In vivo platform for translational drug development and biomarker discovery in pancreatic cancer

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4000-4000 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hidalgo ◽  
B. Rubio-Viqueira ◽  
C. Weekes ◽  
D. Song ◽  
P. Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Pancreas Cancer ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Genetic Features ◽  
Gene Status

4000 While there are many new agents entering clinical development, there is very little data to prioritize which agents should be explored in pancreas cancer. Furthermore, often there is no information on biomarkers that may predict the activity of these drugs in pancreas cancer. In this project, we have generated a cohort of 30 pancreatic cancer xenografts by implanting in nude mice tumor materials from surgical specimens. Molecular studies show that a) these tumors maintain the genetic features of the originator cancer such as KRAS, p53 and DPC4 gene status; b) tumors represent the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer well (there is not selection of any genotype in the xenograft ) and c) features do not changed over time. We have used this platform to explore the activity of a battery with a total of 10 new anticancer agents including inhibitors of MAPK, EGFR, mTOR, src kinase, Ras oncogene, mitosis regulators, angiogenesis, heat shock protein and hedgehog pathway inhibitors using a methodology similar to a two stage phase II clinical trial. All agents are tested against 10 xenografts. Those inactive are not explored anymore. Active agents are tested against the full set of tumors. Thus far we have shown that inhibitors of mTOR and MAPK have substantial activity in this model while Ras interacting agents and EGFR targeted drugs have no single agent activity. For active agents, we have characterized the tumors for potential strategies and biormarkers that may predict activity using both a target-focus approach as well as general profiling approach. Signaling inhibitors are more active in tumors with evidence of activation of the targeted pathway. In addition, ex vivo assays indicate that the ability to inhibit the targeted pathway is associated with agent activity. This information may help to prioritize agents for clinical development in pancreatic cancer. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Dynamic, Simultaneous Concentration Mapping of Multiple MRI Contrast Agents with Dual Contrast - Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian E. Anderson ◽  
Mette Johansen ◽  
Bernadette O. Erokwu ◽  
He Hu ◽  
Yuning Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Contrast Agents ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Mri Contrast Agents ◽  
Mri Contrast Agent ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Mri Contrast ◽  
Contrast Magnetic Resonance

AbstractSynchronous assessment of multiple MRI contrast agents in a single scanning session would provide a new “multi-color” imaging capability similar to fluorescence imaging but with high spatiotemporal resolution and unlimited imaging depth. This multi-agent MRI technology would enable a whole new class of basic science and clinical MRI experiments that simultaneously explore multiple physiologic/molecular events in vivo. Unfortunately, conventional MRI acquisition techniques are only capable of detecting and quantifying one paramagnetic MRI contrast agent at a time. Herein, the Dual Contrast – Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (DC-MRF) methodology was extended for in vivo application and evaluated by simultaneously and dynamically mapping the intra-tumoral concentration of two MRI contrast agents (Gd-BOPTA and Dy-DOTA-azide) in a mouse glioma model. Co-registered gadolinium and dysprosium concentration maps were generated with sub-millimeter spatial resolution and acquired dynamically with just over 2-minute temporal resolution. Mean tumor Gd and Dy concentration measurements from both single agent and dual agent DC-MRF studies demonstrated significant correlations with ex vivo mass spectrometry elemental analyses. This initial in vivo study demonstrates the potential for DC-MRF to provide a useful dual-agent MRI platform.

Aptamers against mouse and human tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells as reagents for targeted chemotherapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (548) ◽  
pp. eaav9760
Author(s):  
Adriana De La Fuente ◽  
Serena Zilio ◽  
Jimmy Caroli ◽  
Dimitri Van Simaeys ◽  
Emilia M. C. Mazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Human Tumor ◽  
Rna Aptamers ◽  
Targeted Chemotherapy

Local delivery of anticancer agents has the potential to maximize treatment efficacy and minimize the acute and long-term systemic toxicities. Here, we used unsupervised systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment to identify four RNA aptamers that specifically recognized mouse and human myeloid cells infiltrating tumors but not their peripheral or circulating counterparts in multiple mouse models and from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The use of these aptamers conjugated to doxorubicin enhanced the accumulation and bystander release of the chemotherapeutic drug in both primary and metastatic tumor sites in breast and fibrosarcoma mouse models. In the 4T1 mammary carcinoma model, these doxorubicin-conjugated aptamers outperformed Doxil, the first clinically approved highly optimized nanoparticle for targeted chemotherapy, promoting tumor regression after just three administrations with no detected changes in weight loss or blood chemistry. These RNA aptamers recognized tumor infiltrating myeloid cells in a variety of mouse tumors in vivo and from human HNSCC ex vivo. This work suggests the use of RNA aptamers for the detection of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in humans and for a targeted delivery of chemotherapy to the tumor microenvironment in multiple malignancies.

scholarly journals Development of Novel Silyl Cyanocinnamic Acid Derivatives as Metabolic Plasticity Inhibitors for Cancer Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grady L. Nelson ◽  
Conor T. Ronayne ◽  
Lucas N. Solano ◽  
Sravan K. Jonnalagadda ◽  
Shirisha Jonnalagadda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Monocarboxylate Transporter ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Anticancer Efficacy ◽  
Cell Proliferation Inhibition ◽  
Cyanocinnamic Acid

AbstractNovel silyl cyanocinnamic acid derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated as potential anticancer agents. In vitro studies reveal that lead derivatives 2a and 2b have enhanced cancer cell proliferation inhibition properties when compared to the parent monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) inhibitor cyano-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC). Further, candidate compounds exhibit several-fold more potent MCT1 inhibition properties as determined by lactate-uptake studies, and these studies are supported by MCT homology modeling and computational inhibitor-docking studies. In vitro effects on glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism also illustrate that the lead derivatives 2a and 2b lead to significant effects on both metabolic pathways. In vivo systemic toxicity and efficacy studies in colorectal cancer cell WiDr tumor xenograft demonstrate that candidate compounds are well tolerated and exhibit good single agent anticancer efficacy properties.

The Outgrowth of CLL Nurselike Cells in Vitro, and Its Relation to Clinical and Hematological Parameters.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2360-2360
Author(s):  
Agata A Filip ◽  
Dorota Koczkodaj ◽  
Tomasz Kubiatowski ◽  
Ewa Wasik-Szczepanek ◽  
Anna Dmoszynska
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Tp53 Gene ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Gene Status

Abstract Abstract 2360 Poster Board II-337 Introduction: Despite their longevity in vivo, CLL lymphocytes die rapidly when put to in vitro cultures, what proves that the resistance to apoptosis is not an intrinsic feature of leukemic cells, but depends on environmental signals. Recently it was shown that mononuclear cells from peripheral blood of CLL patients differentiate in vitro into large, adherent cells that grow in close contact with CLL lymphocytes. They were termed “nurselike cells” (NLCs), because they support leukemic lymphocyte survival in culture. The presence of the cells morphologically and phenotypically similar to NLCs was demonstrated in peripheral lymphatic organs of CLL patients. It may suggest their role in CLL lymphocytes protection in vivo and, as a consequence, point the new target in CLL treatment. Patients and Methods: The study included the group of 65 previously untreated CLL patients, 24 women and 41 men, aged from 36 to 86 yrs. 12 patients (18%) were diagnosed with stage 0 according to Rai, 15 patients (23%) with stage I, 30 patients (46%) with stage II, 5 patients (8%) with stage III and 3 patients (5%) with stage IV. Peripheral blood lymphocytes ex vivo were examined for CD14, CD38, BCL2 and ZAP70 expression by flow cytometry and for BCL2, SURVIVIN and ZAP70 gene expression by RT-PCR. TP53 gene status was assessed by FISH. Lymphocytes of 20 patients were assayed for apoptosis-related gene expression by means of cDNA macroarrays (Clontech). To generate NLCs, PB leukemic cells were cultured in vitro for 14 days on standard medium (RPMI 1640 with L-glutamine, 15% FCS, antibiotics/antimycotics; cell density 3 × 106/ml) and the outgrowth and number of NLCs was assessed in relation to clinical and hematological parameters. NLCs were identified morphologically and by CD31/VIMENTIN protein expression. Results: In 58 cases (89%) the outgrowth of NLCs was observed, while their number differed in cultures of the cells of different patients: in 49 cultures (84.5%) there were over 20 NLCs/mm2 (up to 52 NLCs/mm2), and in 9 cases (15.5%) less than 20 NLCs/mm2. Positive correlation was shown between NLC number and B2M serum level (p=0.044) and absolute monocyte count (p=0.019). Significantly higher NLC number was observed in case of patients with higher CD14+ cell number (p<0.0001) and higher SURVIVIN gene expression assessed by RT-PCR (p<0.0001) and macroarrays (p=0.013). We found no statistically significant relation of NLCs number and: the Rai stage of the disease, WBC, lymphocyte count, LDH serum level, BCL2, CD38 and ZAP70 expression and TP53 gene status. During the follow-up period of 6 years we observed the tendency for longer overall survival in patients that produce less than 20 NLCs/mm2 (fig. 1), but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The number of NLC cells obtained in vitro from PBL of CLL patients correlates with B2M serum level and SURVIVIN gene expression in CLL cells ex vivo. High B2M level is a marker of poor prognosis. SURVIVIN represents a family of IAP (Inhibitor of APoptosis) proteins. While rare in PBL of CLL patients, its expression is typical for proliferating leukemic cells pool in pseudofollicle microenvironment. SURVIVIN inhibits apoptosis by blocking caspase-3 and -7. Considering the protective role of NLC cells towards CLL lymphocytes in vitro, these results altogether with observed tendency to shorter survival of patients generating high NLCs number may prove the presence of supportive mechanisms exerted by NLCs in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Next Generation XPO1 Inhibitor KPT-8602 for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1818-1818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel G Turner ◽  
Jana L Dawson ◽  
Christopher L Cubitt ◽  
Erkan Baluglo ◽  
Steven Grant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Resistant Cell ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Drug Resistant Cell

Abstract Purpose Human multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease despite relatively effective treatments, including proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulator-based therapies, and high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue. New agents are needed to further improve treatment outcomes. In previous studies, we have shown that inhibitors of the nuclear export receptor XPO1, in combination with bortezomib, carfilzomib, doxorubicin, or melphalan, synergistically induced apoptosis in MM cells in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo without affecting non-myeloma cells. In early clinical trials, the oral, brain penetrating XPO1 inhibitor selinexor showed clear anti-myeloma activity however adverse events have been recorded, including nausea and anorexia. Our purpose was to investigate the use of oral KPT-8602, a novel small-molecule inhibitor of XPO1 with minimal brain penetration, which has been shown to have reduced toxicities in rodents and primates while maintaining potent anti-tumor effects. Experimental Procedures To test the efficacy of KPT-8602, we treated human MM cell lines (both parental and drug-resistant) with KPT-8602 ± currently used MM drugs, including bortezomib, carfilzomib, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, lenalidomide, melphalan, topotecan, and VP-16. Human MM cell lines assayed included RPMI-8226 (8226), NCI-H929 (H929), U266, and MM1.S, PI-resistant 8226-B25 and U266-PSR, doxorubicin-resistant 8226-Dox6 and 8226-Dox40, and melphalan-resistant 8226-LR5 and U266-LR6 cell lines. MM cells (2-4x106 cells/mL) were treated for 24 hours with KPT-8602 (300 nM), followed by treatment with one of the listed anti-MM agents for an additional 24 hours. MM cells were then assayed for cell viability (CellTiter-Blue, Promega). In addition, cells were treated with KPT-8602 ± anti-MM agents concurrently for 20 hours and assayed for apoptosis by flow cytometry. In vivo testing was done in NOD/SCID-g mice by intradermal injection of U266 MM cells. Treatment started 2 weeks after tumor challenge with KPT-8602 (10 mg/kg) ± melphalan (1 or 3 mg/kg) 2X/week (Tuesday, Friday) or with KPT-8602 alone 5X weekly (10 mg/kg) (Monday-Friday). A parallel experiment was run using the clinical XPO1 inhibitor KPT-330 (selinexor). Ex vivo testing was performed on MM cells from newly diagnosed/relapsed patient bone marrow aspirates with KPT-8602 ± bortezomib, carfilzomib, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, lenalidomide, melphalan, topotecan, or VP16. CD138+/light-chain+ cells were assayed for apoptosis by flow cytometry. Results Viability assay showed that KPT-8602 had low IC50values (~140 nM) as a single agent and functioned synergistically with bortezomib, carfilzomib, doxorubicin, melphalan, topotecan, and VP16. (CI values < 1.0). This synergistic effect was less pronounced in myeloma cells when KPT-8602 was used in combination with dexamethasone or lenalidomide. KPT-8602 ± bortezomib, carfilzomib, doxorubicin, melphalan, topotecan, and VP16 combination therapy also induced apoptosis in all MM cell lines tested, including drug-resistant cell lines, as shown by caspase 3 cleavage and flow cytometric analyses. NOD/SCID-gamma mouse tumor growth was reduced and survival increased in KPT-8602/melphalan-treated mice when compared to single-agent controls. In addition, mice treated with KPT-8602 5X weekly had significantly reduced tumor growth and increased survival when compared to 2X weekly drug administration. No toxicity was observed in KPT-8602-treated mice as determined by weight loss in both the 2X and 5X groups. In patient bone marrow biopsies, the combination of KPT-8602 ± bortezomib, carfilzomib, doxorubicin, melphalan, topotecan, and VP16 was more effective than single agents at inducing apoptosis in CD138+/LC+ MM cells in both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patient samples. Conclusions We found that the novel XPO1 inhibitor KPT-8602 sensitizes MM cells to bortezomib, carfilzomib, doxorubicin, melphalan, topotecan, and VP16 as shown by apoptosis in parental and drug-resistant cell lines and by cell viability assays. Sensitization was found to be synergistic. In addition, KPT-8602 was effective in treatment of human MM tumors in mice as a single agent or in combination with melphalan and was effective when combined with several MM drugs in MM cell lines and MM patient bone marrow aspirates. KPT-8602 may be a potential candidate for future clinical trials. Disclosures Shacham: Karyopharm: Employment, Equity Ownership. Senapedis:Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Patents & Royalties.

Activity of a novel dual PI3-kinase/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 to enhance antitumor activities of gemcitabine and EMAP II in pancreatic cancer.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 255-255
Author(s):  
N. Awasthi ◽  
P. L. Yen ◽  
M. A. Schwarz ◽  
R. Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Mtor Inhibitor ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Percent Inhibition ◽  
Animal Survival

255 Background: Gemcitabine (Gem, G) has limited benefits as single agent or in combination for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways are frequently dysregulated in diverse human cancers including PDAC. NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ, B) is a novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor that has been shown to have antitumor activity in multiple tumor types. Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II (EMAP, E) is an antiendothelial and antiangiogenic agent that enhances Gem and docetaxel activity in PDAC. We tested the combination benefits of BEZ and Gem in addition to EMAP in experimental PDAC. Methods: In vitro cell proliferation and protein expression were analyzed by WST-1 assay and Western blotting. In vivo animal survival experiments were performed in NOD-SCID PDAC xenografts. Results: Cultured cells of PDAC (AsPC-1), endothelial (HUVECs), and fibroblast origin (WI-38) all expressed AKT and mTOR protein. BEZ inhibited in vitro cell proliferation of AsPC-1 and HUVECs cells, with some additive effects in combination with Gem or EMAP, after 72 hours of incubation. In AsPC-1, treatment of BEZ (100 nM), Gem (100 nM) and EMAP (1 μM) caused 34, -7, -16, 62, 51, 3, and 59 percent inhibition in proliferation in the B, G, E, B+G, B+E, G+E and B+G+E groups. In HUVECs, percent inhibition in proliferation was 35, 33, 15, 55, 35, 31 and 53 in the B, G, E, B+G, B+E, G+E and B+G+E groups, respectively. Compared to controls (median survival: 16 days), an animal survival increase after BEZ and EMAP therapy alone (both 21 days) and Gem therapy alone (28 d) was observed. Further increases in survival occurred in combination therapy groups B+G (30 d, p=0.007), B+E (27 d, p=0.02), G+E (31 d, p=0.001) and B+G+E (33 d, p=0.004). Conclusions: Bez has experimental PDAC antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo that is further enhanced by combination of Gem and EMAP. These findings demonstrate advantages of combination therapy strategies targeting multiple pathways in pancreatic cancer treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Development of A Novel Highly Selective TLR8 Agonist for Cancer Immunotherapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxun Wang ◽  
Heping Yang ◽  
Huanping Li ◽  
Shuda Zhao ◽  
Yikun Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Phase I Clinical Trials ◽  
Tlr Agonists ◽  
Favorable Safety

ABSTRACTToll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of proteins that recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Their primary function is to activate innate immune responses while also involved in facilitating adaptive immune responses. Different TLRs exert distinct functions by activating varied immune cascades. Several TLRs are being pursued as cancer drug targets. We discovered a novel, highly potent and selective small molecule TLR8 agonist DN052. DN052 exhibited strong in vitro cellular activity with EC50 at 6.7 nM and was highly selective for TLR8 over other TLRs including TLR4, 7 and 9. The selectivity profile distinguished DN052 from all other TLR agonists currently in clinical development. DN052 displayed excellent in vitro ADMET and in vivo PK profiles. DN052 potently inhibited tumor growth as a single agent. Moreover, combination of DN052 with the immune checkpoint inhibitor, selected targeted therapeutics or chemotherapeutic drugs further enhanced efficacy of single agents. Mechanistically, treatment with DN052 resulted in strong induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ex vivo human PBMC assay and in vivo monkey study. GLP toxicity studies in rats and monkeys demonstrated favorable safety profile. This led to the advancement of DN052 into phase I clinical trials.

scholarly journals Interferon-beta enhances sensitivity to gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Blaauboer ◽  
Stephanie Booy ◽  
Peter M. van Koetsveld ◽  
Bas Karels ◽  
Fadime Dogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Interferon Beta ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Increased Sensitivity

Abstract Background: Adjuvant gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer has limited efficacy in the clinical setting. Impaired drug metabolism is associated with treatment resistance. We aimed to evaluate the chemosensitising effect of interferon-beta (IFN-β).Methods: BxPC-3, CFPAC-1, and Panc-1 cells were pre-treated with IFN-β followed by gemcitabine monotherapy. The effect on cell growth, colony formation, and cell cycle was determined. RT-qPCR was used to measure gene expression. BxPC-3 cells were used in a heterotopic subcutaneous mouse model. Results: IFN-β increased sensitivity to gemcitabine (4-, 7.7-, and 1.7-fold EC50 decrease in BxPC-3, CFPAC-1, and Panc-1, respectively; all P<0.001). Findings were confirmed when assessing colony formation. The percentage of cells in the S-phase was significantly increased after IFN-β treatment only in BxPC-3 and CFPAC-1 by 12% and 7%, respectively (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Thereby, IFN-β upregulated expression of the drug transporters SLC28A1 in BxPC-3 (252%) and SLC28A3 in BxPC-3 (127%) and CFPAC-1 (223%) (all p<0.001). In vivo, combination therapy reduced tumor volume with 45% (P=0.01). Both ex vivo and in vivo data demonstrate a significant reduction in the number of proliferating cells, whereas apoptosis was increased. Conclusions: For the first time, we validated the chemosensitising effects of IFN-β when combined with gemcitabine in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. This was driven by cell cycle modulation and associated with an upregulation of genes involving intracellular uptake of gemcitabine. The use of IFN-β in combination with gemcitabine seems promising in patients with pancreatic cancer and needs to be further explored.

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