Abstract 3633
Background
Aurora Kinases (AURK) regulate mitosis and are often upregulated in cancer. SCLC is characterized by TP53 and RB1 loss and frequent MYC amplification. Our group, and others, have proved that MYC-driven SCLC are vulnerable to AURKA-inhibitors (AURKAi), but their use is limited by toxicity due to high AURKA expression. AURKB levels are variable in SCLC, making AURKB an attractive targeted therapeutic approach. A novel AURKBi, AZD2811NP (nanoparticle), is now being investigated in relapsed SCLC patients (NCT02579226). We hypothesize that molecularly defined subsets may be sensitive to AZD2811.
Methods
We tested 50 human-derived SCLC cell lines with AZD2811 in 96 hour proliferation assays. To identify translatable biomarkers of response, we correlated IC50 values with genomic (WES), transcriptomic (RNASeq), and proteomic profiling (RPPA).
Results
AZD2811 is active in a subset of SCLC cells: 13/30 (26%) have high sensitivity (IC50<30 nM, Cmax) and 7/30 (14%) intermediate (IC50=30-100nM). Comparing protein expression, we found that cMYC (Fold change, FC:2.5; P = 0.015) and Vimentin (FC:1.66; P = 0.022) were top biomarkers of sensitivity, while high E-cadherin (FC:1.94; P = 0.046) and BCL-2 (FC:1.86; P = 0.032) associated with resistance. Interestingly, among the 13 highly sensitive cells, only 5 overexpress cMYC, highlighting that activity of AURKBi is not limited to MYC-driven SCLC. Indeed, among recently-described transcription factor defined subsets of SCLC, a majority of the NEUROD1-defined subset (cMYC enriched) were sensitive to AZD2811, as 25% of ASCL1- and 67% of POU2F-3-defined ones. These data suggest that the ASCL1 subset includes heterogeneous sub-groups that require further analysis to dissect their molecular features. Mutations in EP300, a Histone acetyltransferase that controls chromatin modification and transcription, also predict sensitivity.
Conclusions
Our results show encouraging single agent in vitro activity of AZD2811 in SCLC cells, and suggest a novel biomarker-driven approach for combinations. Candidate biomarkers will be tested in samples from the ongoing clinical trial. The high BCL2 levels observed in resistant cells provide a rationale for exploring AURKB/BCL2-i combinations.
Clinical trial identification
NCT02579226.
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
AstraZeneca.
Disclosure
C.A. Adelman: Full / Part-time employment: AstraZeneca. J. Travers: Full / Part-time employment: AstraZeneca. J. Heymach: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Licensing / Royalties: BioTree; Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy: Exelixis; Advisory / Consultancy: Genentech; Advisory / Consultancy: GSK; Advisory / Consultancy: Guardant Health; Advisory / Consultancy: Hengrui; Advisory / Consultancy: Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Licensing / Royalties: Spectrum; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono; Advisory / Consultancy: Synta; Research grant / Funding (self): Bayer; Research grant / Funding (self): GlaxoSmithKline. L.A. Byers: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): AbbVie; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): GenMab; Advisory / Consultancy: BergenBio; Advisory / Consultancy: Pharma Mar; Advisory / Consultancy: SA; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Sierra Oncology; Research grant / Funding (self): Tolero Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
2459 - Does bevacizumab increase joint pain ? Preliminary results of BEVARTHRALGIA Study
Presenter: Vauleon Enora
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4913 - Prostatic cancer androgen deprivation therapy and bone health in carcinoma prostate.
Presenter: Gouri Shankar Bhattacharyya
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1352 - Patterns of care for patients with metastatic bone disease in solid tumors – a cross-sectional study (SAKK 95/16)
Presenter: Michael Mark
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
6002 - Infection-Related Mortality in Different Types of Cancers
Presenter: Mohamed Gouda
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5643 - Survival Trends in Critically ill Oncology Patients: impact of patient’s eligibility to post-ICU chemotherapy
Presenter: Edith Borcoman
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3097 - Development and validation of a multivariable prediction model for 6-month mortality in older cancer patients: the GeriAtrIc-Tumor Score of PrEdiction for Early Death (GAIT SPEED)
Presenter: Angeli Angeli
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
856 - A Longitudinal Tracking and Quantitative Assessment of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity
Presenter: Ayumu Matsuoka
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1662 - Efficiency of controlled cryotherapy in prevention of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
Presenter: Trudi Schaper
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2766 - The Validity of Evaluations for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
Presenter: Teppei Yamada
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5683 - Prevention of chemoradiation-related mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer using dexamethasone-based mouthwash: A phase II randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Presenter: Naiyarat Prasongsook
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract