Association of Combination of Conformation-Specific KIT Inhibitors With Clinical Benefit in Patients With Refractory Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Phase 1b/2a Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Many cancer subtypes, including KIT-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), are driven by activating mutations in tyrosine kinases and may initially respond to kinase inhibitors but frequently relapse owing to outgrowth of heterogeneous subclones with resistance mutations. KIT inhibitors commonly used to treat GIST (eg, imatinib and sunitinib) are inactive-state (type II) inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether combining a type II KIT inhibitor with a conformation-complementary, active-state (type I) KIT inhibitor is associated with broad mutation coverage and global disease control.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A highly selective type I inhibitor of KIT, PLX9486, was tested in a 2-part phase 1b/2a trial. Part 1 (dose escalation) evaluated PLX9486 monotherapy in patients with solid tumors. Part 2e (extension) evaluated PLX9486-sunitinib combination in patients with GIST. Patients were enrolled from March 2015 through February 2019; data analysis was performed from May 2020 through July 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants received 250, 350, 500, and 1000 mg of PLX9486 alone (part 1) or 500 and 1000 mg of PLX9486 together with 25 or 37.5 mg of sunitinib (part 2e) continuously in 28-day dosing cycles until disease progression, treatment discontinuation, or withdrawal.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tumor responses were assessed. Clinical efficacy end points (progression-free survival and clinical benefit rate) were supplemented with longitudinal monitoring of KIT mutations in circulating tumor DNA.

RESULTS

A total of 39 PLX9486-naive patients (median age, 57 years [range, 39-79 years]; 22 men [56.4%]; 35 [89.7%] with refractory GIST) were enrolled in the dose escalation and extension parts. The recommended phase 2 dose of PLX9486 was 1000 mg daily. At this dose, PLX9486 could be safely combined with 25 or 37.5 mg daily of sunitinib continuously. Patients with GIST who received PLX9486 at a dose of 500 mg or less, at the recommended phase 2 dose, and with sunitinib had median (95% CI) progression-free survivals of 1.74 (1.54-1.84), 5.75 (0.99-11.0), and 12.1 (1.34-NA) months and clinical benefit rates (95% CI) of 14% (0%-58%), 50% (21%-79%), and 80% (52%-96%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this phase 1b/2a nonrandomized clinical trial, type I and type II KIT inhibitors PLX9486 and sunitinib were safely coadministered at the recommended dose of both single agents in patients with refractory GIST. Results suggest that cotargeting 2 complementary conformational states of the same kinase was associated with clinical benefit with an acceptable safety profile.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02401815.

The RUNX1/IL-34/CSF-1R axis is an autocrinally regulated modulator of resistance to BRAF-V600E inhibition in melanoma

Resistance to current therapies still impacts a significant number of melanoma patients and can be regulated by epigenetic alterations. Analysis of global cytosine methylation in a cohort of primary melanomas revealed a pattern of early demethylation associated with overexpression of oncogenic transcripts. Loss of methylation and associated overexpression of the CSF 1 receptor (CSF1R) was seen in a majority of tumors and was driven by an alternative, endogenous viral promoter in a subset of samples. CSF1R was particularly elevated in melanomas with BRAF and other MAPK activating mutations. Furthermore, rebound ERK activation after BRAF inhibition was associated with RUNX1-mediated further upregulation of CSF-1R and its ligand IL-34. Importantly, increased CSF-1R and IL-34 overexpression were detected in an independent cohort of resistant melanomas. Inhibition of CSF-1R kinase or decreased CSF-1R expression by RNAi reduced 3-D growth and invasiveness of melanoma cells. Coinhibition of CSF-1R and BRAF resulted in synergistic efficacy in vivo. To our knowledge, our data unveil a previously unknown role for the autocrine-regulated CSF-1R in BRAF V600E resistance and provide a preclinical rationale for targeting this pathway in melanoma.

Abstract 2515: Aberrant expression of CSF1R in melanoma is driven through an endogenous viral promoter and it contributes to malignant growth and BRAF-inhibitor resistance

Epigenetic changes in cancer are thought to contribute to the regulation of invasion and metastasis. To study this at a genome-wide level in melanoma, we analyzed the methylome of 44 cases of malignant melanoma. We saw widespread demethylation occurring preferentially outside of CpG islands. Comparison of primary and metastatic lesions showed demethylation occurs early during carcinogenesis with few additional alterations in advanced tumors. The colony stimulating factor-1 receptor was aberrantly expressed and hypomethylated in nearly all cases. Its expression was validated by IHC and RNA-FISH on primary tumors and by qPCR, Western blotting and FACS in BRAF mutant and WT cell lines. CSF1R can be aberrantly expressed via an upstream LTR element in Hodgkin's lymphoma. After analyzing our patient samples and cell lines, we have found this aberrant transcript may be the dominant form in melanoma as well. Expression of one of its ligands IL34 was also shown in the cell lines by both ELISA and qPCR pointing to a potential autocrine regulatory loop. The effects of a small molecule inhibitor, PLX3397 as well as shRNA-mediated knockdown of the receptor were investigated in 2D and 3D cell culture. We saw inhibition of cell growth, smaller colony size, increased apoptosis and decreased invasiveness suggesting a functional role for CSF-1R in melanoma. Treatment of melanoma with BRAF-V600E inhibitors is effective for a time, but resistance invariably develops. The feedback activation of EGFR, BRAF amplification, BRAF splice variants and others are known to aid in the acquisition of resistance and the rebound activation of the MAPK-pathway. We are suggesting a role for CSF1R in this process. In Western experiments, the rebound of phospho-ERK after BRAF inhibitor treatment was accelerated with the addition of CSF1R ligands, or delayed with PLX3397, also attenuating AKT phosphorylation. Melanoma cells stably expressing shRNA against CSF1R recapitulated the effects of the inhibitor. Assaying the cells at different time points during a long-term V600E inhibitory experiment, we saw increasing levels of the transcription factor RUNX1, followed by increasing levels of IL34 and of the receptor, as well as its maturation, and presentation on the cell surface. shRNA-mediated knockdown of RUNX1 resulted in lower levels of the CSF1R and IL34 transcripts and delayed the rebound. Analysis of primary RNA-Seq data showed an increase in RUNX1, CSF1R and IL34 expression in resistant tumors. Co-inhibition of CSF1R and BRAF was also tested and resulted in synergistic blockade of cell growth in vitro and xenograft growth in vivo.The CSF1R inhibitor, PLX3397 is currently in clinical trials for glioblastoma, prostate, breast cancers and other cancers. These data present a preclinical rationale for its study in malignant melanoma.

Citation Format: Orsolya Giricz, Yongkai Mo, Kimberly B. Dahlman, Xiomaris M. Cotto-Rios, Chiara Vardabasso, Hoa Nguyen, Bernice Matusow, Matthias Bartenstein, Veronika Polishchuck-Lee, Douglas B. Johnson, Tushar B. Bhagat, Rafe Shellooe, Elizabeth Burton, Gaston Habets, John M. Greally, Yiting Yu, Gideon Bollag, Paraic A. Kenny, Kith Pradhan, E. Richard Stanley, Emily Bernstein, Evripidis Gavathiotis, Brian L. West, Jeffrey A. Sosman, Amit Verma. Aberrant expression of CSF1R in melanoma is driven through an endogenous viral promoter and it contributes to malignant growth and BRAF-inhibitor resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2515.

BRD4 Profiling Identifies Critical Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Oncogenic Circuits and Reveals Sensitivity to PLX51107, a Novel Structurally Distinct BET Inhibitor

Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family proteins are key regulators of gene expression in cancer. Herein, we utilize BRD4 profiling to identify critical pathways involved in pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). BRD4 is overexpressed in CLL and is enriched proximal to genes upregulated or de novo expressed in CLL with known functions in disease pathogenesis and progression. These genes, including key members of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, provide a rationale for this therapeutic approach to identify new targets in alternative types of cancer. Additionally, we describe PLX51107, a structurally distinct BET inhibitor with novel in vitro and in vivo pharmacologic properties that emulates or exceeds the efficacy of BCR signaling agents in preclinical models of CLL. Herein, the discovery of the involvement of BRD4 in the core CLL transcriptional program provides a compelling rationale for clinical investigation of PLX51107 as epigenetic therapy in CLL and application of BRD4 profiling in other cancers.Significance: To date, functional studies of BRD4 in CLL are lacking. Through integrated genomic, functional, and pharmacologic analyses, we uncover the existence of BRD4-regulated core CLL transcriptional programs and present preclinical proof-of-concept studies validating BET inhibition as an epigenetic approach to target BCR signaling in CLL. Cancer Discov; 8(4); 458-77. ©2018 AACR.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 371.

Abstract 1885: Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma and points to the role of CSF1R-RUNX1 axis in resistance against BRAF inhibition

Epigenetic changes in cancer are thought to contribute to regulation of invasion and metastasis. To study this at a genome-wide level in melanoma we analyzed the methylome of 44 cases of malignant melanoma with the HELP (HpaII tiny fragment enriched by LM-PCR) assay and compared it to melanocyte controls. We saw widespread demethylation in melanoma occurring preferentially outside of CpG islands. Comparison of primary and metastatic lesions demonstrated that demethylation occurs early during carcinogenesis with few additional alterations in advanced tumors. Parallel transcriptomic analysis revealed many known and novel oncogenic pathways aberrantly expressed and regulated by loss of DNA methylation.

The colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) was aberrantly expressed and hypomethylated in nearly all cases. The expression of CSF1R was validated by immunohistochemistry on primary tumors and by Western blotting in BRAF V600E mutant and WT melanoma cell lines. Expression of its ligand IL34, but not of CSF1 was also shown in the melanoma cells by both ELISA and qPCR. The effects of a small molecule inhibitor, PLX3397 as well as shRNA-mediated knockdown of the receptor were investigated in traditional and 3D cell culture. We saw inhibition of cell growth, smaller colony size, increased apoptosis and decreased invasiveness - suggesting a functional role for CSF1R in melanoma.

Treatment of melanoma with small molecule inhibitors of BRAF V600E is effective for a time, but resistance invariably develops. The feedback activation of EGFR, BRAF amplification, BRAF splice variants and others are known to aid in the acquisition of resistance and lead to rebound activation of the MAPK-pathway. In Western blotting experiments, the rebound of ERK phosphorylation after BRAF inhibitor treatment was accelerated with the addition of the CSF1R ligands CSF1 and IL34, or delayed with PLX3397, also attenuating AKT phosphorylation. Melanoma cells stably expressing CSF1R shRNA recapitulated the effects of the inhibitor. Assaying the cells at different time points during a long-term V600E inhibitory experiment, we saw increasing levels of the transcription factor RUNX1, followed by increasing levels of IL34 and of the CSF1R protein, as well as its maturation, evidenced by the appearance of the high MW form. Utilizing shRNA-mediated knockdown of RUNX1 resulted in lower levels of the CSF1R and IL34 transcripts and delayed the rebound. Analysis of primary RNA-Seq data showed an increase in RUNX1, CSF1R and IL34 expression as resistance was acquired. Co-inhibition of CSF1R and BRAF was also tested and resulted in synergistic blockade of cell growth in vitro and xenograft growth in vivo. The CSF1R inhibitor, PLX3397, is in clinical trials for breast and other cancers, and these data present a preclinical rationale for its study in malignant melanoma.

Citation Format: Orsolya Giricz, Yongkai Mo, Caroline H. Hu, Kimberly Dahlman, Nandini Ramachandra, Matthias Bartenstein, Kith Pradhan, Tushar Bhagat, Yiting Yu, Hoa Nguyen, Elizabeth Burton, Bernice Matusow, Gaston Habets, Rafe Shellooe, Gideon Bollag, Brian West, John Greally, Jeffrey Sosman, Paraic Kenny, Amit Verma. Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma and points to the role of CSF1R-RUNX1 axis in resistance against BRAF inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1885.

Structure-Guided Blockade of CSF1R Kinase in Tenosynovial Giant-Cell Tumor

BACKGROUND

Expression of the colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) gene is elevated in most tenosynovial giant-cell tumors. This observation has led to the discovery and clinical development of therapy targeting the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R).

METHODS

Using x-ray co-crystallography to guide our drug-discovery research, we generated a potent, selective CSF1R inhibitor, PLX3397, that traps the kinase in the autoinhibited conformation. We then conducted a multicenter, phase 1 trial in two parts to analyze this compound. In the first part, we evaluated escalations in the dose of PLX3397 that was administered orally in patients with solid tumors (dose-escalation study). In the second part, we evaluated PLX3397 at the chosen phase 2 dose in an extension cohort of patients with tenosynovial giant-cell tumors (extension study). Pharmacokinetic and tumor responses in the enrolled patients were assessed, and CSF1 in situ hybridization was performed to confirm the mechanism of action of PLX3397 and that the pattern of CSF1 expression was consistent with the pathological features of tenosynovial giant-cell tumor.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients were enrolled in the dose-escalation study, and an additional 23 patients were enrolled in the extension study. The chosen phase 2 dose of PLX3397 was 1000 mg per day. In the extension study, 12 patients with tenosynovial giant-cell tumors had a partial response and 7 patients had stable disease. Responses usually occurred within the first 4 months of treatment, and the median duration of response exceeded 8 months. The most common adverse events included fatigue, change in hair color, nausea, dysgeusia, and periorbital edema; adverse events rarely led to discontinuation of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of tenosynovial giant-cell tumors with PLX3397 resulted in a prolonged regression in tumor volume in most patients. (Funded by Plexxikon; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01004861.).

Abstract PR06: Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma and reveals CSF-1 Receptor as an aberrant regulator of malignant growth and invasion

Epigenetic changes in cancer are thought to contribute to regulation of tumor invasion and metastasis, but this previously has not been studied at a genome wide level in melanoma. We analyzed the methylome of 44 cases of malignant melanoma with the HELP (HpaII tiny fragment enriched by LM-PCR) assay and compared it with healthy melanocyte controls. We observed widespread demethylation in malignant melanoma, preferentially outside of CpG islands. The epigenomic loss of methylation was independent of mutational status of BRAF, RAS and Kit. Comparison of primary and metastatic lesions demonstrated that demethylation occurs early during carcinogenesis with very few additional alterations in advanced tumors. Parallel transcriptomic analysis revealed many known and novel oncogenic pathways that were aberrantly expressed and regulated by loss of DNA methylation. Strikingly, the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R, c-fms) was aberrantly expressed and hypomethylated in nearly all cases. CSF1R is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that predominantly regulates macrophages, osteoclasts, and microglia, but is known to sometimes be aberrantly expressed by malignant cells in Hodgkins lymphoma. The expression of CSF1R on malignant melanocytes was validated by immunohistochemical analysis of primary tumors. In several melanoma cell lines (A2058, WM-266-4, SK-MEL-2, M14c#5) we found through PCR sequencing of the cDNA 5′ untranslated region that the CSF1R can be expressed through an aberrant promoter, as has been described for Hodgkin lymphoma. A custom Taqman assay was developed for this unique transcript, and then used to detect the transcript in 4 of 40 samples in a panel of melanoma biopsies, suggesting that aberrant CSF1R expression in melanoma is not uncommon. Expression of CSF1R protein in the cell lines was confirmed by FACS using anti-CD115 antibodies, and by Western blot using antibodies directed to the C-terminus. Expression of the ligand CSF-1 was also found in the melanoma cells by both ELISA and Taqman assays. Inhibition of in vitro cell growth by PLX3397, a clinically relevant small molecule inhibitor of CSF1R kinase, could be observed in 3D cell culture, indicating that under some conditions an autocrine stimulation of growth occurs. shRNA mediated knockdown of CSF1R also demonstrated decreased colony size and increased apoptosis in 3D culture conditions. The invasiveness of melanoma cells was decreased after treatment with PLX3397 or anti-CSF1 antibodies, suggesting a role for melanoma cancer cell expression of CSF1R in metastasis. Since three of cell lines possess an oncogenic BRAF mutation, co-inhibition of CSF1R and BRAF was tested and resulted in synergistic blockade of cell growth in vitro and A2058 xenograft growth in vivo. The CSF1R inhibitor, PLX3397, is under investigation in clinical trials for breast, glioma, and other cancers, and these data present a preclinical rationale for its study in malignant melanoma.

This abstract is also being presented as Poster A06.

Citation Format: Orsolya Giricz, Yongkai Mo, Caroline Hu, Kimberly Dahlman, Sanchari Bhattacharyya, Hoa Nguyen, Bernice Matusow, Tushar Bhagat, Yiting Yu, Rafe Shellooe, Elizabeth Burton, Gaston Habets, John Greally, Kenny Paraic, Jeffrey Sosman, Gideon Bollag, Brian West, Amit Verma. Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma and reveals CSF-1 Receptor as an aberrant regulator of malignant growth and invasion. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(14 Suppl):Abstract nr PR06.

Characterizing and Overriding the Structural Mechanism of the Quizartinib-Resistant FLT3 "Gatekeeper" F691L Mutation with PLX3397

Tyrosine kinase domain mutations are a common cause of acquired clinical resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) used to treat cancer, including the FLT3 inhibitor quizartinib. Mutation of kinase "gatekeeper" residues, which control access to an allosteric pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site, has been frequently implicated in TKI resistance. The molecular underpinnings of gatekeeper mutation-mediated resistance are incompletely understood. We report the first cocrystal structure of FLT3 with the TKI quizartinib, which demonstrates that quizartinib binding relies on essential edge-to-face aromatic interactions with the gatekeeper F691 residue, and F830 within the highly conserved Asp-Phe-Gly motif in the activation loop. This reliance makes quizartinib critically vulnerable to gatekeeper and activation loop substitutions while minimizing the impact of mutations elsewhere. Moreover, we identify PLX3397, a novel FLT3 inhibitor that retains activity against the F691L mutant due to a binding mode that depends less vitally on specific interactions with the gatekeeper position.

SIGNIFICANCE

We report the first cocrystal structure of FLT3 with a kinase inhibitor, elucidating the structural mechanism of resistance due to the gatekeeper F691L mutation. PLX3397 is a novel FLT3 inhibitor with in vitro activity against this mutation but is vulnerable to kinase domain mutations in the FLT3 activation loop.

Abstract 4781: Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma and reveals CSF-1 receptor as an aberrant regulator of malignant growth and invasion

Epigenetic alterations can direct carcinogenesis by leading to transcriptional changes and inducing genomic instability. We analyzed the methylome of malignant melanoma and observed widespread loss of DNA methylation that was found to preferentially occur outside of CpG islands. Demethylation was seen to occur early during carcinogenesis, was independent of mutational status and correlated with genomic instability. Parallel transcriptomic analyses revealed that various immune and cancer associated pathways were overexpressed and were associated with promoter demethylation. The CSF1-receptor (CSF1R) was aberrantly overexpressed and hypomethylated in nearly all cases and was strikingly expressed via an aberrant upstream promoter in 10% of melanomas. shRNA mediated knockdown and inhibition of CSF1R kinase via a clinically relevant inhibitor, PLX3397, led to decreased 3D growth and invasiveness. Co-inhibition of CSF1R and BRAF resulted in synergistic blockade of BRAF-mutant melanoma xenograft growth. Thus, widespread epigenetic changes are seen in melanoma and CSF1R is a potential therapeutic target in this disease.

Citation Format: Yongkai Mo, Orsolya Giricz, Caroline H. Hu, Kimberly B. Dahlman, Sanchari Bhattacharyya, Hoa Nguyen, Bernice Matusow, Tushar Bhagat, Rafe Shellooe, Elizabeth Burton, James Tsai, Chao Zhang, Gaston Habets, Yu Shyr, John Greally, Yiting Yu, Gideon E. Bollag, Richard Stanley, Jeffrey Trent, Paraic A. Kenny, Brian L. West, Jeffrey Sosman, Amit K. Verma. Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma and reveals CSF-1 receptor as an aberrant regulator of malignant growth and invasion. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4781. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4781

Abstract A26: Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma, and reveals aberrant CSF-1 receptor expression as a regulator of malignant growth and invasion inhibited by PLX3397

Epigenetic changes in cancer are thought to contribute to regulation of tumor invasion and metastasis, but this previously has not been studied at a genome wide level in melanoma. We analyzed the methylome of 44 cases of malignant melanoma with the HELP (HpaII tiny fragment enriched by LM-PCR) assay and compared it with healthy melanocyte controls. We observed widespread demethylation in malignant melanoma, preferentially outside of CpG islands. The epigenomic loss of methylation was independent of mutational status of BRAF, RAS and Kit. Comparison of primary and metastatic lesions demonstrated that demethylation occurs early during carcinogenesis with very few additional alterations in advanced tumors. Parallel transcriptomic analysis revealed many known and novel oncogenic pathways that were aberrantly expressed and regulated by loss of DNA methylation. Strikingly, the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R, c-fms) was aberrantly expressed and hypomethylated in nearly all cases. CSF1R is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that predominantly regulates macrophages, osteoclasts, and microglia, but is known to sometimes be aberrantly expressed by malignant cells in Hodgkins lymphoma. The expression of CSF1R on malignant melanocytes was validated by immunohistochemical analysis of primary tumors. In a melanoma cell line (A2058) we found through PCR sequencing of the cDNA 5' untranslated region that the CSF1R can be expressed through an aberrant promoter, as has been described for Hodgkin lymphoma. A custom Taqman assay was developed for this unique transcript, and then used to detect the transcript in 4 of 40 samples in a panel of melanoma biopsies, suggesting that aberrant CSF1R expression in melanoma is not uncommon. Expression of CSF1R protein in A2058 cells was confirmed by FACS using anti-CD115 antibodies, and by Western blot using antibodies directed to the C-terminus. Expression of the ligand CSF-1 was also found in A2058 cells by both ELISA and Taqman assays. Inhibition of A2058 cell growth by PLX3397, a clinically relevant small molecule inhibitor of CSF1R kinase, could be observed in 3D cell culture, indicating that under some conditions an autocrine stimulation of growth occurs. shRNA mediated knockdown of CSF1R also demonstrated decreased colony size and increased apoptosis in 3D culture conditions. The invasiveness of A2058 cells was decreased after treatment with PLX3397 or anti-CSF1 antibodies, suggesting a role for melanoma cancer cell expression of CSF1R in metastasis. Since A2058 cells possess an oncogenic BRAF mutation, co-inhibition of CSF1R and BRAF was tested and resulted in synergistic blockade of xenograft growth. The CSF1R inhibitor, PLX3397, is under investigation in clinical trials for breast, glioma, and other cancers, and these data present a preclinical rationale for its study in malignant melanoma.

Citation Format: Yongkai Mo, Orsolya Giricz, Caroline Hu, Kimberly Dahlman, Sanchari Bhattacharyya, Hoa Nguyen, Bernice Matusow, Tushar Bhagat, Yiting Yu, Rafe Shellooe, Elizabeth Burton, Gaston Habets, John Greally, Paraic Kenny, Jeffrey Sosman, Gideon Bollag, Brian L. West, Amit Verma. Integrated epigenomic profiling reveals widespread demethylation in melanoma, and reveals aberrant CSF-1 receptor expression as a regulator of malignant growth and invasion inhibited by PLX3397. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A26.