Impact of Salvage Versus Palliative Dose Bridging Radiation Therapy on Local Control and Overall Survival in Patients with DLBCL Receiving CD19 CAR T Cell Therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

In patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), radiation therapy (RT) can be used to "bridge" patients during the period of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) manufacturing. Although RT has been shown to improve local control (LC) in patients who receive RT versus do not, it is unknown whether there is an optimal dose.

MATERIALS/METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients with DLBCL who received bridging RT and CAR T cell therapy between 8/2021 and 12/2022 at a single institution (IRB #202103122). Patient, disease, and treatment characteristics were abstracted. PET/CT and laboratory data were collected at various time points. RT data including dose, planning target volume (PTV), and body volume receiving 2Gy and 4 Gy were tested for associations with LC, overall survival (OS), cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effect cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Statistical tests were performed using Python libraries.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients with DLBCL were included for analysis. The median patient age was 68 (range 35-82) and the median prior lines of failed therapies was two. All patients had successful apheresis and subsequent CAR T manufacturing. No patients died before CAR T infusion. All patients had a pre-radiation PET/CT scan that showed Deauville 5 disease. Patients with limited stage disease received salvage dose RT (EQD2∼40Gy, n = 8) while patients with advanced disease received palliative dose RT (n = 14). The median PTV volume was 1332 cm3. With a median follow-up of 156 days (IQR 63 - 252 days) from CAR T infusion, 10 patients had died and six progressed at an RT target. A higher salvage RT dose was not associated with LC at the day 30 PET or day 90 PET time points. In a Cox regression model, no independent variable, including RT dose, was significantly associated with LC or OS, but post-RT residual target SUV trended toward an association with OS (HR 6.2, 95% CI 0.9 - 471.0, p = 0.06). Post-RT LDH was associated with CRS grade (ρ = -0.39, p = 0.05). Other non-significant associative trends were noted between CRS grade and post-RT absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) (ρ = - 0.33, p = 0.09) and residual target SUV max (ρ = - 0.37, p = 0.08) and between ICANS grade and pre- to post-RT LDH change (ρ = -0.38, p = 0.06) and post-RT lymphocyte count (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.07). In an exploratory analysis of body volume receiving integral doses of 4Gy or 2Gy and pre- and post-RT ALC change, it appeared that higher integral dose did lead to larger decreases in ALC (ρ = -0.32, p = 0.15 and ρ = -0.3, p = 0.18, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In this small series of patients with r/r DLBCL treated with bridging RT prior to CAR T therapy, RT dose was not associated with LC. However, higher post-RT target residual SUV was associated with worse OS. The impact of post-RT LDH on CRS and ICANS grades should be explored further.

Bridging Radiotherapy Prior to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for B-Cell Lymphomas: An ILROG Multi-Institutional Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To report an ILROG multi-institutional analysis of bridging radiotherapy (BRT) prior to CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy for relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell lymphomas (BCL).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Weretrospectively reviewed 115 patients (pts) with diffuse large BCL (n = 101, 88%), primary mediastinal BCL (n = 11, 10%), mantle cell lymphoma (n = 2, 2%), and T-cell/histiocyte rich large BCL (n = 1, 1%) who received BRT prior to commercial CAR T from 2018-2020 across 6 institutions. BRT toxicities were graded per CTCAE v5.0, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) per ASTCT, and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) per either ASTCT or CTCAE v5.0. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), measured from CAR T infusion, were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. PFS was modeled using Cox regression with stepwise variable selection.

RESULTS

BRTwas given prior to axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel; n = 82, 71%), tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel; n = 31, 27%), or brexucabtagene autoleucel (n = 2, 2%). Median age was 62 years with median of two prior lines of therapy. Most pts had advanced stage III/IV disease at leukapheresis (n = 87, 76%), elevated pre-leukapheresis LDH (n = 73, 63%), and bulky disease (n = 55, 50%) (1 lesion ≥7.5 cm). 78 pts (68%) had extranodal disease, 12 (10%) had central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and 36 (31%) had bone involvement. Systemic bridging therapy was given to 42 pts (37%). Median intervals from leukapheresis to BRT start and from BRT completion to CAR T infusion were 5 days (IQR -6, 11) and 12 days (IQR 9, 23), respectively. BRT was delivered to 163 total sites; most commonly the abdomen/pelvis (n = 58, 50%), head/neck (n = 34, 30%), thorax (n = 20, 17%), extremity/soft tissue (n = 20, 17%), and CNS (n = 13, 11%). Median biologically effective dose was 31.3 Gy (IQR 24, 39). Most common regimen was 30 Gy in 10 fractions (n = 27, 17%). 40 pts (35%) received comprehensive BRT (to all active lesions). There were no grade ≥3 BRT toxicities. Grade ≥3 CRS occurred in 9 pts (8%), including 8/82 (10%) after axi-cel and 1/31 (3%) after tisa-cel. Grade ≥3 ICANS occurred in 23 pts (20%), including 22/82 (27%) after axi-cel and 1/31 (3%) after tisa-cel. Median follow up was 26.9 months. 1- and 2-year OS rates were 60% and 49%. 1- and 2-year PFS rates were 41% and 35%. Comprehensive BRT associated with superior PFS (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.62, p<0.001) in a multivariable model with age ≥60, ECOG ≥2, advanced stage, CNS disease, pre-leukapheresis LDH, and axi-cel.

CONCLUSION

In this multi-institutional study, pts receiving BRT prior to CAR T therapy for BCL frequently had bulky disease yet experienced favorable PFS and OS. There were no serious toxicities attributable to BRT, and the rates of CRS and ICANS are comparable to those after CAR T alone. Comprehensive BRT associated with superior PFS.

Effect of Dose to the Heart and Cardiac Substructures on Cardiac Toxicity after Breast Cancer Radiation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Pre-existing cardiovascular disease, chemotherapy, and higher mean heart dose are known risk factors for cardiac toxicity after breast radiation therapy. However, the relationship between cardiac substructure radiation exposure and toxicity is not well understood. We hypothesized that mean heart dose is a surrogate for global cardiac radiation exposure but that more specific dosimetric thresholds for the heart and its substructures could be identified, which could be used to guide radiation planning for breast cancer patients in the future.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this cohort study, all breast cancer patients who received curative intent breast or chest wall radiotherapy at a single high-volume institution in 2014 and 2017 were included (n = 841). Baseline characteristics included hormone therapy, chemotherapy, menopausal status, diabetes, dyslipidemia, pre-existing cardiac toxicity, and age at diagnosis. Outcomes included any cardiac toxicity, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, ischemia, valvular, pericardial disease, and death. The heart and substructures, including left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, right atrium, aortic valve, pulmonic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, and left anterior descending artery, were delineated on the simulation CT for each patient. Dosimetric variables, including mean dose, max dose, and V1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 Gy for the heart and substructures (in cc) were extracted. For each dosimetric variable, multivariable logistic regression was performed using baseline covariates in addition to the single dosimetric variable. Patients with missing data values were excluded. Results were combined and False Discovery Rate p-value correction was performed.

RESULTS

Multiple cardiac substructure dosimetric variables were associated with increased risk of mortality on multivariable analysis (p < 0.05). For left atrium and right atrium, V2, 3, 4, and 5 Gy were all significant. For right ventricle, mean dose, V1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 Gy were significant. For mitral valve, mean dose, max dose, V3, 4, and 5 Gy were significant. For tricuspid valve, mean dose was significant. For aortic valve, max dose, mean dose, V4, and V5 Gy were significant. For the whole heart, V1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 Gy were significant.

CONCLUSION

We have identified multiple dosimetric variables for the heart and its substructures which were associated with increased risk of mortality after breast cancer radiation. In fact, for certain structures, there were multiple exposure thresholds which showed increased risk of toxicity, highlighting the complex relationship between substructure dose and outcomes. Further study into these relationships will identify the most critical cardiac substructure constraints that could be used in radiation treatment planning.

Impact of Stomach Deformability on PTV Coverage in Patients with Gastric MALTs Treated with Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) and Daily CT-based Image-guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Patients with extranodal marginal zone lymphomas of the stomach (gastric MALTs) have excellent prognoses. DIBH with CT-based IGRT is used to minimize unwanted dose to heart and lungs. However, the stomach presents unique challenges for RT given its deformability, which may not be adequately compensated by standard 6-dimensional shifts. We conducted a dosimetry study to evaluate our hypothesis that DIBH, CT-based IGRT, and fasting after midnight may not be sufficient to compensate for stomach deformability.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients included were treated with DIBH and had daily IGRT with cone-beam CTs (CBCTs). All patients were simulated in alpha cradles with arms up. The CTV consisted of stomach with a 1.0 to 1.5cm CTV to PTV margin. Patients were instructed to fast after midnight. CBCTs used for daily image guidance prior to RT were collected. The stomach was contoured on each CBCT and then overlayed on the simulation scan. The stomach volume outside the PTV was calculated both in absolute volume and as a percentage of daily stomach volume. The relative location of the volume of stomach outside the PTV was also recorded.

RESULTS

Five patients with biopsy-proven gastric MALTs who received definitive dose RT were included. Patients were followed for at least 11 months (range: 11 - 20 mo.), and all achieved a complete pathological response. Seventy daily CBCTs were used in the analysis. Across all images, the daily stomach volume was smaller than the CTV by a mean 99.3cc (range: <305.3cc - >108.9cc). The mean volume of stomach outside the PTV was 7.8cc (range: 0 - 75.5cc). This represented 3.1% of the daily stomach volume (range: 0 - 18.7%). Per patient, the mean percent volume outside the PTV ranged from 0.4% to 6.9%. In 3 of the 5 patients, the percent volume outside the PTV was <2.5%. The stomach was most often anterior to the PTV (31.4% of images). Medial and posterior extensions were the next most frequent, representing 21.4% and 14.3% of images, respectively. Of all the daily stomach contours, 15.7% remained wholly within the PTV.

CONCLUSION

DIBH with daily IGRT in patients with gastric MALTs may result in moderate underdosing of the stomach due to its deformability. Daily stomach volumes were different in size from the CTV, and patients had an average of 0.4% to 6.9% of stomach volume outside the PTV. Regions of decreased coverage were most frequently seen anteriorly. Future dosimetry studies may suggest non-isometric PTV expansions to better cover these areas.

Mass Measurement of Upper fp-Shell N=Z-2 and N=Z-1 Nuclei and the Importance of Three-Nucleon Force along the N=Z Line

Using a novel method of isochronous mass spectrometry, the masses of ^{62}Ge, ^{64}As, ^{66}Se, and ^{70}Kr are measured for the first time, and the masses of ^{58}Zn, ^{61}Ga, ^{63}Ge, ^{65}As, ^{67}Se, ^{71}Kr, and ^{75}Sr are redetermined with improved accuracy. The new masses allow us to derive residual proton-neutron interactions (δV_{pn}) in the N=Z nuclei, which are found to decrease (increase) with increasing mass A for even-even (odd-odd) nuclei beyond Z=28. This bifurcation of δV_{pn} cannot be reproduced by the available mass models, nor is it consistent with expectations of a pseudo-SU(4) symmetry restoration in the fp shell. We performed ab initio calculations with a chiral three-nucleon force (3NF) included, which indicate the enhancement of the T=1 pn pairing over the T=0 pn pairing in this mass region, leading to the opposite evolving trends of δV_{pn} in even-even and odd-odd nuclei.

[Influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment among the Chinese elderly: a meta-analysis]

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis on the influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the Chinese elderly. Methods: The literature related to the influencing factors of MCI in Chinese elderly population was retrieved through CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases up to March 13, 2022. Stata17.0 software was used to calculate the combined risk ratio (RR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI), test the heterogeneity, and assess the publication bias. Results: A total of 2 450 articles were retrieved, and 49 articles met the inclusion criteria, including 5 cohort studies and 44 case-control studies. Meta-analysis results showed that male (RR=0.778, 95%CI: 0.696-0.870, I²=73.1), education>6years (RR=0.428, 95%CI: 0.374-0.490, I²=86.9) and regular exercise (RR=0.496, 95%CI: 0.421-0.585, I²=81.5) were protective factors for MCI, while age≥70 years (RR=2.431, 95%CI: 2.086-2.833, I²=79.3), family history of dementia (RR=3.228, 95%CI: 2.140-4.867, I²=0.0), smoking (RR=1.214, 95%CI: 1.098-1.342, I²=78.8), alcohol consumption (RR=1.165, 95%CI: 1.047-1.297, I²=68.2), solitary living (RR=2.816, 95%CI: 2.123-3.736, I²=42.0), insomnia (RR=1.402, 95%CI: 1.093-1.799, I²=41.3), overweight/obesity (RR=1.431, 95%CI: 1.207-1.696, I²=75.9), hypertension (RR=1.731, 95%CI: 1.589-1.886, I²=67.1), hyperlipidemia (RR=1.722, 95%CI: 1.541-1.924, I²=63.9), diabetes mellitus (RR=1.495, 95%CI: 1.341-1.666, I²=71.6), cardiovascular diseases (RR=1.671, 95%CI: 1.446-1.932, I²=74.6) and cerebrovascular diseases (RR=2.309, 95%CI: 2.040-2.613, I²=76.3) were risk factors of MCI. Conclusion: The present study indicates that male, junior high school education or above and regular exercise are protective factors of MCI, while age≥70 years, family history of dementia, smoking, alcohol consumption, living alone, insomnia, overweight/obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases are risk factors of MCI.

Androgen receptor blockade resistance with enzalutamide in prostate cancer results in immunosuppressive alterations in the tumor immune microenvironment

BACKGROUND

Emerging data suggest that patients with enzalutamide-treated prostate cancer with increased programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression may benefit from anti-PD-L1 treatment. Unfortunately, the Phase III IMbassador250 clinical trial revealed that the combination of atezolizumab (a PD-L1 inhibitor) and enzalutamide failed to extend overall survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the mechanisms underlying treatment failure remain unknown.

METHODS

Human CRPC C4-2B cells and murine Myc-CaP cells were chronically exposed to increasing concentrations of enzalutamide and the cells resistant to enzalutamide were referred to as C4-2B MDVR and Myc-CaP MDVR, respectively. The mechanisms of action in drug-resistant prostate cancer cells were determined using RNA sequencing analyses, RNA interference, real-time PCR, western blotting, and co-culturing technologies. Myc-CaP and Myc-CaP MDVR tumors were established in syngeneic FVB mice, and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were isolated after enzalutamide treatment. The stained immune cells were determined by flow cytometry, and the data were analyzed using FlowJo.

RESULTS

Immune-related signaling pathways (interferon alpha/gamma response, inflammatory response, and cell chemotaxis) were suppressed in human enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells. PD-L1 was overexpressed and negatively regulated by androgen receptor signaling in resistant cells and patient with CRPC cohorts. Enzalutamide treatment decreased CD8+ T-cell numbers but increased monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (M-MDSC) populations and PD-L1 expression within murine Myc-CaP tumors. Similarly, chemotaxis and immune response-regulating signaling pathways were suppressed, and PD-L1 expression was also increased using enzalutamide-resistant Myc-CaP MDVR cells. Notably, MDSC populations were significantly increased in Myc-CaP MDVR orthotopic tumors compared with those in Myc-CaP parental tumors. Co-culturing bone marrow cells with Myc-CaP MDVR cells significantly promoted MDSC differentiation and shifted towards M2 macrophage skewing.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that immunosuppressive signaling can be promoted directly by enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells and may be a potential means by which the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer is diminished.

Abstract 5151: Enzalutamide resistance results in immunosuppressive alterations in prostate tumor immune microenvironment

Background: Emerging data suggested that enzalutamide-treated prostate cancer patients with increased programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression may benefit from anti-PD-L1 treatment. Unfortunately, the Phase III IMbassador250 trial revealed that the combination of atezolizumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) and enzalutamide failed to extend overall survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The mechanisms underlying treatment failure remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the regulation of immunosuppressive signaling in enzalutamide resistant prostate cancer and characterized the immune infiltrating cells in murine prostate tumors.

Methods: The expression of interferon gamma-related genes was determined using qRT-PCR and/or western blotting. Androgen receptor (AR) and AR-V7 levels were downregulated using specific siRNA. Myc-CaP cells were chronically exposed to increasing concentrations of enzalutamide (5-50 μM) for &gt;12 months, and the cells resistant to enzalutamide were referred to as Myc-CaP MDVR. The gene-regulating mechanisms in drug-resistant prostate cancer cells were determined by RNA sequencing analyses. Myc-CaP and Myc-CaP MDVR xenograft tumors were established in FVB mice, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were isolated using Ficoll. The stained immune cells were determined by flow cytometry, and the data were analyzed using Flowjo.

Results: Immune-related signaling pathways (interferon alpha/gamma response, T cell activation, and cell chemotaxis pathways) were suppressed in C4-2B MDVR cells. However, PD-L1 expression was highly upregulated and negatively regulated by AR in C4-2B MDVR cells. Enzalutamide treatment decreased CD8+ T cell but increased monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (M-MDSC) population and PD-L1 expression in murine Myc-CaP tumors. Consistently, chemotaxis and immune response-regulating signaling pathways were suppressed, and PD-L1 expression was increased in enzalutamide-resistant Myc-CaP MDVR cells. Notably, MDSC populations were significantly increased in Myc-CaP MDVR orthotopic tumors compared with those in Myc-CaP parental tumors. Co-culturing bone marrow cells with Myc-CaP MDVR cells significantly promoted MDSC differentiation and polarized macrophages from the M1 to M2 phase.

Conclusions: Immunosuppressive signaling is activated in enzalutamide resistant prostate cancer cells. The activated immune-related signatures involved in T cells, MDSC, and macrophages may reduce the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer.

Grant Support: This work was supported in part by grants NIH/NCI R37CA249108 (C, Liu) and R01CA251253 (C, Liu).

Citation Format: Pengfei Xu, Joy C. Yang, Bo Chen, Christopher Nip, Jonathan E. Van Dyke, Christopher P. Evans, William J. Murphy, Chengfei Liu. Enzalutamide resistance results in immunosuppressive alterations in prostate tumor immune microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5151.

Allosteric inhibition of HSP70 in collaboration with STUB1 augments enzalutamide efficacy in antiandrogen resistant prostate tumor and patient-derived models

Ubiquitin proteasome activity is suppressed in enzalutamide resistant prostate cancer cells, and the heat shock protein 70/STIP1 homology and U-box-containing protein 1 (HSP70/STUB1) machinery are involved in androgen receptor (AR) and AR variant protein stabilization. Targeting HSP70 could be a viable strategy to overcome resistance to androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI) in advanced prostate cancer. Here, we showed that a novel HSP70 allosteric inhibitor, JG98, significantly suppressed drug-resistant C4-2B MDVR and CWR22Rv1 cell growth, and enhanced enzalutamide treatment. JG98 also suppressed cell growth in conditional reprogramed cell cultures (CRCs) and organoids derived from advanced prostate cancer patient samples. Mechanistically, JG98 degraded AR/AR-V7 expression in resistant cells and promoted STUB1 nuclear translocation to bind AR-V7. Knockdown of the E3 ligase STUB1 significantly diminished the anticancer effects and partially restored AR-V7 inhibitory effects of JG98. JG231, a more potent analog developed from JG98, effectively suppressed the growth of the drug-resistant prostate cancer cells, CRCs, and organoids. Notably, the combination of JG231 and enzalutamide synergistically inhibited AR/AR-V7 expression and suppressed CWR22Rv1 xenograft tumor growth. Inhibition of HSP70 using novel small-molecule inhibitors coordinates with STUB1 to regulate AR/AR-V7 protein stabilization and ARSI resistance.

Novel inhibition of AKR1C3 and androgen receptor axis by PTUPB synergizes enzalutamide treatment in advanced prostate cancer

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the main driving force of mortality in prostate cancer patients. Among the parameters contributing to the progression of CRPC and treatment failure, elevation of the steroidogenic enzyme AKR1C3 and androgen receptor variant 7 (AR-V7) are frequently reported. The AKR1C3/AR-V7 complex has been recognized as a major driver for drug resistance in advanced prostate cancer. Herein we report that the level of AKR1C3 is reciprocally regulated by the full-length androgen receptor (AR-FL) through binding to the distal enhancer region of the AKR1C3 gene. A novel function of PTUPB in AKR1C3 inhibition was discovered and PTUPB showed more effectiveness than indomethacin and celecoxib in suppressing AKR1C3 activity and CRPC cell growth. PTUPB synergizes with enzalutamide treatment in tumor suppression and gene signature regulation. Combination treatments with PTUPB and enzalutamide provide benefits by blocking AR/AR-V7 signaling, which inhibits the growth of castration relapsed VCaP xenograft tumors and patient-derived xenograft organoids. Targeting of the ARK1C3/AR/AR-V7 axis with PTUPB and enzalutamide may overcome drug resistance to AR signaling inhibitors in advanced prostate cancer.

[Research advances of adipose stem cell matrix gel in promoting wound healing]

In recent years, with the problem of aging population in China being prominant, the number of patients with chronic wounds such as diabetic foot, pressure ulcer, and vascular ulcer is increasing. Those diseases seriously affect the life quality of patients and increase the economy and care burden of the patients' family, which have been one of the most urgent clinical problems. Many researches have confirmed that adipose stem cells can effectively promote wound healing, while exogenous protease is needed, and there are ethical and many other problems, which limit the clinical application of adipose stem cells. Adipose stem cell matrix gel is a gel-like mixture of biologically active extracellular matrix and stromal vascular fragment obtained from adipose tissue by the principle of fluid whirlpool and flocculation precipitation. It contains rich adipose stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and macrophages, etc. The preparation method of adipose stem cell matrix gel is simple and the preparation time is short, which is convenient for clinical application. Many studies at home and abroad showed that adipose stem cell matrix gel can effectively promote wound healing by regulating inflammatory reaction, promoting microvascular reconstruction and collagen synthesis. Therefore, this paper summarized the preparation of adipose stem cell matrix gel, the mechanism and problems of the matrix gel in promoting wound repair, in order to provide new methods and ideas for the treatment of chronic refractory wounds in clinic.

Bioengineered BERA-Wnt5a siRNA Targeting Wnt5a/FZD2 Signaling Suppresses Advanced Prostate Cancer Tumor Growth and Enhances Enzalutamide Treatment

The next-generation antiandrogen drugs such as enzalutamide and abiraterone extend survival times and improve quality of life in patients with advanced prostate cancer. However, resistance to both drugs occurs frequently through mechanisms that are incompletely understood. Wnt signaling, particularly through Wnt5a, plays vital roles in promoting prostate cancer progression and induction of resistance to enzalutamide and abiraterone. Development of novel strategies targeting Wnt5a to overcome resistance is an urgent need. In this study, we demonstrated that Wnt5a/FZD2-mediated noncanonical Wnt pathway is overexpressed in enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer. In patient databases, both the levels of Wnt5a and FZD2 expression are upregulated upon the development of enzalutamide resistance and correlate with higher Gleason score, biochemical recurrence, and metastatic status, and with shortened disease-free survival duration. Blocking Wnt5a/FZD2 signal transduction not only diminished the activation of noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway, but also suppressed the constitutively activated androgen receptor (AR) and AR variants. Furthermore, we developed a novel bioengineered BERA-Wnt5a siRNA construct and demonstrated that inhibition of Wnt5a expression by the BERA-Wnt5a siRNA significantly suppressed tumor growth and enhanced enzalutamide treatment in vivo. These results indicate that Wnt5a/FZD2 signal pathway plays a critical role in promoting enzalutamide resistance, and targeting this pathway by BERA-Wnt5a siRNA can be developed as a potential therapy to treat advanced prostate cancer.

Activation of neural lineage networks and ARHGEF2 in enzalutamide-resistant and neuroendocrine prostate cancer and association with patient outcomes

Background

Treatment-emergent neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) after androgen receptor (AR) targeted therapies is an aggressive variant of prostate cancer with an unfavorable prognosis. The underlying mechanisms for early neuroendocrine differentiation are poorly defined and diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are needed.

Methods

We performed transcriptomic analysis on the enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cell line C4-2B MDVR and NEPC patient databases to identify neural lineage signature (NLS) genes. Correlation of NLS genes with clinicopathologic features was determined. Cell viability was determined in C4-2B MDVR and H660 cells after knocking down ARHGEF2 using siRNA. Organoid viability of patient-derived xenografts was measured after knocking down ARHGEF2.

Results

We identify a 95-gene NLS representing the molecular landscape of neural precursor cell proliferation, embryonic stem cell pluripotency, and neural stem cell differentiation, which may indicate an early or intermediate stage of neuroendocrine differentiation. These NLS genes positively correlate with conventional neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin and synaptophysin, and negatively correlate with AR and AR target genes in advanced prostate cancer. Differentially expressed NLS genes stratify small-cell NEPC from prostate adenocarcinoma, which are closely associated with clinicopathologic features such as Gleason Score and metastasis status. Higher ARGHEF2, LHX2, and EPHB2 levels among the 95 NLS genes correlate with a shortened survival time in NEPC patients. Furthermore, downregulation of ARHGEF2 gene expression suppresses cell viability and markers of neuroendocrine differentiation in enzalutamide-resistant and neuroendocrine cells.

Conclusions

The 95 neural lineage gene signatures capture an early molecular shift toward neuroendocrine differentiation, which could stratify advanced prostate cancer patients to optimize clinical treatment and serve as a source of potential therapeutic targets in advanced prostate cancer.

[Evaluation of safety and clinical efficacy of bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty in treatment of osteoporotic thoraco-lumbar burst fractures]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of bilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral burst fractures. Methods: It was a prospective study, 28 patients with osteoporotic thoraco-lumbar burst fractures who were treated in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from January 2021 to July 2021 were included, including 10 males and 18 females, with a median age of 73.6 years (range: 56.0-87.0 years). The X-ray radiographs, bone mineral density (BMD), CT three-dimensional reconstruction scan and MRI were taken and measured before operation to observe the fracture location and the posterior wall of the vertebral body, and further to determine the diagnosis. The X-ray radiographs and CT three-dimensional reconstruction scans were taken on the first day after operation and the last follow-up to observe whether there were bone cement leakage or not. The changes of kyphosis angle (KA), the height of anterior wall (HAW) and the height of posterior wall (HPW) before the operation, on the 1st day post operation and at the last follow-up were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of back pain and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) before the operation, 1 day post operation and at the last follow-up were used to evaluate the clinical effect of the operation. Results: All the patients were followed up for (12.2±6.0) months. The HAW on the 1st day post operation [(22.5±2.0) mm] was significantly increased as compared with that before the operation [(21.2±2.4) mm] (P<0.05). The HAW at the last follow-up [(18.9±1.6) mm] decreased signficantly as compared with that on the 1st day post opertion [(22.5±2.0) mm] (P<0.05). The HPW was also significantly corrected after surgery (P<0.05). At the end of the follow-up, the HPW [(27.2±1.3) mm] was comparable with that on the 1st day after surgery [(27.5±1.6) mm] (P>0.05). The KA on the 1st day after the operation (14.2°±1.5°) decreased significantly when compared with that before the operation (18.8°±1.3°) (P<0.05), but it was increased to 17.6°±1.4° at the last follow-up and was higher than that on the 1st day after the operation (P<0.05). There were bone cement leakage in 5 cases and adjacent vertebral fracture in 1 case. The VAS and ODI scores were all significantly lower on the 1st day and at last follow-up than that before the operation (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Bilateral PKP is effective, safe and reliable in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral burst fracture. Careful evaluation of preoperative imaging data, accurate puncture and timing of bone cement injection are the key factors to ensure the success of the operation.

[Clinical characteristics of 272 437 patients with different histopathological subtypes of primary esophageal malignant tumors]

Objective: To characterize the histopathological subtypes and their clinicopathological parameters of gender and onset age by common, rare and sparse primary esophageal malignant tumors (PEMT). Methods: A total of 272 437 patients with PEMT were enrolled in this study, and all of the patients were received radical surgery. The clinicopathological information of the patients was obtained from the database established by the State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment from September 1973 to December 2020, which included the clinical treatment, pathological diagnosis and follow-up information of esophagus and gastric cardia cancers. All patients were diagnosed and classified by the criteria of esophageal tumor histopathological diagnosis and classification (2019) of the World Health Organization (WHO). The esophageal tumors, which were not included in the WHO classification, were analyzed separately according to the postoperative pathological diagnosis. The χ² test was performed by the SPSS 25.0 software on count data, and the test standard α=0.05. Results: A total of 32 histopathological types were identified in the enrolled PEMT patients, of which 10 subtypes were not included in the WHO classification. According to the frequency, PEMT were divided into common (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, ESCC, accounting for 97.1%), rare (esophageal adenocarcinoma, EAC, accounting for 2.3%) and sparse (mainly esophageal small cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, etc., accounting for 0.6%). All the common, rare, and sparse types occurred predominantly in male patients, and the gender difference of rare type was most significant (EAC, male∶ female, 2.67∶1), followed with common type (ESCC, male∶ female, 1.78∶1) and sparse type (male∶ female, 1.71∶1). The common type (ESCC) mainly occurred in the middle thoracic segment (65.2%), while the rare type (EAC) mainly occurred in the lower thoracic segment (56.8%). Among the sparse type, malignant melanoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma were both predominantly located in the lower thoracic segment (51.7%, 66.7%), and the others were mainly in the middle thoracic segment. Conclusion: ESCC is the most common type among the 32 histopathological types of PEMT, followed by EAC as the rare type, and esophageal small cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma as the major sparse type, and all of which are mainly occur in male patients. The common type of ESCC mainly occur in the middle thoracic segment, while the rare type of EAC mainly in the lower thoracic segment. The mainly sparse type of malignant melanoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma predominately occur in the lower thoracic segment, and the remaining sparse types mainly occur in the middle thoracic segment.

[Assessment of quality of systematic reviews and Meta-analyses on efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines]

Objective: To evaluate the methodology of the published systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (SR/MA) on efficacy and safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Methods: We conducted a retrieval for literatures published as of December 10, 2021 in English databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of science) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang data, VIP, Sinomed). Two reviewers independently screened literatures and extracted data. The methodology of included SR/MA papers was assessed by A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Review-2 (AMSTAR-2) tool in 16 items. Results: A total 22 SR/MA papers were included, in which 3 (13.6%) had low quality and 19 (86.4%) had very low quality. The main problems of these SR/MA included having no definite PICO (Participants, intervention, control and outcome), providing no preliminary research protocol, no list of excluded studies and justify the exclusions, making no evaluation and explanation or discussion of the risk of bias of original studies, no adequate evaluation of publication bias and discuss its likely impact on the results, etc. Conclusion: SR/MA for the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines had varied methodological deficiencies, further improvements are needed.

Abstract 3099: Biological evaluation of a novel AKR1C3 inhibitor in patient-derived prostate cancer cell line and xenograft models

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer is a highly heterogeneous cancer type with distinct genomic and phenotypic characteristics that drive tumorigenesis and the differential response to drug therapies. A limit number of prostate cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models hinders research to improve disease outcome. Some currently available PDX models were derived from the primary tumor samples are insufficient to recapitulate the clinical response at more advanced stages. In this study, we developed patient-derived models from patients with advanced disease and evaluated a novel AKR1C3 inhibitor in these models.

METHODS: Samples received from our Pathology Biorepository Shared Resource were divided into four groups and subjected to pathological staining, RNA extraction, xenografting in NSG mice via renal capsule and subcutaneous implantation in SCID mice and conditional reprogramed cultures (CRCs) or organoid culturing. The AKR1C3 inhibitor PB was modified from celecoxib. Androgen receptor (AR), AR-V7 and AKR1C3 expression were determined by western blot. The effects of the AKR1C3 inhibitor on enzalutamide sensitivity were characterized by growth assay and colony formation assay.

RESULTS: Eight PDX models have been developed from prostate cancer patients with high Gleason score and/or at the castration-resistant stages. Among the PDX models, one spontaneous indefinite cell line PS1172 was established. Early passage CRCs showed the epithelial morphology with AR positive expression. Through serially passaging PS1172 PDX with castration in SCID mice, the castration resistant cell line 1172CR was re-cultured from castration-resistant PS1172 PDX tumors. 1172CR cells were resistant to enzalutamide treatment and expressed high level of AKR1C3 and AR-V7. A novel AKR1C3 inhibitor (PB) which displayed superior potential to inhibit AKR1C3 activity and suppress enzalutamide resistant prostate cancer cell growth was tested in these models. At the same dose, PB significantly suppressed 1172CR cell growth and colony formation compared to indomethacin and enzalutamide. PB also significantly suppressed AR/AR-V7 protein expression compared to indomethacin in 1172CR cells.

CONCLUSION: PS1172 and castration-resistant 1172CR cells are novel models with significant characteristics such as AR-V7 and AKR1C3. These novel prostate cancer models are ideal for small molecule testing and resistant mechanism investigating.

Citation Format: Joy C. Yang, Shu Ning, Hans Adomat, Martin Gleave, Allen Gao, Christopher P. Evans, Chengfei Liu. Biological evaluation of a novel AKR1C3 inhibitor in patient-derived prostate cancer cell line and xenograft models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3099.

ARVib suppresses growth of advanced prostate cancer via inhibition of androgen receptor signaling

Targeting androgen signaling with the second-generation anti-androgen drugs, such as enzalutamide (Enza), abiraterone (Abi), apalutamide (Apal), and darolutamide (Daro), is the mainstay for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). While these treatments are effective initially, resistance occurs frequently. Continued expression of androgen receptor (AR) and its variants such as AR-V7 despite AR-targeted therapy contributes to treatment resistance and cancer progression in advanced CRPC patients. This highlights the need for new strategies blocking continued AR signaling. Here, we identify a novel AR/AR-V7 degrader (ARVib) and found that ARVib effectively degrades AR/AR-V7 protein and attenuates AR/AR-V7 downstream target gene expression in prostate cancer cells. Mechanistically, ARVib degrades AR/AR-V7 protein through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway mediated by HSP70/STUB1 machinery modulation. ARVib suppresses HSP70 expression and promotes STUB1 nuclear translocation, where STUB1 binds to AR/AR-V7 and promotes its ubiquitination and degradation. ARVib significantly inhibits resistant prostate tumor growth and improves enzalutamide treatment in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that ARVib has potential for development as an AR/AR-V7 degrader to treat resistant CRPC.

[Mechanism study of dendritic epidermal T lymphocytes in promoting healing of full-thickness skin defects wound on mice by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells in mice]

Objective: To explore the mechanism of dendritic epidermal T lymphocytes (DETCs) in promoting healing of full-thickness skin defect wound on mice by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in mice. Methods: (1) Ten 8-week-old wild type (WT) male C57BL/6 mice (the same sex and kind below) were sacrificed to collect the skin of back for extracting DETCs to culture. Five WT and five 8-week-old T cell receptor (TCR) δ(-)/(-) mice were selected and enrolled in WT control group and TCR δ(-)/(-) control group, respectively. A full-thickness skin defect wound with diameter of 6 mm was made on both sides of spinal line on the back of mice without any treatment after injury. Another fifteen 8-week-old TCR δ(-)/(-) mice were selected and divided into phosphate buffer solution (PBS), DETC, and insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ) groups according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), with 5 mice in each group, and the same full-thickness skin defect wound was made on each mouse. Immediately after injury, mice in PBS, DETC, and IGF-Ⅰ groups were injected subcutaneously around each wound with 10 μL sterile PBS , DETCs (cell concentration of 1×10(6)/mL), and 5 mg/mL recombinant mice IGF-Ⅰ, respectively. The percentage of the residual wound area was calculated on post injury day (PID) 2, 4, 6, and 8. (2) Three 8-week-old WT mice were enrolled in WT control group and nine 8-week-old TCR δ(-)/(-) mice were divided into TCR δ(-)/(-) control group, PBS group, and DETC group, with 3 mice in each group. The full-thickness skin defect wound was made as in experiment (1) . On PID 3, the protein expression of IGF-Ⅰ in the epidermis tissue of wound margin was detected by chemiluminescence imaging analyzer. (3) Three 8-week-old WT mice were enrolled in WT control group and six 8-week-old TCR δ(-)/(-) mice were divided into PBS and DETC groups, with 3 mice in each group, and the full-thickness skin defect wound was made as in experiment (1). On PID3, DETCs were extracted from the wound margin epidermis tissue to detect the percentage of DETCs expressing IGF-Ⅰ by flow cytometer. (4) The mice were taken as in experiment (2) and divided into WT control, PBS, DETC, and IGF-Ⅰ groups. A straight full-thickness skin defect incision with length of 3 cm was made in the direction of one inner ear. Mice in WT control group didn't have any other treatment after injury, and immediately after injury, mice in PBS, DETC, and IGF-Ⅰ groups were injected subcutaneously around each wound with 10 μL sterile PBS, DETCs (cell concentration of 1×10(6)/mL), and 5 mg/mL recombinant mice IGF-Ⅰ, respectively. On PID 12, epidermis tissue of wound margin was collected, and immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the number of keratin 15 positive cells. (5) The same mice were collected, grouped, and treated as in experiment (4). On PID12, the epidermis tissue of wound margin was collected and immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the number of keratin 10 positive cells. (6) Twenty 3-day-old WT mice (the same below) were sacrificed to collect the whole skin, which was used to extract ESCs, with 5 mice detecting one index. The ESCs were divided into DETC co-culture group and control group, which were added with 1 mL DETCs (cell concentration of 1.25×10(6)/mL) and DETC medium, respectively. The percentage of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) positive cell on culture day (CD) 3, the percentages of CD49f(+) CD71(-) and keratin 14 positive cells on CD 5, and the percentage of keratin 10 positive cell on CD 10 in 2 groups were detected by flow cytometer. (7) Twenty mice were taken to extract ESCs, with 5 mice detecting one index. The ESCs were divided into control group and IGF-Ⅰ group, which were added with 1 mL sterile PBS and 10 ng/mL recombinant mice IGF-Ⅰ, respectively. The percentages of EdU positive cell, CD49f(+) CD71(-) cell, keratin10 positive cell, and keratin 14 positive cell were detected as in experiment (6). The sample in each group of experiments (6) and (7) was three. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, one-way analysis of variance, and t test. Results: (1) On PID 4, 6, and 8, the percentage of residual wound area in TCR δ(-)/(-) control group was significantly higher than that in WT control group (t=2.78, 3.39, 3.66, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The percentage of residual wound area in DETC group and IGF-Ⅰgroup on PID 4, 6, and 8 was apparently lower than that in PBS group (t=2.61, 3.21, 3.88, 2.84, 2.91, 2.49, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) On PID 3, the protein expression of IGF-Ⅰ in the epidermis tissue of wound margin of mice in TCR δ(-)/(-) control group was significantly lower than that in WT control group (t=17.34, P<0.01). The protein expression of IGF-Ⅰ in the epidermis tissue of wound margin of mice in DETC group was significantly higher than that in PBS group (t=11.71, P<0.01). (3) On PID 3, the percentage of DETCs expressing IGF-Ⅰ in the epidermis tissue of wound margin of mice in PBS group was significantly lower than that in WT control group and DETC group (t=24.95, 27.23, P<0.01). (4) On PID 12, the number of keratin 15 positive cells in the epidermis tissue of wound margin of mice in PBS group was significantly lower than that in WT control group, DETC group, and IGF-Ⅰ group (t=17.97, 11.95, 7.63, P<0.01). (5) The number of keratin 10 positive cells in the epidermis tissue of wound margin of mice in PBS group was significantly higher than that in WT control group, DETC group, and IGF-Ⅰ group (t=11.59, 9.51, 3.48, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (6) The percentages of EdU positive cells on CD 3, CD49f(+) CD71(-) cells on CD 5, and keratin 14 positive cells on CD 5 in DETC co-culture group were respectively (43.5±0.6)%, (66.5±0.5)%, (69.3±1.7)%, apparently higher than (32.3±1.3)%, (56.4±0.3)%, (54.9±1.3)% in control group (t=7.97, 17.10, 6.66, P<0.01). The percentage of keratin 10 positive cells on CD 10 in DETC co-culture group was (55.7±0.7)%, significantly lower than (67.1±1.2)% in control group (t=8.34, P<0.01). (7) The percentages of EdU positive cells on CD 3, CD49f(+) CD71(-) cells on CD 5, and keratin 14 positive cells on CD 5 in IGF-Ⅰ group were respectively (42.1±0.9)%, (81.1±1.3)%, (66.8±1.0)%, apparently higher than (32.4±0.7)%, (74.9±0.7)%, (52.0±1.9)% in control group (t=8.39, 4.24, 7.25, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The percentage of keratin 10 positive cells on CD 10 in IGF-Ⅰ group was (53.5±1.1)% , significantly lower than (58.2±0.3)% in control group (t=3.99, P<0.05). Conclusions: DETCs can promote the proliferation and anti-apoptotic potential of ESCs and inhibit their differentiation into end-stage by secreting IGF-Ⅰ, thus promoting wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in mice.

Steroid Sulfatase Stimulates Intracrine Androgen Synthesis and is a Therapeutic Target for Advanced Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

Most patients with prostate cancer receiving enzalutamide or abiraterone develop resistance. Clinical evidence indicates that serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and biologically active DHEA remain in the high range despite antiandrogen treatment. The conversion of DHEAS into DHEA by steroid sulfatase (STS) may contribute to sustained intracrine androgen synthesis. Here, we determine the contribution of STS to treatment resistance and explore the potential of targeting STS to overcome resistance in prostate cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

STS expression was examined in patients and cell lines. In vitro, STS activity and expression were modulated using STS-specific siRNA or novel STS inhibitors (STSi). Cell growth, colony formation, androgen production, and gene expression were examined. RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted on VCaP cells treated with STSi. Mice were treated with STSis with or without enzalutamide to determine their effects in vivo.

RESULTS

STS is overexpressed in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and resistant cells. STS overexpression increases intracrine androgen synthesis, cell proliferation, and confers resistance to enzalutamide and abiraterone. Inhibition of STS using siRNA suppresses prostate cancer cell growth. Targeting STS activity using STSi inhibits STS activity, suppresses androgen receptor transcriptional activity, and reduces the growth of resistant C4-2B and VCaP prostate cancer cells. STSis significantly suppress resistant VCaP tumor growth, decrease serum PSA levels, and enhance enzalutamide treatment in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies suggest that STS drives intracrine androgen synthesis and prostate cancer proliferation. Targeting STS represents a therapeutic strategy to treat CRPC and improve second-generation antiandrogen therapy.

[Current global development of screening guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review]

Objective: The objective of the study was systematically summarized the current status of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening guidelines, and evaluated the HCC screening guidelines according to the authoritative framework of cancer screening guidelines of authoritative institutions, which provided important value for the formulation of HCC screening evidence-based guidelines. Methods: Literature search was conducted in multiple databases from their inception dates to January 3, 2019. In addition, we sought relevant websites further was searched to identify potentially eligible studies. Two reviewers independently screened literature and extracted data. Qualitative description of the basic information, recommendations of HCC screening, source of evidence and update progress of the HCC screening guidelines was conducted. Results: At present, there were no independent HCC screening guidelines worldwide. There were only 17 clinical practice HCC guidelines briefly provided the recommendation of HCC screening. Current HCC screening guidelines only recommended screening for high-risk groups of HCC. All guidelines have identified patients with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C and cirrhosis as high-risk groups for HCC. Most of guidelines recommended screening intervals was 6 months. The latest guidelines in Europe and the United States recommended ultrasound for screening HCC. The combination of ultrasound and AFP was recommended in the Asian guidelines. Currently, HCC screening guidelines mainly recommended screening strategies based on factors such as risk of HCC, accuracy of screening modality, screening cost, etc.. The key factors such as screening efficacy and safety have not yet been considered comprehensively. Conclusions: There were no independent HCC screening guidelines worldwide. Only some clinical practice HCC guidelines briefly mentioned HCC screening. Currently, the guidelines only recommend screening for high-risk groups of HCC, with a screening interval of 6 months. There are differences in screening modalities recommended by European, American and Asian guidelines for screening HCC. It is suggested that the relevant institutions should formulate the evidence-based HCC screening guidelines by referring to the theoretical framework of other authoritative other cancer screening guidelines.

Cross-Resistance Among Next-Generation Antiandrogen Drugs Through the AKR1C3/AR-V7 Axis in Advanced Prostate Cancer

The next-generation antiandrogen drugs, XTANDI (enzalutamide), ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate), ERLEADA (apalutamide) and NUBEQA (darolutamide) extend survival times and improve quality of life in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Despite these advances, resistance occurs frequently and there is currently no definitive cure for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Our previous studies identified that similar mechanisms of resistance to enzalutamide or abiraterone occur following treatment and cross-resistance exists between these therapies in advanced prostate cancer. Here, we show that enzalutamide- and abiraterone-resistant prostate cancer cells are further cross-resistant to apalutamide and darolutamide. Mechanistically, we have determined that the AKR1C3/AR-V7 axis confers this cross-resistance. Knockdown of AR-V7 in enzalutamide-resistant cells resensitize cells to apalutamide and darolutamide treatment. Furthermore, targeting AKR1C3 resensitizes resistant cells to apalutamide and darolutamide treatment through AR-V7 inhibition. Chronic apalutamide treatment in C4-2B cells activates the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway and increases AKR1C3 expression, which confers resistance to enzalutamide, abiraterone, and darolutamide. In conclusion, our results suggest that apalutamide and darolutamide share similar resistant mechanisms with enzalutamide and abiraterone. The AKR1C3/AR-V7 complex confers cross-resistance to second-generation androgen receptor-targeted therapies in advanced prostate cancer.

[Effects of dendritic epidermal T cells on proliferation and apoptosis of epidermal cells in wound margin of mice]

Objective: To explore the effects of dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) on proliferation and apoptosis of epidermal cells in wound margin of mice and its effects on wound healing. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy specific pathogen free (SPF) C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) male mice aged 8-12 weeks and 60 SPF T lymphocyte receptor δ-knockout (TCR δ(-/-)) male mice aged 8-12 weeks were selected to conduct the following experiments. (1) Eight WT mice were selected to isolate epidermal cells and primarily culture DETC according to the random number table. Morphological observation and purity identification of DETC by flow cytometer were detected immediately after culture and on culture day (CD) 15 and 30, respectively. (2) According to the random number table, 5 WT mice and 5 TCR δ(-/-) mice were selected and enrolled into WT control group and TCR δ(-/-) group. Round full-thickness skin defect with diameter of 6 mm was made on the back of each mouse. The wound healing condition was observed immediately after injury and on post injury day (PID) 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and the percentage of residual wound area was calculated. (3) Mice were selected to group and reproduce model of full-thickness skin defect as in experiment (2). On PID 3, the tissue of wound margin was collected for hematoxylin eosin staining, and the length of new epithelium was measured. (4) Mice were selected to group and reproduce model of full-thickness skin defect as in experiment (2). On PID 3, epidermal tissue of wound margin was collected to determine expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) using Western blotting for evaluation of proliferation of epidermal cell. (5) Mice were selected to group and reproduce model of full-thickness skin defect as in experiment (2). On PID 3, epidermal tissue of wound margin was selected and digested into single-cell suspension, and apoptosis of cells was detected by flow cytometer. (6) Forty TCR δ(-/-) mice were selected to carry out the same treatment as in experiments (2)-(5). According to the random number table, these mice were enrolled into TCR δ(-/-) control group and TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group, with 5 mice in each group for each experiment. Round full-thickness skin defect was made on the back of each mouse. DETC in the number of 1×10(5) (dissolution in 100 μL phosphate with buffer purity above 90%) were injected through multiple points of wound margin of mice in TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group immediately after injury, and equal volume of phosphate buffer was injected into mice of TCR δ(-/-) control group with the same method as above. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance for repeated measurement, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) Along with the culture time elapse, the number of dendritic structures of DETC increased gradually. The percentage of T lymphocytes was 4.67% and 94.1% of these T lymphocytes were DETC. The purity of DETC on CD 15 was 18.50% and the purity of DETC on CD 30 was 98.70%. (2) Immediately after injury, the wound healing condition of mice in WT control group and TCR δ(-/-) group was similar. The wound healing speed of mice in TCR δ(-/-) group was slower than that in WT control group on PID 2-10. The percentages of residual wound area of mice in TCR δ(-/-) group on PID 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were increased significantly compared with those in WT control group (t=3.492, 4.425, 4.170, 4.780, 7.318, P<0.01). (3) The length of new epithelium of mice in TCR δ(-/-) group on PID 3 was (359 ± 15) μm, which was obviously shorter than that in WT control group [(462±26) μm, t=3.462, P<0.01]. (4) Immediately after injury, wound condition of mice in TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group and TCR δ(-/-) control group was similar. Compared with TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group, the wound healing speed of mice in TCR δ(-/-) control group were obviously slower on PID 2-10. The percentages of residual wound area of mice in TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group on PID 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were decreased significantly compared with those in TCR δ(-/-) control group (t=2.308, 3.725, 2.698, 3.707, 6.093, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (5) On PID 3, the length of new epithelium of mice in TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group was (465±31) μm, which was obviously longer than that in TCR δ(-/-) control group [(375±21) μm, t=2.390, P<0.05]. (6) On PID 3, PCNA expression of epidermal cell in wound margin of mice in TCR δ(-/-) group was 1.25±0.04, which was obviously lower than that in WT control group (2.01±0.09, t=7.415, P<0.01). (7) On PID 3, PCNA expression of epidermal cell in wound margin of mice in TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group was 1.62±0.08, which was significantly higher than that in TCR δ(-/-) control group (1.05±0.14, t=3.561, P<0.05). (8) On PID 3, apoptosis rate of epidermal cell in wound margin of mice in TCR δ(-/-) group was (16.1±1.4)%, which was higher than that in WT control group [(8.1±0.6)%, t=5.363, P<0.01]. (9) On PID 3, apoptosis rate of epidermal cell in wound margin of mice in TCR δ(-/-)+ DETC group was (11.4±1.0)%, which was obviously lower than that in TCR δ(-/-) control group [(15.4±1.4)%, t=2.377, P<0.05]. Conclusions: DETC participates in the process of wound healing though promoting the proliferation of epidermal cells in wound margin and inhibit the apoptosis of these cells.

AKR1C3 Promotes AR-V7 Protein Stabilization and Confers Resistance to AR-Targeted Therapies in Advanced Prostate Cancer

The mechanisms resulting in resistance to next-generation antiandrogens in castration-resistant prostate cancer are incompletely understood. Numerous studies have determined that constitutively active androgen receptor (AR) signaling or full-length AR bypass mechanisms may contribute to the resistance. Previous studies established that AKR1C3 and AR-V7 play important roles in enzalutamide and abiraterone resistance. In the present study, we found that AKR1C3 increases AR-V7 expression in resistant prostate cancer cells through enhancing protein stability via activation of the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome pathway. AKR1C3 reprograms AR signaling in enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells. In addition, bioinformatical analysis of indomethacin-treated resistant cells revealed that indomethacin significantly activates the unfolded protein response, p53, and apoptosis pathways, and suppresses cell-cycle, Myc, and AR/ARV7 pathways. Targeting AKR1C3 with indomethacin significantly decreases AR/AR-V7 protein expression in vitro and in vivo through activation of the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome pathway. Our results suggest that the AKR1C3/AR-V7 complex collaboratively confers resistance to AR-targeted therapies in advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract 1018: GnRH antagonists have direct inhibitory effects on castration-resistant prostate cancer via intracrine androgen and AR-V7 expression

Hormone therapy is currently the mainstay in the management of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Degarelix (Firmagon, Deg), a GnRH receptor antagonist demonstrated some advantages over the LHRH agonist Leuprolide (Leup) by avoiding “testosterone flare” and lower FSH levels. We compared the effect of Deg and Leup on prostate cancer (PC) cell progression in vitro and in vivo. GnRHR2 was readily detectable in PC cells. AR transcriptional activity reported by PSA-Luc assay was modulated by both Leup and Deg. In LNCaP and C4-2B MDVR cells, 20µM Deg significantly reduced the cell viability (p&lt;0.01). GnRH-antagonist (alone or in combination with AA or Enza) counteracted the transactivation activity of AR by reducing AR-FL and AR variants at the protein level. In C4-2BMDVR cells, Deg reduced AR-V7 protein expression by 26 to 40% alone or combined with AA and Enza compared to control. Leup, however, enhanced variant expression. Deg reduced AR-variant levels from 17 to 41% in monotherapy or combinations compared to control. In mice, Leup slightly suppressed tumor growth compared to controls (p&gt;0.05). However, tumors in Deg-treated group were 1.5-fold smaller than Leup-treated group but 1.7-fold bigger than surgical castration-group. Ki67 IHC staining confirmed the difference in tumor proliferation among groups. Measurements of intratumoral steroids by LC-MS from tumors, serum samples or cell pellets confirmed that Deg decreased the levels of testosterone and steroidogenesis pathway intermediates, comparable to surgical castration; while Leup had no inhibitory effect. Our results suggest a selective mechanism of action of Deg against AR-variants. The present study provides additional molecular insights regarding the mechanism of Deg compared to GnRH agonist therapy which may have clinical implications.

Citation Format: Vito Cucchiara, Joy C. Yang, Chengfei Liu, Hans Adomat, Emma Guns, Martin E. Gleave, Allen C. Gao, Christopher P. Evans. GnRH antagonists have direct inhibitory effects on castration-resistant prostate cancer via intracrine androgen and AR-V7 expression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1018.

[Quality assessment of global guidelines on colorectal cancer screening]

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and assess the quality of guidelines on colorectal cancer screening worldwide to provide guidance for the development of high-quality colorectal cancer screening guidelines in mainland China.

METHODS

CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched to identify guidelines on colorectal cancer screening from inception to Jun. 20th, 2018, and so were some websites and major search engines about the development of the guidelines from the existing literature (search date: Aug. 3rd, 2018). Two experienced reviewers independently examined these abstracts and then extracted information, and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) were used to evaluate the methodological quality of these guidelines by four well trained reviewers.

RESULTS

In this study, 46 guidelines published from 1994 to 2018 were finally included in our analysis from 10 countries and 5 regions, among which 5 were from mainland China. The quality of these guidelines was relatively high in domain 1 (scope and purpose) and domain 4 (clarity of presentation), and medium in domain 2 (stakeholder involvement). While in the other three domains (domain 3: rigour of development; domain 5: applicability; domain 6: editorial independence), the results were quite different among these guidelines. The quality of evidence-based guidelines (defined by the criteria based on World Health Organization guideline development handbook) was generally higher than that of the common guidelines. Existing guidelines from mainland China were not evidence-based guidelines, which were of low quality.

CONCLUSION

The colorectal cancer screening guidelines all over the world are generally large in number, low in quality, different in statements, and so are the guidelines in China. There are no evidence-based guidelines in mainland China, which cannot provide effective guidance for colorectal cancer screening, so we need to pay more attention to the establishment of guidelines with high quality and high credibility for colorectal cancer screening as well as for cancer screening based on the national condition, in order to provide reasonable guidance for practice in public health and improve the health conditions in our society.

Results from a phase Ib/II study of enzalutamide and metformin in men with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)

5054

Background: Preclinical models have shown that autophagy is a cell survival mechanism to overcome treatment-induced stress and facilitate progression and resistance in CRPC. Metformin (met) demonstrates autophagy inhibition and resensitizes CRPC tumors to enzalutamide (enza) as a combination in in vitro models. A Phase Ib/II trial was conducted to evaluate the combination. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had established CRPC, ECOG 0-2, adequate hematologic and organ function, and ≤ 2 prior treatments for CRPC. Major exclusion criteria included prior enza or met treatment, presence of brain metastases, history of DM2 or seizures. An initial cohort of 3 pts were treated with enza 160 mg PO daily and met 500 mg PO bid (DL1), with met dose escalated to 1000 mg PO bid (DL2) in subsequent 3 pts if dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in ≤1 pt in DL 1, and cycles of 28 days. Once primary objective of maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was established, additional pts were enrolled at MTD for a total of 24 evaluable pts. Secondary objectives of the study included PSA response and safety. Results: From 8/24/16-12/31/18, a total of 3 pts were enrolled to DL1, with no DLTs observed in that cohort, with an additional 21 enrolled to DL2; 12 remain on trial. Median age was 71, with 8/24 (33%) and 3/24 (12.5%) with prior docetaxel and abiraterone treatment, respectively. One DLT due to Grade 3 abdominal pain was observed at DL2 prior to establishing MTD. Grade 3 AEs observed in 1/24 (4%) of pts were diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension, lower GI bleed, myalgia; 2/24 (8%) had abdominal pain. One pt had Grade 4 hallucinations. Among pts who discontinued, 8 were discontinued for progression, 3 withdrew consent, and 1 experienced an SAE (seizure). Pts received median of 11 cycles (1-31) of treatment. PSA response ≥ 50% was observed in 19/24 (79%) pts. Conclusions: The combination of enzalutamide 160 mg PO daily and metformin 1000 mg PO bid is well-tolerated, and clinically active. Clinical trial information: NCT02339168.

[Surgical results and sagittal alignment analysis of different fusion levels for degenerative scoliosis]

Objective: To retrospectively investigate the effects of long segment fusion and short segment fusion on lumbar sagittal alignment and quality of life in patients with degenerative scoliosis. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2014, 75 patients with degenerative scoliosis were treated with pedicle screw fixation. Total of 56 females and 19 males were included in this study. Fifty-four patients underwent short-segment fusion (≤3 segments) and 21 patients underwent long-segment fusion (>3 segments). The average age of the patients was (63±8) years. The patients were followed-up for a mean time of (2.9±1.3) years. The postoperative follow-up included Cobb angle, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, visual analogue scale of pain on lumbar and lower extremities and Oswestry disability index. Fusion levels, blood loss, surgery length and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. All above parameters were evaluated statistically with Student's t test. Results: The short segment fusion group averaged (1.8±0.7) segments, and the long segment fusion group averaged (5.2±1.6) segments. Coronal Cobb angle changed from (21.3±7.8) degrees preoperatively to (15.3±5.6) degrees at final follow-up in short-segment fusion group (t=2.315, P=0.024) and from (44.5±11.2) degrees preoperatively to (11.4±5.8) degrees at the final follow-up in long-segment fusion group (t=8.214, P<0.01). In the short segment fixation group, the preoperative lumbar lordosis changed from (44.3±9.7) degrees to (48.9±8.2) degrees at final follow-up (t=2.123, P=0.038), and it changed from (25.3±9.5) degrees to (52.1±11.2) degrees in the long segment fusion group (t=5.982, P<0.01). The sacral slope in the short segment fusion group increased from (22.6±6.8) degrees preoperatively to (34.1±7.5) degrees at the final follow-up (t=2.872, P=0.006), and it increased from (12.1±9.5) degrees to (37.8±8.4) degrees in long segment fusion group (t=7.314, P<0.01). The pelvic tilt in the short segment fusion group changed from (23.5±5.5) degrees preoperatively to (19.5±4.7) degrees at final follow-up (t=2.217, P=0.031), and it decreased from (27.1±6.1) degrees to (22.9±4.3) degrees in the long segment fusion group(t=2.131, P=0.045). The visual analogue scale of pain on lumbar and lower extremities and Oswestry disability index were all improved after the operation in both groups. Conclusions: Both short segment fusion and long segment fusion can achieve satisfactory surgical results and improves the spinal-pelvic parameters. Short segment fusion can reduce surgery trauma and shorten hospital stay relative to long segment fixation.

[Introduction on 'assessing the risk of bias of individual studies' in systematic review of health-care intervention programs revised by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]

This paper summarizes the Risk of Bias of Individual Studies in Systematic Reviews of Health Care Interventions revised by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and introduces how to use Revman software make risk of bias graph or risk of bias summary. AHRQ tool can be used to evaluate following study designs: RCTs, cohort study, case-control study (including nested case-control), case series study and cross-sectional study. The tool evaluates the risk of bias of individual studies from selection bias, performance bias, attrition bias, detection bias and reporting bias. Each of the bias domains contains different items, and each item is available for the assessment of one or more study designs. It is worth noting that the appropriate items should be selected for evaluation different study designs instead of using all items to directly assess the risk of bias. AHRQ tool can be used to evaluate risk of bias individual studies when systematic reviews of health care interventions is including different study designs. Moreover, the tool items are relatively easy to understand and the assessment process is not complicated. AHRQ recommends the use of high, medium and low risk classification methods to assess the overall risk of bias of individual studies. However, AHRQ gives no recommendations on how to determine the overall bias grade. It is expected that future research will give corresponding recommendations.

KDM8/JMJD5 as a dual coactivator of AR and PKM2 integrates AR/EZH2 network and tumor metabolism in CRPC

During the evolution into castration or therapy resistance, prostate cancer cells reprogram the androgen responses to cope with the diminishing level of androgens, and undergo metabolic adaption to the nutritionally deprived and hypoxia conditions. AR (androgen receptor) and PKM2 (pyruvate kinase M2) have key roles in these processes. We report in this study, KDM8/JMJD5, a histone lysine demethylase/dioxygnase, exhibits a novel property as a dual coactivator of AR and PKM2 and as such, it is a potent inducer of castration and therapy resistance. Previously, we showed that KDM8 is involved in the regulation of cell cycle and tumor metabolism in breast cancer cells. Its role in prostate cancer has not been explored. Here, we show that KDM8's oncogenic properties in prostate cancer come from its direct interaction (1) with AR to affect androgen response and (2) with PKM2 to regulate tumor metabolism. The interaction with AR leads to the elevated expression of androgen response genes in androgen-deprived conditions. They include ANCCA/ATAD2 and EZH2, which are directly targeted by KDM8 and involved in sustaining the survival of the cells under hormone-deprived conditions. Notably, in enzalutamide-resistant cells, the expressions of both KDM8 and EZH2 are further elevated, so are neuroendocrine markers. Consequently, EZH2 inhibitors or KDM8 knockdown both resensitize the cells toward enzalutamide. In the cytosol, KDM8 associates with PKM2, the gatekeeper of pyruvate flux and translocates PKM2 into the nucleus, where the KDM8/PKM2 complex serves as a coactivator of HIF-1α to upregulate glycolytic genes. Using shRNA knockdown, we validate KDM8's functions as a regulator for both androgen-responsive and metabolic genes. KDM8 thus presents itself as an ideal therapeutic target for metabolic adaptation and castration-resistance of prostate cancer cells.

[Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PE-TLIF) for L(4/5) single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: From September 2016 to March 2018, 7 patients with L(4/5) single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis were treated by PE-TLIF in the Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. There were 1 male and 6 females, with a mean age of (57±13) years(43-77 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood lose, blood transfusion and complications were recorded, and the pain relief effects were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry dability index (ODI). The indexes before and after the operation were compared with t test. Results: The average of follow-up time was 13.3 months (6-21 months), and the clinical symptoms relieved significantly. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain at 3-day postoperatively and at the last follow-up were (2.28±0.48), (1.57±0.53) and (0.42±0.53), (0.14±0.37), respectively; and the VAS scores were significantly improved when compared with those before the operation[(7.42±0.78), (6.14±1.77)](t=19.718, 6.672, 18.520, 7.937, all P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the ODI score was also significantly lower than that before surgery (54%±10% and 15%±9%, t=12.551, P<0.05). During the follow-up period, one patient had transient hyperreflexia after surgery, and the other 6 patients had no significant complications. None nerve root injury or lower extremity paralysis occurred. Conclusion: PE-TLIF can obtain satisfactory short-term results in the treatment of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis, with a lower incidence of complications and rapid recovery after surgery.

Intra versus Inter Cross-resistance Determines Treatment Sequence between Taxane and AR-Targeting Therapies in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Current treatments for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) largely fall into two classes: androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies such as the next-generation antiandrogen therapies (NGAT), enzalutamide and abiraterone, and taxanes such as docetaxel and cabazitaxel. Despite improvements in outcomes, patients still succumb to the disease due to the development of resistance. Further complicating the situation is lack of a well-defined treatment sequence and potential for cross-resistance between therapies. We have developed several models representing CRPC with acquired therapeutic resistance. Here, we utilized these models to assess putative cross-resistance between treatments. We find that resistance to enzalutamide induces resistance to abiraterone and vice versa, but resistance to neither alters sensitivity to taxanes. Acquired resistance to docetaxel induces cross-resistance to cabazitaxel but not to enzalutamide or abiraterone. Correlating responses with known mechanisms of resistance indicates that AR variants are associated with resistance to NGATs, whereas the membrane efflux protein ABCB1 is associated with taxane resistance. Mechanistic studies show that AR variant-7 (AR-v7) is involved in NGAT resistance but not resistance to taxanes. Our findings suggest the existence of intra cross-resistance within a drug class (i.e., within NGATs or within taxanes), whereas inter cross-resistance between drug classes does not develop. Furthermore, our data suggest that resistance mechanisms differ between drug classes. These results may have clinical implications by showing that treatments of one class can be sequenced with those of another, but caution should be taken when sequencing similar classed drugs. In addition, the development and use of biomarkers indicating resistance will improve patient stratification for treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(10); 2197-205. ©2018 AACR.

Development of a stress response therapy targeting aggressive prostate cancer

Oncogenic lesions up-regulate bioenergetically demanding cellular processes, such as protein synthesis, to drive cancer cell growth and continued proliferation. However, the hijacking of these key processes by oncogenic pathways imposes onerous cell stress that must be mitigated by adaptive responses for cell survival. The mechanism by which these adaptive responses are established, their functional consequences for tumor development, and their implications for therapeutic interventions remain largely unknown. Using murine and humanized models of prostate cancer (PCa), we show that one of the three branches of the unfolded protein response is selectively activated in advanced PCa. This adaptive response activates the phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2-α (P-eIF2α) to reset global protein synthesis to a level that fosters aggressive tumor development and is a marker of poor patient survival upon the acquisition of multiple oncogenic lesions. Using patient-derived xenograft models and an inhibitor of P-eIF2α activity, ISRIB, our data show that targeting this adaptive brake for protein synthesis selectively triggers cytotoxicity against aggressive metastatic PCa, a disease for which presently there is no cure.

Facilitating the measurement of circulatory hydrogen sulfide with fluorescence probe-coated microplates

OBJECTIVE

The hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) role in pathogenesis of various diseases were wildly addressed in recent decade. The circulatory (plasma or serum) and biological fluid H₂S measurement is still an enormous issues due to the technical limitation. This paper aimed to develop a novel measurement method based on fluorescence probe.

METHODS

Firstly, 20 μL ethanol was used to dissolve 100 pmol fluorescence probe, then added in a 96-well plate. An equal volume of ethanol was also added to the blank well of the plate. The plate was placed in a dark room for about 1 h until the fluorescence probe was evenly coated in the 96-well microplate and dried. The plate was frozen at -20 °C for later use. Secondly, the plasma or serum sample was added with saturated ammonium sulfate buffer (pH 7.8) and then centrifuged to remove the proteins. The equal volume supernatant liquid was added to the probe-coated well and the probe-uncoated well. The plate was incubated in a dark environment at 37 °C for 2 h. Finally, after incubation, the fluorescence density was acquired at Λ_Ex/Λ_Em 340/445 nm in a microplate reader. The differences of the fluorescence density values between the probe-coated well and probe-uncoated well were counted and H₂S concentration of plasma/serum was calculated by standard curve with NaHS.

RESULTS

The method had high sensitivity (from 0.3 to 100 μmol/L) and specificity for measuring H₂S as compared with other biologically relevant reactive sulfur species and sulfur-containing amino acid. Serum H₂S concentrations were assayed in 188 health volunteers using this method [(12.1±3.5) μmol/L, 95%CI: 4.6-19.8 μmol/L], and the frequency distribution showed a normal tendency(one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, P>0.1). The serum H₂S concentrations in 30 hypertension patients were decreased compared with 22 age- and gender-matched health individuals (paired-samples t test, t=9.937, P<0.001). There were no differences of H₂S concentration in serum [(19.66±2.32) μmol/L] or plasma [(18.67±2.07) μmol/L], between the samples acquired from artery [(19.34±0.51) μmol/L] or vein [(18.99±0.50) μmol/L] of male Wistar rats (repeated measurement of ANOVA, P=0.38). One week frozen samples did not affect the detection. The values of the repeated measurement did not differ (two-way ANOVA, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present method is easily performed with high sensitivity, specificity and repeatability for circulatory H₂S. It is also quick and may apply for large samples.

KDM4A Coactivates E2F1 to Regulate the PDK-Dependent Metabolic Switch between Mitochondrial Oxidation and Glycolysis

The histone lysine demethylase KDM4A/JMJD2A has been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis through its role in transcriptional regulation. Here, we describe KDM4A as a E2F1 coactivator and demonstrate a functional role for the E2F1-KDM4A complex in the control of tumor metabolism. KDM4A associates with E2F1 on target gene promoters and enhances E2F1 chromatin binding and transcriptional activity, thereby modulating the transcriptional profile essential for cancer cell proliferation and survival. The pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs) PDK1 and PDK3 are direct targets of KDM4A and E2F1 and modulate the switch between glycolytic metabolism and mitochondrial oxidation. Downregulation of KDM4A leads to elevated activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase and mitochondrial oxidation, resulting in excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The altered metabolic phenotypes can be partially rescued by ectopic expression of PDK1 and PDK3, indicating a KDM4A-dependent tumor metabolic regulation via PDK. Our results suggest that KDM4A is a key regulator of tumor metabolism and a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

Randomized controlled trial of S-1 versus docetaxel in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (East Asia S-1 Trial in Lung Cancer)

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy remains a viable option for the management of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) despite recent advances in molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy. We evaluated the efficacy of oral 5-fluorouracil-based S-1 as second- or third-line therapy compared with standard docetaxel therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced NSCLC previously treated with ≥1 platinum-based therapy were randomized 1 : 1 to docetaxel (60 mg/m2 in Japan, 75 mg/m2 at all other study sites; day 1 in a 3-week cycle) or S-1 (80-120 mg/day, depending on body surface area; days 1-28 in a 6-week cycle). The primary endpoint was overall survival. The non-inferiority margin was a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.2.

RESULTS

A total of 1154 patients (577 in each arm) were enrolled, with balanced patient characteristics between the two arms. Median overall survival was 12.75 and 12.52 months in the S-1 and docetaxel arms, respectively [HR 0.945; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.833-1.073; P = 0.3818]. The upper limit of 95% CI of HR fell below 1.2, confirming non-inferiority of S-1 to docetaxel. Difference in progression-free survival between treatments was not significant (HR 1.033; 95% CI 0.913-1.168; P = 0.6080). Response rate was 8.3% and 9.9% in the S-1 and docetaxel arms, respectively. Significant improvement was observed in the EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status over time points in the S-1 arm. The most common adverse drug reactions were decreased appetite (50.4%), nausea (36.4%), and diarrhea (35.9%) in the S-1 arm, and neutropenia (54.8%), leukocytopenia (43.9%), and alopecia (46.6%) in the docetaxel arm.

CONCLUSION

S-1 is equally as efficacious as docetaxel and offers a treatment option for patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center, JapicCTI-101155.

Abstract 5638: Combination use of EF2K and VPS34 inhibitors with anti-androgen against drug-resistant castration resistant prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:

Modulating the activity of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) has been suggested to regulate protein elongation to block autophagy in the tumor microenvironment. Among inhibitors of eEF2K, one would also inhibit VPS34, a class III phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and abrogate autophage flux to impair the survival escape mechanism. We tested the eEF2K and VPS 34 inhibitors from Janssen alone or in combination with anti-androgens for their effects on proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines, especially some castration resistant PC (CRPC) lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Cell proliferation was assessed with various concentrations of the EF2K or VPS34 inhibitor on CRPC lines using WST-1 viability assay. Effect of combinations of EF2K or VPS34 inhibitor with anti-androgens abiraterone (Abi) or enzalutamide (Enza) on drug-resistant CRPC cells was further explored. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the response of key autophagic molecules, androgen receptor (AR) and variant. Real time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to elucidate the effect of EF2K or VPS34 inhibitor alone or together with anti-androgens on AR, AR variant and their downstream molecules.

RESULTS:

EF2K and VPS34 inhibitors suppressed CRPC cell growth in a dose-response manner with IC50 ranging from 1 to 5 µM. These inhibitors displayed synergy with Abi and Enza against drug-resistant CRPC cells; especially on the pair of enza + EF2K inhibitor with p = 0.02 for significant difference when compared to enza or EF2K inhibitor alone. To our surprise, no significant autophagy was induced by these two inhibitors according to the autophagy markers detected by Western blots. VPS34 inhibitor alone and when combined with Abi and Enza showed AR/variant degrading ability. This downregulation was at the expression level with significant change of AR and V7, together with their transactivation markers PSA, TMPRS2, NKx3.1 and FKBP5 detected by RT-qPCR.

CONCLUSION:

EF2K and VPS34 inhibitors when combined with anti-androgens may solicit profound inhibitory effect on drug-resistant CRPC cells. Molecular delineation demonstrated the direct target might be AR and its variants. These combinations offered a new therapeutic option for advanced PC treatments.

Citation Format: Joy C. Yang, Vito Cucchiara, Allen C. Gao, Christopher P. Evans. Combination use of EF2K and VPS34 inhibitors with anti-androgen against drug-resistant castration resistant prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5638. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5638

Niclosamide and Bicalutamide Combination Treatment Overcomes Enzalutamide- and Bicalutamide-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Activation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its splice variants is linked to advanced prostate cancer and drives resistance to antiandrogens. The roles of AR and AR variants in the development of resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and bicalutamide treatment, however, are still incompletely understood. To determine whether AR variants play a role in bicalutamide resistance, we developed bicalutamide-resistant LNCaP cells (LNCaP-BicR) and found that these resistant cells express significantly increased levels of AR variants, particularly AR-V7, both at the mRNA and protein levels. Exogenous expression of AR-V7 in bicalutamide-sensitive LNCaP cells confers resistance to bicalutamide treatment. Knockdown of AR-V7 in bicalutamide- and enzalutamide-resistant CWR22Rv1, enzalutamide-resistant C4-2B (C4-2B MDVR), and LNCaP-BicR cells reversed bicalutamide resistance. Niclosamide, a potent inhibitor of AR variants, significantly enhanced bicalutamide treatment. Niclosamide and bicalutamide combination treatment not only suppressed AR and AR variants expression and inhibited their recruitment to the PSA promoter, but also significantly induced apoptosis in bicalutamide- and enzalutamide-resistant CWR22Rv1 and C4-2B MDVR cells. In addition, combination of niclosamide with bicalutamide inhibited the growth of enzalutamide-resistant tumors. In summary, our results demonstrate that AR variants, particularly AR-V7, drive bicalutamide resistance and that targeting AR-V7 with niclosamide can resensitize bicalutamide-resistant cells to bicalutamide treatment. Furthermore, combination of niclosamide with bicalutamide inhibits enzalutamide resistant tumor growth, suggesting that the combination of niclosamide and bicalutamide could be a potential cost-effective strategy to treat advanced prostate cancer in patients, including those who fail to respond to enzalutamide therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(8); 1521-30. ©2017 AACR.

[Topping-off surgery versus double-segment fusion for treatment of lumbar degenerative disease with mid-long term follow-up]

Objective: To compare the mid-long term clinical effect of Topping-off surgery and lumbar fusion surgery for two-segmental lumbar degenerative disease. Methods: From March 2009 to March 2012, one hundred and twenty-six consecutive patients (Topping-off surgery and two-segment PLIF surgery) were studied in Orthopedics Department, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University.The VAS and ODI were used to assess clinical symptoms.All patients underwent flexion/extension radiographs examinations before surgery, 1, 2 years and last follow-up postoperatively.Lumbar lordosis, sacral slop, data of Coflex segment and adjacent segment (disc height index, range of motion, foraminal height, foraminal width and Pfirrmann classification of intervertebral disc in MRI) were recorded.The paired double-tailed t test was used to analyze the differences in the results from baseline to each postoperative time point.The paired double-tailed t test was used in both groups to analyze the differences in the results from baseline to each postoperative time point.The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences between the incidences of adjacent segment degeneration(ASD) in the groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors for developing radiographic ASD. Results: In topping-off group, 60 patients, average operation time was (134.5±10.2) min. The average blood loss was (301.5±64.6) ml.In fusion group, 68 patients, average age (58.3±4.6) years.The average follow-up time was (47.5±5.1) months.The average operation time was (158.6±19.3) min (P=0.000). The average blood loss was (413.6±131.3) ml (P=0.000). Sex, age, body mass index and intervertebral disc grading were matched between the two groups.Better improvement in VAS back pain score was noted in the topping-off group over the fusion group (P=0.030). Both groups achieved good recovery in ODI and improvement in VAS leg pain and back pain scores at last follow-up postoperatively.In the Topping-off group, FH increased from 10.5 mm at baseline to 11.8 mm at 1 year after surgery (P=0.000) and then decreased mildly in the third postoperative year, while in the fusion group, showed no significant change at all postoperative time points.In the fusion group, the disc height and FW at the same segment were no significant change after first year follow-up, while ROM was significantly decreased after surgery (P=0.000). Foraminal height, foraminal width and intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment of Coflex implant level were found decreased at the end of the postoperative follow-up, while compared with preoperative data no significant difference (P>0.05). At last follow-up, eight patients (13.3%) in the Topping-off group and eighteen patients (26.5%) in the fusion group developed ASD (P=0.033). Conclusions: Topping-off surgery compared with two-segment lumbar fusion surgery can achieve a good result in cases with pre-existing mild or moderate adjacent segment degeneration, restrict the adjacent segment's range of motion and reduce the adjacent segment degeneration. Under strict indications, Topping-off surgery is an acceptable alternative to fusion surgery for the treatment of two-segment lumbar disease.

Identification of the Lowest T=2, J^{π}=0^{+} Isobaric Analog State in ^{52}Co and Its Impact on the Understanding of β-Decay Properties of ^{52}Ni

Masses of ^{52g,52m}Co were measured for the first time with an accuracy of ∼10  keV, an unprecedented precision reached for short-lived nuclei in the isochronous mass spectrometry. Combining our results with the previous β-γ measurements of ^{52}Ni, the T=2, J^{π}=0^{+} isobaric analog state (IAS) in ^{52}Co was newly assigned, questioning the conventional identification of IASs from the β-delayed proton emissions. Using our energy of the IAS in ^{52}Co, the masses of the T=2 multiplet fit well into the isobaric multiplet mass equation. We find that the IAS in ^{52}Co decays predominantly via γ transitions while the proton emission is negligibly small. According to our large-scale shell model calculations, this phenomenon has been interpreted to be due to very low isospin mixing in the IAS.

GS-9857 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1-4 infection: a randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging phase 1 study

GS-9857, an inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein (NS) 3/4A, demonstrates potent activity against HCV genotypes 1-6 and improved coverage against commonly encountered NS3 resistance-associated variants (RAVs). In this study, the safety, tolerability, antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics (PK) of GS-9857 were evaluated in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-4 infection. Patients with genotype 1-4 infection received placebo or once-daily GS-9857 at doses ranging from 50 to 300 mg for 3 days under fasting conditions. GS-9857 was well tolerated; all reported adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate in severity. Diarrhoea and headache were the most commonly reported AEs. Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities were observed in 17% of patients receiving GS-9857; there were no Grade 3 or 4 abnormalities in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase levels. GS-9857 demonstrated potent antiviral activity in patients with chronic HCV infection, achieving mean and median maximum reductions in HCV RNA of ≥3 log10 IU/mL following administration of a 100-mg dose in patients with HCV genotype 1a, 1b, 2, 3 or 4 infection. The antiviral activity of GS-9857 was unaffected by the presence of pretreatment NS3 RAVs. In patients with genotype 1-4 infection, GS-9857 exhibited linear PK and was associated with a median half-life of 29-42 h, supporting once-daily dosing. Thus, the tolerability, efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile of GS-9857 support its further evaluation for treatment of patients with chronic HCV infection.

[Radiographic study of Coflex interspinous device for lumbar spinal stenosis]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the radiography change of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) treated with the implantation of Coflex interspinous device retrospectively.

METHODS

Sixty patients (34 male and 26 female) with LSS who underwent the decompression and Coflex device implanted surgery from January 2010 to December 2013 were followed up. The mean age of the patients was 59.4 years. There were 33 cases underwent Coflex surgery and 27 cases underwent Topping-off surgery. The Coflex segment ranged from L1/2 to L4/5 (L1-2: 1, L2-3: 5, L3-4: 19, L4-5: 35). The foraminal height, foraminal width and intervertebral space height change of the Coflex segment as well as its adjacent segment were recorded pre-/post-operatively and at last follow-up.Meanwhile, the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS) were measured in all patient pre-/post-operatively and at last follow-up. The measurement data was recorded asx±s. And the independent and paired samples t-test was used to conduct the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The foraminal height(FH) increased from (19.82±2.38) mm to (22.28±2.95) mm (P<0.05) post-operatively, and the FH decreased to (19.31±3.32) mm at the last follow up(P>0.05, compared to the post-operation). The average foraminal width(FW) was 11.2 mm, 11.58 mm and 11.12 mm at pre-/post-operation and follow up, which had no significant different change(P>0.05). The post-operative intervertebral space height (ISH) increased from (7.84±1.56) mm to (10.05±2.39) mm(P<0.05), and the ISH decreased to (7.91±1.77) mm at the last follow up(P>0.05, compared to the post-operation). The amount of the decreased FH and ISH had no significant difference when comparing the Coflex segment with its adjacent (Coflex±1) segments (P>0.05). The lumbar lordosis(LL) was 43.13°±15.93°, 38.41°±10.82° and 43.10°±13.21° at pre-/post-operation and follow up, there was no significant difference between pre- and post-operation(P>0.05). All patients showed statistically significant improvement(P<0.05) in the clinical outcome assessed in the VAS and ODI at the time of follow up compared to the pre-operation. The ODI score decreased from 65.12±13.56 to 9.89±1.77; the VAS score decreased from 8.02±1.81 to 1.66±0.51.

CONCLUSIONS

Coflex device could temporarily improve the FH and ISH after operation. However, it could not maintain the improvement as the follow-up time extended. The surgical decompression is the responsible factor for the good clinical outcome but not the improvement of FH.

ROR-γ drives androgen receptor expression and represents a therapeutic target in castration-resistant prostate cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is overexpressed and hyperactivated in human castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the determinants of AR overexpression in CRPC are poorly defined. Here we show that retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (ROR-γ) is overexpressed and amplified in metastatic CRPC tumors, and that ROR-γ drives AR expression in the tumors. ROR-γ recruits nuclear receptor coactivator 1 and 3 (NCOA1 and NCOA3, also known as SRC-1 and SRC-3) to an AR-ROR response element (RORE) to stimulate AR gene transcription. ROR-γ antagonists suppress the expression of both AR and its variant AR-V7 in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and tumors. ROR-γ antagonists also markedly diminish genome-wide AR binding, H3K27ac abundance and expression of the AR target gene network. Finally, ROR-γ antagonists suppressed tumor growth in multiple AR-expressing, but not AR-negative, xenograft PCa models, and they effectively sensitized CRPC tumors to enzalutamide, without overt toxicity, in mice. Taken together, these results establish ROR-γ as a key player in CRPC by acting upstream of AR and as a potential therapeutic target for advanced PCa.