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Overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase, which occurs in 25% of breast cancers, portends poor clinical outcome and consequently represents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors that compete with ATP binding at the cytoplasmic catalytic kinase domain of HER-2 block autophosphorylation and activation of HER-2, resulting in inhibition of downstream proliferation and survival signals. These agents have exhibited clinical activity in patients with HER-2 overexpressing breast cancers. Here we review the development of HER-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, their mechanisms of action, their biological and clinical activities, their safety profile, and combination strategies including conventional cytotoxics and other targeted agents.

L-asparaginase (ASNase) is a microbial enzyme and a chemotherapeutic agent that has been a standard component of multi-agent chemotherapy for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Eryaspase, ASNase encapsulated in red blood cells, is being developed with an improved pharmacokinetic profile compared to some other ASNase products. The purpose of the present analysis was to describe the population pharmacokinetics (Pop PK) of eryaspase and sources of variability in two patient populations - ALL or pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC).

Hoke: Erytech: Current Employment. Lorenzi:Precision Pathways: Consultancy. El-Hariry:Erytech: Current Employment.

E-cadherin is a transmembrane protein that mediates Ca²⁺-dependent cell-cell adhesion and is implicated in a number of biologic processes, including cell growth and differentiation, cell recognition and cell sorting during development. We have previously demonstrated that both cell-cell adhesion and invasion are modulated by fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and FGF-2 in a panel of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (BxPc3, T3M4 and HPAF). Here, we examine further the role of FGFs in the expression and activation of the E-cadherin/catenin system. We demonstrate that both FGF-1 and FGF-2 upregulate E-cadherin and β-catenin at the protein level in the BxPc3 and HPAF cell lines and modestly in T3M4 cells. FGF-1 and FGF-2 facilitate the association of E-cadherin and α-catenin with the cytoskeleton, as demonstrated by the increase in the detergent-insoluble fraction of E-cadherin in BxPc3 and HPAF cells. Since the correct function of the E-cadherin/catenin complex requires its association with the cytoskeleton, our data suggest that FGF-1 and FGF-2 contribute to the integrity and thus the function of the complex. Furthermore, FGFs facilitate the assembly of the E-cadherin/catenin axis. The effect is associated with elevation of tyrosine phosphorylation of E-cadherin, α-catenin, β-4051μcatenin and γ-catenin, but not p120^ctn. These findings indicate that the E-cadherin/catenin system is a target of the FGF/FGFR system and that coordinated signals from both systems may determine the ultimate biologic responses. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Boissel: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; SANOFI: Honoraria; PFIZER: Consultancy, Honoraria; CELGENE: Honoraria. Recher: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MaatPharma: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astellas: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. El-Hariry: Erytech: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company.

E‐cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenins play important roles in cell adhesion and signal transduction, as well as in maintenance of the structural and functional organization of polarized epithelial cells. In this study, the expression, distribution, and complex assembly of catenins with E‐cadherin was analysed at the steady state in a panel of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (BxPc3, HPAF, T3M4, and PaTuII cell lines). The expression and subcellular distribution were determined by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Co‐immunoprecipitation and cross‐linking studies were performed to examine the complex assembly in both Triton X‐100 (TX‐100)‐soluble and ‐insoluble fractions. In BxPc3 and T3M4 cells, E‐cadherin exists in two complexes, one with α‐ and γ‐catenin, and the other with β‐catenin alone. In HPAF cells there are two complexes, one consisting of E‐cadherin with α‐ and β‐catenin, and another of E‐cadherin with γ‐catenin. In PaTuII cells, there is only a single complex of E‐cadherin with α‐catenin and γ‐catenin. Modification of E‐cadherin–catenin complexes in HPAF and PaTuII cells was associated with loss of membranous E‐cadherin immunolocalization. The common denominator is impaired β‐catenin association with either E‐cadherin (PaTuII) or α‐catenin (BxPc3 and T3M4). This may suggest the presence of distinct mechanisms that modulate the assembly of each complex, which could disturb the tumour suppressor function of E‐cadherin and the catenins. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

E-cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins α-, β-, and γ-catenins play important roles in cell adhesion and signal transduction, as well as in maintenance of the structural and functional organization of polarized epithelial cells. In this study, the expression, distribution, and complex assembly of catenins with E-cadherin was analysed at the steady state in a panel of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (BxPc3, HPAF, T3M4, and PaTuII cell lines). The expression and subcellular distribution were determined by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Co-immunoprecipitation and cross-linking studies were performed to examine the complex assembly in both Triton X-100 (TX-100)-soluble and -insoluble fractions. In BxPc3 and T3M4 cells, E-cadherin exists in two complexes, one with α- and γ-catenin, and the other with β-catenin alone. In HPAF cells there are two complexes, one consisting of E-cadherin with α- and β-catenin, and another of E-cadherin with γ-catenin. In PaTuII cells, there is only a single complex of E-cadherin with α-catenin and γ-catenin. Modification of E-cadherin–catenin complexes in HPAF and PaTuII cells was associated with loss of membranous E-cadherin immunolocalization. The common denominator is impaired β-catenin association with either E-cadherin (PaTuII) or α-catenin (BxPc3 and T3M4). This may suggest the presence of distinct mechanisms that modulate the assembly of each complex, which could disturb the tumour suppressor function of E-cadherin and the catenins. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGF‐1 and FGF‐2) are mitogenic polypeptides that may play a role in autocrine and paracrine growth control of malignant tumours. We have examined the expression of FGF‐1 and FGF‐2 in a series of 41 colorectal tumours (24 adenomas, 17 adenocarcinomas) and 50 gastric adenocarcinomas (23 intestinal, 27 diffuse), using immunohistochemistry. Whereas the FGF‐1 distribution was cytoplasmic, FGF‐2 was restricted to the nuclei of the epithelial cells. FGF‐1 immunoreactivity was detected in all samples (100 per cent), whereas FGF‐2 immunoreactivity was seen in 17 adenomas (71 per cent), 13 colorectal carcinomas (76 per cent), and 29 gastric carcinomas (58 per cent). Compared with the normal mucosa, FGF‐1 was overexpressed in 42 per cent of colorectal adenomas, 76 per cent of colorectal cancers, and 54 per cent of gastric cancers. Conversely, FGF‐2 expression was reduced in 16 (66 per cent), 8 (47 per cent), and 40 (80 per cent) adenomas and colorectal and gastric samples, respectively. We found a significant correlation only between reduced FGF‐2 and gastric tumour grade. These data indicate that FGF‐1 overexpression occurs in a large proportion of human colorectal and gastric cancers. This may play a role in the progression of these tumours. The topographic variation in FGF‐2 expression between normal (nuclear) and tumour (cytoplasmic) cells implies a corresponding functional change that may in turn facilitate tumour growth. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGF-1 and FGF-2) are mitogenic polypeptides that may play a role in autocrine and paracrine growth control of malignant tumours. We have examined the expression of FGF-1 and FGF-2 in a series of 41 colorectal tumours (24 adenomas, 17 adenocarcinomas) and 50 gastric adenocarcinomas (23 intestinal, 27 diffuse), using immunohistochemistry. Whereas the FGF-1 distribution was cytoplasmic, FGF-2 was restricted to the nuclei of the epithelial cells. FGF-1 immunoreactivity was detected in all samples (100 per cent), whereas FGF-2 immunoreactivity was seen in 17 adenomas (71 per cent), 13 colorectal carcinomas (76 per cent), and 29 gastric carcinomas (58 per cent). Compared with the normal mucosa, FGF-1 was overexpressed in 42 per cent of colorectal adenomas, 76 per cent of colorectal cancers, and 54 per cent of gastric cancers. Conversely, FGF-2 expression was reduced in 16 (66 per cent), 8 (47 per cent), and 40 (80 per cent) adenomas and colorectal and gastric samples, respectively. We found a significant correlation only between reduced FGF-2 and gastric tumour grade. These data indicate that FGF-1 overexpression occurs in a large proportion of human colorectal and gastric cancers. This may play a role in the progression of these tumours. The topographic variation in FGF-2 expression between normal (nuclear) and tumour (cytoplasmic) cells implies a corresponding functional change that may in turn facilitate tumour growth. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In the past decade, there have been major advances in the elucidation of processes underlying tumour invasion and metastasis, in which adhesion molecules play a critical role. These advances have revolutionised our ability to devise novel approaches for cancer treatment. This review gives an insight into the adhesion pathways, and highlights the current status of adhesion molecules as potential therapeutic targets

Lorenzi: Erytech Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties: NIH-held patent related to L-asparaginase. Weinstein:NIH: Patents & Royalties: patent related to L-asparaginase. Swart:Erytech Pharma: Employment, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. El-Hariry:Erytech Pharma: Employment.

L-asparaginase (L-ASP) is an enzyme-drug that has been used for decades to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The red blood cell (RBC)-encapsulated L-ASP product GRASPA (eryaspase) was introduced recently with the goal of reducing L-ASP side effects without compromising efficacy. We previously showed in a Phase 2/3 trial that none of the patients treated with GRASPA had evidence of allergic reactions during induction compared to 46% of patients treated with non-encapsulated L-ASP (Baruchel et al., ASH, 2015). Similarly, evidence of pancreatic or hepatic toxicities were substantially lower with GRASPA compared to native L-ASP. Hence, GRASPA exhibits a clear benefit over L-ASP in terms of toxicity profile.

Bertrand: ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Dombret:Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Recher:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Chugai: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Salako:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. Godfrin:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. El Hariry:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment.

Thomas: ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy. Bertrand:ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Vey:Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Bonin:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. Godfrin:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. El Hariry:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment.

Bertrand: ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy. Thomas:ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy. Vey:Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria. Bonin:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. El Hariry:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment.

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Bertrand: ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Thomas:ERYTECH Pharma: Consultancy. Vey:Celgene: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Bonin:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. Godfrin:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment. El Hariry:ERYTECH Pharma: Employment.

INTRODUCTION: Recent discovery of thrombopoietin receptor (Tpo-R; c-mpl) agonists and thrombopoietin mimetics has warranted a better understanding of their effects on solid and liquid tumors. These agents bind to different components of the Tpo-R and therefore signal differently. Previously published data on Tpo-R agonists have shown antiproliferative effects on leukemia and lymphoma cells in vitro (Kalota A, Gewirtz AM. American Association for Cancer Research. 2008. Abstract 2392; Erickson-Miller CL, et al. American Association for Cancer Research. 2008. Abstract 5691). Although the expression of Tpo-R is well documented on cells of the megakaryocyte lineage, there is little quantitative information available on the expression of Tpo-R on tumors. METHODS & RESULTS: To better define Tpo-R expression, we first performed quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) on 378 tumor cell lines available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) or the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ). Tpo-R was consistently expressed at low levels, with a mean normalized abundance of 1,447 and a mode of 621. Only 3 cell lines expressed Tpo-R mRNA below the limits of reliable quantitation (SAOS-2, SF-539, and WIDR; bone, brain, and colon tumor cell lines, respectively). In comparison, the erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R) was expressed in low-to-moderate levels (mean, 12,587; mode, 7,811) and ErbB2 was expressed at higher levels (mean, 280,190; mode, 40,828), with expression, as expected, much higher among the breast tumor cell lines. IGF-1R was also expressed at higher levels (mean, 78,977; mode, 56,624). Three cell lines had greater than 9,500 normalized abundance: HEL 92.1.7, KG-1 (2 erythroleukemia cell lines), and NCI-H510 (lung cancer cell line). To determine if these trends also occurred in patient tumor samples, microarray data were examined from 118 breast cancer, 29 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 151 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) samples collected prior to treatment in GlaxoSmithKline clinical trials. Robust multiarray average (RMA) analysis was used to determine relative mRNA expression levels. Tpo-R mRNA levels were too low for accurate measurement in all breast cancer and RCC samples, but were detectable at low levels in 14 (48%) NSCLC samples (Table 1). In contrast, Epo-R was expressed in 75% breast cancer samples, in all NSCLC samples, and in 87% RCC samples. ErbB2 was expressed in all breast samples, 97% of the NSCLC, and in 81% RCC samples. IGF-1R was expressed in 86% breast cancer samples, all NSCLC samples, and 54% RCC samples. For breast tumors, the levels of Tpo-R message expression rank as follows: Tpo-R

INTRODUCTION: Recent discovery of thrombopoietin receptor (Tpo-R; c-mpl) agonists and thrombopoietin mimetics has warranted a better understanding of their effects on solid and liquid tumors. These agents bind to different components of the Tpo-R and therefore signal differently. Previously published data on Tpo-R agonists have shown antiproliferative effects on leukemia and lymphoma cells in vitro (Kalota A, Gewirtz AM. American Association for Cancer Research. 2008. Abstract 2392; Erickson-Miller CL, et al. American Association for Cancer Research. 2008. Abstract 5691). Although the expression of Tpo-R is well documented on cells of the megakaryocyte lineage, there is little quantitative information available on the expression of Tpo-R on tumors.