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Supplementary Figure 7: Characterization of Pik3ca+/HR, Ptenfl/fl and Pik3ca+/HR;Ptenfl/fl prostate tumors. Representative images of IHC to detect (A) PCNA and (B) Cleaved-caspase 3 (CC3) in Pik3ca+/HR, Ptenfl/fl and Pik3ca+/HR;Ptenfl/fl prostate tissue 2 weeks post-castration compared to uncastrated, age-matched controls (scale bar: 50 um, n = 3). Mice were castrated when prostate carcinoma was prevalent; Pik3ca+/HR = 400 d old, Ptenfl/fl = 200 d old and Pik3ca+/HR;Ptenfl/fl =100 d old. Quantitative RT-PCR to detect (C) Nkx3.1 and (D) Pbsn mRNA in Wt prostate and Pik3ca+/HR, Ptenfl/fl and Pik3ca+/HR;Ptenfl/fl stage-matched prostate carcinomas (n = 5). Error bars: SEM, *P

Supplemetary Material and Tables S1 - S7

Fig S1: Generation and characterisation of an androgen-dependent Hi-MYC epithelial line from 5-month Hi-MYC lateral prostate adenocarcinoma. Fig S2: CX-6258 does not inhibit Ribosomal RNA transcription. Fig S3: CX-6258 does not induce p53, but does induce low level p21 expression Fig S4: CX-5461 co-operates with Everolimus (RAD001) in vitro, but this does not suppress Hi-MYC tumorigenesis Fig S5: 5 month old Hi-MYC mouse prostate and body weight Fig S6: Influence of the androgen receptor on growth inhibition sensitivity

Figure S2. Gastric cancer cell xenografts treated with vehicle or OMP-18R5.

Supplemental Figure Legends. And Supp Table S1. List of Antibodies used. Table S2. Differential expression of genes in gp130 gastric adenomas compared to wild-type and following deletion of Fzd7.

Supplementary Materials and methods

Purpose: The MYC oncogene is frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer. Upregulation of ribosome biogenesis and function is characteristic of MYC-driven tumors. In addition, PIM kinases activate MYC signaling and mRNA translation in prostate cancer and cooperate with MYC to accelerate tumorigenesis. Here, we investigate the efficacy of a single and dual approach targeting ribosome biogenesis and function to treat prostate cancer.Experimental Design:The inhibition of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis with CX-5461, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription, has been successfully exploited therapeutically but only in models of hematologic malignancy. CX-5461 and CX-6258, a pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, were tested alone and in combination in prostate cancer cell lines, in Hi-MYC- and PTEN-deficient mouse models and in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of metastatic tissue obtained from a patient with castration-resistant prostate cancer.Results: CX-5461 inhibited anchorage-independent growth and induced cell-cycle arrest in prostate cancer cell lines at nanomolar concentrations. Oral administration of 50 mg/kg CX-5461 induced TP53 expression and activity and reduced proliferation (MKI67) and invasion (loss of ductal actin) in Hi-MYC tumors, but not in PTEN-null (low MYC) tumors. While 100 mg/kg CX-6258 showed limited effect alone, its combination with CX-5461 further suppressed proliferation and dramatically reduced large invasive lesions in both models. This rational combination strategy significantly inhibited proliferation and induced cell death in PDX of prostate cancer.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate preclinical efficacy of targeting the ribosome at multiple levels and provide a new approach for the treatment of prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5539–52. ©2016 AACR.

Supplementary Figure 1 from K-ras and Wnt Signaling Synergize to Accelerate Prostate Tumorigenesis in the Mouse

Supplementary Figure 3 from K-ras and Wnt Signaling Synergize to Accelerate Prostate Tumorigenesis in the Mouse

Supplementary Figure 2 from K-ras and Wnt Signaling Synergize to Accelerate Prostate Tumorigenesis in the Mouse

Aberrant activation of the Wnt pathway is emerging as a frequent event during prostate cancer that can facilitate tumor formation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Recent discoveries indicate that targeting the Wnt pathway to treat prostate cancer may be efficacious. However, the functional consequence of activating the Wnt pathway during the different stages of prostate cancer progression remains unclear. Preclinical work investigating the efficacy of targeting Wnt signaling for the treatment of prostate cancer, both in primary and metastatic lesions, and improving our molecular understanding of treatment responses is crucial to identifying effective treatment strategies and biomarkers that help guide treatment decisions and improve patient care. In this review, we outline the type of genetic alterations that lead to activated Wnt signaling in prostate cancer, highlight the range of laboratory models used to study the role of Wnt genetic drivers in prostate cancer, and discuss new mechanistic insights into how the Wnt cascade facilitates prostate cancer growth, metastasis, and drug resistance.

Loss of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), which negatively regulates the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway, is strongly linked to advanced prostate cancer progression and poor clinical outcome. Accordingly, several therapeutic approaches are currently being explored to combat PTEN-deficient tumors. These include classical inhibition of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling network, as well as new approaches that restore PTEN function, or target PTEN regulation of chromosome stability, DNA damage repair and the tumor microenvironment. While targeting PTEN-deficient prostate cancer remains a clinical challenge, new advances in the field of precision medicine indicate that PTEN loss provides a valuable biomarker to stratify prostate cancer patients for treatments, which may improve overall outcome. Here, we discuss the clinical implications of PTEN loss in the management of prostate cancer and review recent therapeutic advances in targeting PTEN-deficient prostate cancer. Deepening our understanding of how PTEN loss contributes to prostate cancer growth and therapeutic resistance will inform the design of future clinical studies and precision-medicine strategies that will ultimately improve patient care. View Full-Text\ud Keywords: PTEN; PI3K; targeted therapy; prostate cancer

Oncogenic activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a frequent event in prostate cancer that facilitates tumor formation, disease progression and therapeutic resistance. Recent discoveries indicate that the complex crosstalk between the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and multiple interacting cell signaling cascades can further promote prostate cancer progression and influence the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to PI3K-AKT-mTOR-targeted therapies being explored in the clinic, as well as standard treatment approaches such as androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). However, the full extent of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling network during prostate tumorigenesis, invasive progression and disease recurrence remains to be determined. In this review, we outline the emerging diversity of the genetic alterations that lead to activated PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling in prostate cancer, and discuss new mechanistic insights into the interplay between the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and several key interacting oncogenic signaling cascades that can cooperate to facilitate prostate cancer growth and drug-resistance, specifically the androgen receptor (AR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and WNT signaling cascades. Ultimately, deepening our understanding of the broader PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling network is crucial to aid patient stratification for PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway-directed therapies, and to discover new therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer that improve patient outcome.

Purpose: The MYC oncogene is frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer. Upregulation of ribosome biogenesis and function is characteristic of MYC-driven tumors. In addition, PIM kinases activate MYC signaling and mRNA translation in prostate cancer and cooperate with MYC to accelerate tumorigenesis. Here, we investigate the efficacy of a single and dual approach targeting ribosome biogenesis and function to treat prostate cancer. Experimental Design:The inhibition of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis with CX-5461, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription, has been successfully exploited therapeutically but only in models of hematologic malignancy. CX-5461 and CX-6258, a pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, were tested alone and in combination in prostate cancer cell lines, in Hi-MYC- and PTEN-deficient mouse models and in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of metastatic tissue obtained from a patient with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Results: CX-5461 inhibited anchorage-independent growth and induced cell-cycle arrest in prostate cancer cell lines at nanomolar concentrations. Oral administration of 50 mg/kg CX-5461 induced TP53 expression and activity and reduced proliferation (MKI67) and invasion (loss of ductal actin) in Hi-MYC tumors, but not in PTEN-null (low MYC) tumors. While 100 mg/kg CX-6258 showed limited effect alone, its combination with CX-5461 further suppressed proliferation and dramatically reduced large invasive lesions in both models. This rational combination strategy significantly inhibited proliferation and induced cell death in PDX of prostate cancer. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate preclinical efficacy of targeting the ribosome at multiple levels and provide a new approach for the treatment of prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 22(22); 5539–52. ©2016 AACR.

Copper-ionophores that elevate intracellular bioavailable copper display significant therapeutic utility against prostate cancer cells in vitro and in TRAMP (Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate) mice. However, the pharmacological basis for their anticancer activity remains unclear, despite impending clinical trails. Herein we show that intracellular copper levels in prostate cancer, evaluated in vitro and across disease progression in TRAMP mice, were not correlative with copper-ionophore activity and mirrored the normal levels observed in patient prostatectomy tissues (Gleason Score 7 & 9). TRAMP adenocarcinoma cells harbored markedly elevated oxidative stress and diminished glutathione (GSH)-mediated antioxidant capacity, which together conferred selective sensitivity to prooxidant ionophoric copper. Copper-ionophore treatments [CuII(gtsm), disulfiram & clioquinol] generated toxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TRAMP adenocarcinoma cells, but not in normal mouse prostate epithelial cells (PrECs). Our results provide a basis for the pharmacological activity of copper-ionophores and suggest they are amendable for treatment of patients with prostate cancer. Additionally, recent in vitro and mouse xenograft studies have suggested an increased copper requirement by prostate cancer cells. We demonstrated that prostate adenocarcinoma development in TRAMP mice requires a functional supply of copper and is significantly impeded by altered systemic copper distribution. The presence of a mutant copper-transporting Atp7b protein (tx mutation: A4066G/Met1356Val) in TRAMP mice changed copper-integration into serum and caused a remarkable reduction in prostate cancer burden (64% reduction) and disease severity (grade), abrogating adenocarcinoma development. Implications for current clinical trials are discussed.

Genetic alterations that potentiate PI3K signaling are frequent in prostate cancer, yet how different genetic drivers of the PI3K cascade contribute to prostate cancer is unclear. Here, we report PIK3CA mutation/amplification correlates with poor survival of patients with prostate cancer. To interrogate the requirement of different PI3K genetic drivers in prostate cancer, we employed a genetic approach to mutate Pik3ca in mouse prostate epithelium. We show Pik3caH1047R mutation causes p110α-dependent invasive prostate carcinoma in vivo. Furthermore, we report that PIK3CA mutation and PTEN loss coexist in patients with prostate cancer and can cooperate in vivo to accelerate disease progression via AKT–mTORC1/2 hyperactivation. Contrasting single mutants that slowly acquire castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), concomitant Pik3ca mutation and Pten loss caused de novo CRPC. Thus, Pik3ca mutation and Pten deletion are not functionally redundant. Our findings indicate that PIK3CA mutation is an attractive prognostic indicator for prostate cancer that may cooperate with PTEN loss to facilitate CRPC in patients. Significance: We show PIK3CA mutation correlates with poor prostate cancer prognosis and causes prostate cancer in mice. Moreover, PIK3CA mutation and PTEN loss coexist in prostate cancer and can cooperate in vivo to accelerate tumorigenesis and facilitate CRPC. Delineating this synergistic relationship may present new therapeutic/prognostic approaches to overcome castration/PI3K–AKT–mTORC1/2 inhibitor resistance. Cancer Discov; 8(6); 764–79. ©2018 AACR. See related commentary by Triscott and Rubin, p. 682. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 663

Recent studies have suggested that C-MYC may be an excellent therapeutic cancer target and a number of new agents targeting C-MYC are in preclinical development. Given most therapeutic regimes would combine C-MYC inhibition with genotoxic damage, it is important to assess the importance of C-MYC function for DNA damage signalling in vivo. In this study, we have conditionally deleted the c-Myc gene in the adult murine intestine and investigated the apoptotic response of intestinal enterocytes to DNA damage. Remarkably, c-Myc deletion completely abrogated the immediate wave of apoptosis following both ionizing irradiation and cisplatin treatment, recapitulating the phenotype of p53 deficiency in the intestine. Consistent with this, c-Myc-deficient intestinal enterocytes did not upregulate p53. Mechanistically, this was linked to an upregulation of the E3 Ubiquitin ligase Mdm2, which targets p53 for degradation in c-Myc-deficient intestinal enterocytes. Further, low level overexpression of c-Myc, which does not impact on basal levels of apoptosis, elicited sustained apoptosis in response to DNA damage, suggesting c-Myc activity acts as a crucial cell survival rheostat following DNA damage. We also identify the importance of MYC during DNA damage-induced apoptosis in several other tissues, including the thymus and spleen, using systemic deletion of c-Myc throughout the adult mouse. Together, we have elucidated for the first time in vivo an essential role for endogenous c-Myc in signalling DNA damage-induced apoptosis through the control of the p53 tumour suppressor protein.

The therapeutic efficacy of two bis(thiosemicarbazonato) copper complexes, glyoxalbis[N4-methylthiosemicarbazonato]Cu(II) [Cu(II)(gtsm)] and diacetylbis[N4-methylthiosemicarbazonato]Cu(II) [Cu(II)(atsm)], for the treatment of prostate cancer was assessed in cell culture and animal models. Distinctively, copper dissociates intracellularly from Cu(II)(gtsm) but is retained by Cu(II)(atsm). We further demonstrated that intracellular H2gtsm [reduced Cu(II)(gtsm)] continues to redistribute copper into a bioavailable (exchangeable) pool. Both Cu(II)(gtsm) and Cu(II)(atsm) selectively kill transformed (hyperplastic and carcinoma) prostate cell lines but, importantly, do not affect the viability of primary prostate epithelial cells. Increasing extracellular copper concentrations enhanced the therapeutic capacity of both Cu(II)(gtsm) and Cu(II)(atsm), and their ligands (H2gtsm and H2atsm) were toxic only toward cancerous prostate cells when combined with copper. Treatment of the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model with Cu(II)(gtsm) (2.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced prostate cancer burden (∼70%) and severity (grade), while treatment with Cu(II)(atsm) (30 mg/kg) was ineffective at the given dose. However, Cu(II)(gtsm) caused mild kidney toxicity in the mice, associated primarily with interstitial nephritis and luminal distention. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Cu(II)(gtsm) inhibits proteasomal chymotrypsin-like activity, a feature further established as being common to copper-ionophores that increase intracellular bioavailable copper. We have demonstrated that increasing intracellular bioavailable copper can selectively kill cancerous prostate cells in vitro and in vivo and have revealed the potential for bis(thiosemicarbazone) copper complexes to be developed as therapeutics for prostate cancer.

TP53, a critical tumour suppressor gene, is mutated in over half of all cancers resulting in mutant-p53 protein accumulation and poor patient survival. Therapeutic strategies to target mutant-p53 cancers are urgently needed. We show that accumulated mutant-p53 protein suppresses the expression of SLC7A11, a component of the cystine/glutamate antiporter, system xC−, through binding to the master antioxidant transcription factor NRF2. This diminishes glutathione synthesis, rendering mutant-p53 tumours susceptible to oxidative damage. System xC− inhibitors specifically exploit this vulnerability to preferentially kill cancer cells with stabilized mutant-p53 protein. Moreover, we demonstrate that SLC7A11 expression is a novel and robust predictive biomarker for APR-246, a first-in-class mutant-p53 reactivator that also binds and depletes glutathione in tumours, triggering lipid peroxidative cell death. Importantly, system xC− antagonism strongly synergizes with APR-246 to induce apoptosis in mutant-p53 tumours. We propose a new paradigm for targeting cancers that accumulate mutant-p53 protein by inhibiting the SLC7A11–glutathione axis., Efficient therapeutic strategies to target mutant-p53 cancers are needed. Here, the authors demonstrate the molecular mechanism through which mutant-p53 tumours are susceptible to oxidative damage and propose a potential strategy for targeting such cancers by inhibiting the SLC7A11-glutathione axis.

Erythroid enucleation is critical for terminal differentiation of red blood cells, and involves\ud extrusion of the nucleus by orthochromatic erythroblasts to produce reticulocytes. Due to\ud the difficulty of synchronizing erythroblasts, the molecular mechanisms underlying the enucleation\ud process remain poorly understood. To elucidate the cellular program governing\ud enucleation, we utilized a novel chemical screening approach whereby orthochromatic cells\ud primed for enucleation were enriched ex vivo and subjected to a functional drug screen\ud using a 324 compound library consisting of structurally diverse, medicinally active and cell\ud permeable drugs. Using this approach, we have confirmed the role of HDACs, proteasomal\ud regulators and MAPK in erythroid enucleation and introduce a new role for Cyclin-dependent\ud kinases, in particular CDK9, in this process. Importantly, we demonstrate that when\ud coupled with imaging analysis, this approach provides a powerful means to identify and\ud characterize rate limiting steps involved in the erythroid enucleation process.

Background The establishment and maintenance of polarity is vital for embryonic development and loss of polarity is a frequent characteristic of epithelial cancers, however the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identify a novel role for the polarity protein Scrib as a mediator of epidermal permeability barrier acquisition, skeletal morphogenesis, and as a potent tumor suppressor in cutaneous carcinogenesis. Methods To explore the role of Scrib during epidermal development, we compared the permeability of toluidine blue dye in wild-type, Scrib heterozygous and Scrib KO embryonic epidermis at E16.5, E17.5 and E18.5. Mouse embryos were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red for skeletal analysis. To establish whether Scrib plays a tumor suppressive role during skin tumorigenesis and/or progression, we evaluated an autochthonous mouse model of skin carcinogenesis in the context of Scrib loss. We utilised Cre-LoxP technology to conditionally deplete Scrib in adult epidermis, since Scrib KO embryos are neonatal lethal. Results We establish that Scrib perturbs keratinocyte maturation during embryonic development, causing impaired epidermal barrier formation, and that Scrib is required for skeletal morphogenesis in mice. Analysis of conditional transgenic mice deficient for Scrib specifically within the epidermis revealed no skin pathologies, indicating that Scrib is dispensable for normal adult epidermal homeostasis. Nevertheless, bi-allelic loss of Scrib significantly enhanced tumor multiplicity and progression in an autochthonous model of epidermal carcinogenesis in vivo, demonstrating Scrib is an epidermal tumor suppressor. Mechanistically, we show that apoptosis is the critical effector of Scrib tumor suppressor activity during skin carcinogenesis and provide new insight into the function of polarity proteins during DNA damage repair. Conclusions For the first time, we provide genetic evidence of a unique link between skin carcinogenesis and loss of the epithelial polarity regulator Scrib, emphasizing that Scrib exerts a wide-spread tumor suppressive function in epithelia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0440-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The translation of basic research into improved therapies for breast cancer patients requires relevant preclinical models that incorporate spontaneous metastasis. We have completed a functional and molecular characterisation of a new isogenic C57BL/6 mouse model of breast cancer metastasis, comparing and contrasting it with the established BALB/c 4T1 model. Metastatic EO771.LMB tumours were derived from poorly metastatic parental EO771 mammary tumours. Functional differences were evaluated using both in vitro assays and spontaneous metastasis assays in mice. Results were compared to non-metastatic 67NR and metastatic 4T1.2 tumours of the 4T1 model. Protein and transcript levels of markers of human breast cancer molecular subtypes were measured in the four tumour lines, as well as p53 (Tp53) tumour-suppressor gene status and responses to tamoxifen in vivo and in vitro. Array-based expression profiling of whole tumours identified genes and pathways that were deregulated in metastatic tumours. EO771.LMB cells metastasised spontaneously to lung in C57BL/6 mice and displayed increased invasive capacity compared with parental EO771. By immunohistochemical assessment, EO771 and EO771.LMB were basal-like, as was the 4T1.2 tumour, whereas 67NR had a luminal phenotype. Primary tumours from all lines were negative for progesterone receptor, Erb-b2/Neu and cytokeratin 5/6, but positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Only 67NR displayed nuclear estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) positivity. EO771 and EO771.LMB expressed mutant p53, whereas 67NR and 4T1.2 were p53-null. Integrated molecular analysis of both the EO771/EO771.LMB and 67NR/4T1.2 pairs indicated that upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), parathyroid hormone-like hormone (Pthlh) and S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100a8) and downregulation of the thrombospondin receptor (Cd36) might be causally involved in metastatic dissemination of breast cancer.

Background: Prostate epithelium is exquisitely sensitive to the overexpression of the proto-oncogene MYC which causes neoplastic transformation. Indeed, MYC protein is almost universally overexpressed in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) making targeting MYC an attractive option for treating advanced stage disease. Unfortunately, the development of therapeutic agents directly targeting MYC has been largely unsuccessful, thus emphasizing the need to indirectly target MYC activity through inhibition of downstream cellular processes it regulates. One of the main effects of MYC in cancer cells is to accelerate proliferative growth via stimulation of high levels of ribosome biogenesis. Accordingly, the control of protein synthesis rate has emerged as the “Achilles' heel” of a wide array of tumors. MYC also regulates and cooperates with PIM kinases to increase the activity of the eIF4F translation initiation complex and MYC-driven tumors are addicted to eIF4E. Here, we investigate the efficacy of a single and dual approach targeting ribosome biogenesis and function to treat prostate cancer (PC). Experimental design: We employed numerous models of PC, including a novel CRPC patient derived xenograft system, which showed the pre-clinical efficacy of therapies that combine to target MYC directed signaling to the ribosome. The inhibition of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis with CX-5461, a potent, selective and orally bioavailable inhibitor of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription has been successfully exploited therapeutically, but only in models of hematological malignancy. CX-5461 and CX-6258, a pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, were tested alone and in combination in PC cell lines, in Hi-MYC and PTEN-deficient mouse models and in patient derived xenografts (PDX) of metastatic tissue obtained from a castration-resistant PC patient. Results: CX-5461 inhibited anchorage-independent growth and induced cell cycle arrest in PC cell lines at nanomolar concentrations. Oral administration of 50 mg/kg CX-5461 induced p53 expression and activity and reduced proliferation (Ki-67) and invasion (loss of ductal actin) in Hi-MYC tumors, but not in PTEN null (low MYC) tumors. While 100 mg/kg CX-6258 showed limited effect alone, its combination with CX-5461 further suppressed proliferation and dramatically reduced large invasive lesions in both models. This rational combination strategy significantly inhibited proliferation and induced cell death in PDX of PC. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate preclinical efficacy of targeting the ribosome at multiple levels and provide a new approach for the treatment of PC. In addition, a key conclusion of our study is that the androgen receptor (AR) presence or activity has no significant impact on the therapeutic activity of our novel combination therapy. Therefore, we believe our new exciting combination therapy could be used in the clinic in combination with current anti-androgens or as salvage therapy in multi-drug resistant CRPC. Citation Format: Richard J. Rebello, Eric Kusnadi, Don P. Cameron, Helen B. Pearson, Analia Lesmana, Jennifer R. Devlin, Denis Drygin, Ashlee K. Clark, Laura Porter, John Pedersen, Shahneen Sandhu, Gail P. Risbridger, Richard B. Pearson, Ross D. Hannan, Luc Furic. Inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis as a new therapeutic approach to treat advanced prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Translational Control of Cancer: A New Frontier in Cancer Biology and Therapy; 2016 Oct 27-30; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B23.

Keratins are cytoskeletal intermediate filament proteins that are increasingly being recognised for their diverse cellular functions. Here we report the consequences of germ line inactivation of Keratin 76 (Krt76) in mice. Homozygous disruption of this epidermally expressed gene causes neonatal skin flaking, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, impaired wound healing, and death prior to 12 weeks of age. We show that this phenotype is associated with functionally defective tight junctions that are characterised by mislocalization of the integral protein CLDN1. We further demonstrate that KRT76 interacts with CLDN1 and propose that this interaction is necessary to correctly position CLDN1 in tight junctions. The mislocalization of CLDN1 has been associated in various dermopathies, including the inflammatory disease, psoriasis. These observations establish a previously unknown connection between the intermediate filament cytoskeleton network and tight junctions and showcase Krt76 null mice as a possible model to study aberrant tight junction driven skin diseases., Author Summary The generation of knockout mice is a central approach to studying gene function. We have examined the consequences of the germ line inactivation of Keratin 76 in mice and in doing so we reveal a previously undescribed mechanism by which keratin intermediate filaments regulate cellular interactions and tissue homeostasis. Our study supports an emerging body of evidence which challenges the classical view of the keratin intermediate filaments as simple structural proteins, highlighting Krt76 as a gene whose function is indispensable for barrier function and skin wound repair as a result of its novel interaction with tight junction complexes. This study identifies a previously unknown and critical link between intermediate filaments and tight junctions where intermediate filament dysfunction influences skin disease.

Most colon cancers arise from somatic mutations in the tumor suppressor gene APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), and these mutations cause constitutive activation of the Wnt–to–β-catenin pathway in the intestinal epithelium. Because Wnt–β-catenin signaling is required for homeostasis and regeneration of the adult intestinal epithelium, therapeutic targeting of this pathway is challenging. We found that genetic activation of the cytokine-stimulated pathway mediated by the receptor gp130, the associated Jak (Janus kinase) kinases, and the transcription factor Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) was required for intestinal regeneration in response to irradiation-induced damage in wild-type mice and for tumorigenesis in Apc-mutant mice. Systemic pharmacological or partial genetic inhibition of gp130-Jak-Stat3 signaling suppressed intestinal regeneration, the growth of tumors in Apc-mutant mice, and the growth of colon cancer xenografts. The growth of Apc-mutant tumors depended on gp130-Jak-Stat3 signaling for induction of the polycomb repressor Bmi-1, and the associated repression of genes encoding the cell cycle inhibitors p16 and p21. However, suppression of gp130-Jak-Stat3 signaling did not affect Wnt–β-catenin signaling or homeostasis in the intestine. Thus, these data not only suggest a molecular mechanism for how the gp130-Jak-Stat3 pathway can promote cancer but also provide a rationale for therapeutic inhibition of Jak in colon cancer.

Polarity coordinates cell movement, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis to build and maintain complex epithelial tissues such as the mammary gland. Loss of polarity and the deregulation of these processes are critical events in malignant progression but precisely how and at which stage polarity loss impacts on mammary development and tumourigenesis is unclear. Scrib is a core polarity regulator and tumour suppressor gene however to date our understanding of Scrib function in the mammary gland has been limited to cell culture and transplantation studies of cell lines. Utilizing a conditional mouse model of Scrib loss we report for the first time that Scrib is essential for mammary duct morphogenesis, mammary progenitor cell fate and maintenance, and we demonstrate a critical and specific role for Scribble in the control of the early steps of breast cancer progression. In particular, Scrib-deficiency significantly induced Fra1 expression and basal progenitor clonogenicity, which resulted in fully penetrant ductal hyperplasia characterized by high cell turnover, MAPK hyperactivity, frank polarity loss with mixing of apical and basolateral membrane constituents and expansion of atypical luminal cells. We also show for the first time a role for Scribble in mammalian spindle orientation with the onset of mammary hyperplasia being associated with aberrant luminal cell spindle orientation and a failure to apoptose during the final stage of duct tubulogenesis. Restoring MAPK/Fra1 to baseline levels prevented Scrib-hyperplasia, whereas persistent Scrib deficiency induced alveolar hyperplasia and increased the incidence, onset and grade of mammary tumours. These findings, based on a definitive genetic mouse model provide fundamental insights into mammary duct maturation and homeostasis and reveal that Scrib loss activates a MAPK/Fra1 pathway that alters mammary progenitor activity to drive premalignancy and accelerate tumour progression., Author Summary Polarity allows the specialization of cell function and is required to coordinate cell movements, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis to build and maintain complex tissues such as the mammary gland. Disruption of polarity is a diagnostic criterion of cancer, but exactly how deregulation of core polarity genes contribute to cancer and at which stage polarity loss promotes breast cancer development in vivo is still poorly understood. To address this directly, we deleted the core polarity gene Scrib specifically in the mouse mammary gland. Scrib loss resulted in loss of tissue architecture and duct hyperplasia in mature but not pubescent mice. Onset of hyperplasia was associated with defective spindle orientations, a failure to apoptose and was sustained by high cell turnover and Ras/Erk/Fra1 MAPK pathway activation. Scrib deficiency activated progenitors and resulted in the excess growth of atypical luminal cells and the development of ductal and alveolar hyperplasia. Overall these mice exhibited an increased incidence, onset and grade of mammary tumours. These studies provide a definitive demonstration of the critical role played by core polarity genes in maintaining mammary epithelial integrity in vivo. This mouse model is a valuable tool for understanding the role of polarity in mammary development and the most initial stages of breast cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide with non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 80% of all lung cancers. Although activating mutations in genes of the RAS-MAPK pathway occur in up to 30% of all NSCLC, the cooperating genetic lesions that are required for lung cancer initiation and progression remain poorly understood. Here we identify a role for the cell polarity regulator Scribble (Scrib) in NSCLC. A survey of genomic databases reveals deregulation of SCRIB in human lung cancer and we show that Scrib(+/-) mutant mice develop lung cancer by 540 days with a penetrance of 43%. To model NSCLC development in vivo, we used the extensively characterized LSL-KRas(G12D) murine model of NSCLC. We show that loss of Scrib and activated oncogenic KRas cooperate in vivo, resulting in more aggressive lung tumors, likely due to a synergistic elevation in RAS-MAPK signaling. Finally, we provide data consistent with immune infiltration having an important role in the acceleration of tumorigenesis in KRas(G12D) lung tumors following Scrib loss.

Loss of cellular polarity is a hallmark of epithelial cancers, raising the possibility that regulators of polarity have a role in suppressing tumorigenesis. The Scribble complex is one of at least three interacting protein complexes that have a critical role in establishing and maintaining epithelial polarity. In human colorectal, breast, and endometrial cancers, expression of the Scribble complex member SCRIB is often mislocalized and deregulated. Here, we report that Scrib is indispensable for prostate homeostasis in mice. Scrib heterozygosity initiated prostate hyperplasia, while targeted biallelic Scrib loss predisposed mice to prostate intraepithelial neoplasia. Mechanistically, Scrib was shown to negatively regulate the MAPK cascade to suppress tumorigenesis. Further analysis revealed that prostate-specific loss of Scrib in mice combined with expression of an oncogenic Kras mutation promoted the progression of prostate cancer that recapitulated the human disease. The clinical significance of the work in mice was highlighted by our observation that SCRIB deregulation strongly correlated with poor survival in human prostate cancer. These data suggest that the polarity network could provide a new avenue for therapeutic intervention.

Aberrant Ras and Wnt signaling are emerging as key events in the multistep nature of prostate tumorigenesis and progression. Here, we report the generation of a compound model of prostate cancer to define the synergism of activated K-ras (K-ras+/V12) and dominant stabilized β-catenin (Catnb+/lox(ex3)) in the murine prostate. Recombination of floxed alleles and subsequent expression of oncogenic transgenes was mediated by Cre recombinase expression governed by the composite Probasin (PB) promoter (termed PBCre). Concomitant with elevated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, PBCre+K-ras+/V12 mice developed AH at 100 days (100% incidence) and low-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia and adenocarcinoma (60% and 7% incidence) by 500 days. PBCre+Catnb+/lox(ex3) mice showed reduced longevity (average 428 days) and were predisposed to PIN-like keratinized squamous metaplasia at 100 days (100% incidence) and adenocarcinoma (100% incidence) at end-point. These lesions displayed elevated Wnt signaling and basal levels of MAPK signaling. Synchronous activation of K-ras and β-catenin significantly reduced survival (average 189 days), reflecting accelerated tumorigenesis and the development of invasive carcinoma that displayed activated Wnt and MAPK signaling. Notably, expression of the basal cell marker p63 negatively correlated with tumor grade, resembling human prostate adenocarcinoma. Taken together, our data show that combinatorial oncogenic mutations of K-ras and β-catenin drive rapid progression of prostate tumorigenesis to invasive carcinoma, characterized by the synergistic elevation of androgen receptor, cyclooxygenase-2, and c-Myc. [Cancer Res 2009;69(1):94–101]

The Lkb1 tumour suppressor is a multitasking kinase participating in a range of physiological processes. We have determined the impact of Lkb1 deficiency on intestinal homeostasis, particularly focussing on secretory cell differentiation and development since we observe strong expression of Lkb1 in normal small intestine Paneth and goblet cells. We crossed mice bearing an Lkb1 allele flanked with LoxP sites with those carrying a Cyp1a1-specific inducible Cre recombinase. Lkb1 was efficiently deleted from the epithelial cells of the mouse intestine after intraperitoneal injection of the inducing agent beta-naphthoflavone. Bi-allelic loss of Lkb1 led to the perturbed development of Paneth and goblet cell lineages. These changes were characterised by the lack of Delta ligand expression in Lkb1-deficient secretory cells and a significant increase in the levels of the downstream Notch signalling effector Hes5 but not Hes1. Our data show that Lkb1 is required for the normal differentiation of secretory cell lineages within the intestine, and that Lkb1 deficiency modulates Notch signalling modulation in post-mitotic cells.

The Lkb1 tumour suppressor is a multitasking kinase participating in a range of physiological processes. We have determined the impact of Lkb1 deficiency on intestinal homeostasis, particularly focussing on secretory cell differentiation and development since we observe strong expression of Lkb1 in normal small intestine Paneth and goblet cells. We crossed mice bearing an Lkb1 allele flanked with LoxP sites with those carrying a Cyp1a1-specific inducible Cre recombinase. Lkb1 was efficiently deleted from the epithelial cells of the mouse intestine after intraperitoneal injection of the inducing agent beta-naphthoflavone. Bi-allelic loss of Lkb1 led to the perturbed development of Paneth and goblet cell lineages. These changes were characterised by the lack of Delta ligand expression in Lkb1-deficient secretory cells and a significant increase in the levels of the downstream Notch signalling effector Hes5 but not Hes1. Our data show that Lkb1 is required for the normal differentiation of secretory cell lineages within the intestine, and that Lkb1 deficiency modulates Notch signalling modulation in post-mitotic cells.

Oncogenic activation of the PI3K cascade increases cell proliferation, survival, and migration to facilitate tumor growth in many human cancers, including prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second major cause of cancer-related deaths in men globally, reflecting resistance to standard clinical regimens (i.e. androgen ablation, radiation, and chemotherapy). To better understand the role of the PI3K pathway in the initiation, progression and treatment of prostate cancer we have developed a novel mouse model of prostate cancer by expressing a single activating mutation in Pik3ca, the gene coding for the p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K, in the prostate. To generate the model we have used a mouse with a conditional (Cre recombinase-inducible) knock-in of the common activating mutation, Pik3caH1047R, expressed from the endogenous locus and targeted the mutation to the prostate gland by crossing this mouse to mice expressing Cre under the control of prostate-specific promoter PB. Histological analysis of mice expressing Pik3caH1047R in their prostate revealed flat and cribriform hyperplastic lesions at 200 d, which progressed to locally invasive carcinoma at 400 d. This data demonstrates that a heterozygous activating mutation in Pik3ca is sufficient to cause invasive prostate cancer. Furthermore, we show that mice co-expressing heterozygous Pik3ca and KRas oncogenic mutations in the prostate display accelerated progression to invasive prostate carcinoma (100% incidence) compared to single mutants, demonstrating a synergistic relationship between these two oncogenic events. We then used this model to perform a preclinical trial to assess the therapeutic efficacy of TORC1, panPI3K/mTORC1 and MEK inhibitors, either alone or in combination, in prostate cancer. Our results show that the combination of MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors has superior efficacy compared to all other combinations or single agents assessed and with no sign of toxicity. Our data provide strong evidence that simultaneously targeting both the PI3K and RAS pathways in advanced prostate cancer patients may prove to hold enhanced therapeutic outcome. Citation Format: Helen B. Pearson, Patrick O. Humbert, Wayne A. Phillips. Targeting PI3K and RAS pathways in a novel preclinical model of prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Targeting the PI3K-mTOR Network in Cancer; Sep 14-17, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(7 Suppl):Abstract nr B31.

Prostate cancer, a hormone-dependent disease of aging men, occurs as the relative levels of estrogen compared to testosterone are increasing. Indeed, high doses of estrogen, in combination with androgens, can initiate prostate cancer. This effect is attributed to the activity of the estrogen receptor α (ERα), but a paucity of suitable models means that the precise role of ERα in prostate cancer is still poorly understood. In this study we observed increased ERα expression in three different models of prostate cancer, PTEN null mice, Hi-Myc mice, and high grade human tumor specimens. Within the PTEN null prostate, there was a consistent pattern of ERα expression: low in benign glands, moderate in tumors within the dorsal, lateral and ventral lobes, and high in tumors within the anterior prostate. This pattern significantly correlated with the levels of the proliferative marker Ki67. There was also a significant correlation between ERα and Ki67 within individual malignant glands in the anterior prostate. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ERα sustained the in vitro proliferation of cells derived from a PTEN null tumor in 2D and 3D assays. There was a significant decrease in proliferation in cells treated with TPSF, a non-competitive ERα antagonist, or with ERα-specific shRNA. Loss of ERα caused a significant decrease in the levels of MYC and other ERα target genes. It also reduced the activity of both the PI3K and MAPK pathways as measured by decreased levels of phosphorylated erk1/2, S6 kinase and other downstream factors. This effect was reversed in rescue experiments with expression constructs for both full length ERα, capable of genomic and non-genomic actions, and membrane-only ERα, only able to trigger rapid non-genomic signalling. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ERα levels increase in prostate cancer, which promotes proliferation through classical genomic and rapid non-genomic signalling. Citation Format: Itsuhiro Takizawa, Mitchell Lawrence, Helen Pearson, John Pedersen, Normand Pouliot, Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource, Patrick Humbert, Luc Furic, Gail Risbridger. Estrogen receptor alpha drives proliferation of prostate cancer through PI3K and MAPK signaling. [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 2106. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2106

In recent years, loss of cell polarity and tissue architecture has been defined as a hallmark of epithelial cancer yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this predisposition are not fully understood. Two distinct polarity programs are required for the correct assembly and function of all mammalian epithelial tissues; apical-basal polarity and non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (1). The Scribble complex functions to establish and maintain both aspects of epithelial polarity and has been shown to mediate cell adhesion, migration and asymmetric cell division (2). In human colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers, expression of the Scribble complex member SCRIB is often mislocalised and deregulated, suggesting that polarity regulators plays a role in maintaining homeostasis of epithelial tissues (1,3). Scrib null mice are neonatal lethal owing to a neural tube closure defect. To determine the tumor suppressive role of Scrib within epithelial tissues, we have employed tissue specific Cre-LoxP technology to deplete Scrib specifically within the prostate, mammary or lung. Scrib depletion in these epithelial tissues results in tumor initiation, supporting previous work in Drosophila (1). We and others have previously shown that SCRIB loss stimulates Ras/MAPK signaling in vitro, suggesting that SCRIB negatively regulates the Ras/MAPK cascade to suppress tumorigenesis (4,5). We now show elevated p-ERK1/2 expression is a common feature of Scrib deficient tumors in vivo. Accordingly, administration of the MEK inhibitor PD0325901 in Scrib+/− mice partially rescued the hyperplastic prostate phenotype. Together, these studies establish that depletion of the polarity regulator Scrib can initiate murine tumorigenesis in several epithelial tissues in a process involving deregulation of the Ras/MAPK cascade. Interestingly, tissue specific activation of oncogenic K-ras in combination with Scrib depletion accelerated tumor progression in both the prostate and lung. Thus, K-ras activation and Scrib deficiency synergise to facilitate tumor growth, demonstrating that Scrib depletion can contribute to tumor progression in the presence of an additional oncogenic mutation. The clinical relevance of this research is highlighted by our observation that SCRIB deregulation strongly correlated with PSA recurrence free survival in human prostate cancer (3). Together, our findings suggest that the polarity network may hold prognostic value or provide a novel route for therapeutic intervention. (1) Humbert PO et al (2008) Oncogene 27(55):6888-6907 (2) Kallay LM et al (2006) J Cell Biochem 99: 647-64 (3) Pearson HB et al (2011) J Clin Invest 121(11):4257-4267 (4) Dow LE et al (2008) Oncogene 27(46):5988-6001 (5) Nagasaka K et al (2010) Oncogene 29(38):5311-5321 Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3291. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3291

There is increasing interest in the use of non-toxic natural products for the treatment of various pathologies, including cancer. In particular, biologically active constituents of the ginger oleoresin (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) have been shown to mediate anti-tumour activity and to contribute to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiemetic properties of ginger. Here we report on the inhibitory properties of [10]-gingerol against metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in vitro and in vivo. We show that [10]-gingerol concentration-dependently induces apoptotic death in mouse and human TNBC cell lines in vitro. In addition, [10]-gingerol is well tolerated in vivo, induces a marked increase in caspase-3 activation and inhibits orthotopic tumour growth in a syngeneic mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis. Importantly, using both spontaneous and experimental metastasis assays, we show for the first time that [10]-gingerol significantly inhibits metastasis to multiple organs including lung, bone and brain. Remarkably, inhibition of brain metastasis was observed even when treatment was initiated after surgical removal of the primary tumour. Taken together, these results indicate that [10]-gingerol may be a safe and useful complementary therapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and warrant further investigation of its efficacy, either alone or in combination with standard systemic therapies, in pre-clinical models of metastatic breast cancer and in patients.

A subset of patients with gastric cancer have mutations in genes that participate in or regulate Wnt signaling at the level of ligand (Wnt) receptor (Fzd) binding. Moreover, increased Fzd expression is associated with poor clinical outcome. Despite these findings, there are no in vivo studies investigating the potential of targeting Wnt receptors for treating gastric cancer, and the specific Wnt receptor transmitting oncogenic Wnt signaling in gastric cancer is unknown. Here, we use inhibitors of Wnt/Fzd (OMP-18R5/vantictumab) and conditional gene deletion to test the therapeutic potential of targeting Wnt signaling in preclinical models of intestinal-type gastric cancer and ex vivo organoid cultures. Pharmacologic targeting of Fzd inhibited the growth of gastric adenomas in vivo. We identified Fzd7 to be the predominant Wnt receptor responsible for transmitting Wnt signaling in human gastric cancer cells and mouse models of gastric cancer, whereby Fzd7-deficient cells were retained in gastric adenomas but were unable to respond to Wnt signals and consequently failed to proliferate. Genetic deletion of Fzd7 or treatment with vantictumab was sufficient to inhibit the growth of gastric adenomas with or without mutations to Apc. Vantictumab is currently in phase Ib clinical trials for advanced pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer. Our data extend the scope of patients that may benefit from this therapeutic approach as we demonstrate that this drug will be effective in treating patients with gastric cancer regardless of APC mutation status. Significance: The Wnt receptor Fzd7 plays an essential role in gastric tumorigenesis irrespective of Apc mutation status, therefore targeting Wnt/Fzd7 may be of therapeutic benefit to patients with gastric cancer.

TP53, a critical tumour suppressor gene, is mutated in over half of all cancers resulting in mutant-p53 protein accumulation and poor patient survival. Therapeutic strategies to target mutant-p53 cancers are urgently needed. We show that accumulated mutant-p53 protein suppresses the expression of SLC7A11, a component of the cystine/glutamate antiporter, system xC−, through binding to the master antioxidant transcription factor NRF2. This diminishes glutathione synthesis, rendering mutant-p53 tumours susceptible to oxidative damage. System xC− inhibitors specifically exploit this vulnerability to preferentially kill cancer cells with stabilized mutant-p53 protein. Moreover, we demonstrate that SLC7A11 expression is a novel and robust predictive biomarker for APR-246, a first-in-class mutant-p53 reactivator that also binds and depletes glutathione in tumours, triggering lipid peroxidative cell death. Importantly, system xC− antagonism strongly synergizes with APR-246 to induce apoptosis in mutant-p53 tumours. We propose a new paradigm for targeting cancers that accumulate mutant-p53 protein by inhibiting the SLC7A11–glutathione axis.