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
785 - JAK-STAT inhibitor overcomes interferon γ-reduced, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in non-small-cell lung cancer cells
Presenter: Riki Okita
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2326 - Low LATS2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in non small cell lung cancer
Presenter: Si-hyong Jang
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5960 - Application of ESCAT and OncoKB scales in Liquid biopsy (LB) in Advanced NSCLC patients (pts): Is it feasible and reliable?
Presenter: Michael McCusker
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4855 - IDH1R132H mutation induces a less aggressive phenotype of glioma cells and affects the radiosensitivity by interacting with Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Presenter: Xuetao Han
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2641 - Impact of Angiopoietin-2 on glioblastoma response to combined chemo-radiotherapy
Presenter: Charly Helaine
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5743 - The Discovery of RNA-aptamers That Selectively Bind and Inhibit Glioblastoma Stem Cells by targeting EphA2
Presenter: Alessandra Affinito
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4160 - Impact of tumor reoxygenation by nanoparticles on Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs)
Presenter: Aurélie Ferré
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2474 - Prognostic significance of c-Rel/p50 heterodimer in the tumor microenvironment of uveal melanoma
Presenter: Seema Kashyap
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1769 - Synergistic role of BAP1 and DNA damage response pathway in uveal melanoma and its prognostic significance.
Presenter: JAYANTI JHA
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5037 - CXCR4, CCR2 and CCR5 expression in subsets of tumor cells with stem and/or EMT features
Presenter: Olga Savelieva
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract