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Table summarizing the IC50 values derived from previous published experiments performed with IOA-244

PI3K delta (PI3Kδ) inhibitors are used to treat lymphomas but safety concerns and limited target selectivity curbed their clinical usefulness. PI3Kδ inhibition in solid tumors has recently emerged as a potential novel anticancer therapy through the modulation of T-cell responses and direct antitumor activity. Here we report the exploration of IOA-244/MSC2360844, a first-in-class non–ATP-competitive PI3Kδ inhibitor, for the treatment of solid tumors. We confirm IOA-244’s selectivity as tested against a large set of kinases, enzymes, and receptors. IOA-244 inhibits the in vitro growth of lymphoma cells and its activity correlates with the expression levels of PIK3CD, suggesting cancer cell–intrinsic effects of IOA-244. Importantly, IOA-244 inhibits regulatory T cell proliferation while having limited antiproliferative effects on conventional CD4+ T cells and no effect on CD8+ T cells. Instead, treatment of CD8 T cells with IOA-244 during activation, favors the differentiation of memory-like, long-lived CD8, known to have increased antitumor capacity. These data highlight immune-modulatory properties that can be exploited in solid tumors. In CT26 colorectal and Lewis lung carcinoma lung cancer models, IOA-244 sensitized the tumors to anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) treatment, with similar activity in the Pan-02 pancreatic and A20 lymphoma syngeneic mouse models. IOA-244 reshaped the balance of tumor-infiltrating cells, favoring infiltration of CD8 and natural killer cells, while decreasing suppressive immune cells. IOA-244 presented no detectable safety concerns in animal studies and is currently in clinical phase Ib/II investigation in solid and hematologic tumors.Significance:IOA-244 is a first-in-class non–ATP-competitive, PI3Kδ inhibitor with direct antitumor in vitro activity correlated with PI3Kδ expression. The ability to modulate T cells, in vivo antitumor activity in various models with limited toxicity in animal studies provides the rationale for the ongoing trials in patients with solid tumors and hematologic cancers.

Table showing the raw data of the AUC value of figure 2A

Supplementary Figure from Subcapsular Sinus Macrophages Promote Melanoma Metastasis to the Sentinel Lymph Nodes via an IL1α–STAT3 Axis

Correlation analysis of PI3Kd levels and the response to IOA-244 and Idelalisib

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kd) inhibitors are used to treat lymphomas but safety concerns and limited target selectivity curbed their clinical usefulness. PI3Kd inhibition in solid tumors has recently emerged as a potential novel anti-cancer therapy through the modulation of T cell responses and direct anti-tumor activity. Here we report the exploration of IOA-244/MSC2360844, a first-in-class non-ATP-competitive PI3Kd inhibitor, for the treatment of solid tumors. We confirm IOA-244’s selectivity as tested against a large set of kinases, enzymes, and receptors. IOA-244 inhibits the in vitro growth of lymphoma cells and its activity correlates with the expression levels of PIK3CD, suggesting cancer cell-intrinsic effects of IOA-244. Importantly, IOA-244 inhibits Treg proliferation while having limited anti-proliferative effects on conventional CD4+ T cells and no effect on CD8+ T cells. Instead, treatment of CD8 T cells with IOA-244 during activation, favors the differentiation of memory-like, long-lived CD8, known to have increased antitumor capacity. These data highlight immune-modulatory properties that can be exploited in solid tumors. In CT26 colorectal and LLC lung cancer models, IOA-244 sensitized the tumors to anti-PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1) treatment, with similar activity in the Pan-02 pancreatic and A20 lymphoma syngeneic mouse models. IOA-244 reshaped the balance of tumor-infiltrating cells, favoring infiltration of CD8 and NK cells, while decreasing suppressive immune cells. IOA-244 presented no detectable safety concerns in animal studies and is currently in clinical Phase Ib/II investigation in solid and hematological tumors.

Supplementary Data from Subcapsular Sinus Macrophages Promote Melanoma Metastasis to the Sentinel Lymph Nodes via an IL1α–STAT3 Axis

During melanoma metastasis, tumor cells originating in the skin migrate via lymphatic vessels to the sentinel lymph node (sLN). This process facilitates tumor cell spread across the body. Here, we characterized the innate inflammatory response to melanoma in the metastatic microenvironment of the sLN. We found that macrophages located in the subcapsular sinus (SS) produced protumoral IL1α after recognition of tumoral antigens. Moreover, we confirmed that the elimination of LN macrophages or the administration of an IL1α-specific blocking antibody reduced metastatic spread. To understand the mechanism of action of IL1α in the context of the sLN microenvironment, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to microdissected metastases obtained from animals treated with the IL1α-specific blocking antibody. Among the different pathways affected, we identified STAT3 as one of the main targets of IL1α signaling in metastatic tumor cells. Moreover, we found that the antitumoral effect of the anti-IL1α was not mediated by lymphocytes because Il1r1 knockout mice did not show significant differences in metastasis growth. Finally, we found a synergistic antimetastatic effect of the combination of IL1α blockade and STAT3 inhibition with stattic, highlighting a new immunotherapy approach to preventing melanoma metastasis.

Baseline gene expression analysis of B cell lymphoma cell lines with higher (IC50 < 200 nM) or lower sensitive (IC50 > 400 nM) to PQR309.

Cell lines, growth medium and source. All media were supplemented with fetal bovine serum (20%), Penicillin-Streptomycin 5% (Sigma) and L-glutamine (1%).

Purpose:Transcription factors are commonly deregulated in cancer, and they have been widely considered as difficult to target due to their nonenzymatic mechanism of action. Altered expression levels of members of the ETS-transcription factors are often observed in many different tumors, including lymphomas. Here, we characterized two small molecules, YK-4-279 and its clinical derivative, TK-216, targeting ETS factors via blocking the protein–protein interaction with RNA helicases, for their antilymphoma activity.Experimental Design:The study included preclinical in vitro activity screening on a large panel of cell lines, both as single agent and in combination; validation experiments on in vivo models; and transcriptome and coimmunoprecipitation experiments.Results:YK-4-279 and TK-216 demonstrated an antitumor activity across several lymphoma cell lines, which we validated in vivo. We observed synergistic activity when YK-4-279 and TK-216 were combined with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax and with the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide. YK-4-279 and TK-216 interfere with protein interactions of ETS family members SPIB, in activated B-cell–like type diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, and SPI1, in germinal center B-cell–type diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.Conclusions:The ETS inhibitor YK-4-279 and its clinical derivative TK-216 represent a new class of agents with in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in lymphomas. Although their detailed mechanism of action needs to be fully defined, in DLBCL they might act by targeting subtype-specific essential transcription factors.

miR-24-3p regulated genes in both REN and MM98 cells. List of genes regulated by miR-24-3p in REN and MM98 cells.

Supplemental Figures S7. Supplemental Figures S7. Effects of JQ1 and OTX015 on BRD4 binding to MYD88 promoter region in DLBCL cell lines.

Purpose: Activation of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway is recurrent in different lymphoma types, and pharmacologic inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR pathway has shown activity in lymphoma patients. Here, we extensively characterized the in vitro and in vivo activity and the mechanism of action of PQR309 (bimiralisib), a novel oral selective dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor under clinical evaluation, in preclinical lymphoma models.Experimental Design: This study included preclinical in vitro activity screening on a large panel of cell lines, both as single agent and in combination, validation experiments on in vivo models and primary cells, proteomics and gene-expression profiling, and comparison with other signaling inhibitors.Results: PQR309 had in vitro antilymphoma activity as single agent and in combination with venetoclax, panobinostat, ibrutinib, lenalidomide, ARV-825, marizomib, and rituximab. Sensitivity to PQR309 was associated with specific baseline gene-expression features, such as high expression of transcripts coding for the BCR pathway. Combining proteomics and RNA profiling, we identified the different contribution of PQR309-induced protein phosphorylation and gene expression changes to the drug mechanism of action. Gene-expression signatures induced by PQR309 and by other signaling inhibitors largely overlapped. PQR309 showed activity in cells with primary or secondary resistance to idelalisib.Conclusions: On the basis of these results, PQR309 appeared as a novel and promising compound that is worth developing in the lymphoma setting. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 120–9. ©2017 AACR.

Purpose: In cancer cells, the epigenome is often deregulated, and inhibition of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of bromodomain-containing proteins is a novel epigenetic therapeutic approach. Preliminary results of an ongoing phase I trial have reported promising activity and tolerability with the new BET bromodomain inhibitor OTX015.Experimental Design: We assessed the preclinical activity of OTX015 as single agent and in combination in mature B-cell lymphoma models and performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to identify the mechanism of action and the genetic features associated with sensitivity to the compound.Results: OTX015 showed antiproliferative activity in a large panel of cell lines derived from mature B-cell lymphoid tumors with median IC50 of 240 nmol/L, without significant differences among the different histotypes. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that OTX015 targeted NFKB/TLR/JAK/STAT signaling pathways, MYC- and E2F1-regulated genes, cell-cycle regulation, and chromatin structure. OTX015 presented in vitro synergism with several anticancer agents, especially with mTOR and BTK inhibitors. Gene expression signatures associated with different degrees of sensitivity to OTX015 were identified. Although OTX015 was mostly cytostatic, the compound induced apoptosis in a genetically defined subgroup of cells, derived from activated B-cell–like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, bearing wtTP53, mutations in MYD88, and CD79B or CARD11.Conclusions: Together with the data coming from the ongoing phase I study, the in vitro and in vivo data presented here provide the basis for further clinical investigation of OTX015 as single agent and in combination therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(7); 1628–38. ©2015 AACR.

The expression of miRNAs in cancer has been widely studied and has allowed the definition of oncomirs and oncosuppressors. We note that it is often underestimated that many mRNAs are expressed, but translationally silent. In spite of this, systematic identification of miRNAs in equilibrium with their target mRNAs on polysomes has not been widely exploited. To identify biologically active oncomirs, we performed a screen for miRNAs acting on the polysomes of malignant mesothelioma (MPM) cells. Only a small percentage of expressed miRNAs physically associated with polysomes. On polysomes, we identified miRNAs already characterized in MPM, as well as novel ones like miR-24-3p, which acted as a promigratory miRNA in all cancer cells tested. miR-24-3p positively regulated Rho-GTP activity, and inhibition of miR-24-3p reduced growth in MPM cells. Analysis of miR-24-3p common targets, in two mesothelioma cell lines, identified a common subset of downregulated genes. These same genes were downregulated during the progression of multiple cancer types. Among the specific targets of miR-24-3p was cingulin, a tight junction protein that inhibits Rho-GTP activity. Overexpression of miR-24-3p only partially abrogated cingulin mRNA, but completely abrogated cingulin protein, confirming its action via translational repression. We suggest that miR-24-3p is an oncomir and speculate that identification of polysome-associated miRNAs efficiently sorts out biologically active miRNAs from inactive ones.Significance: Subcellular localization of miRNAs may predict their role in cancer and identify novel oncogenic miRNAs involved in cancer progression.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/20/5741/F1.large.jpg. Cancer Res; 78(20); 5741–53. ©2018 AACR.

Supplemental Figures S1-2. Supplemental Figures S1: effects of OTX015 on cell cycle and cell growth in DLBCL cell lines. Supplemental Figures S2: effects of OTX015 on apoptosis in DLBCL cell lines.

Supplemental Table S4: List of gene-sets associated with the sensitivity to OTX015.

Supplementary Figure S1. Most ribosome-associated miRNAs show medium occupancy and may share common biological functions. Supplementary Figure S2. miR-24-3p is expressed in lung and breast cancer cells. Supplementary Figure S3. miR-24-3p knockdown mildly affects cell proliferation and does not influence the apoptotic rate of MPM cell lines. Supplementary Figure S4. miR-24-3p fosters cells migration capability. Supplementary Figure S5. RNA-seq analysis on miR-24-3p knockdown REN and MM98 cells. Supplementary Figure S6. CXADR and BCAM mRNA distribution in REN polysomes. Supplementary Table S1. Autopsies of NOD-SCID mice 30 days after I .P. REN injection.

Supplementary figures, table legends, Table S1, S9 Figure S1. In vitro antitumor activity of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor apitolisib and its correlation with PQR309. Figure S2. Antitumor In vivo activity of PQR309 in the treatment of RI-1 and SU-DHL-6 xenograft model. Figure S3. Apoptosis is induced by co-treatment of PQR309 with venetoclax or panobinostat in primary cells and in the DLBCL SU-DHL-6 cell line. Figure S4. Specific baseline gene expression signatures are associated with higher or lower sensitivity to PQR309. Figure S5. In vitro antitumor activity of the PI3K� inhibitor idelalisib and its correlation with PQR309. Figure S6. PQR309 induced decrease in phosphorylation of AKT-Ser473 and p70S6K-Thr389 in DLBCL cell lines. Figure S7. PQR309 reduces AKT-Ser473 phosphorylation in lymphoma cell lines. Figure S8. Transcriptional expression signature of ABC DLBCL cell lines induced by PQR309. Figure S9. ABC and GCB DLBCL PQR309-treated signatures were highly overlapping. Figure S10. Transcript expression levels of PQR309-treated samples. Figure S11. Changes in protein phosphorylation and RNA expression differently contribute to PQR309 affected biologic pathways in ABC DLBCL. Figure S12. PQR309 can largely regulate the same genes affected by the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, the PI3K� idelalisib, the dual PI3K�/� inhibitor duvelisib (A), the dual PI3K�/� inhibitor AZD8835 or the AKT inhibitor AZD5363 (B). Figure S13. BCR pathway signature is similarly affected after ibrutinib, idelalisib and duvelisib treatments in ABC DLBCL cell lines. Figure S14. The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PQR309 and the PIM inhibitor AZD1208 synergize in DLBCL cell lines. Supplementary Table 1. List of phosphoresidues investigated by Carna Bioscience to perform RPPA analysis. Supplementary Table 9. Transcripts differentially expressed in ABC DLBCL cell lines treated with ibrutinib (A), idelalisib (B) or duvelisib (C) versus DMSO.

Supplemental Figures S3-5. Supplemental Figures S3: the gene expression changes induced by OTX015 in DLBCL cell lines. Supplemental Figures S4: network of genes affected by OTX015. Supplemental Figures S5: similar biologic effects of OTX015 and JQ1.

Supplementary Figure S1 SNAI1 induces mesenchymal genes prior to repression of epithelial genes, concomitant with miR-424 upregulation. (A) Phase contrast images of HMLE Empty Vector and HMLE SNAI1-inducible cells after 4 and 12 days of SNAI1 induction. Bar-100 μm. Epithelial and mesenchymal markers, by qPCR, after (B) 4 and (C) 12 days of SNAI1 induction, two-tailed unpaired t-test. (D) Mature and (E) primary miR-424 levels, by qPCR, after 4 days of SNAI1 induction, two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni multiple comparison post-test. SEM shown, representative images/graphs of n{greater than or equal to}3. #p

Supplementary Figure Legends and Supplementary Materials and Methods

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that relies on cellular plasticity. Recently, the process of an oncogenic EMT, followed by a reverse mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), has been implicated as critical in the metastatic colonization of carcinomas. Unlike governance of epithelial programming, regulation of mesenchymal programming is not well understood in EMT. Here, we describe and characterize the first microRNA that enhances exclusively mesenchymal programming. We demonstrate that miR-424 is upregulated early during a TWIST1 or SNAI1-induced EMT, and that it causes cells to express mesenchymal genes without affecting epithelial genes, resulting in a mixed/intermediate EMT. Furthermore, miR-424 increases motility, decreases adhesion, and induces a growth arrest, changes associated with a complete EMT that can be reversed when miR-424 expression is lowered, concomitant with an MET-like process. Breast cancer patient miR-424 levels positively associate with TWIST1/2 and EMT-like gene signatures, and miR-424 is increased in primary tumors versus matched normal breast. However, miR-424 is downregulated in patient metastases versus matched primary tumors. Correspondingly, miR-424 decreases tumor initiation and is posttranscriptionally downregulated in macrometastases in mice, suggesting the need for biphasic expression of miR-424 to transit the EMT–MET axis. Next-generation RNA sequencing revealed miR-424 regulates numerous EMT and cancer stemness-associated genes, including TGFBR3, whose downregulation promotes mesenchymal phenotypes, but not tumor-initiating phenotypes. Instead, we demonstrate that increased MAPK–ERK signaling is critical for miR-424–mediated decreases in tumor-initiating phenotypes. These findings suggest miR-424 plays distinct roles in tumor progression, potentially facilitating earlier, but repressing later, stages of metastasis by regulating an EMT–MET axis. Cancer Res; 75(9); 1908–21. ©2015 AACR.

MicroRNA microarray table results after (Table S1) 4 days and (Table S2) 12 days of TWIST1 induction.

SummaryDuring development, in the embryo proper blood cells emerge from a subset of specialized endothelial cells, named hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs), via a process known as endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) driven by time-specific Notch signaling activation1. HECs represent an elusive cell population as they are rare and transient, rapidly generating blood cells, and specific markers are lacking. Therefore, it remains unclear how and when the hematopoietic fate is specified and how blood cell emergence is molecularly regulated. Notably, thorough characterization of this process is essential to guide the generation of therapeutic blood productsin vitrofrom human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). To identify specific human HEC markers, we performed transcriptomic analysis of 28-32-day human embryos, a developmental stage characterized by active hematopoiesis. We observed that the expression ofFCGR2B, encoding for the Fc receptor CD32, is highly enriched in the ACE+CD34+endothelial cell population that contains HECs. Functionalex vivoanalyses confirmed that multilineage hematopoietic potential is highly enriched in CD32+endothelial cells isolated from human embryos. In addition, clonal analysis revealed that 90% of CD32+hPSC-derived endothelial cells arebona fideHECs. We leveraged this specificity to study how HECs commit to the blood fate. Remarkably, our analyses indicated that HECs progress through different states culminating with the one identified by CD32 expression. Indeed CD32+HECs no longer require Notch to generate hematopoietic progeny and display full commitment to hematopoiesis even before the expression of hematopoietic markers. These findings provide a precise method for isolating HECs primed to the blood fate from human embryos and hPSC cultures, thus allowing the efficient generation of hematopoietic cellsin vitro.

Not available, Iconocrazia, V. 2, N. 22 (2022): Iconocrazia: 10 anni della rivista

Il saggio analizza l’identità albanese, a partire da eredità di lungo periodo (gli Illiri, Skanderberg, l’Impero Ottomano ecc.), concentrandosi sul passaggio dal regime comunista ad un complesso processo di democratizzazione. Attraverso un’analisi ‘iconocratica’ basata su un repertorio fotografico dell’Albania degli anni Zero l’Autore propone un’immagine dell’Albania contemporanea in cui convivono le molteplici componenti ed eredità culturali del paese, viene perseguita una peculiare via alla modernizzazione e si assiste a una trasformazione cromatica dello spazio urbano della capitale. The essay analyses Albanian identity, starting from long-term legacies (the Illyrians, Skanderberg, the Ottoman Empire, etc.), focusing on the transition from the communist regime to a complex process of democratisation. By means of an 'iconocratic' analysis based on a photographic repertoire of Albania in the 1990s, the author proposes an image of contemporary Albania in which the country's multiple cultural components and heritages coexist, a peculiar path to modernisation is pursued, and a chromatic transformation of the capital's urban space is witnessed., Iconocrazia, V. 2, N. 22 (2022): Iconocrazia: 10 anni della rivista

PurposeThe DNA damage response (DDR) is the cellular process devoted to the preservation of an intact genome. The DDR is often deregulated in lymphoma cells due to high levels of DNA damage, tumor suppressor inactivation, increased replication stress observed after oncogene activation, or high amounts of reactive oxygen species. The ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase is a crucial factor of DDR in the response to DNA single strand breaks. ATR inhibitors are a class of agents that have shown considerable clinical potential in this context.Experimental DesignWe characterized the activity of the ATR inhibitor elimusertib (BAY 1895344) in a panel of lymphoma cell lines. Furthermore, we evaluated the activity of elimusertib in combination with the clinically approved PI3K inhibitor copanlisib inin vitroandin vivolymphoma models.ResultsElimusertib exhibitedin vitroactivity across a variety of lymphoma subtypes which was associated with expression of genes related to replication stress. Elimusertib also demonstrated wide-spread anti-tumor activity that was stronger compared to ceralasertib, another ATR inhibitor, in several tumor models. This activity was present in both DDR-proficient and DDR-deficient lymphoma models. Furthermore, elimusertib had synergistic antitumor activity in combination with copanlisib.ConclusionsPotent antitumor activity of elimusertib was demonstrated in several lymphoma models which is associated with high expression of gene transcripts coding for proteins that are involved in DDR and cell cycle regulation. Combination of ATR and PI3K inhibition by treatment with elimusertib and copanlisib had synergistic efficacy providing a potential new treatment option for lymphoma patients.Translational relevanceThe DNA damage response (DDR) is often deregulated in lymphoma cells. Here, we characterized the activity of elimusertib, an inhibitor of the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase (ATR) that is involved in the DDR. Elimusertib was demonstrated to exhibit anti-lymphoma activity across several lymphoma cell lines and tumor models. Copanlisib is an inhibitor of PI3K kinase family which has also shown activity in various lymphomas. Combined treatment with elimusertib and copanlisib resulted in a synergistic antitumor effect in lymphoma models. The combination of elimusertib and copanlisib could potentially constitute a new chemotherapy-free treatment option for lymphomas.

Iconocrazia, V. 1, N. 21 (2022): Governo e immaginario delle emergenze (II parte)

Iconocrazia, V. 1, N. 21 (2022): Governo e immaginario delle emergenze (II parte)

Riconducibile all’alveo di altri concetti a essa attigui – come quelli di storia e memoria – la nostalgia è un fenomeno che pervade tanto il dibattito politico, quanto la produzione culturale a noi coevi. In tal senso, i processi di globalizzazione in corso hanno contribuito a questo prepotente ritorno del passato nella nostra contemporaneità. Il presente contributo si propone di offrire alcuni elementi di interpretazione della nostalgia da un punto di vista politologico. A tal fine, verrà analizzata la relazione che sussiste tra il concetto di nostalgia e quello di memoria collettiva ovvero nazionale. La tesi sviluppata nel saggio insiste sulla natura spaziale di tali concetti: se, da un lato, la nostalgia implica necessariamente il sentimento di un desiderio per un altrove ormai perduto, il passato trova una delle sue più efficaci forme di comunicazione nell’elemento spaziale. Per tali ragioni, il saggio si concentra sulla natura geografico-spaziale del passato e sulle diverse forme in cui esso si manifesta attraverso lo spazio urbano, con un breve riferimento al caso russo. Ascribable to other related concepts - such as those of history and memory - nostalgia is a phenomenon that pervades both political debate and the cultural production of our time. In this sense, the ongoing processes of globalisation have contributed to this overbearing return of the past in our contemporary world. The aim of this contribution is to offer some elements for interpreting nostalgia from a political point of view. To this end, the relationship between the concept of nostalgia and that of collective or national memory will be analysed. The thesis developed in the essay insists on the spatial nature of these concepts: while nostalgia necessarily implies a feeling of longing for a lost elsewhere, the past finds one of its most effective forms of communication in the spatial element. For these reasons, the essay focuses on the geographical-spatial nature of the past and the different forms in which it manifests itself through urban space, with a brief reference to the Russian case., Iconocrazia, V. 1, N. 21 (2022): Governo e immaginario delle emergenze (II parte)