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Supplementary Figure Legends 1-4, Methods from 18F-Fluorodeoxy-glucose Positron Emission Tomography Marks MYC-Overexpressing Human Basal-Like Breast Cancers

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Supplementary Figures 1-4 from 18F-Fluorodeoxy-glucose Positron Emission Tomography Marks MYC-Overexpressing Human Basal-Like Breast Cancers

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Givosiran is an N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated RNA interference therapeutic that targets 5'-aminolevulinate synthase 1 mRNA in the liver and is currently marketed for the treatment of acute hepatic porphyria. Herein, nonclinical pharmacokinetics and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties of givosiran were characterized. Givosiran was completely absorbed after subcutaneous administration with relatively short plasma elimination half-life (t1/2; less than 4 hours). Plasma exposure increased approximately dose proportionally with no accumulation after repeat doses. Plasma protein binding was concentration dependent across all species tested and was around 90% at clinically relevant concentration in human. Givosiran predominantly distributed to the liver by asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated uptake, and the t1/2 in the liver was significantly longer (∼1 week). Givosiran was metabolized by nucleases, not cytochrome P450 (P450) isozymes, across species with no human unique metabolites. Givosiran metabolized to form one primary active metabolite with the loss of one nucleotide from the 3' end of antisense strand, AS(N-1)3' givosiran, which was equipotent to givosiran. Renal and fecal excretion were minor routes of elimination of givosiran as approximately 10% and 16% of the dose was recovered intact in excreta of rats and monkeys, respectively. Givosiran is not a substrate, inhibitor, or inducer of P450 isozymes, and it is not a substrate or inhibitor of uptake and most efflux transporters. Thus, givosiran has a low potential of mediating drug-drug interactions involving P450 isozymes and drug transporters. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Nonclinical pharmacokinetics and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties of givosiran were characterized. Givosiran shows similar pharmacokinetics and ADME properties across rats and monkeys in vivo and across human and animal matrices in vitro. Subcutaneous administration results in adequate exposure of givosiran to the target organ (liver). These studies support the interpretation of toxicology studies, help characterize the disposition of givosiran in humans, and support the clinical use of givosiran for the treatment of acute hepatic porphyria.

Aim: A novel single-stranded deaminated oligonucleotide metabolite resulting from a REVERSIR™ oligonucleotide was discovered and identified in monkey liver after subcutaneous administration. Results & methodology: REVERSIR-A and its metabolites were extracted from biological matrices by solid phase extraction and analyzed using LC coupled with high-resolution MS under negative ionization mode. A novel 9-mer metabolite of REVERSIR-A, resulting from deamination of the 3′ terminal 2′- O-methyl-adenosine nucleotide to 2′- O-methyl-inosine, was discovered at significant levels in monkey liver. The metabolite's identity was confirmed by LC–MS/MS. Conclusion: This report describes the first observation of a long-chain deaminated metabolite of a single-stranded REVERSIR oligonucleotide in vivo in monkey liver.

For oligonucleotide therapeutics, chemical modifications of the sugar-phosphate backbone are frequently used to confer drug-like properties. Because 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro (2′-F) nucleotides are not known to occur naturally, their safety profile was assessed when used in revusiran and ALN-TTRSC02, two short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), of the same sequence but different chemical modification pattern and metabolic stability, conjugated to an N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) ligand for targeted delivery to hepatocytes. Exposure to 2′-F-monomer metabolites was low and transient in rats and humans. In vitro, 2′-F-nucleoside 5′-triphosphates were neither inhibitors nor preferred substrates for human polymerases, and no obligate or non-obligate chain termination was observed. Modest effects on cell viability and mitochondrial DNA were observed in vitro in a subset of cell types at high concentrations of 2′-F-nucleosides, typically not attained in vivo. No apparent functional impact on mitochondria and no significant accumulation of 2′-F-monomers were observed after weekly administration of two GalNAc–siRNA conjugates in rats for ∼2 years. Taken together, the results support the conclusion that 2′-F nucleotides can be safely applied for the design of metabolically stabilized therapeutic GalNAc–siRNAs with favorable potency and prolonged duration of activity allowing for low dose and infrequent dosing.

Givosiran is an

© 2020 The study of Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators (FREIs) has gained momentum over the last decade for their potential to be adopted directly under the foundation of masonry buildings with no need for costly rigid diaphragms and transfer structures, which are required for the application of conventional base isolation (BI) devices. While the possibility of base isolating masonry structures with no diaphragms at the isolation level is fascinating, this requires FREIs with a tunable response in all 3 directions (i.e., devices that can be engineered to perform in a specific way in each direction of loading). It is known that unbonded FREIs exhibit softening and instability under large displacements. While softening of the bearings is beneficial because it reduces the force demand on structural elements, instability is not. This is particularly true as the unstable branch of FREIs is followed by a sharp hardening response. With the aim of contributing (i) towards the development of tunable FREIs and (ii) towards the development of FREIs with tunable hardening under large lateral deformations, this manuscript describes the findings of a wide set of Finite Element Analyses (FEAs) performed to assess the effectiveness of modifying the stiffness and the lateral response of FREIs through lateral holes. Results of the analyses show that, a simple to implement strategy can be used to tune the lateral response of FREIs to a desired hardening and lateral displacement capacity. The findings of this work constitute a step towards the development of scalable technologies for the isolation of non-engineered buildings in developing regions of the world., Engineering Structures, 222, ISSN:0141-0296

Aim: Advancements in RNA interference therapeutics have triggered development of improved bioanalytical methods for oligonucleotide metabolite profiling and high-throughput quantification in biological matrices. Results & methodology: HPLC coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) methods were developed to investigate the metabolism of a REVERSIR™ molecule in vivo. Plasma and tissue samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction followed by LC-HRMS analysis for metabolite profiling and quantification. The method was qualified from 10 to 5000 ng/ml (plasma) and 100 to 50000 ng/g (liver and kidney). In rat liver, intra and interday accuracy ranged from 80.9 to 118.5% and 88.4 to 111.9%, respectively, with acceptable precision (

The design, synthesis and assessment of β-carboline core-based compounds as potential multifunctional agents against several processes that are believed to play a significant role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, are described. The activity of the compounds was determined in Aβ self-assembly (fibril and oligomer formation) and cholinesterase (AChE, BuChE) activity inhibition, and their antioxidant properties were also assessed. To obtain insight into the mode of action of the compounds, HR-MS studies were carried out on the inhibitor-Aβ complex formation and molecular docking was performed on inhibitor-BuChE interactions. While several compounds exhibited strong activities in individual assays, compound 14 emerged as a promising multi-target lead for the further structure-activity relationship studies.

Continued reliance on the androgen receptor (AR) is now understood as a core mechanism in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the most advanced form of this disease. While established and novel AR pathway–targeting agents display clinical efficacy in metastatic CRPC, dose-limiting side effects remain problematic for all current agents. In this study, we report the discovery and development of ARN-509, a competitive AR inhibitor that is fully antagonistic to AR overexpression, a common and important feature of CRPC. ARN-509 was optimized for inhibition of AR transcriptional activity and prostate cancer cell proliferation, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo efficacy. In contrast to bicalutamide, ARN-509 lacked significant agonist activity in preclinical models of CRPC. Moreover, ARN-509 lacked inducing activity for AR nuclear localization or DNA binding. In a clinically valid murine xenograft model of human CRPC, ARN-509 showed greater efficacy than MDV3100. Maximal therapeutic response in this model was achieved at 30 mg/kg/d of ARN-509, whereas the same response required 100 mg/kg/d of MDV3100 and higher steady-state plasma concentrations. Thus, ARN-509 exhibits characteristics predicting a higher therapeutic index with a greater potential to reach maximally efficacious doses in man than current AR antagonists. Our findings offer preclinical proof of principle for ARN-509 as a promising therapeutic in both castration-sensitive and castration-resistant forms of prostate cancer. Cancer Res; 72(6); 1494–503. ©2012 AACR.

In contrast to normal cells, cancer cells avidly take up glucose and metabolize it to lactate even when oxygen is abundant, a phenomenon referred to as the Warburg effect. This fundamental alteration in glucose metabolism in cancer cells enables their specific detection by positron emission tomography (PET) following i.v. injection of the glucose analogue 18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose (18FDG). However, this useful imaging technique is limited by the fact that not all cancers avidly take up FDG. To identify molecular determinants of 18FDG retention, we interrogated the transcriptomes of human-cancer cell lines and primary tumors for metabolic pathways associated with 18FDG radiotracer uptake. From ninety-five metabolic pathways that were interrogated, the glycolysis, and several glycolysis-related pathways (pentose phosphate, carbon fixation, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, one-carbon-pool by folate) showed the greatest transcriptional enrichment. This “FDG signature” predicted FDG uptake in breast cancer cell lines and overlapped with established gene expression signatures for the “basal-like” breast cancer subtype and MYC-induced tumorigenesis in mice. Human breast cancers with nuclear MYC staining and high RNA expression of MYC target genes showed high 18FDG-PET uptake (P < 0.005). Presence of the FDG signature was similarly associated with MYC gene copy gain, increased MYC transcript levels, and elevated expression of metabolic MYC target genes in a human breast cancer genomic dataset. Together, our findings link clinical observations of glucose uptake with a pathologic and molecular subtype of human breast cancer. Furthermore, they suggest related approaches to derive molecular determinants of radiotracer retention for other PET-imaging probes. Cancer Res; 71(15); 5164–74. ©2011 AACR.

A significant discharge capacity increase (larger than 3 times) for the gas-diffusion-electrode (GDE) used in Li-air cells was demonstrated through modification of the carbon surface with long-chain hydrophobic molecules. The capacity loss of the Li-air activated carbon cathode was found to be caused by the formation of undesired surface passivation. The mechanism of such passivation was identified as the formation of dense Li oxide films directly on the surface of the carbon during the oxygen reduction reaction. Such dense layers of Li oxide are here identified as the root cause of the undesired passivation, which blocks electrochemical reactions, increases the impedance and drops the discharge voltage rapidly. This investigation reveals that the capacity for the gas-diffusion-electrode can be substantially increased, if the activated carbon is modified by attaching long-chain hydrophobic molecules onto the surface. The carbon surface modification significantly delays the formation of the dense Li oxide layers. Therefore, the discharge capacity for the GDE is substantially increased.

The gas-diffusion-electrode used in a Li–air cell has been studied in a unique homemade electrochemical cell. Three major obstacles for the development of a feasible Li–air system were discussed with a focus on the development of a functional gas-diffusion-electrode in non-aqueous electrolytes and the way of avoiding the passivation of gas-diffusion-electrodes caused by the deposition of the reduction products. It is the first time that the importance of establishing the 3-phase electrochemical interface in non-aqueous electrolyte is demonstrated by creating air-diffusion paths and an air saturated portion for an air cathode. A model mechanism of electrode passivation by the reaction products was also proposed. Lithium oxides formed during O2 reduction tend to block small pores, preventing them from further utilization in the electrochemical reaction. On the other hand, lithium oxides would accumulate inside the large pores during the reduction until the density of oxides becomes high enough to choke-off the mass transfer. Carbon materials with a high surface area associated with larger pores should be selected to make the gas-diffusion-electrode for Li–air battery. For the first time, a near linear relationship between the capacity of GDE in a non-aqueous electrolyte and the average pore diameter was demonstrated, which could be used to estimate the capacity of the GDE quantitatively.

Inhibitors of the kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have shown sporadic activity in cancer trials, leading to confusion about the appropriate clinical setting for their use. Here we show that loss of the Von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene (VHL) sensitizes kidney cancer cells to the mTOR inhibitor CCI-779 in vitro and in mouse models. Growth arrest caused by CCI-779 correlates with a block in translation of mRNA encoding hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1A), and is rescued by expression of a VHL-resistant HIF1A cDNA lacking the 5' untranslated region. VHL-deficient tumors show increased uptake of the positron emission tomography (PET) tracer fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in an mTOR-dependent manner. Our findings provide preclinical rationale for prospective, biomarker-driven clinical studies of mTOR inhibitors in kidney cancer and suggest that FDG-PET scans may have use as a pharmacodynamic marker in this setting.

Prior work demonstrates that AKT activity regulates sensitivity of cells to G(1) arrest induced by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors such as rapamycin and CCI-779. To investigate this, a novel high-throughput microarray polysome analysis was performed to identify genes whose mRNA translational efficiency was differentially affected following mTOR inhibition. The analysis also allowed the assessment of steady-state transcript levels. We identified two transcripts, cyclin D1 and c-myc, which exhibited differential expression in an AKT-dependent manner: High levels of activated AKT resulted in rapamycin-induced down-regulation of expression, whereas low levels resulted in up-regulation of expression. To ectopically express these proteins we exploited the finding that the p27(kip1) mRNA was efficiently translated in the face of mTOR inhibition irrespective of AKT activity. Thus, the p27(kip1) 5'-untranslated region was fused to the cyclin D1 and c-myc coding regions and these constructs were expressed in cells. In transfected cells, expression of cyclin D1 or c-myc was not decreased by rapamycin. Most importantly, this completely converted sensitive cells to a phenotype resistant to G(1) arrest. Furthermore, the AKT-dependent differential expression patterns of these two genes was also observed in a mouse xenograft model following in vivo treatment with CCI-779. These results identify two critical downstream molecular targets whose expression is regulated by AKT activity and whose down-regulation is required for rapamycin/CCI-779 sensitivity.

Using microarray-based profiling of isogenic prostate cancer xenograft models, we found that a modest increase in androgen receptor mRNA was the only change consistently associated with the development of resistance to antiandrogen therapy. This increase in androgen receptor mRNA and protein was both necessary and sufficient to convert prostate cancer growth from a hormone-sensitive to a hormone-refractory stage, and was dependent on a functional ligand-binding domain. Androgen receptor antagonists showed agonistic activity in cells with increased androgen receptor levels; this antagonist-agonist conversion was associated with alterations in the recruitment of coactivators and corepressors to the promoters of androgen receptor target genes. Increased levels of androgen receptor confer resistance to antiandrogens by amplifying signal output from low levels of residual ligand, and by altering the normal response to antagonists. These findings provide insight toward the design of new antiandrogens.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop models that allow serial, noninvasive imaging of human prostate cancer cells in immunodeficient mice using a dedicated small animal positron emission tomography scanner (microPET). METHODS LNCaP tumor cells were stably transduced ex-vivo with the mutant herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-sr39tk) PET reporter gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The stably transduced LNCaP cells were then enriched via fluorescent cell sorting and implanted into SCID mice. Beginning 2 weeks after tumor cell inoculation, mice were repeatedly scanned by microPET performed 1 hr after tail-vein injection of ∼200 μCi Fluorine-18 labeled penciclovir (18F-FHBG). PET-images were correlated to tumor size, % injected dose (ID)/g tumor tissue, PSA levels, autoradiography, and histology. RESULTS Monitoring LNCaP xenografts using microPET and our reporter gene approaches is feasible. MicroPET was capable of detecting subcutaneous tumors as small as 3 mm in diameter (∼0.2% ID/g). The magnitude of 18F-FHBG-uptake in PET-images correlated with the tumor volumes and the serum PSA levels. Other non-HSV1-TK-specific tracers were also studied. While 18F-flurodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) gave poor imaging results in LNCaP cells, 11C-acetate gave satisfactory images. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring prostate cancer xenografts in a mouse model using microPET and the HSV1-sr39tk PET reporter gene/18F-FHBG reporter probe system. Extension of this approach may allow repetitive imaging of tumor metastases. Prostate 55:39–47, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is crucial for normal development and homeostasis of the prostate, and is a key driver of prostate cancer initiation and progression. Hormone therapies that deprive the cancer of androgen have long been a mainstay of prostate cancer treatment. More recently, anti-androgens, such as abiraterone and enzalutamide, have been approved for use in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Evidence also suggests that AR may play an oncogenic role in certain breast cancers. Several recent publications have demonstrated that activation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) can confer resistance to enzalutamide, and GR has also been shown to provide protection from conventional chemotherapies in other solid tumor indications. Mifepristone, is a synthetic steroidal antagonist of progesterone receptor, and to a lesser extent of GR and AR. It is currently being tested in clinical trials in combination with enzalutamide in mCRPC, and in combination with chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We sought to characterize the effect of mifepristone in pre-clinical models of prostate and breast cancer. Here we show that in the absence of androgen, mifepristone acts as a partial AR agonist, and this agonism can only be partially overcome by enzalutamide. We find that in low androgen conditions, mifepristone promotes the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro and accelerates the growth of prostate tumors in xenograft models. Moreover, when given in combination, mifepristone significantly reduces the efficacy of enzalutamide in the LN-AR xenograft model. We are currently assessing the effects of mifepristone treatment in TNBC. Our findings suggest that partial AR agonist activity of mifepristone may have a negative impact in prostate and other AR positive cancers. We have developed a GR antagonist that is devoid of AR agonism to circumvent undesired effects on proliferation and drug response. Citation Format: Haiying Zhou, Nadine Jachan, Mallika Singh, Chris Tran, Dan McWeeney, Minna Balbas, Emily Schenkein, Tatiana Zovorotinskaya, Erica L. Jackson, Julio Medina, Daqing Sun, Yosup Rew, Xiaohui Du, John Eksterowicz, Xuelei Yan, Liusheng Zhu, Qiuping Ye, Valeria Fantin. Activation of AR signaling by mifepristone enhances prostate cancer growth and impairs enzalutamide response [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 4172. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4172

Recent evidence places the FRAP/mTOR kinase downstream of the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/Akt-signaling pathway, which is up-regulated in multiple cancers because of loss of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. We performed biological and biochemical studies to determine whether PTEN-deficient cancer cells are sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of FRAP/mTOR by using the rapamycin derivative CCI-779. In vitro and in vivo studies of isogenic PTEN +/+ and PTEN −/− mouse cells as well as human cancer cells with defined PTEN status showed that the growth of PTEN null cells was blocked preferentially by pharmacologic FRAP/mTOR inhibition. Enhanced tumor growth caused by constitutive activation of Akt in PTEN +/+ cells also was reversed by CCI-779 treatment, indicating that FRAP/mTOR functions downstream of Akt in tumorigenesis. Loss of PTEN correlated with increased S6 kinase activity and phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 protein, providing evidence for activation of the FRAP/mTOR pathway in these cells. Differential sensitivity to CCI-779 was not explained by differences in biochemical blockade of the FRAP/mTOR pathway, because S6 phosphorylation was inhibited in sensitive and resistant cell lines. These results provide rationale for testing FRAP/mTOR inhibitors in PTEN null human cancers.

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) of cancer are invaluable tools for oncology research. They recapitulate critical aspects of tumor etiology and allow for unique interrogation of tumor evolution and maintenance. In addition, these models are poised for assessing therapeutic drug efficacy and resistance mechanisms. Although these models are widely used, the mutational landscape and transcriptional profile of GEMMs have yet to be thoroughly characterized. In this study we sought to investigate the precise genomic landscape of three well-validated GEMMs representing two types of Kras mutant cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using next generation sequencing techniques, we profiled an adenovirally-induced Kras mutant NSCLC model (KrasLSL.G12D/+;p53frt/frt) and two Kras mutant models of spontaneous PDAC: KPP (KrasLSL.G12D/+;p16/p19fl/fl;Pdx1.Cre) and KPR (KrasLSL.G12D/+;p16/p19fl/+;p53LSL.R270H/+;Pdx1.Cre). All three GEMMs incorporate genomic aberrations that are documented to occur in the human patient population. Additionally these models have been reported to approximate histological and phenotypic aspects of their human correlate. We carried out whole exome sequencing for each model (NSCLC n = 115; PDAC n = 73 and n = 40, respectively) to comprehensively characterize the genomes. Interestingly, both intra and inter-tumoral genomic heterogeneity was evident both within and amongst Kras mutant tumor models. The models most significantly diverge with respect to copy number alterations. The NSCLC model demonstrated whole chromosome 6 gain and focal deletion on chromosome 9, in addition to other genomic alterations. However, the KPP PDAC model tumors exhibited significant focal amplification of mutant Kras in 75% (55/73) of cases. In combination with RNA-seq data, we can show that these genomic alterations correlate with divergent transcriptional signatures despite the shared Kras mutation, especially in MAPK pathway signatures. This data suggests tumors within these models have unique signaling pathway dependencies. Finally, we compared the tumors resulting in the murine models to that of Kras altered human tumors from TCGA at the genomic level. The genomic landscapes of Kras mutant GEMMs and corresponding Kras mutant patients share significant similarities. We identified mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors, in addition to alterations in gene copy number. Taken together, the results provide a clearer understanding of the genomic landscape of these GEMMs and their relationship with human patients. More importantly, these analyses will allow us to better interpret results from previous and future experiments using these Kras mutant GEMMs of cancer. Citation Format: Wei-Jen Chung, Anneleen Daemen, Jason Long, Jason Cheng, Chris Tran, Zora Modrusan, Oded Foreman, Melissa Junttila. The genomic landscape of Kras mutant genetically engineered mouse models of human cancers. [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 2686.

A Second Act for Antiandrogens Men with advanced prostate cancer are often treated with antiandrogens; drugs that inhibit the activity of male hormones, such as testosterone, that help drive tumor growth. Many of these drugs act by functionally disrupting the androgen receptor (AR), a transcriptional regulator of cell proliferation, but tumors eventually become resistant to the drugs by expressing higher levels of the AR. Tran et al. (p. 787 , published online 9 April) have developed a “second-generation” antiandrogen, a thiohydantoin called MDV3100, which binds the AR with high affinity. MDV3100 retains its anticancer activity in cell culture and in mouse models even when AR levels are elevated. The drug appears to act both by inhibiting translocation of the AR into the nucleus and by reducing its transcriptional activity. MDV3100 is being tested in patients with advanced prostate cancer, the first group of which have shown a decline in blood levels of a marker of cancer growth, prostate-specific antigen.

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) of cancer are invaluable tools for oncology research. They recapitulate critical aspects of tumor etiology and allow for unique interrogation of the tumor stroma interactions during tumorigenesis. In addition, these models are poised for assessing therapeutic drug efficacy and resistance mechanisms. Although these models are widely used, the mutational landscape and transcriptional profile of GEMMs have yet to be thoroughly characterized. In this study we sought to investigate the precise mutational landscape of four well-validated GEMMs representing three types of cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and melanoma. Using next generation sequencing techniques, we profiled one adenovirally-induced Kras mutant NSCLC model (KrasLSL.G12D; p53frt/frt), two Kras mutant models of spontaneous PDAC (KrasLSL.G12D; p16/p19fl/fl; Pdx1.Cre and KrasLSL.G12D; p16/p19fl/wt; p53LSL.R270H/wt; Pdx1.Cre) and one Braf mutant melanoma model (BrafV600E/wt; PTENfl/fl; TyrCreER). All four GEMMs incorporate mutations that are well documented to occur in the human patient population. Additionally these models have been documented to approximate histological and phenotypic aspects of their human correlate. We carried out whole exome sequencing for each model (NSCLC n = 120; PDAC n = 73 and n = 40, respectively; melanoma n = 17) to comprehensively characterize the baseline genomes. We also looked for additional recurrent driver mutations beyond those engineered within each model. Interestingly, both intra and intertumoral heterogeneity was evident. Furthermore, we performed RNA sequencing and identified significantly affected genes and gene sets. Finally, we compared our GEMMs to human tumors from TCGA (LUAD, LUSC, PAAD and SKCM) at the genomic and transcriptomic level. Taken together, the results we will present provide a clearer understanding of the genomic and transcriptional landscape of these GEMMs and their relationship with human patients. More importantly, these analyses will allow us to better interpret results from previous and future experiments using these GEMMs of cancer. Citation Format: Wei-Jen Chung, Jason Long, Jason Cheng, Chris Tran, Anwesha Dey, Anneleen Daemen, Melissa Junttila. Next generation sequencing analysis of genetically engineered mouse models of human cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2987. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2987

SummaryAlthough most oncogenic phenotypes of PTEN loss are attributed to AKT activation, AKT alone is not sufficient to induce all of the biological activities associated with PTEN inactivation. We searched for additional PTEN-regulated pathways through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and identified genes associated with JNK activation. PTEN null cells exhibit higher JNK activity, and genetic studies demonstrate that JNK functions parallel to and independently of AKT. Furthermore, PTEN deficiency sensitizes cells to JNK inhibition and negative feedback regulation of PI3K was impaired in PTEN null cells. Akt and JNK activation are highly correlated in human prostate cancer. These findings implicate JNK in PI3K-driven cancers and demonstrate the utility of GSEA to identify functional pathways using genetically defined systems.

Small-animal PET scanning with (18)F-FDG is increasingly used in murine models of human diseases. However, the impact of dietary conditions, mode of anesthesia, and ambient temperature on the biodistribution of (18)F-FDG in mice has not been systematically studied so far. The aim of this study was to determine how these factors affect assessment of tumor glucose use by (18)F-FDG PET and to develop an imaging protocol that optimizes visualization of tumor xenografts.Groups of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were first imaged by microPET with free access to food, at room temperature (20 degrees C), and no anesthesia during the uptake period (reference condition). Subsequently, the impact of (a) fasting for 8-12 h, (b) warming the animals with a heating pad (30 degrees C), and (c) general anesthesia using isoflurane or ketamine/xylazine on the (18)F-FDG biodistribution was evaluated. Subcutaneously implanted human A431 epidermoid carcinoma and U251 glioblastoma cells served as tumor models.Depending on the study conditions, (18)F-FDG uptake by normal tissues varied 3-fold for skeletal muscle, 13-fold for brown adipose tissue, and 15-fold for myocardium. Warming and fasting significantly reduced the intense (18)F-FDG uptake by brown adipose tissue observed under the reference condition and markedly improved visualization of tumor xenografts. Although tumor (18)F-FDG uptake was not above background activity under the reference condition, tumors demonstrated marked focal (18)F-FDG uptake in warmed and fasted animals. Quantitatively, tumor (18)F-FDG uptake increased 4-fold and tumor-to-organ ratios were increased up to 17-fold. Ketamine/xylazine anesthesia caused marked hyperglycemia and was not further evaluated. Isoflurane anesthesia only mildly increased blood glucose levels and had no significant effect on tumor (18)F-FDG uptake. Isoflurane markedly reduced (18)F-FDG uptake by brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle but increased the activity concentration in liver, myocardium, and kidney.Animal handling has a dramatic effect on (18)F-FDG biodistribution and significantly influences the results of microPET studies in tumor-bearing mice. To improve tumor visualization mice should be fasted and warmed before (18)F-FDG injection and during the uptake period. Isoflurane appears well suited for anesthesia of tumor-bearing mice, whereas ketamine/xylazine should be used with caution, as it may induce marked hyperglycemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate, whether PET with (18)F-FDG and 3'-deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine ((18)F-FLT) may be used to monitor noninvasively the antiproliferative effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.Using a high-resolution small animal scanner, we measured the effect of the ErbB-selective kinase inhibitor PKI-166 on the (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FLT uptake of ErbB1-overexpressing A431 xenograft tumors.Treatment with PKI-166 markedly lowered tumor (18)F-FLT uptake within 48 h of drug exposure; within 1 wk (18)F-FLT uptake decreased by 79%. (18)F-FLT uptake by the xenografts significantly correlated with the tumor proliferation index as determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining (r = 0.71). Changes in (18)F-FLT uptake did not reflect inhibition of ErbB kinase activity itself but, rather, the effects of kinase inhibition on tumor cell proliferation. Tumor (18)F-FDG uptake generally paralleled the changes seen for (18)F-FLT. However, the baseline signal was significantly lower than that for (18)F-FLT.These results indicate that (18)F-FLT PET provides noninvasive, quantitative, and repeatable measurements of tumor cell proliferation during treatment with ErbB kinase inhibitors and provide a rationale for the use this technology in clinical trials of kinase inhibitors.

Defining the molecular strategies that integrate diverse signalling pathways in the expression of specific gene programmes that are critical in homeostasis and disease remains a central issue in biology. This is particularly pertinent in cancer biology because downregulation of tumour metastasis suppressor genes is a common occurrence, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well established. Here we report that the downregulation of a metastasis suppressor gene, KAI1, in prostate cancer cells involves the inhibitory actions of beta-catenin, along with a reptin chromatin remodelling complex. This inhibitory function of beta-catenin-reptin requires both increased beta-catenin expression and recruitment of histone deacetylase activity. The coordinated actions of beta-catenin-reptin components that mediate the repressive state serve to antagonize a Tip60 coactivator complex that is required for activation; the balance of these opposing complexes controls the expression of KAI1 and metastatic potential. The molecular mechanisms underlying the antagonistic regulation of beta-catenin-reptin and the Tip60 coactivator complexes for the metastasis suppressor gene, KAI1, are likely to be prototypic of a selective downregulation strategy for many genes, including a subset of NF-kappaB target genes.

Resistance to the ABL kinase inhibitor imatinib (STI571 or Gleevec) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) occurs through selection for tumor cells harboring BCR-ABL kinase domain point mutations that interfere with drug binding. Crystallographic studies predict that most imatinib-resistant mutants should remain sensitive to inhibitors that bind ABL with less stringent conformational requirements. BMS-354825 is an orally bioavailable ABL kinase inhibitor with two-log increased potency relative to imatinib that retains activity against 14 of 15 imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL mutants. BMS-354825 prolongs survival of mice with BCR-ABL–driven disease and inhibits proliferation of BCR-ABL–positive bone marrow progenitor cells from patients with imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML. These data illustrate how molecular insight into kinase inhibitor resistance can guide the design of second-generation targeted therapies.

An isocaloric low-fat diet has been shown to slow androgen-sensitive Los Angeles Prostate Cancer-4 (LAPC-4) tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. LAPC-4 cells were injected into male severe combined immunodeficient mice. After palpable tumors developed, the mice were divided into three groups, high-fat intact, high-fat castration, and low-fat castration. Tumor latency (18 versus 9 weeks; P < 0.001) and mouse survival (20.8 ± 1.3 versus 13 ± 0.7 weeks; P < 0.01) were significantly longer in the low-fat castration versus high-fat castration group. Reduced dietary fat intake delayed conversion from androgen-sensitive to -insensitive prostate cancer and significantly prolonged survival of severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing LAPC-4 xenografts.

Over-consumption of dietary fat has been suggested to promote the development and progression of prostate cancer in men. The present study was conducted to answer the following questions: (a) Can dietary fat reduction decrease tumor growth rates of Los Angeles prostate cancer (LAPC)-4 xenografts in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice independent of total caloric intake? and (b) Is the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis involved in the effects of dietary fat on LAPC-4 tumor growth in SCID mice? Twenty-eight male CB17 beige SCID mice (8 weeks old) were individually caged, randomized, and fed an isocaloric high-fat (HF, 42% kcal) or low-fat (LF, 12% kcal) diet. Each mouse was s.c. injected with 1 x 10(5) LAPC-4 cells, and tumor volumes were measured weekly. At week 16, all animals were sacrificed, and serum and tumors were obtained for analysis. Although caloric intakes and mouse weights were equal between groups, the LF mice had significantly slower tumor growth rates and lower serum prostate-specific antigen levels compared with the HF mice. LF mice had significantly lower levels of serum insulin, tumor IGF-1 mRNA expression, and tumor IGFBP-2 immunostaining and higher levels of serum IGFBP-1 (by Western ligand blot) relative to the HF mice. There were no differences in the serum levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 between the groups. LAPC-4 cells cultured in vitro with media containing serum from LF mice demonstrated slower growth than LAPC-4 cells cultured in media containing HF mice serum. These results demonstrate that intake of an LF diet was associated with slower LAPC-4 prostate tumor growth relative to mice fed an HF diet, independent of total caloric intake, and this effect may be mediated through modulation of the insulin/IGF axis.

Experiments with human prostate cancer cell lines have shown that forced overexpression of the ErbB2-receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) promotes androgen-independent growth and increases androgen receptor-transcriptional activity in a ligand-independent fashion. To investigate the relationship between ErbB-RTK signaling and androgen in genetically unmanipulated human prostate cancer, we performed biochemical and biological studies with the dual ErbB1/ErbB2 RTK inhibitor PKI-166 using human prostate cancer xenograft models with isogenic sublines reflecting the transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent growth. In the presence of low androgen concentrations, PKI-166 showed profound growth-inhibitory effects on tumor growth, which could be partially reversed by androgen add-back. At physiological androgen concentrations, androgen withdrawal greatly enhanced the ability of PKI-166 to retard tumor growth. The level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation correlated with the response to PKI-166 treatment, whereas the expression levels of ErbB1 and ErbB2 did not. These results suggest that ErbB1/ErbB2 RTKs play an important role in the biology of androgen-independent prostate cancer and provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of inhibitors targeted to this pathway.

The c-Abl tyrosine kinase and the p53 tumor suppressor protein interact functionally and biochemically in cellular genotoxic stress response pathways and are implicated as downstream mediators of ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated). This fact led us to study genetic interactions in vivo between c-Abl and p53 by examining the phenotype of mice and cells deficient in both proteins. c-Abl-null mice show high neonatal mortality and decreased B lymphocytes, whereas p53-null mice are prone to tumor development. Surprisingly, mice doubly deficient in both c-Abl and p53 are not viable, suggesting that c-Abl and p53 together contribute to an essential function required for normal development. Fibroblasts lacking both c-Abl and p53 were similar to fibroblasts deficient in p53 alone, showing loss of the G 1 /S cell-cycle checkpoint and similar clonogenic survival after ionizing radiation. Fibroblasts deficient in both c-Abl and p53 show reduced growth in culture, as manifested by reduction in the rate of proliferation, saturation density, and colony formation, compared with fibroblasts lacking p53 alone. This defect could be restored by reconstitution of c-Abl expression. Taken together, these results indicate that the ATM phenotype cannot be explained solely by loss of c-Abl and p53 and that c-Abl contributes to enhanced proliferation of p53-deficient cells. Inhibition of c-Abl function may be a therapeutic strategy to target p53-deficient cells selectively.

The recently identified PTEN/MMAC1 gene is a candidate tumor suppressor implicated in multiple tumor types based on mutations or homozygous deletions of the gene in certain human cancers. No studies of PTEN/MMAC1 mRNA or protein expression in cancer cells have been reported, primarily because of significant numbers of normal cells contaminating most tumor samples and because of the lack of antibody reagents. We examined PTEN/MMAC1 in advanced prostate cancer for gene mutations or abnormalities in expression by using a series of recently derived xenografts free of normal human cells and a PTEN/MMAC1-specific antibody. Only 1 of 10 tumors contained a homozygous deletion of PTEN/MMAC1, and no mutations were detected in the entire coding region of the remaining nine xenografts. However, five of these showed reduced or absent PTEN/MMAC1 expression by Northern analysis and reverse transcription–PCR of mRNA. PTEN/MMAC1 mRNA expression was restored in nonexpressing prostate cancer cells by in vitro treatment with the demethylating agent 5-azadeoxycytidine. Alterations in PTEN/MMAC1 expression were confirmed at the protein level by immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemical studies show that the endogenous wild-type PTEN/MMAC1 protein is localized exclusively in the cytoplasm. These results demonstrate that loss of PTEN/MMAC1 expression occurs frequently in advanced prostate cancer.