Cell cycle checkpoint defects in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Abstract

680 Background: Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDKs) play a significant role in cell cycle regulation. Aberrations involving the cell cycle pathway genes can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and genomic instability. These could potentially be targeted with CDK4/6 inhibitors. The frequency and type of these alterations in GI tumors is largely unknown. Methods: We analyzed the frequency of abnormalities in cell cycle genes in patients with diverse GI malignancies (colorectal, liver, pancreas, gastroesophageal, anal, appendix) that underwent next generation sequencing from January 2013 to August 2017. Results: Aberrations in the cell cycle pathway were identified in 33 of 299 (11%) of cancers. The frequency of aberrations was as follows: CDKN2A/B in 10 (30.3%), CCND1 in 7 patients (pts) (21.2%), CCND2 in 2 pts (6%), CEBPA in 2 pts (6%), CDK6 in 2 pts (6%), CDK8 in 2 pts (6%) and CDK2 in 1 (3%). Alteration involving multiple genes of cell cycle noted in 7 patients (21.2%) with combination of CCND1 and CDKN2A being most common combination. The cell cycle checkpoint defects were most frequently seen in 9 pts with colon (27%), 8 pts with hepatobiliary (27%), 8 pts with pancreatic (24%), 7 pts with esophageal (21%), and less commonly in small bowel (6%) and GIST (6%). Conclusions: The alterations in the cell cycle pathway are most common in certain GI tumors mainly colon, pancreatic, hepatobiliary and esophageal tumors. Future clinical trials exploring the potential role of targeted agents such as CDK4/6 inhibitors alone or in combination with other targeted agents such as MEK inhibitors requires further exploration in these tumors.