scholarly journals Combination therapy with pazopanib and tivantinib modulates VEGF and c-MET levels in refractory advanced solid tumors

Author(s):  
Shivaani Kummar ◽  
Apurva K. Srivastava ◽  
Tony Navas ◽  
Fabiola Cecchi ◽  
Young H. Lee ◽  
...  

SummaryThe vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-MET signaling pathways act synergistically to promote angiogenesis. Studies indicate VEGF inhibition leads to increased levels of phosphorylated c-MET, bypassing VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and leading to chemoresistance. We conducted a phase 1 clinical trial with 32 patients with refractory solid tumors to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of combinations of VEGF-targeting pazopanib and the putative c-MET inhibitor ARQ197 (tivantinib) at 5 dose levels (DLs). Patients either took pazopanib and tivantinib from treatment initiation (escalation phase) or pazopanib alone for 7 days, with paired tumor sampling, prior to starting combination treatment (expansion phase). Hypertension was the most common adverse event. No more than 1 dose limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred at any DL, so the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was not determined; DL5 (800 mg pazopanib daily and 360 mg tivantinib BID) was used during the expansion phase. Twenty of 31 evaluable patients achieved stable disease lasting up to 22 cycles. Circulating VEGF, VEGFR2, HGF, and c-MET levels were assessed, and only VEGF levels increased. Tumor c-MET levels (total and phosphorylated) were determined in paired biopsies before and after 7 days of pazopanib treatment. Total intact c-MET decreased in 6 of 7 biopsy pairs, in contrast to previously reported c-MET elevation in response to VEGF inhibition. These results are discussed in the context of our previously reported analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in these tumors.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3069-3069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret K. Callahan ◽  
Kunle Odunsi ◽  
Mario Sznol ◽  
John J. Nemunaitis ◽  
Patrick Alexander Ott ◽  
...  

3069 Background: DUR is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that blocks PD-L1. TRE is a human IgG2 mAb inhibitor of CTLA-4. Blocking these checkpoints can result in antitumor activity in some solid tumors. The targets for DUR and TRE are non-redundant, providing sound rationale for clinical testing of the combination. Methods: This is an ongoing Phase 1, multicenter, open label study (NCT01975831) with a dose escalation (3+3 design) and subsequent expansion phase. Patients (pts) with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), cervical (CC), colorectal (CRC), non-triple-negative breast (NTNBC), ovarian (OC), non-small cell lung, or head and neck cancer are eligible. Primary endpoints are safety/tolerability and identification of maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination. Secondary objectives include tumor response and progression-free/overall survival. Results: As of 16 Dec 2016, 105 pts were treated. DUR 1500 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W) and TRE 75 mg Q4W X 4 was the regimen used for opening the expansion phase. Dose-limiting toxicities were reported in 4 pts: diarrhea, colitis, abnormal liver function tests (abn LFTs), and hyponatremia. The majority of treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were Grades (Gr) 1 and 2. TRAEs ≥ Gr 3 were reported in 12 pts; the majority were diarrhea/colitis (n = 5) and abn LFTs (n = 4) and responded to established treatment algorithms. There was 1 Gr 5 TRAE: multi organ failure. No new toxicities were identified. The preliminary responses by tumor type with n ≥ 10 pts are shown in the table below. Responses were seen in OC and RCC at the Cohort 2 dose escalation level (DUR 1/TRE 3 mg/kg). There were 4 cases of SD > 24 weeks: CC, n=2; CRC, n=1; OC, n=1. PD-L1 status was not tested. Conclusions: The DUR + TRE combination has a manageable safety profile, with preliminary evidence of clinical activity. These data support continued study of the combination therapy; the study is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT01975831. [Table: see text]


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisha Xie ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
Ailan Cheng ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Pin Huang ◽  
...  

Background: Alterations in microRNAs (miRNAs) are related to the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and play an important role in the molecular mechanism of NPC. Our previous studies show low expression of 14-3-3σ (SFN) is related to the metastasis and differentiation of NPC, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Through bioinformatics analysis, we find miR-597 is the preferred target miRNA of 14-3-3σ. The expression level of 14-3-3σ in NPC cell lines was detected by Western blotting. The expression of miR-597 in NPC cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. We transfected miR-597 mimic, miR-597 inhibitor and 14-3-3σ siRNA into 6-10B cells and then verified the expression of 14-3-3σ and EMT related proteins, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin by western blotting. The changes of migration and invasion ability of NPC cell lines before and after transfected were determined by wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Results: miR-597 expression was upregulated in NPC cell lines and repaired in related NPC cell lines, which exhibit a potent tumor-forming effect. After inhibiting the miR-597 expression, its effect on NPC cell line was obviously decreased. Moreover, 14-3-3σ acts as a tumor suppressor gene and its expression in NPC cell lines is negatively correlated with miR-597. Here 14-3-3σ was identified as a downstream target gene of miR-597, and its downregulation by miR-597 drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotes the migration and invasion of NPC. Conclusion: Based on these findings, our study will provide theoretical and experimental evidences for molecular targeted therapy of NPC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Hattaway Luttman ◽  
Ashley Colemon ◽  
Benjamin Mayro ◽  
Ann Marie Pendergast

AbstractThe ABL kinases, ABL1 and ABL2, promote tumor progression and metastasis in various solid tumors. Recent reports have shown that ABL kinases have increased expression and/or activity in solid tumors and that ABL inactivation impairs metastasis. The therapeutic effects of ABL inactivation are due in part to ABL-dependent regulation of diverse cellular processes related to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition and subsequent steps in the metastatic cascade. ABL kinases target multiple signaling pathways required for promoting one or more steps in the metastatic cascade. These findings highlight the potential utility of specific ABL kinase inhibitors as a novel treatment paradigm for patients with advanced metastatic disease.


2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 3397-3410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya M. Fournier ◽  
Louie Lamorte ◽  
Christiane R. Maroun ◽  
Mark Lupher ◽  
Hamid Band ◽  
...  

Dispersal of epithelial cells is an important aspect of tumorigenesis, and invasion. Factors such as hepatocyte growth factor induce the breakdown of cell junctions and promote cell spreading and the dispersal of colonies of epithelial cells, providing a model system to investigate the biochemical signals that regulate these events. Multiple signaling proteins are phosphorylated in epithelial cells during hepatocyte growth factor–induced cell dispersal, including c-Cbl, a protooncogene docking protein with ubiquitin ligase activity. We have examined the role of c-Cbl and a transforming variant (70z-Cbl) in epithelial cell dispersal. We show that the expression of 70z-Cbl in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells resulted in the breakdown of cell–cell contacts and alterations in cell morphology characteristic of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Structure–function studies revealed that the amino-terminal portion of c-Cbl, which corresponds to the Cbl phosphotyrosine-binding/Src homology domain 2 , is sufficient to promote the morphological changes in cell shape. Moreover, a point mutation at Gly-306 abrogates the ability of the Cbl Src homology domain 2 to induce these morphological changes. Our results identify a role for Cbl in the regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, including loss of adherens junctions, cell spreading, and the initiation of cell dispersal.


Author(s):  
Noboru Yamamoto ◽  
Toshio Shimizu ◽  
Kan Yonemori ◽  
Shigehisa Kitano ◽  
Shunsuke Kondo ◽  
...  

SummaryBackground This open-label, phase 1 study investigated TAS4464, a potent NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors (JapicCTI-173,488; registered 13/01/2017). The primary objective was dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) was investigated using an accelerated titration design. Methods The starting 10-mg/m2 dose was followed by an initial accelerated stage (weekly dosing; n = 11). Based on liver function test (LFT) results, a 14-day, 20-mg/m2 dose lead-in period was implemented (weekly dosing with lead-in; n = 6). Results Abnormal LFT changes and gastrointestinal effects were the most common treatment-related adverse events (AEs). DLTs with 56-mg/m2 weekly dosing occurred in 1/5 patients; five patients had grade ≥ 2 abnormal LFT changes at 40- and 56-mg/m2 weekly doses. Further dose escalation ceased because of the possibility of severe abnormal LFT changes occurring. DLTs with weekly dosing with lead-in occurred in 1/5 patients at a 56-mg/m2 dose; MTD could not be determined because discontinuation criteria for additional enrollment at that particular dose level were met. As no further enrollment at lower doses occurred, dose escalation assessment was discontinued. Serious treatment-related AEs, AEs leading to treatment discontinuation, and DLTs were all related to abnormal LFT changes, suggesting that TAS4464 administration could affect liver function. This effect was dose-dependent but considered reversible. Complete or partial responses to TAS4464 were not observed; one patient achieved prolonged stable disease. Conclusions MTD could not be determined due to TAS4464 effects on liver function. Further evaluation of the mechanism of NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor-induced abnormal liver function is required. Trial registration number JapicCTI-173,488 (registered with Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center). Registration date 13 January 2017


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 030006052199651
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Enzi Feng ◽  
Yanxin Ren ◽  
Shun Qiu ◽  
Liufang Zhao ◽  
...  

Objectives To identify key long non-coding (lnc)RNAs responsible for the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CNE1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and to investigate possible regulatory mechanisms in EMT. Methods CNE1 cells were divided into transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced EMT and control groups. The mRNA and protein expression of EMT markers was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were identified by RNA sequencing analysis, and DEG functions were analyzed by gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. EMT marker expression was re-evaluated by western blotting after knockdown of a selected lncRNA. Results TGF-β1-induced EMT was characterized by decreased E-cadherin and increased vimentin, N-cadherin, and Twist expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Sixty lncRNA genes were clustered in a heatmap, and mRNA expression of 14 dysregulated lncRNAs was consistent with RNA sequencing. Knockdown of lnc-PNRC2-1 increased expression of its antisense gene MYOM3 and reduced expression of EMT markers, resembling treatment with the TGF-β1 receptor inhibitor LY2109761. Conclusion Various lncRNAs participated indirectly in the TGF-β1-induced EMT of CNE1 cells. Lnc-PNRC2-1 may be a key regulator of this and is a potential target to alleviate CNE1 cell EMT.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 771-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoshi Nishida ◽  
Masayuki Kitano ◽  
Toshiharu Sakurai ◽  
Masatoshi Kudo

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and prognosis remains unsatisfactory when the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage. Many molecular targeted agents are being developed for the treatment of advanced HCC; however, the only promising drug to have been developed is sorafenib, which acts as a multi-kinase inhibitor. Unfortunately, a subgroup of HCC is resistant to sorafenib, and the majority of these HCC patients show disease progression even after an initial satisfactory response. To date, a number of studies have examined the underlying mechanisms involved in the response to sorafenib, and trials have been performed to overcome the acquisition of drug resistance. The anti-tumor activity of sorafenib is largely attributed to the blockade of the signals from growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and the downstream RAF/mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)/ERK cascade. The activation of an escape pathway from RAF/MEK/ERK possibly results in chemoresistance. In addition, there are several features of HCCs indicating sorafenib resistance, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and positive stem cell markers. Here, we review the recent reports and focus on the mechanism and prediction of chemoresistance to sorafenib in HCC.


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