FGFR gene aberrations are associated with tumor growth and survival. We explored the role of FGFR2 amplification in gastric cancer and the therapeutic potential of AZD4547, a potent and selective ...ATP-competitive receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1-3, in patients with FGFR2-amplified gastric cancer.
Array-comparative genomic hybridization and FISH were used to identify FGFR2 amplification in gastric cancer patient tumor samples. The effects of FGFR2 modulation were investigated in gastric cancer cells with FGFR2 amplification and in patient-derived gastric cancer xenograft (PDGCX) models using two approaches: inhibition with AZD4547 and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of FGFR2.
Amplification of the FGFR2 gene was identified in a subset of Chinese and Caucasian patients with gastric cancer. Gastric cancer cell lines SNU-16 and KATOIII, carrying the amplified FGFR2 gene, were extremely sensitive to AZD4547 in vitro with GI50 values of 3 and 5 nmol/L, respectively. AZD4547 effectively inhibited phosphorylation of FGFR2 and its downstream signaling molecules and induced apoptosis in SNU-16 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of FGFR2 signaling by AZD4547 resulted in significant dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition in FGFR2-amplified xenograft (SNU-16) and PDGCX models (SGC083) but not in nonamplified models. shRNA knockdown of FGFR2 similarly inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Finally, compared with monotherapy, we showed enhancement of in vivo antitumor efficacy using AZD4547 in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.
FGFR2 pathway activation is required for driving growth and survival of gastric cancer carrying FGFR2 gene amplification both in vitro and in vivo. Our data support therapeutic intervention with FGFR inhibitors, such as AZD4547, in patients with gastric cancer carrying FGFR2 gene amplification.
To investigate the incidence of FGFR1 amplification in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to preclinically test the hypothesis that the novel, potent, and selective fibroblast growth ...factor receptor (FGFR) small-molecule inhibitor AZD4547 will deliver potent antitumor activity in NSCLC FGFR1-amplified patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) models.
A range of assays was used to assess the translational relevance of FGFR1 amplification and AZD4547 treatment including in vitro lung cell line panel screening and pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis, FGFR1 FISH tissue microarray (TMA) analysis of Chinese NSCLC (n = 127), and, importantly, antitumor efficacy testing and PD analysis of lung PDTX models using AZD4547.
The incidence of FGFR1 amplification within Chinese patient NSCLC tumors was 12.5% of squamous origin (6 of 48) and 7% of adenocarcinoma (5 of 76). AZD4547 displayed a highly selective profile across a lung cell line panel, potently inhibiting cell growth only in those lines harboring amplified FGFR1 (GI(50) = 0.003-0.111 μmol/L). AZD4547 induced potent tumor stasis or regressive effects in four of five FGFR1-amplified squamous NSCLC PDTX models. Pharmacodynamic modulation was observed in vivo, and antitumor efficacy correlated well with FGFR1 FISH score and protein expression level.
This study provides novel epidemiologic data through identification of FGFR1 gene amplification in Chinese NSCLC specimens (particularly squamous) and, importantly, extends the clinical significance of this finding by using multiple FGFR1-amplified squamous lung cancer PDTX models to show tumor stasis or regression effects using a specific FGFR inhibitor (AZD4547). Thus, the translational science presented here provides a strong rationale for investigation of AZD4547 as a therapeutic option for patients with squamous NSCLC tumors harboring amplification of FGFR1.
To investigate the incidence of cMET gene copy number changes and protein overexpression in Chinese gastric cancer (GC) and to preclinically test the hypothesis that the novel, potent and selective ...cMET small-molecule inhibitor volitinib, will deliver potent anti-tumor activity in cMET-dysregulated GC patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models.
A range of assays were used and included; in vitro cell line panel screening and pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis, cMET fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemical (IHC) tissue microarray (TMA) analysis of Chinese GC (n = 170), and anti-tumor efficacy testing and PD analysis of gastric PDX models using volitinib.
The incidence of cMET gene amplification and protein overexpression within Chinese patient GC tumors was 6% and 13%, respectively. Volitinib displayed a highly selective profile across a gastric cell line panel, potently inhibiting cell growth only in those lines with dysregulated cMET (EC50 values 0.6 nM/L–12.5 nM/L). Volitinib treatment led to pharmacodynamic modulation of cMET signaling and potent tumor stasis in 3/3 cMET-dysregulated GC PDX models, but had negligible activity in a GC control model.
This study provides an assessment of tumor cMET gene copy number changes and protein overexpression incidence in a cohort of Chinese GC patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate anti-tumor efficacy in a panel of cMET-dysregulated gastric cancer PDX models, using a novel selective cMET-inhibitor (volitinib). Thus, the translational science presented here provides strong rationale for the investigation of volitinib as a therapeutic option for patients with GC tumors harboring amplified cMET.
•We characterize cMET gene and protein expression in Chinese gastric cancer patients.•We identify correlations between cMET gene, protein expression and response.•Volitinib shows potent activity in cMET-dysregulated cell lines and PDX models.•Our data highlight the potential for volitinib in cMET-driven gastric cancers.
In this paper, the status and the challenges of utilizing MTJ based magnetic sensor for Grid sensing are reviewed. And it is shown with both modeling and experiment that an optimized MTJ based ...magnetic sensor can be utilized to monitor Grid current, particularly for each individual transmission line. Unlike the traditional approach, where the sensing element needs to be either integrated with, in contact with or near the transmission line, this measurement technique can be based on a contactless or a “remote” sensing setup, where the sensor is placed away from the Grid line. From the perspective of sensor, the sensitivity, the signal-to-noise ratio and the linearity of MTJ based magnetic sensor can all meet the requirement of application. It is demonstrated that an optimized DC measurement, in addition to AC measurement, can also be utilized for applications in the Grid system, such as solar energy generation.
Large differences of magnetic coercivity (HC), exchange coupling field (HE), and tunneling magnetoresistance ratio (TMR) in magnetic tunnel junctions with different coupled free layers are discussed. ...We demonstrate that the magnetization behavior of the free layer is not only dominated by the interfacial barrier layer but also affected largely by the magnetic or non-magnetic coupled free layers. All these parameters are sensitively controlled by the magnetic nanostructure, which can be tuned also by the magnetic annealing process. The optimized sensors exhibit a large field sensitivity of up to 261%/mT in the region of the reversal synthetic ferrimagnet at the pinned layers.
Current drug development efforts on gastric cancer are directed against several molecular targets driving the growth of this neoplasm. Intra-tumoral biomarker heterogeneity however, commonly observed ...in gastric cancer, could lead to biased selection of patients. MET, ATM, FGFR2, and HER2 were profiled on gastric cancer biopsy samples. An innovative pathological assessment was performed through scoring of individual biopsies against whole biopsies from a single patient to enable heterogeneity evaluation. Following this, false negative risks for each biomarker were estimated in silico. 166 gastric cancer cases with multiple biopsies from single patients were collected from Shanghai Renji Hospital. Following pre-set criteria, 56 ~ 78% cases showed low, 15 ~ 35% showed medium and 0 ~ 11% showed high heterogeneity within the biomarkers profiled. If 3 biopsies were collected from a single patient, the false negative risk for detection of the biomarkers was close to 5% (exception for FGFR2: 12.2%). When 6 biopsies were collected, the false negative risk approached 0%. Our study demonstrates the benefit of multiple biopsy sampling when considering personalized healthcare biomarker strategy, and provides an example to address the challenge of intra-tumoral biomarker heterogeneity using alternative pathological assessment and statistical methods.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Patient-derived cancer xenografts (PDCX) generally represent more reliable models of human disease in which to evaluate a potential drugs preclinical efficacy. However to date, only a few ...patient-derived gastric cancer xenograft (PDGCX) models have been reported. In this study, we aimed to establish additional PDGCX models and to evaluate whether these models accurately reflected the histological and genetic diversities of the corresponding patient tumors. By engrafting fresh patient gastric cancer (GC) tissues into immune-compromised mice (SCID and/or nude mice), thirty two PDGCX models were established. Histological features were assessed by a qualified pathologist based on H&E staining. Genomic comparison was performed for several biomarkers including ERBB1, ERBB2, ERBB3, FGFR2, MET and PTEN. These biomarkers were profiled to assess gene copy number by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). All 32 PDGCX models retained the histological features of the corresponding human tumors. Furthermore, among the 32 models, 78% (25/32) highly expressed ERBB1 (EGFR), 22% (7/32) were ERBB2 (HER2) positive, 78% (25/32) showed ERBB3 (HER3) high expression, 66% (21/32) lost PTEN expression, 3% (1/32) harbored FGFR2 amplification, 41% (13/32) were positive for MET expression and 16% (5/32) were MET gene amplified. Between the PDGCX models and their parental tumors, a high degree of similarity was observed for FGFR2 and MET gene amplification, and also for ERBB2 status (agreement rate = 94~100%; kappa value = 0.81~1). Protein expression of PTEN and MET also showed moderate agreement (agreement rate = 78%; kappa value = 0.46~0.56), while ERBB1 and ERBB3 expression showed slight agreement (agreement rate = 59~75%; kappa value = 0.18~0.19). ERBB2 positivity, FGFR2 or MET gene amplification was all maintained until passage 12 in mice. The stability of the molecular profiles observed across subsequent passages within the individual models provides confidence in the utility and translational significance of these models for in vivo testing of personalized therapies.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To investigate the relationships between Chromosome 7 gain, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) gene copy number increase and MET protein overexpression in Chinese patients with papillary ...renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed on 98 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) PRCC samples. Correlations between MET gene copy number increase, Chromosome 7 gain and MET protein overexpression were analyzed statistically. A highly significant correlation was observed between the percentage of tumor cells with MET gene copy number ≥3 and CEP7 copy number ≥3 (R2 = 0.90, p<0.001) across two subtypes of PRCC. In addition, the percentage of tumor cells with MET gene copy number ≥3 was found to increase along with increases in MET IHC score. This correlation was further confirmed in those PRCC tumor cells with average MET gene copy number >5 using combined IF and FISH methodology. Overall, this study provides evidence that Chromosome 7 gain drives MET gene copy number increase in PRCC tumors, and appears to subsequently lead to an increase in MET protein overexpression in these tumor cells. This supports MET activation as a potential therapeutic target in sporadic PRCC.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Trastuzumab is currently approved for the clinical treatment of breast and gastric cancer patients with HER-2 positive tumors, but not yet for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma patients, whose ...tumors typically show 5 ~ 35% HER-2 gene amplification and 0 ~ 56% HER-2 protein expression. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Trastuzumab in patient-derived esophageal squamous cell carcinoma xenograft (PDECX) mouse models.
PDECX models were established by implanting patient esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues into immunodeficient (SCID/nude) mice. HER-2 gene copy number (GCN) and protein expression were determined in xenograft tissues and corresponding patient EC samples by FISH and IHC analysis. Trastuzumab anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated within these PDECX models (n = 8 animals/group). Furthermore, hotspot mutations of EGFR, K-ras, B-raf and PIK3CA genes were screened for in the PDECX models and their corresponding patient's ESCC tissues. Similarity between the PDECX models and their corresponding patient's ESCC tissue was confirmed by histology, morphology, HER-2 GCN and mutation.
None of the PDECX models (or their corresponding patient's ESCC tissues) harbored HER-2 gene amplification. IHC staining showed HER-2 positivity (IHC 2+) in 2 PDECX models and negativity in 3 PDECX models. Significant tumor regression was observed in the Trastuzumab-treated EC044 HER-2 positive model (IHC 2+). A second HER-2 positive (IHC 2+) model, EC039, harbored a known PIK3CA mutation and showed strong activation of the AKT signaling pathway and was insensitive to Trastuzumab treatment, but could be resensitised using a combination of Trastuzumab and AKT inhibitor AZD5363. In summary, we established 5 PDECX mouse models and demonstrated tumor regression in response to Trastuzumab treatment in a HER-2 IHC 2+ model, but resistance in a HER-2 IHC 2+/PIK3CA mutated model.
This study demonstrates Trastuzumab-induced tumor regressions in HER-2 positive tumors, and highlights PIK3CA mutation as a potential resistance mechanism to Trastuzumab treatment in pre-clinical patient-derived EC xenograft models.
Scutellaria barbata (
S. barbata)
, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine native to southern China, is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and a diuretic in China. Several studies have indicated that ...extracts of
S. barbata have growth inhibitory effects on a number of human cancers. Treatment of lung cancer, digestive system cancers, hepatoma, breast cancer, and chorioepithelioma by
S. barbata extracts was reported. However, the mechanism underlying the antitumor activity was unclear. In this study, we studied the growth inhibitory effect of
S. barbata and determined its mechanism of antitumor activity using human lung cancer cell line A549. Our results showed that ethanol extracts of
S. barbata greatly inhibited A549 cell growth, with IC
50 of 0.21 mg/ml. The major mechanisms of inhibition included cell apoptosis and cytotoxic effects. cDNA microarray analysis showed that 16 genes, involved in DNA damage, cell cycle control, nucleic acid binding and protein phosphorylation, underwent more than 5-fold change. These data indicated that these processes are involved in
S. barbata-mediated killing of cancer cells. A surprising finding is that CD209, related to dendritic cell (DC) function, was dramatically downregulated by 102-fold. Further functional studies are needed to assess the role of the array-identified genes in
S. barbata mediated anticancer activity.