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
4526 - Long-term outcome of neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in locally advanced dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
Presenter: Jessica Beaziz
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1214 - Neo-adjuvant (NA) Imatinib for gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): What is the optimal length of treatment?
Presenter: Tom Wilson
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2690 - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) in adolescents and young adults (AYA)
Presenter: Nikki Ijzerman
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4558 - Radiomics improves response evaluation for desmoid tumors treated with chemotherapy
Presenter: Amandine Crombe
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2751 - Radiomics of gastrointestinal stromal tumors; risk classification based on computed tomography images – a pilot study
Presenter: Milea Timbergen
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2737 - Differentiating well-differentiated liposarcomas from lipomas using a radiomics approach
Presenter: Melissa Vos
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1282 - The immune landscape of chondrosarcoma reveals an anti inflammatory environment
Presenter: Iseulys Richert
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1572 - Impact of Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy on Tumor Growth Rate in Sarcoma
Presenter: Esmail Al-ezzi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3414 - DNA methylation profiles of angiosarcoma subtypes.
Presenter: Marije Weidema
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3411 - Prognostic significance of circulating PD-1, PD-L1, pan-BTN3As and BTN3A1 in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (mGISTs)
Presenter: Daniele Fanale
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract