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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a deadly malignancy of the bile ducts, can be classified on the basis of its anatomical location into either intrahepatic (iCCA) or extrahepatic (eCCA), each with different pathogenesis and clinical management. There is marginal understanding of the molecular landscape of eCCA and no targeted therapy with clinical efficacy has been approved. We aimed to provide a molecular classification of eCCA and identify potential targets for molecular therapies. METHODS: An integrative genomic analysis of an international multi-center cohort of 189 eCCA cases was conducted. Genomic analysis included whole-genome expression, targeted DNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Molecular findings were validated in an external set of 181 biliary tract tumors from ICGC. RESULTS: KRAS (36.7%), TP53 (34.7%), ARID1A (14%) and SMAD4 (10.7%) were the most prevalent mutations, with ~25% of tumors having a putative actionable genomic alteration according to OncoKB. Transcriptome-based unsupervised clustering helped us define four molecular classes of eCCA. Tumors classified within the Metabolic class (19%) showed a hepatocyte-like phenotype with activation of the transcription factor HNF4A and enrichment in gene signatures related to bile acid metabolism. The Proliferation class (23%), more common in patients with distal CCA, was characterized by enrichment of MYC targets, ERBB2 mutations / amplifications and mTOR signaling activation. The Mesenchymal class (47%) was defined by signatures of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, aberrant TGF-β signaling and poor overall survival. Finally, tumors in the Immune class (11%) had a higher lymphocyte infiltration, overexpression of PD-1/PD-L1 and molecular features associated with a better response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSION: An integrative molecular characterization identified distinct subclasses of eCCA. Genomic traits of each class provide the rationale for exploring patient stratification and novel therapeutic approaches. LAY SUMMARY: Targeted therapies have not been approved for the treatment of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We performed a multi-platform molecular characterization of this tumor in a cohort of 189 patients. These analyses revealed four novel transcriptome-based molecular classes of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and identified ~25% of tumors with actionable genomic alterations, which has potential prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Identifying strategies to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) remains a major clinical need. Here, we show that therapeutically targeting the COX2/PGE2/EP2-4 pathway with widely used nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs synergized with ICB in mouse cancer models. We exploited a bilateral surgery model to distinguish responders from nonresponders shortly after treatment and identified acute IFNγ-driven transcriptional remodeling in responder mice, which was also associated with patient benefit to ICB. Monotherapy with COX2 inhibitors or EP2-4 PGE2 receptor antagonists rapidly induced this response program and, in combination with ICB, increased the intratumoral accumulation of effector T cells. Treatment of patient-derived tumor fragments from multiple cancer types revealed a similar shift in the tumor inflammatory environment to favor T-cell activation. Our findings establish the COX2/PGE2/EP2-4 axis as an independent immune checkpoint and a readily translatable strategy to rapidly switch the tumor inflammatory profile from cold to hot. Significance: Through performing in-depth profiling of mice and human tumors, this study identifies mechanisms by which anti-inflammatory drugs rapidly alter the tumor immune landscape to enhance tumor immunogenicity and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors. See related commentary by Melero et al., p. 2372. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2355

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing globally, but its molecular features are not well defined. We aimed to identify unique molecular traits characterising NASH-HCC compared to other HCC aetiologies. METHODS We collected 80 NASH-HCC and 125 NASH samples from 5 institutions. Expression array (n = 53 NASH-HCC; n = 74 NASH) and whole exome sequencing (n = 52 NASH-HCC) data were compared to HCCs of other aetiologies (n = 184). Three NASH-HCC mouse models were analysed by RNA-seq/expression-array (n = 20). Activin A receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) was silenced in HCC cells and proliferation assessed by colorimetric and colony formation assays. RESULTS Mutational profiling of NASH-HCC tumours revealed TERT promoter (56%), CTNNB1 (28%), TP53 (18%) and ACVR2A (10%) as the most frequently mutated genes. ACVR2A mutation rates were higher in NASH-HCC than in other HCC aetiologies (10% vs. 3%, p

© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), Inflammation can support or restrain cancer progression and the response to therapy. Here, we searched for primary regulators of cancer-inhibitory inflammation through deep profiling of inflammatory tumor microenvironments (TMEs) linked to immune-dependent control in mice. We found that early intratumoral accumulation of interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-producing natural killer (NK) cells induced a profound remodeling of the TME and unleashed cytotoxic T cell (CTL)-mediated tumor eradication. Mechanistically, tumor-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) acted selectively on EP2 and EP4 receptors on NK cells, hampered the TME switch, and enabled immune evasion. Analysis of patient datasets across human cancers revealed distinct inflammatory TME phenotypes resembling those associated with cancer immune control versus escape in mice. This allowed us to generate a gene-expression signature that integrated opposing inflammatory factors and predicted patient survival and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Our findings identify features of the tumor inflammatory milieu associated with immune control of cancer and establish a strategy to predict immunotherapy outcomes., This work was supported by a Cancer Research UK Institute Award (A19258) to S.Z. We thank colleagues at CRUK Manchester Institute core facilities, in particular, Biological Resource Unit, Transgenic Breeding, Molecular Biology, Histology, and Flow Cytometry. E.B. was supported by an EMBO long-term fellowship ( ALTF-69-2016 ) and an EMBO advanced fellowship ( aALTF-638-2018 ). C.P.B. was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre . G.J. was supported by a scholarship from The Society of Swedish Engineers in Great Britain . K.W.-B. was supported by a doctoral studentship from the Medical Research Council . C.R.e.S. was supported by The Francis Crick Institute , which receives core funding from Cancer Research UK ( FC001136 ), the UK Medical Research Council ( FC001136 ), and the Wellcome Trust ( FC001136 ), by an ERC Advanced Investigator grant ( AdG 268670 ), by a Wellcome Investigator Award ( WT106973MA ), and by a prize from the Louis-Jeantet Foundation . N.G. was supported by an Imperial Confidence in Concept Scheme ( RSRO_P71752 ). D.M.D. was supported by a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award ( 110091/Z/15/Z ).

Summary Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are aggressive epithelial malignancies that can arise at any point of the biliary tree. Albeit rare, their incidence and mortality rates have been rising steadily over the past 40 years, highlighting the need to improve current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. BTCs show high inter- and intra-tumour heterogeneity both at the morphological and molecular level. Such complex heterogeneity poses a substantial obstacle to effective interventions. It is widely accepted that the observed heterogeneity may be the result of a complex interplay of different elements, including risk factors, distinct molecular alterations and multiple potential cells of origin. The use of genetic lineage tracing systems in experimental models has identified cholangiocytes, hepatocytes and/or progenitor-like cells as the cells of origin of BTCs. Genomic evidence in support of the distinct cell of origin hypotheses is growing. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the histopathological subtyping of BTCs, discuss current genomic evidence and outline lineage tracing studies that have contributed to the current knowledge surrounding the cell of origin of these tumours.

ObjectiveSorafenib is the standard systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Survival benefits of resection/local ablation for early HCC are compromised by 70% 5-year recurrence rates. The phase 3 STORM trial comparing sorafenib with placebo as adjuvant treatment did not achieve its primary endpoint of improving recurrence-free survival (RFS). The biomarker companion study BIOSTORM aims to define (A) predictors of recurrence prevention with sorafenib and (B) prognostic factors with B level of evidence.DesignTumour tissue from 188 patients randomised to receive sorafenib (83) or placebo (105) in the STORM trial was collected. Analyses included gene expression profiling, targeted exome sequencing (19 known oncodrivers), immunohistochemistry (pERK, pVEGFR2, Ki67), fluorescence in situ hybridisation (VEGFA) and immunome. A gene signature capturing improved RFS in sorafenib-treated patients was generated. All 70 RFS events were recurrences, thus time to recurrence equalled RFS. Predictive and prognostic value was assessed using Cox regression models and interaction test.ResultsBIOSTORM recapitulates clinicopathological characteristics of STORM. None of the biomarkers tested (related to angiogenesis and proliferation) or previously proposed gene signatures, or mutations predicted sorafenib benefit or recurrence. A newly generated 146-gene signature identifying 30% of patients captured benefit to sorafenib in terms of RFS (p of interaction=0.04). Thesesorafenib RFS responderswere significantly enriched in CD4+T, B and cytolytic natural killer cells, and lacked activated adaptive immune components. Hepatocytic pERK (HR=2.41; p=0.012) and microvascular invasion (HR=2.09; p=0.017) were independent prognostic factors.ConclusionIn BIOSTORM, only hepatocytic pERK and microvascular invasion predicted poor RFS. No mutation, gene amplification or previously proposed gene signatures predicted sorafenib benefit. A newly generated multigene signature associated with improved RFS on sorafenib warrants further validation.Trial registration numberNCT00692770.

Over the last decades, major technological advancements have led to a better understanding of the molecular drivers of human malignancies. Nonetheless, this progress only marginally impacted the cancer therapeutic approach, probably due to the limited ability of experimental models to predict efficacy in clinical trials. In an effort to offset this limitation, there has been an increasing interest in the development of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models where human tumors are xenotransplanted into immunocompromised mice. Considering their high resemblance to human tumors and their stability, PDX models are becoming the preferred translational tools in preclinical studies. Nonetheless, several limitations hamper a wider use of PDX models and tarnish the concept that they might represent the missing piece in the personalized medicine puzzle.

Molecular profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is enabling the advancement of novel approaches to disease diagnosis and management. Accurate prognosis prediction in HCC is specially critical. Clinical staging systems for HCC support clinical decision-making (e.g., BCLC algorithm) might be complemented by molecular-based information in the near future. Molecular signatures derived from tumour and non-tumour samples are associated with patient recurrence an outcome. Single nucleotide polymorphisms have been linked with HCC development. Next generation sequencing studies have brought to light the genomic diversity of this disease. Gens recurrently altered in HCC and susceptible to be targeted belong to signalling pathways including telomere maintenance, cell cycle, chromatin remodelling, Wnt/beta-catenin, RAS/RAF/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Oncogenic loops are unknown but might include some of the already discovered aberrations. Despite the intratumoral heterogeneity observed in HCC tumours, studies including large number of samples can identify key genetic drivers and contribute to the development of novel treatments and a personalized medicine.

Background & Aims According to the clonal model of tumor evolution, trunk alterations arise at early stages and are ubiquitous. Through the characterization of early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, we aimed to identify trunk alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and study their intra- and inter-tumor distribution in advanced lesions. Methods A total of 151 samples representing the multistep process of hepatocarcinogenesis were analyzed by targeted-sequencing and a single nucleotide polymorphism array. Genes altered in early lesions (31 dysplastic nodules [DNs] and 38 small HCCs [sHCC]) were defined as trunk. Their distribution was explored in: a) different regions of large tumors (43 regions, 21 tumors), and b) different nodules of the same patient (39 tumors, 17 patients). Multinodular lesions were classified as intrahepatic metastases (IMs) or synchronous tumors based on chromosomal aberrations. Results TERT promoter mutations (10.5%) and broad copy-number aberrations in chromosomes 1 and 8 (3–7%) were identified as trunk gatekeepers in DNs and were maintained in sHCCs. Trunk drivers identified in sHCCs included TP53 (23%) and CTNNB1 (11%) mutations, and focal amplifications or deletions in known drivers (6%). Overall, TERT , TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations were the most frequent trunk events and at least one was present in 51% of sHCCs. Around 90% of mutations in these genes were ubiquitous among different regions of large tumors. In multinodular HCCs, 35% of patients harbored IMs; 85% of mutations in TERT , TP53 and/or CTNNB1 were retained in primary and metastatic tumors. Conclusions Trunk events in early stages ( TERT , TP53 , CTNNB1 mutations) were ubiquitous across different regions of the same tumor and between primary and metastatic nodules in >85% of cases. This concept supports the knowledge that single biopsies would suffice to capture trunk mutations in HCC. Lay summary Trunk alterations arise at early stages of cancer and are shared among all malignant cells of the tumor. In order to identify trunk alterations in HCC, we characterized early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis represented by dysplastic nodules and small lesions. Mutations in TERT , TP53 and CTNNB1 genes were the most frequent. Analyses in more advanced lesions showed that mutations in these same genes were shared between different regions of the same tumor and between primary and metastatic tumors, suggesting their trunk role in this disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Effective treatments are urgently needed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is usually diagnosed at advanced stages. Signaling via the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway is aberrantly activated in HCC by IGF2 overexpression. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of IGF2 overexpression and its oncogenic activities and evaluate the anti-tumor effects of reducing IGF2 signaling. METHODS: We obtained 228 HCC samples from patients who underwent liver resection, 168 paired non-tumor adjacent cirrhotic liver samples, and 10 non-tumor liver tissues from patients undergoing resection for hepatic hemangioma. We analyzed gene expression, microRNA, and DNA methylation profiles for all samples, focusing on genes in the IGF signaling pathway. IGF2 was expressed in SNU449 and PLC5 HCC cells and knocked down with small hairpin RNAs in Hep3B and Huh7 cell lines. We analyzed these cells for proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and colony formation. We performed studies in mice engineered to express Myc and Akt1 in liver, which develop liver tumors, with or without hepatic expression of Igf2. Mice with xenograft tumors grown from HCC cells were given a monoclonal antibody against IGF1 and IGF2 (xentuzumab), along with sorafenib; tumor growth was measured and tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblots. RESULTS: Levels of IGF2 messenger RNA and protein were increased > 20-fold in 15% of human HCC tissues compared with non-tumor liver tissues. Methylation at the fetal promoters of IGF2 was reduced in the HCC samples and cell lines that overexpressed IGF2, compared with those that did not overexpress this gene, and non-tumor tissues. Tumors that overexpressed IGF2 had gene expression patterns significantly associated with hepatic progenitor cell features, stellate cell activation, NOTCH signaling, and an aggressive phenotype (P < .0001). In mice engineered to express Myc and Akt1 in liver, co-expression of Igf2 accelerated formation of liver tumors, compared to mice with livers expressing only Myc and Akt1, and shortened survival times (P = .02). The antibody xentuzumab blocked phosphorylation of IGF1 receptor in HCC cell lines and reduced their proliferation and colony formation. In mice with xenograft tumors, injection of xentuzumab, with or without sorafenib, slowed tumor growth and increased survival times compared to vehicle or sorafenib alone. Xentuzumab inhibited phosphorylation of IGF1 receptor and AKT and reduced decreased tumor vascularization compared with vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of HCC samples were found to overexpress IGF2, via demethylation of its fetal promoter. Overexpression of IGF2 accelerates formation of liver tumors in mice with hepatic expression of MYC and AKT1, via activation of IGF1 receptor signaling. An antibody against IGF1 and IGF2 slows growth of xenograft tumors and increases survival of these mice.

Background and Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy. Based on its anatomical location, CCA can be divided into intrahepatic (iCCA) or extrahepatic (eCCA), with differences in etiology, pathogenesis and clinical management. Few studies have focused on the molecular profiling of eCCA as a single entity, even though it accounts for the most prevalent subtype. Thus, integrative genomic analysis of eCCA would provide critical understanding for the biological traits of this tumor. Methods: 189 FFPE primary eCCA treated by resection were collected at seven international centers from 1995 to 2015. Median survival of the cohort was of 48.5mo. Whole gene-expression profiles were submitted to unsupervised clustering by NMF consensus. Clusters were characterized by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Activation of signaling pathways (mTOR/pRPS6 and HER2) was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Molecular features were correlated with clinico-pathological data. Screening of most prevalent somatic mutations and copy number aberrations is ongoing. Results: We have identified four distinct molecular subtypes of eCCA (cophenetic coefficient=0.995). Tumors classified within the metabolic class (18.7%) were enriched by gene signatures defining bile and fatty acid metabolism (p Conclusions: Transcriptome-based subtyping of eCCA identifies four distinct molecular classes (metabolic, proliferation, mesenchymal and immune) that correlate with clinical-pathological characteristics. These findings enhance the opportunities for therapeutic development in this tumor with dismal prognosis and without approved molecular treatments. Citation Format: Robert Montal, Wei Qiang Leow, Carla Montironi, Laia Bassaganyas, Agrin Moeini, Daniela Sia, Roser Pinyol, Laia Cabellos, Judit Peix, Miho Maeda, Carlos Villacorta, Parissa Tabrizian, Christine Sempoux, Beatriz Minguez, Tim Pawlik, Ismail Labgaa, Lewis Roberts, Manel Sole, Maria Isabel Fiel, Swan Thung, Sasan Roayaie, Augusto Villanueva, Myron Schwartz, Josep Maria Llovet. Integrative molecular classification of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma [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 4618.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a fatal bile duct cancer with dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. By performing RNA- and exome-sequencing analyses, we report a novel fusion event, FGFR2-PPHLN1 (16%), and damaging mutations in the ARAF oncogene (11%). Here we demonstrate that the chromosomal translocation t(10;12)(q26;q12) leading to FGFR2-PPHLN1 fusion possesses transforming and oncogenic activity, which is successfully inhibited by a selective FGFR2 inhibitor in vitro. Among the ARAF mutations, N217I and G322S lead to activation of the pathway and N217I shows oncogenic potential in vitro. Screening of a cohort of 107 iCCA patients reveals that FGFR2 fusions represent the most recurrent targetable alteration (45%, 17/107), while they are rarely present in other primary liver tumours (0/100 of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); 1/21 of mixed iCCA-HCC). Taken together, around 70% of iCCA patients harbour at least one actionable molecular alteration (FGFR2 fusions, IDH1/2, ARAF, KRAS, BRAF and FGF19) that is amenable for therapeutic targeting.

Introduction: Molecular heterogeneity occurs in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its implications in clinical decision-making are unknown. The clonal evolution model explains that trunk alterations arise at early stages and are shared by all malignant cells, whereas branch alterations occur in subclonal tumoral cells. We aim to characterize the genomic landscape of HCC through the identification of trunk driver alterations and the study of its distribution in intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity. Methods: 153 HCC samples representing the multiple steps of hepatocarcinogenesis were analyzed by deep targeted-sequencing covering exonic and promoter regions of the most frequently mutated drivers in HCC. Genes mutated in early lesions [39 dysplastic nodules and 54 early HCCs (eHCC) defined as 4cm (2-3 regions/tumor); and 2) inter-tumor heterogeneity cohort: 39 tumors from 17 patients with multinodular lesions (2-3 nodules/patient). Transcriptome and copy-number variations (CNVs) were analyzed using expression and SNP arrays, respectively. Results: A total of 46 mutations were identified in the cohort of early lesions. Average number of mutations and CNV aberrations were higher in eHCCs than in dysplastic nodules [1.1 vs 0.5, mutations/patient (p=0.03), and 8% vs 0.6% of aberrant chromosomal arms (p Conclusions: TERT, TP53 and CTNNB1 are trunk drivers mutated in early HCC tumors that remained as trunk aberrations across different regions of the same tumor and between primary and metastatic nodules. These mutations are early trunk drivers that can be captured with single biopsies and could represent ideal therapeutic targets in the future. Citation Format: Sara Torrecilla, Daniela Sia, Andrew N. Harrington, Zhongyang Zhang, Genis Camprecios, Agrin Moeini, Toffanin Sara, Isabel Fiel, Ke Hao, Monica Higuera, Laia Cabellos, Helena Cornella, Milind Mahajan, Yujin Hoshida, Augusto Villanueva, Sander Florman, Myron Schwartz, Josep Llovet. Characterization of molecular heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma: Trunk and branch drivers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3944. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3944

Signaling pathways have become a major source of targets for novel therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Survival benefits achieved with sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, are unprecedented and underscore the importance of improving our understanding of how signaling networks interact in transformed cells. Numerous signaling modules are de-regulated in HCC, including some related to growth factor signaling (e.g., IGF, EGF, PDGF, FGF, HGF), cell differentiation (WNT, Hedgehog, Notch), and angiogenesis (VEGF). Intracellular mediators such as RAS and AKT/MTOR may also play a role in HCC development and progression. Different molecular mechanisms have been shown to induce aberrant pathway activation. These include point mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and epigenetically driven down-regulation. The use of novel molecular technologies such as next-generation sequencing in HCC research has enabled the identification of novel pathways previously underexplored in the HCC field, such as chromatin remodeling and autophagy. Considering recent failures of molecular therapies in advanced clinical trials (e.g., sunitinib, brivanib), survey of these and other new pathways may provide alternative therapeutic targets.

Background and aims Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem. Most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages when the only approved therapy is the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Consequently, there is a great need for the development of new effective treatments. IGF signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in HCC; however, its contribution to HCC pathogenesis is still unclear. Since IGF2 is overexpressed in HCC, we aimed to elucidate the oncogenic potential and mechanism of dis-regulation of this protein and determine the antitumoral efficacy of molecular abrogation of this ligand by targeted therapies. Methods Transcriptomic profiling, miRNAs expression, RNA- and whole exome- sequencing and methylation were analyzed in 228 HCCs with a focus on IGF-pathway. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis were carried out in IGF2-overexpressing tumors. Stable HCC cell lines with knock-down and ectopic overexpression of IGF2 were generated. A chemically-induced mouse model of HCC, and two genetically-engineered mosaic mouse models (GEMM) overexpressing IGF2 specifically in the liver were generated to assess IGF2 oncogenicity in hepatocarcinogenesis. The therapeutic potential of a monoclonal-antibody against IGF-ligands (IGF1/2-mAb) alone or in combination with sorafenib was tested in a xenograft model of HCC. Results Here, IGF2-overexpression occurred in 15% of HCC patients as a result of the epigenetic reactivation of IGF2-fetal promoters, mainly through loss of promoters methylation (53% of cases) and deregulation of miR-216b, miR-483-5p and miR-let7-d (35% of cases). Re-expression of IGF2 was associated with a progenitor cell-like, poorly differentiated and aggressive subtype of HCC, and poor prognosis (p Conclusions IGF2 is the first validated epidriver in HCC and has a key role in the hepatocarcinogenic process. These results provide the rationale for testing IGF1/2-mAb in a selected subset of HCC patients. Citation Format: Iris Martinez-Quetglas, Roser Pinyol, Daniel Dauch, Sara Torrecilla, Victoria Tovar, Agrin Moeini, Clara Alsinet, Anna Portela, Augusto Villanueva, Manel Esteller, Lars Zender, Josep M Llovet. Epigenetic re-expression of fetal IGF2 as therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma. [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 3820.

Background and aims: Molecular heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ill-defined since trunk drivers (early events; common to all cells), branch drivers (later events; present in a subset of cells) and passenger mutations (not relevant), have not been thoroughly described. Most FDA/EMA approved molecular drugs target trunk drivers. We explored heterogeneity by analyzing trunk vs branch mutations in different HCC regions within single and multinodular tumours. Methods: Intra-tumoral heterogeneity was assessed in 21 patients with single HCCs (size > 4cm; 2 regions/tumour: 42 samples) and inter-tumoral heterogeneity was studied in 17 patients with multinodular HCCs (2-3 nodules/patient; total: 39 samples). Gene expression profiling, SNP array and deep-sequencing (coverage ∼850x) assessing 6 oncodrivers (TERT promoter, TP53, CTNNB1, ARID1A, AXIN1-2 by TruSeqAmplicon, validated by sanger) were explored. Clonality differentiating metastatic (clonal) vs synchronic (non-clonal) tumours was defined by SNP profiles. Trunk mutations were defined as present in a) all regions of a given tumour, or b) in all nodules of metastatic-clonal tumours; all other were considered as branch. Results: Intra-tumoral heterogeneity assessed by sequencing identified at least 1 oncodriver in 19/21 patients with single tumours. Among those, trunk mutations accounted for 17/19 (90%), and branch for 2/19 cases. Overall 63 mutations were identified, 56 (90%) were identical in different tumoral regions (i.e. truncal; TERT promoter most prevalent). Inter-tumoral heterogeneity explored by SNP profiles defined metastases in 35% (6/17 multinodular cases) and synchronous tumors in 65% (11/17 cases). Genetic proximity confirmed clonality in all metastatic nodules. Regarding molecular subclasses, half of clonal tumours retained identical molecular fingerprint, but the other half switched to more aggressive subclass. All non-clonal tumours belonged to distinct molecular subclasses. Driver oncogenes were explored in 9 patients (5 metastasis and 4 synchronic). Metastatic tumours showed 13 mutations, among which 11 (85%) were truncal. Mutations in non-clonal synchronic tumours were distinct. Conclusions: Single large HCCs shared common trunk drivers at distinct regions (90%). Similarly, 40% of multinodular tumours were clonal (metastasis) and shared common trunk oncodrivers, while 60% were synchronic, with distinct genomic profile/oncodrivers. Further studies at single-cell sequencing level are recommended. Citation Format: Daniela Sia, Andrew Neelis Harrington, Sara Torrecilla, Zhongyang Zhang, Genis Camprecios, Agrin Moeini, Sara Toffanin, Maria Isabel Fiel, Ke Hao, Monica Higuera, Laia Cabellos, Helena Cornella, Milind Mahajan, Yujin Hoshida, Augusto Villanueva, Sander Florman, Myron Schwartz, Josep Maria Llovet. Molecular heterogeneity and trunk driver mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma. [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 2388.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive malignancy with very poor prognosis. Genome-wide, high-throughput technologies have made major advances in understanding the molecular basis of this disease, although important mechanisms are still unclear. Recent data have revealed specific genetic mutations (for example, KRAS, IDH1 and IDH2), epigenetic silencing, aberrant signaling pathway activation (for example, interleukin (IL)-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), tyrosine kinase receptor-related pathways) and molecular subclasses with unique alterations (for example, proliferation and inflammation subclasses). In addition, some ICCs share common genomic traits with hepatocellular carcinoma. All this information provides the basis to explore novel targeted therapies. Currently, surgery at early stage is the only effective therapy. At more advanced stages, chemotherapy regimens are emerging (that is, cisplatin plus gemcitabine), along with molecular targeted agents tested in several ongoing clinical trials. Nonetheless, a first-line conclusive treatment remains an unmet need. Similarly, there are no studies assessing tumor response related with genetic alterations. This review explores the recent advancements in the knowledge of the molecular alterations underlying ICC and the future prospects in terms of therapeutic strategies leading towards a more personalized treatment of this neoplasm.

Clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex process. Currently existing prognostic staging systems have substantially improved the clinical outcome of patients by guiding treatment decision and allocation of medical resources. However, there is still room to refine many aspects of the framework based on more precise clinical outcome prediction and understanding of HCC molecular pathogenesis. Recent development of genomic technologies has enabled survey of molecular aberrations and deregulations directly from patient specimens in a comprehensive manner. This also has provided clues to therapeutic/preventive targets that could also serve as prognostic/predictive biomarkers. Structural alterations and chemical modifications of genomic DNA have been shown to be useful to guide molecular targeted therapies in some cancers. Gene expression signatures also hold promise as a way to probe functional biological status of the tumor specimen. However, accumulated studies have revealed roadblocks toward the goal to utilize the information in clinic. In this review, we discuss the gene signature’s potential application, its pros and cons as a clinical test, technical issues in assay development, and strategies for clinical deployment in the context of HCC management. Recent updates of HCC gene signatures as well as emerging alternative modalities are also overviewed.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a molecularly heterogeneous hepatobiliary neoplasm with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. The incidence of this neoplasm is growing globally. One third of iCCA tumors are amenable to surgical resection, but most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages with chemotherapy as the only established standard of practice. No molecular therapies are currently available for the treatment of this neoplasm. The poor understanding of the biology of iCCA and the lack of known oncogenic addiction loops has hindered the development of effective targeted therapies. Studies with sophisticated animal models defined IDH mutation as the first gatekeeper in the carcinogenic process and led to the discovery of striking alternative cellular origins. RNA- and exome-sequencing technologies revealed the presence of recurrent novel fusion events (FGFR2 and ROS1 fusions) and somatic mutations in metabolic (IDH1/2) and chromatin-remodeling genes (ARID1A, BAP1). These latest advancements along with known mutations in KRAS/BRAF/EGFR and 11q13 high-level amplification have contributed to a better understanding of the landscape of molecular alterations in iCCA. More than 100 clinical trials testing molecular therapies alone or in combination with chemotherapy including iCCA patients have not reported conclusive clinical benefits. Recent discoveries have shown that up to 70% of iCCA patients harbor potential actionable alterations that are amenable to therapeutic targeting in early clinical trials. Thus, the first biomarker-driven trials are currently underway. Clin Cancer Res; 22(2); 291–300. ©2015 AACR.

ObjectiveSorafenib is effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but patients ultimately present disease progression. Molecular mechanisms underlying acquired resistance are still unknown. Herein, we characterise the role of tumour-initiating cells (T-ICs) and signalling pathways involved in sorafenib resistance.DesignHCC xenograft mice treated with sorafenib (n=22) were explored for responsiveness (n=5) and acquired resistance (n=17). Mechanism of acquired resistance were assessed by: (1) role of T-ICs by in vitro sphere formation and in vivo tumourigenesis assays using NOD/SCID mice, (2) activation of alternative signalling pathways and (3) efficacy of anti-FGF and anti-IGF drugs in experimental models. Gene expression (microarray, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)) and protein analyses (immunohistochemistry, western blot) were conducted. A novel gene signature of sorafenib resistance was generated and tested in two independent cohorts.ResultsSorafenib-acquired resistant tumours showed significant enrichment of T-ICs (164 cells needed to create a tumour) versus sorafenib-sensitive tumours (13 400 cells) and non-treated tumours (1292 cells), pConclusionsAcquired resistance to sorafenib is driven by T-ICs with enrichment of progenitor markers and activation of IGF and FGF signalling. Inhibition of these pathways would benefit a subset of patients after sorafenib progression.

Background & Aims: Mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CCA) is a rare and poorly understood type of primary liver cancer. We aimed to perform a comprehensive molecular characterization of this malignancy.Methods: Gene expression profiling, DNA copy number detection, and exome sequencing using formalin-fixed samples from 18 patients with mixed HCC-CCA were performed, encompassing the whole histological spectrum of the disease. Comparative genomic analysis was carried out, using independent datasets of HCC (n = 164) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) (n = 149).Results: Integrative genomic analysis of HCC-CCAs revealed that cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CLC) represents a distinct biliaryderived entity compared with the stem-cell and classical types. CLC tumors were neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) positive (6/6 vs. 1/12, p < 0.001), chromosomally stable (mean chromosomal aberrations 5.7 vs. 14.1, p = 0.008), showed significant upregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling and enrichment of inflammation-related and immune response signatures (p < 0.001). Stem-cell tumors were characterized by spaltlike transcription factor 4 (SALL4) positivity (6/8 vs. 0/10, p < 0.001), enrichment of progenitor-like signatures, activation of specific oncogenic pathways (i.e., MYC and insulin-like growth factor [IGF]), and signatures related to poor clinical outcome. In the classical type, there was a significant correlation in the copy number variation of the iCCA and HCC components, suggesting a clonal origin. Exome sequencing revealed an average of 63 non-synonymous mutations per tumor (2 mean driver mutations per tumor). Among those, TP53 was the most frequently mutated gene (6/21, 29%) in HCC-CCAs.Conclusions: Mixed HCC-CCA represents a heterogeneous group of tumors, with the stem-cell type characterized by features of poor prognosis, and the classical type with common lineage for HCC and iCCA components. CLC stands alone as a distinct biliary-derived entity associated with chromosomal stability and active TGF-b signaling.Lay summary: Molecular analysis of mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CCA) showed that cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CLC) is distinct and biliary in origin. It has none of the traits of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, within mixed HCC-CCA, stem-cell type tumors shared an aggressive nature and poor outcome, whereas the classic type showed a common cell lineage for both the HCC and the intrahepatic CCA component. The pathological classification of mixed HCC-CCA should be redefined because of the new molecular data provided. (C) 2017 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Altres ajuts: Robert Montal is supported by a FSEOM-Boehringer Ingelheim Grant. Carmen Andreu-Oller has received financial support through the "la Caixa" INPhINIT Fellowship Grant for Doctoral studies at Spanish Research Centres of Excellence, from "la Caixa" Banking Foundation (ID 100010434), fellowship code (LCF/BQ/IN17/ 11620024). Carla Montironi is a recipient of Josep Font grant from Hospital Clinic de Barcelona. Augusto Villanueva is supported by U.S. Department of Defense (CA150272P3) and Tisch Cancer Institute (Cancer Center Grant P30-CA196521). Manel Esteller is supported by CIBER 2016 CB16/12/00312 (CIBERONC); the Cellex Foundation; "la Caixa" Banking Foundation (LCF/PR/PR15/11100003). Josep M. Llovet is supported by National Cancer Institute (P30-CA196521). ; Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Salut, Projecte PERIS SLT-002-16-00374 The clinical utility of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely recognised. However, a clear understanding of the mechanisms of AFP overexpression and the molecular traits of patients with AFP-high tumours are not known. We assessed transcriptome data, whole-exome sequencing data and DNA methylome profiling of 520 HCC patients from two independent cohorts to identify distinct molecular traits of patients with AFP-high tumours (serum concentration > 400 ng/ml), which represents an accepted prognostic cut-off and a predictor of response to ramucirumab. Those AFP-high tumours (18% of resected cases) were characterised by significantly lower AFP promoter methylation (p < 0.001), significant enrichment of progenitor-cell features (CK19, EPCAM), higher incidence of BAP1 oncogene mutations (8.5% vs 1.6%) and lower mutational rates of CTNNB1 (14% vs 30%). Specifically, AFP-high tumours displayed significant activation of VEGF signalling (p < 0.001), which might provide the rationale for the reported benefit of ramucirumab in this subgroup of patients.

Program (HEPCAR, reference no. 667273-2); US Department of Defense(CA150272P3); an Accelerator Award (CRUCK, AECC, AIRC) (HUNTER,reference no. C9380/A26813), NCI Cancer Center Support Grant, National Cancer Institute; Tisch Cancer Institute (P30-CA196521); Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation; Spanish National Health Institute (SAF2016-76390); and the Generalitat de Catalunya/AGAUR (SGR-1358). Agrin Moeini is supported by Spanish National Health Institute. Sara Torrecilla and Judit Peix are funded by Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd-ISCIII). Carla Montironi is a recipient of Josep Font grant. Carmen Andreu-Oller is supported by "la Caixa" INPhINIT Fellowship Grant (LCF/BQ/IN17/11620024). Roser Pinyol is supported by HEPCAR and AECC. Daniela Sia is supported by the Gilead Sciences Research Scholar Program in Liver Disease. Scott L. Friedman is supported by the National Institutes of Health Research project grant (R01,DK5662) and US Department of Defense (CA150272P3). Mathias Heikenwälder was supported by an ERC Consolidator grant (HepatoMetaboPath), the SFBTR 209, 1335 and SFBTR179. Background & Aims: Cirrhosis and chronic inflammation precede development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in approximately 80% of cases. We investigated immune-related gene expression patterns in liver tissues surrounding early-stage HCCs and chemopreventive agents that might alter these patterns to prevent liver tumorigenesis. Methods: We analyzed gene expression profiles of nontumor liver tissues from 392 patients with early-stage HCC (training set, N = 167 and validation set, N = 225) and liver tissue from patients with cirrhosis without HCC (N = 216, controls) to identify changes in expression of genes that regulate the immune response that could contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. We defined 172 genes as markers for this deregulated immune response, which we called the immune-mediated cancer field (ICF). We analyzed the expression data of liver tissues from 216 patients with cirrhosis without HCC and investigated the association between this gene expression signature and development of HCC and outcomes of patients (median follow-up, 10 years). Human liver tissues were also analyzed by histology. C57BL/6J mice were given a single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) followed by weekly doses of carbon tetrachloride to induce liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis. Mice were then orally given the multiple tyrosine inhibitor nintedanib or vehicle (controls); liver tissues were collected and histology, transcriptome, and protein analyses were performed. We also analyzed transcriptomes of liver tissues collected from mice on a choline-deficient high-fat diet, which developed chronic liver inflammation and tumors, orally given aspirin and clopidogrel or the anti-inflammatory agent sulindac vs mice on a chow (control) diet. Results: We found the ICF gene expression pattern in 50% of liver tissues from patients with cirrhosis without HCC and in 60% of nontumor liver tissues from patients with early-stage HCC. The liver tissues with the ICF gene expression pattern had 3 different features: increased numbers of effector T cells; increased expression of genes that suppress the immune response and activation of transforming growth factor β signaling; or expression of genes that promote inflammation and activation of interferon gamma signaling. Patients with cirrhosis and liver tissues with the immunosuppressive profile (10% of cases) had a higher risk of HCC (hazard ratio, 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-4.80). Mice with chemically induced fibrosis or diet-induced steatohepatitis given nintedanib or aspirin and clopidogrel down-regulated the ICF gene expression pattern in liver and developed fewer and smaller tumors than mice given vehicle. Conclusions: We identified an immune-related gene expression pattern in liver tissues of patients with early-stage HCC, called the ICF, that is associated with risk of HCC development in patients with cirrhosis. Administration of nintedanib or aspirin and clopidogrel to mice with chronic liver inflammation caused loss of this gene expression pattern and development of fewer and smaller liver tumors. Agents that alter immune regulatory gene expression patterns associated with carcinogenesis might be tested as chemopreventive agents in patients with cirrhosis.