- Email: [email protected]
21: Cancer and ageing: Rival demons?
S6
EACR-23 Oral Presentations, Sunday 6 July 2014 / European Journal of Cancer 50, Suppl. 5 (2014) S3–S11
(MR) imaging of tumour cell metabolism using hyperpolarized 13 C-labelled cell metabolites. Magnetic resonance imaging of tissue water protons, which are present in tissues at concentrations of ~80 M, can be used to produce relatively highresolution 3D images of tissue anatomy. However, it is also possible to detect MR signals from tissue metabolites. The problem is that these are present at ~10,000× lower concentration than tissue water protons and therefore it is not possible to image them at clinical magnetic field strengths, except at relatively low spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, single spectra or spectroscopic images of tissue metabolites lack dynamic information about metabolic fluxes. Hyperpolarisation of 13 C-labelled cell substrates increases their sensitivity to detection in the MR experiment by more than 10,000×, making it possible to not only image the location of a hyperpolarized 13 C-labelled cell substrate in the body but, more importantly, the kinetics of its conversion into other cell metabolites, with spatial resolutions of 2−5 mm and temporal resolutions in the sub second range. We have used metabolic imaging with hyperpolarized 13 C-labelled substrates both to detect treatment response and to investigate the tumour microenvironment (reviewed in [2,3]). Exchange of hyperpolarized 13 C label between lactate and pyruvate [4] and net flux of label between glucose and lactate [5] have been shown to decrease post-treatment and hyperpolarized [1,4-13 C]fumarate has been shown to detect subsequent cell necrosis [6,7]. Tumour pH can be imaged using hyperpolarized H13 CO−3 [8] and redox state can be determined by monitoring the oxidation and reduction of [1-13 C]ascorbate and [1-13 C]dehydroascorbate respectively [9]. More recently we have shown that we can follow the progression of pancreatic precursor lesions, in a genetically engineered mouse model of the disease, which potentially could be used clinically to guide earlier intervention. The technique has recently transitioned to the clinic, with the completion of a clinical trial in prostate cancer at UCSF [10], where it promises new opportunities for monitoring tumour treatment response. Reference(s) [1] Brindle, K. Nature Rev Cancer 8, 94–107 (2008). [2] Brindle, K.M., et al. Magn Reson Med 66, 505–519 (2011). [3] Brindle, K. Brit J Radiol 85, 697–708 (2012). [4] Day, S.E., et al. Nature Med 13, 1382–1387 (2007). [5] Rodrigues, T.B., et al. Nature Med 20, 93−97 (2014). [6] Gallagher, F.A., et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106, 19801–19806 (2009). [7] Clatworthy, M.R., et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109, 13374–13379 (2012). [8] Gallagher, F., et al. Nature 453, 940–943 (2008). [9] Bohndiek, S.E., et al. J Am Chem Soc 133, 11795–11801 (2011). [10] Nelson, S.J., et al. Science Translational Medicine 5, 198ra108 (2013). Conflict of interest: Other substantive relationships: GE Healthcare.
Sunday 6 July 2014
10:45−12:30
Symposium
Senescence and Ageing 18 Epigenetics of cellular senescence, insights into cancer and aging P. Adams1 . 1 University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom The incidence of many cancers increases with age, and age is the biggest single risk factor for most cancers. However, the reason for this is not well understood. While development and progression of cancer depends on accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations, the age dependence of cancer is not well understood. Chromatin is an inherently dynamic and plastic structure, as indicated by phenomena such as Position Effect Variegation in flies and biochemical analyses from the ENCODE project. Building on the work of a number of other labs, the Adams lab hypothesizes that age-associated changes in this plastic chromatin structure predispose to cancer and so contribute to the striking increased incidence of cancer with age. Since most new targeted cancer therapies show only modest therapeutic activity in the clinic, a better understanding of the age dependence of cancer is likely to be critical to combat this disease, through risk assessment, early detection and chemoprevention. We are investigating the relationship between aging, epigenetics and cancer in senescent cells, as a model for some molecular and cellular events associated with cell aging, and in mouse models and human tissues. No conflict of interest.
19 Aneuploidy and telomerase in stem cell derived cancer K. Rudolph1 . 1 University of Ulm, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Max-Planck Research Group on Stem Cell Aging, Ulm, Germany Aneuploidy represents a hallmark feature of carcinogenesis in humans but molecular mechanisms that induce aneuploidy or survival of aneuploid human cells remain to be defined. We conducted a genome-wide shRNA screen to identify gene knockdowns leading to aneuploidy induction in human cancer cells. A set of over 200 gene knockdowns was identified robustly inducing aneuploidy. Based on bioinformatic analyses top candidate genes were confirmed with single shRNAs. Transduction of top candidate shRNAs into primary human fibroblast resulted in induction of aneuploidy. However, the primary fibroblasts underwent premature senescence. Telomerase (TERT) expression was sufficient to rescue induction of premature senescence in primary human fibroblast transduced with aneuploidy inducing shRNAs. Immortalized cultures exhibited aneuploidy and developed tumors in nude mice in the absence of defective check-points. No conflict of interest. 20 Proffered Paper: Senescent cells impact premalignant microenvironment by direct protein transfer A. Biran1 , M. Perelmutter1 , D. Burton1 , Y. Ovadya1 , T. Geiger2 , V. Krizhanovsky1 . 1 Weizmann Institute of Science, Molecular Cell Biology, Rehovot, Israel, 2 Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv, Israel Introduction: Cellular senescence, a permanent cell-cycle arrest, prevents both tumorigenesis and tissue damage. However, long-term presence of senescent cells can paradoxically promote tumorigenesis and tissue damage in their microenvironment. Soluble factors secreted from senescent cells mediate these cell non-autonomous effects. Here we report for the first time that senescent cells also use intercellular protein transfer to affect neighboring cells. Material and Methods: We studied the interaction between fibroblasts, induced to senesce either with oncogenic Ras or with direct DNA damage, and other cells including natural killer (NK) cells and epithelial cells. Intercellular protein transfer was detected using FACS analysis of the transfer of fluorescent proteins. To understand the mechanism of the transfer we identified all the proteins that transfer from senescent cells to NK cells using SILAC (Stable isotope labeling by/with amino acids)-mediated high-throughput proteomic analysis. Based on the identified proteins we studied how protein transfer is dependent on cell–cell contact and CDC42-regulated actin polymerization. We then evaluated protein transfer in vivo in mice using co-expression of Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) and mutant K-ras in the pancreas. Results and Discussion: Our results demonstrate that proteins are preferentially transferred from senescent cells to NK cells as well as to epithelial normal and cancer cells. The intercellular protein transfer leads to increased activation of the NK cells. This transfer strictly depends on cell contact and actin polymerization. CDC42, which regulates the actin polymerization, is necessary for the protein transfer from senescent cells. We propose that cytoplasmic bridges account for direct protein transfer from senescent cells. Indeed, we detected such cytoplasmic bridges between senescent cells and their neighboring cells, including NK cells. Moreover, transfer of proteins to NK and T cells is increased in murine pre-neoplastic pancreas, where senescent cells are present in vivo. Conclusion: Our results present the first evidence for direct protein transfer in vivo in mammals and suggest that it is a novel mode of inter-cellular communication that may regulate immune surveillance of senescent cells, tumourigenesis and tissue ageing. No conflict of interest. 21 Cancer and ageing: Rival demons? J. Campisi1 . 1 Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato, USA Aging is the largest risk factor for developing an array of diseases, ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer. Several lines of evidence suggest one or more basic aging process is a pivotal driver of the panoply of age-related pathologies. Basic aging processes are attractive targets for developing interventions that would revolutionize modern medicine − the concurrent prevention, postponement or treatment of multiple age-related diseases. Recent findings suggest one such basic aging process is cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is a potent anti-cancer mechanism that suppresses the proliferation − essentially permanently − of cells at risk for malignant transformation. Two important features of senescent are: (1) senescent cells stably persist, certainly in culture and probably in vivo, and (2) senescent cells create a pro-inflammatory milieu by secreting numerous inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and proteases, collectively termed the senescenceassociated secretory phenotype (SASP). Several lines of evidence, including new senescence-free mouse models, support the idea that senescent cells, by virtue of the SASP, can disrupt normal tissue structure and function and,
S7
EACR-23 Oral Presentations, Sunday 6 July 2014 / European Journal of Cancer 50, Suppl. 5 (2014) S3–S11 ironically, alter the tissue microenvironment to fuel the progression of late life cancer. Mouse models have also uncovered a beneficial effect of cellular senescence, distinct from its ability to suppress tumorigenesis early in life: the transient presence of senescent cells promotes tissue repair in response to injury. Their chronic presence, however, which occurs during aging, retards tissue repair. Thus, cellular senescence is a complex response that can be beneficial or deleterious, depending on the context and age of the organism. Conflict of interest: Ownership: Cenexys, Inc. Corporate-sponsored research: yes. Other substantive relationships: Scientific Founder.
Sunday 6 July 2014
10:45−12:30
Symposium
Mechanisms of Drug Resistance 22 Mechanisms and biomarkers of acquired resistance to targeted cancer therapies No abstract received. No conflict of interest information specified. 23 Mutations and acquired resistance in colorectal cancer A. Bardelli1 . 1 University of Torino, Istituto di Candiolo − IRCCS, Candiolo (Torino), Italy It is now evident that colorectal cancers (CRC) indistinguishable by light microscopy are actually distinct diseases requiring unique therapeutic approaches. Tissue and liquid biopsies can be used to define CRC molecular subtypes and to monitor response and resistance to therapy. Using these approaches, CRC patients were found to respond selectively to targeted agents interfering with oncogenic nodes of the EGFR signaling pathway. Notably, the patient-specific responses can be recapitulated and paralleled in cellular and mouse clinical proxies (CRC-avatars). The inevitable development of acquired resistance to inhibitors of the EGFR signaling pathway presently limits further clinical advances. Strategies to prevent or overcome resistance are therefore essential to design the next generation of molecularly-driven clinical trials for CRC patients. No conflict of interest. 24 Proffered Paper: JAK2/STAT5 inhibition circumvents resistance to PI3K/mTOR blockade: A rationale for co-targeting these pathways in metastatic breast cancer A. Britschgi1 , R. Andraos2 , H. Brinkhaus1 , I. Klebba1 , V. Romanet2 , U. Mueller1 , M. Murakami2 , T. Radimerski2 , M. Bentires-Alj1 . 1 Friedrich Miescher Institute, Mechanisms of Cancer, Basel, Switzerland, 2 NIBR, Onc, Basel, Switzerland Background: Hyperactive PI3K/mTOR signaling is prevalent in the majority of human malignancies and its inhibition exhibits potent antitumor activity in a wide spectrum of solid cancers. Unfortunately, single-agent targeted cancer therapy is usually short-lived and thwarted by different resistance mechanisms. Material and Methods: We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models of luminal and triple-negative breast cancer and a battery of biochemical, cell biological, tumorigenesis and metastasis assays. Results: We discovered a JAK2/STAT5-evoked positive feedback loop that causes adaptive resistance to dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition. Mechanistically, PI3K/mTOR inhibition increased IRS1-dependent activation of JAK2/STAT5 and secretion of IL-8 in several cell lines and primary triple-negative breast tumors. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of JAK2 abrogated this vicious feedback loop. Combined PI3K/mTOR and JAK2 inhibition synergistically reduced cancer cell viability in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo, and decreased tumor seeding and metastasis due to its impact on the IL-8 receptor CXCR1+ tumor-initiating subpopulation of cells. We further found that combined PI3K/mTOR and JAK2 inhibition increased event-free as a well as overall survival of tumor bearing animals. Conclusion: This study reveals a new link between growth factor signaling, JAK/STAT activation, cytokine secretion and metastasis. Our results provide a rationale for combined targeting of the PI3K/mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 pathways in triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive and currently incurable disease. Conflict of interest: Ownership: RA, VR, MM and TR are Novartis employees. 25 In vivo RNAi screening for novel therapeutic cancer targets D. Peeper1 . 1 Netherlands Cancer Institute − Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Division of Molecular Oncology, Amsterdam, Netherlands Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and its incidence is steadily increasing. Melanomas tend to spread rapidly, which is associated
with a grim prognosis. Until recently, most advanced stage melanomas were refractory to the available therapeutic options, but there are recent developments offering better perspectives. For example, new therapeutic approaches have become available, which target genetic vulnerabilities within the melanomas. A primary example of such a dependency is the common BRAFV600E mutation, which is essential for proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. In the clinic, the mutant BRAF oncogene product can be targeted by specific inhibitors, including vemurafenib, which cause unprecedented melanoma regression. However, relapse eventually occurs around six months due to a variety of resistance mechanisms, both MAP kinase-dependent and -independent. Therefore, in spite of these new perspectives, there is a dire need to identify additional targets amenable to therapeutic intervention, to be used in combination with vemurafenib or other specific inhibitors to overcome or prevent drug resistance and achieve more durable responses. To achieve this, we set out to identify melanoma factors that are required for proliferation and survival specifically in an in vivo setting. Thus, we performed negative selection RNAi screens parallel in vitro and in vivo and focused on the hits that were preferentially depleted in tumors relative to the corresponding cells in culture. The results from these screens will be discussed. Conflict of interest: Other substantive relationships: CSO of MetaCurix.
Sunday 6 July 2014
10:45−12:30
Symposium
Cancer Prevention 26 Progress in breast cancer prevention J. Cuzick1 . 1 Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Cancer Prevention, London, United Kingdom Two drugs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, are licensed for preventive therapy in the United States. Both have been shown to reduce incidence by approximately 40%, but in a head-to-head comparison tamoxifen was about 25% more effective. However as these drugs are now off patent there seems to be no direct way for them to be licensed for prevention in Europe, although NICE has now recommended their use for high risk women in the UK, and they can be prescribed off label. More recently two other selective oestrogen receptor modifiers (SERMs), lasofoxifene and arzoxifene have been investigated in large prevention trials. Both appear to be at least as effective as tamoxifen in breast cancer risk reduction, but lasofoxifene also shown large reductions in heart disease and fracture rates, making it an ideal candidate for preventive therapy. All of these drugs have recently been evaluated with extended follow up in an individual patient overview where a 55% reduction in ER positive cancer in the five years of active treatment was seen, but also a 42% reduction in the next 5 years, as a result of “carryover” benefits after treatment cessation. No reduction in ER negative tumours has occurred, and in fact a marginally increased (14%, P = 0.09) incidence was seen. Newer approaches are looking at the role of aromatase inhibitors, where substantial reductions in contralateral tumours have been seen when they were used as adjuvant treatments for early breast cancer. Two prevention trials in high risk women without breast cancer have been conducted. The MAP.3 trial evaluated exemestane and a 65% reduction in invasive tumours after a relatively short 30 months median follow up was seen. More recently the IBIS 2 trial using anastrozole has completed analysis of 3846 women with a median follow up of 5 years. Briefly a 53% reduction in all breast cancer was seen, with a larger reduction in ER positive invasive breast cancer. Fracture rates were not significantly increased, due in part to bone mineral density scans at baseline, and monitoring of those who were found to be osteoporotic or osteopenic with treatment as necessary. Musculoskeletal and vasomotor symptoms were increased but only by about 10%, but rates were very high in the placebo arm, indicating that most of the reported symptoms in uncontrolled situations are not drug related. As both of these classes of drugs (SERMs and AIs) have important side effects, it is important to focus their use among women most likely to benefit. Models have been developed to aid this decision and the Tyrer-Cuzick model appears to be one of the best at the moment. However newer results have shown that mammographic breast density is an important predictor and a risk score combining the 67 currently identified risk SNPs may also add to predictive accuracy. Conflict of interest: Corporate-sponsored research: AstraZeneca. 27 Worldwide prevention of cervical cancer J. Peto1 . 1 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Dept of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London, United Kingdom Most HPV vaccination programmes target adolescent girls and young women. This will have little effect on overall cancer rates for several decades, as most of the 8 million women who will develop cervical cancer over the next 20 years have already been infected with HPV. The majority of HPV infections disappear
EACR-23 Oral Presentations, Sunday 6 July 2014 / European Journal of Cancer 50, Suppl. 5 (2014) S3–S11
(MR) imaging of tumour cell metabolism using hyperpolarized 13 C-labelled cell metabolites. Magnetic resonance imaging of tissue water protons, which are present in tissues at concentrations of ~80 M, can be used to produce relatively highresolution 3D images of tissue anatomy. However, it is also possible to detect MR signals from tissue metabolites. The problem is that these are present at ~10,000× lower concentration than tissue water protons and therefore it is not possible to image them at clinical magnetic field strengths, except at relatively low spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, single spectra or spectroscopic images of tissue metabolites lack dynamic information about metabolic fluxes. Hyperpolarisation of 13 C-labelled cell substrates increases their sensitivity to detection in the MR experiment by more than 10,000×, making it possible to not only image the location of a hyperpolarized 13 C-labelled cell substrate in the body but, more importantly, the kinetics of its conversion into other cell metabolites, with spatial resolutions of 2−5 mm and temporal resolutions in the sub second range. We have used metabolic imaging with hyperpolarized 13 C-labelled substrates both to detect treatment response and to investigate the tumour microenvironment (reviewed in [2,3]). Exchange of hyperpolarized 13 C label between lactate and pyruvate [4] and net flux of label between glucose and lactate [5] have been shown to decrease post-treatment and hyperpolarized [1,4-13 C]fumarate has been shown to detect subsequent cell necrosis [6,7]. Tumour pH can be imaged using hyperpolarized H13 CO−3 [8] and redox state can be determined by monitoring the oxidation and reduction of [1-13 C]ascorbate and [1-13 C]dehydroascorbate respectively [9]. More recently we have shown that we can follow the progression of pancreatic precursor lesions, in a genetically engineered mouse model of the disease, which potentially could be used clinically to guide earlier intervention. The technique has recently transitioned to the clinic, with the completion of a clinical trial in prostate cancer at UCSF [10], where it promises new opportunities for monitoring tumour treatment response. Reference(s) [1] Brindle, K. Nature Rev Cancer 8, 94–107 (2008). [2] Brindle, K.M., et al. Magn Reson Med 66, 505–519 (2011). [3] Brindle, K. Brit J Radiol 85, 697–708 (2012). [4] Day, S.E., et al. Nature Med 13, 1382–1387 (2007). [5] Rodrigues, T.B., et al. Nature Med 20, 93−97 (2014). [6] Gallagher, F.A., et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106, 19801–19806 (2009). [7] Clatworthy, M.R., et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109, 13374–13379 (2012). [8] Gallagher, F., et al. Nature 453, 940–943 (2008). [9] Bohndiek, S.E., et al. J Am Chem Soc 133, 11795–11801 (2011). [10] Nelson, S.J., et al. Science Translational Medicine 5, 198ra108 (2013). Conflict of interest: Other substantive relationships: GE Healthcare.
Sunday 6 July 2014
10:45−12:30
Symposium
Senescence and Ageing 18 Epigenetics of cellular senescence, insights into cancer and aging P. Adams1 . 1 University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom The incidence of many cancers increases with age, and age is the biggest single risk factor for most cancers. However, the reason for this is not well understood. While development and progression of cancer depends on accumulation of multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations, the age dependence of cancer is not well understood. Chromatin is an inherently dynamic and plastic structure, as indicated by phenomena such as Position Effect Variegation in flies and biochemical analyses from the ENCODE project. Building on the work of a number of other labs, the Adams lab hypothesizes that age-associated changes in this plastic chromatin structure predispose to cancer and so contribute to the striking increased incidence of cancer with age. Since most new targeted cancer therapies show only modest therapeutic activity in the clinic, a better understanding of the age dependence of cancer is likely to be critical to combat this disease, through risk assessment, early detection and chemoprevention. We are investigating the relationship between aging, epigenetics and cancer in senescent cells, as a model for some molecular and cellular events associated with cell aging, and in mouse models and human tissues. No conflict of interest.
19 Aneuploidy and telomerase in stem cell derived cancer K. Rudolph1 . 1 University of Ulm, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Max-Planck Research Group on Stem Cell Aging, Ulm, Germany Aneuploidy represents a hallmark feature of carcinogenesis in humans but molecular mechanisms that induce aneuploidy or survival of aneuploid human cells remain to be defined. We conducted a genome-wide shRNA screen to identify gene knockdowns leading to aneuploidy induction in human cancer cells. A set of over 200 gene knockdowns was identified robustly inducing aneuploidy. Based on bioinformatic analyses top candidate genes were confirmed with single shRNAs. Transduction of top candidate shRNAs into primary human fibroblast resulted in induction of aneuploidy. However, the primary fibroblasts underwent premature senescence. Telomerase (TERT) expression was sufficient to rescue induction of premature senescence in primary human fibroblast transduced with aneuploidy inducing shRNAs. Immortalized cultures exhibited aneuploidy and developed tumors in nude mice in the absence of defective check-points. No conflict of interest. 20 Proffered Paper: Senescent cells impact premalignant microenvironment by direct protein transfer A. Biran1 , M. Perelmutter1 , D. Burton1 , Y. Ovadya1 , T. Geiger2 , V. Krizhanovsky1 . 1 Weizmann Institute of Science, Molecular Cell Biology, Rehovot, Israel, 2 Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv, Israel Introduction: Cellular senescence, a permanent cell-cycle arrest, prevents both tumorigenesis and tissue damage. However, long-term presence of senescent cells can paradoxically promote tumorigenesis and tissue damage in their microenvironment. Soluble factors secreted from senescent cells mediate these cell non-autonomous effects. Here we report for the first time that senescent cells also use intercellular protein transfer to affect neighboring cells. Material and Methods: We studied the interaction between fibroblasts, induced to senesce either with oncogenic Ras or with direct DNA damage, and other cells including natural killer (NK) cells and epithelial cells. Intercellular protein transfer was detected using FACS analysis of the transfer of fluorescent proteins. To understand the mechanism of the transfer we identified all the proteins that transfer from senescent cells to NK cells using SILAC (Stable isotope labeling by/with amino acids)-mediated high-throughput proteomic analysis. Based on the identified proteins we studied how protein transfer is dependent on cell–cell contact and CDC42-regulated actin polymerization. We then evaluated protein transfer in vivo in mice using co-expression of Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP) and mutant K-ras in the pancreas. Results and Discussion: Our results demonstrate that proteins are preferentially transferred from senescent cells to NK cells as well as to epithelial normal and cancer cells. The intercellular protein transfer leads to increased activation of the NK cells. This transfer strictly depends on cell contact and actin polymerization. CDC42, which regulates the actin polymerization, is necessary for the protein transfer from senescent cells. We propose that cytoplasmic bridges account for direct protein transfer from senescent cells. Indeed, we detected such cytoplasmic bridges between senescent cells and their neighboring cells, including NK cells. Moreover, transfer of proteins to NK and T cells is increased in murine pre-neoplastic pancreas, where senescent cells are present in vivo. Conclusion: Our results present the first evidence for direct protein transfer in vivo in mammals and suggest that it is a novel mode of inter-cellular communication that may regulate immune surveillance of senescent cells, tumourigenesis and tissue ageing. No conflict of interest. 21 Cancer and ageing: Rival demons? J. Campisi1 . 1 Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato, USA Aging is the largest risk factor for developing an array of diseases, ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer. Several lines of evidence suggest one or more basic aging process is a pivotal driver of the panoply of age-related pathologies. Basic aging processes are attractive targets for developing interventions that would revolutionize modern medicine − the concurrent prevention, postponement or treatment of multiple age-related diseases. Recent findings suggest one such basic aging process is cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is a potent anti-cancer mechanism that suppresses the proliferation − essentially permanently − of cells at risk for malignant transformation. Two important features of senescent are: (1) senescent cells stably persist, certainly in culture and probably in vivo, and (2) senescent cells create a pro-inflammatory milieu by secreting numerous inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and proteases, collectively termed the senescenceassociated secretory phenotype (SASP). Several lines of evidence, including new senescence-free mouse models, support the idea that senescent cells, by virtue of the SASP, can disrupt normal tissue structure and function and,
S7
EACR-23 Oral Presentations, Sunday 6 July 2014 / European Journal of Cancer 50, Suppl. 5 (2014) S3–S11 ironically, alter the tissue microenvironment to fuel the progression of late life cancer. Mouse models have also uncovered a beneficial effect of cellular senescence, distinct from its ability to suppress tumorigenesis early in life: the transient presence of senescent cells promotes tissue repair in response to injury. Their chronic presence, however, which occurs during aging, retards tissue repair. Thus, cellular senescence is a complex response that can be beneficial or deleterious, depending on the context and age of the organism. Conflict of interest: Ownership: Cenexys, Inc. Corporate-sponsored research: yes. Other substantive relationships: Scientific Founder.
Sunday 6 July 2014
10:45−12:30
Symposium
Mechanisms of Drug Resistance 22 Mechanisms and biomarkers of acquired resistance to targeted cancer therapies No abstract received. No conflict of interest information specified. 23 Mutations and acquired resistance in colorectal cancer A. Bardelli1 . 1 University of Torino, Istituto di Candiolo − IRCCS, Candiolo (Torino), Italy It is now evident that colorectal cancers (CRC) indistinguishable by light microscopy are actually distinct diseases requiring unique therapeutic approaches. Tissue and liquid biopsies can be used to define CRC molecular subtypes and to monitor response and resistance to therapy. Using these approaches, CRC patients were found to respond selectively to targeted agents interfering with oncogenic nodes of the EGFR signaling pathway. Notably, the patient-specific responses can be recapitulated and paralleled in cellular and mouse clinical proxies (CRC-avatars). The inevitable development of acquired resistance to inhibitors of the EGFR signaling pathway presently limits further clinical advances. Strategies to prevent or overcome resistance are therefore essential to design the next generation of molecularly-driven clinical trials for CRC patients. No conflict of interest. 24 Proffered Paper: JAK2/STAT5 inhibition circumvents resistance to PI3K/mTOR blockade: A rationale for co-targeting these pathways in metastatic breast cancer A. Britschgi1 , R. Andraos2 , H. Brinkhaus1 , I. Klebba1 , V. Romanet2 , U. Mueller1 , M. Murakami2 , T. Radimerski2 , M. Bentires-Alj1 . 1 Friedrich Miescher Institute, Mechanisms of Cancer, Basel, Switzerland, 2 NIBR, Onc, Basel, Switzerland Background: Hyperactive PI3K/mTOR signaling is prevalent in the majority of human malignancies and its inhibition exhibits potent antitumor activity in a wide spectrum of solid cancers. Unfortunately, single-agent targeted cancer therapy is usually short-lived and thwarted by different resistance mechanisms. Material and Methods: We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models of luminal and triple-negative breast cancer and a battery of biochemical, cell biological, tumorigenesis and metastasis assays. Results: We discovered a JAK2/STAT5-evoked positive feedback loop that causes adaptive resistance to dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition. Mechanistically, PI3K/mTOR inhibition increased IRS1-dependent activation of JAK2/STAT5 and secretion of IL-8 in several cell lines and primary triple-negative breast tumors. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of JAK2 abrogated this vicious feedback loop. Combined PI3K/mTOR and JAK2 inhibition synergistically reduced cancer cell viability in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo, and decreased tumor seeding and metastasis due to its impact on the IL-8 receptor CXCR1+ tumor-initiating subpopulation of cells. We further found that combined PI3K/mTOR and JAK2 inhibition increased event-free as a well as overall survival of tumor bearing animals. Conclusion: This study reveals a new link between growth factor signaling, JAK/STAT activation, cytokine secretion and metastasis. Our results provide a rationale for combined targeting of the PI3K/mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 pathways in triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive and currently incurable disease. Conflict of interest: Ownership: RA, VR, MM and TR are Novartis employees. 25 In vivo RNAi screening for novel therapeutic cancer targets D. Peeper1 . 1 Netherlands Cancer Institute − Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Division of Molecular Oncology, Amsterdam, Netherlands Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and its incidence is steadily increasing. Melanomas tend to spread rapidly, which is associated
with a grim prognosis. Until recently, most advanced stage melanomas were refractory to the available therapeutic options, but there are recent developments offering better perspectives. For example, new therapeutic approaches have become available, which target genetic vulnerabilities within the melanomas. A primary example of such a dependency is the common BRAFV600E mutation, which is essential for proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. In the clinic, the mutant BRAF oncogene product can be targeted by specific inhibitors, including vemurafenib, which cause unprecedented melanoma regression. However, relapse eventually occurs around six months due to a variety of resistance mechanisms, both MAP kinase-dependent and -independent. Therefore, in spite of these new perspectives, there is a dire need to identify additional targets amenable to therapeutic intervention, to be used in combination with vemurafenib or other specific inhibitors to overcome or prevent drug resistance and achieve more durable responses. To achieve this, we set out to identify melanoma factors that are required for proliferation and survival specifically in an in vivo setting. Thus, we performed negative selection RNAi screens parallel in vitro and in vivo and focused on the hits that were preferentially depleted in tumors relative to the corresponding cells in culture. The results from these screens will be discussed. Conflict of interest: Other substantive relationships: CSO of MetaCurix.
Sunday 6 July 2014
10:45−12:30
Symposium
Cancer Prevention 26 Progress in breast cancer prevention J. Cuzick1 . 1 Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Cancer Prevention, London, United Kingdom Two drugs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, are licensed for preventive therapy in the United States. Both have been shown to reduce incidence by approximately 40%, but in a head-to-head comparison tamoxifen was about 25% more effective. However as these drugs are now off patent there seems to be no direct way for them to be licensed for prevention in Europe, although NICE has now recommended their use for high risk women in the UK, and they can be prescribed off label. More recently two other selective oestrogen receptor modifiers (SERMs), lasofoxifene and arzoxifene have been investigated in large prevention trials. Both appear to be at least as effective as tamoxifen in breast cancer risk reduction, but lasofoxifene also shown large reductions in heart disease and fracture rates, making it an ideal candidate for preventive therapy. All of these drugs have recently been evaluated with extended follow up in an individual patient overview where a 55% reduction in ER positive cancer in the five years of active treatment was seen, but also a 42% reduction in the next 5 years, as a result of “carryover” benefits after treatment cessation. No reduction in ER negative tumours has occurred, and in fact a marginally increased (14%, P = 0.09) incidence was seen. Newer approaches are looking at the role of aromatase inhibitors, where substantial reductions in contralateral tumours have been seen when they were used as adjuvant treatments for early breast cancer. Two prevention trials in high risk women without breast cancer have been conducted. The MAP.3 trial evaluated exemestane and a 65% reduction in invasive tumours after a relatively short 30 months median follow up was seen. More recently the IBIS 2 trial using anastrozole has completed analysis of 3846 women with a median follow up of 5 years. Briefly a 53% reduction in all breast cancer was seen, with a larger reduction in ER positive invasive breast cancer. Fracture rates were not significantly increased, due in part to bone mineral density scans at baseline, and monitoring of those who were found to be osteoporotic or osteopenic with treatment as necessary. Musculoskeletal and vasomotor symptoms were increased but only by about 10%, but rates were very high in the placebo arm, indicating that most of the reported symptoms in uncontrolled situations are not drug related. As both of these classes of drugs (SERMs and AIs) have important side effects, it is important to focus their use among women most likely to benefit. Models have been developed to aid this decision and the Tyrer-Cuzick model appears to be one of the best at the moment. However newer results have shown that mammographic breast density is an important predictor and a risk score combining the 67 currently identified risk SNPs may also add to predictive accuracy. Conflict of interest: Corporate-sponsored research: AstraZeneca. 27 Worldwide prevention of cervical cancer J. Peto1 . 1 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Dept of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London, United Kingdom Most HPV vaccination programmes target adolescent girls and young women. This will have little effect on overall cancer rates for several decades, as most of the 8 million women who will develop cervical cancer over the next 20 years have already been infected with HPV. The majority of HPV infections disappear