Abstract 3085
Background
AXL and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signalling pathways play a key role in modulating tumour microenvironment by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), stromal activation and regulating immune response in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we have evaluated the effect of double blockade of TGF-β and AXL receptors, as an innovative therapeutic strategy for CRC.
Methods
We assessed the correlation of TGF-β and AXL by an in silico analysis of a human CRC gene expression profile database. Afterwards, an evaluation of AXL expression of in a panel of human CRC cell lines by Western Blot (WB) and Real time PCR was performed. The sensitivity of HCT116 and LOVO cells to treatment with galunisertib (LY21209761), a TGF-β R1 inhibitor, and R428, an AXL inhibitor, was assessed by MTT, cell migration, and colony forming assays. Furthermore we generated patient derived 3D spheroid cultures from primary CRC, and tested their susceptibility to galunisertib and R428 by MTT assay. Finally, in vivo experiments were done with HCT116 and LOVO tumour xenografts in immunodeficient mice.
Results
In silico analysis showed an association between high expression levels of AXL and TGF-β R1 in CMS4 CRC. AXL was differently expressed on cell lines, and interestingly it resulted increased in HCT116 and LOVO after TGF-β inhibition, probably representing a mechanism of cancer cell escape. Dual blockade with galunisertib and R428 determined a reduction in cell migration of 50% in HCT116 and 37% in LOVO cells, respectively, and colony formation of approximately 90 % in both cell lines. Moreover, combined treatment displayed a strong synergistic activity in 3D cultures derived from five human CRC samples, resulting in the inhibition of proliferation ranging from 80 to 90%. The in vivo experiments of HCT116 and LOVO subcutaneous xenograft models are currently on going and results will be presented.
Conclusions
Combined TGF-β and AXL inhibition showed a promising activity in preclinical models of CRC and could represent a novel potential therapeutic strategy for patients with CRC.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli".
Funding
ICURE project, Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli".
Disclosure
D. Melisi: Research grant/Funding (self): Lilly.
Resources from the same session
2066 - Second-line (2L) real-world treatment (tx) patterns and outcomes in patients (pts) with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with first line (1L) immuno-oncology (IO) monotherapy (mono tx)
Presenter: Denis Talbot
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5919 - Real-world effectiveness of nivolumab monotherapy after prior systemic therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United States
Presenter: David Stenehjem
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3368 - Pembrolizumab as first-line treatment in NSCLC with PD-L1 ≥50%: Real life results from an all-comer population
Presenter: Nikolaj Frost
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3775 - Patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer without molecular alterations or PD-L1 expression in Germany. Treatment and first outcome from the prospective German Registry Platform CRISP (AIO-TRK-0315)
Presenter: Frank Griesinger
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3926 - Impact of second-line (2L) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on the treatment (Tx) of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a UK centre: a REAL-Oncology analysis from the I-O Optimise initiative
Presenter: Michael Snee
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5068 - First line pembrolizumab for NSCLC with PD-L1 TPS > 50% in a first French real life cohort
Presenter: Karim Amrane
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1182 - Interstitial lung disease induced by immune-checkpoint inhibitors correlates with prognosis of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients
Presenter: Teppei Sugano
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2297 - Phase II study to evaluate the peripheral blood mononuclear cell biomarker for nivolumab efficacy on previously treated non-small cell lung cancer subjects (NEJ029B: IMMUNITY-ONE)
Presenter: Yosuke Kawashima
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2739 - Efficacy and safety of nintedanib + docetaxel in lung adenocarcinoma patients (pts) following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs): Updated results of the ongoing non-interventional study (NIS) VARGADO (NCT02392455)
Presenter: Christian Grohe
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1357 - Upfront atezolizumab chemoimmunotherapy-associated Immune-related adverse events in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Presenter: Francis Mogollon-Duffo
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract