcutaneous tumors by at least 3-fold. To validate its wider therapeutic potential, we next demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer in an in vitro and in vivo setting and T-cell-mediated killing of a range of histologically distinct solid tumor cell lines. Overall, our ROR1 BiTE represents a promising immunotherapy approach, because of its ability to target a broad range of malignancies, many with significant unmet therapeutic needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyen Harish Gohil
- Department of Academic Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Micaela Harrasser
- Department of Academic Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.,Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, London, UK
| | - Marzia Vezzalini
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Emma Morris
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, UK
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Claudio Sorio
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
| | - Amit Chunilal Nathwani
- Department of Academic Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK.,Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, London, UK.,National Health Service Blood and Transplant, Oak House, Reeds Crescent, Watford, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Marco Della Peruta
- Department of Academic Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
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