Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand Receptor Research Articles

New insights and potential biomarkers for intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely premature infant, case-control study.

Despite advancements in neonatal care, germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage impacts 20% of very preterm infants, exacerbating their neurological prognosis. Understanding its complex, multifactorial pathophysiology and rapid onset remains challenging. This study aims to link specific cord blood biomolecules at birth with post-natal germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage onset. A monocentric, prospective case-control study was conducted at Rouen University Hospital from 2015 to 2020. Premature newborns ( < 30 gestational age) were included and cord blood was sampled in the delivery room. A retrospective matching procedure was held in 2021 to select samples for proteomic and metabolomic analysis of 370 biomolecules. 26 patients with germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage cases and 60 controls were included. Clinical differences were minimal, except for higher invasive ventilation rates in the germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage group. Germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage newborns exhibited lower phosphatidylcholine levels and elevated levels of four proteins: BOC cell adhesion-associated protein, placental growth factor, Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2. This study identifies biomolecules that may be linked to subsequent germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, suggesting heightened vascular disruption risk as an independent factor. These results need further validation but could serve as early germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage risk biomarkers for future evaluations. Decrease in certainphosphatidylcholines and increase in four proteins in cord blood at birthmay be linked to subsequent germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhagein premature newborns. The four proteins are BOC cell adhesion-associated protein, placental growth factor, leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2. This biological imprint could point toward higher vascular disruption risk as an independent risk factor for this complication and with further validations, could be used for better stratification of premature newborns at birth.

A phase Ia/Ib, open-label, dose escalation study of the TRAILR2 agonist BI 905711 in combination with chemotherapy (CT) in patients (pts) with advanced GI cancers.

TPS820 Background: Activation of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAILR2) induces apoptosis via the extrinsic pathway. Targeting TRAILR2 presents an attractive therapeutic strategy, but some early TRAILR2 agonists showed low efficacy or severe hepatotoxicity. BI 905711 (TRAILR2 agonist) is a novel, liver-sparing, tetravalent bispecific antibody that cross-links TRAILR2 with the membrane protein cadherin 17 (CDH17; highly expressed in GI cancers), inducing CDH17-dependent TRAILR2 oligomerization. CDH17 is not expressed in normal hepatocytes, thus increasing BI 905711 selectivity to GI cancer cells while sparing hepatocytes. Preclinical models and studies in colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) showed BI 905711 activity ± CT, and synergy with standard of card CT irinotecan, respectively. Methods: This Phase Ia/Ib, open-label, multicenter study (NCT05087992) aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose for expansion (RDE), pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy of BI 905711 with CT (FOLFIRI; irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil) ± bevacizumab (BEV) in pts with advanced GI cancers. Up to 100 pts with histologically/cytologically confirmed, advanced, unresectable, or metastatic GI cancers will be enrolled. In Phase Ia, ~20 pts with CRC will receive BI 905711 intravenously every two weeks at escalating doses (starting dose 0.6 mg/kg) on Day 3 of 14-day cycles, + FOLFIRI and BEV (5 mg/kg intravenous infusion for 30 minutes) on Day 1. A Bayesian logistic regression model with overdose control based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during the MTD evaluation period (first 2 cycles) will guide BI 905711 dose escalation. BI 905711 will be administered until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other reasons requiring treatment discontinuation. In Phase Ib, pts with CRC or PDAC will be enrolled to one of two dose expansion cohorts. In the CRC cohort, pts with prior progression on oxaliplatin-based therapy will be randomized 2:1 to receive FOLFIRI and BEV ± BI 905711. In the PDAC cohort, pts with CDH17+ PDAC with prior progression on gemcitabine-based first-line therapy will receive FOLFIRI + BI 905711. Both cohorts will receive BI 905711 at the RDE defined in Phase Ia. A safety run-in period will confirm the Phase Ia RDE result before enrolling pts to the PDAC cohort. Primary endpoints: MTD based on incidence of DLTs (Phase Ia) and confirmed objective response (OR; RECIST 1.1; Phase Ib). Secondary endpoints include PK assessments (Phase Ia), progression-free survival, tumor shrinkage, duration of OR, and disease control (Phase Ib). Further endpoints include immunogenic response assessment and pharmacodynamic biomarker modulation. As of September 2022, eight pts have been enrolled; one additional pt is in screening. The study is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05087992 .

P-123 A phase Ia/Ib, open-label, dose-escalation study of the TRAILR2 agonist BI 905711 in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancers

Activation of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAILR2) induces apoptosis via the extrinsic pathway. Targeting TRAILR2 is therefore an attractive therapeutic strategy in oncology, but some early TRAILR2 agonists showed limited clinical success due to low efficacy or severe hepatotoxicity. The tetravalent bispecific antibody BI 905711 represents a novel, liver-sparing, TRAILR2 agonist, which cross-links TRAILR2 with cadherin 17 (CDH17) to induce CDH17-dependent TRAILR2 oligomerisation. CDH17, a membrane protein highly expressed in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, is not expressed in normal hepatocytes. Thus, using CDH17 as a liver-sparing anchor may avoid hepatotoxicity while increasing selectivity to cancer cells. In preclinical models of GI cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), BI 905711 showed activity both as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents (Garcia-Martinez et al., Mol Cancer Ther 2021;20:96–108). Preclinical studies also showed synergism of BI 905711 and SoC chemotherapy, particularly irinotecan. This phase Ia/Ib open-label, multicentre study (NCT05087992) aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose for expansion (RDE), pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary efficacy of BI 905711 in combination with chemotherapy (FOLFIRI; irinotecan, leucovorin, and fluorouracil) with or without bevacizumab in patients with advanced, refractory GI cancers. Up to 100 patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed, advanced, unresectable or metastatic GI cancers will be enrolled. In phase Ia, approximately 20 patients with CRC will receive intravenous BI 905711 at escalating doses (starting dose 0.6 mg/kg) on day 3 of 14-day cycles, plus FOLFIRI and bevacizumab (5 mg/kg IV infusion over 30 mins) on day 1. BI 905711 dose escalation will be guided by a Bayesian logistic regression model with overdose control based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during the MTD evaluation period (first two 14-day cycles). BI 905711 will be administered until disease progression, unacceptable toxicities or another reason requiring treatment discontinuation. In phase Ib, patients with CRC or PDAC will be enrolled to one of two dose expansion cohorts. In the CRC cohort, patients who have progressed after prior oxaliplatin-based therapy will be randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive FOLFIRI and bevazicumab with or without BI 905711. In the PDAC cohort, patients with CDH17-positive PDAC who have progressed after prior platin/gemcitabine-based first-line therapy will receive FOLFIRI plus BI 905711. In both cohorts, BI 905711 will be administered at the RDE determined in phase Ia. A safety run-in will be included in the PDAC cohort to confirm the RDE defined in phase Ia prior to enrolling further patients. Primary endpoints are the MTD based on the occurrence of DLTs (phase Ia), and confirmed objective response (OR) according to RECIST 1.1 (phase Ib). Secondary endpoints include PK assessments (phase Ia), progression-free survival, tumour shrinkage, duration of OR and disease control (phase Ib). Further endpoints include assessment of immunogenic response and pharmacodynamic biomarker modulation (including caspase activation and changes in circulating tumour DNA levels). Patient recruitment is active and the study is ongoing. NCT05087992. Medical writing assistance, supported financially by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., was provided by Jane Saunders of Ashfield MedComms, an Ashfield Health Company, during the preparation of this abstract. The authors received no direct payment. Boehringer Ingelheim.

Eftozanermin alfa (ABBV-621) monotherapy in patients with previously treated solid tumors: findings of a phase 1, first-in-human study

Eftozanermin alfa (eftoza), a second-generation tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor (TRAIL-R) agonist, induces apoptosis in tumor cells by activation of death receptors 4/5. This phase 1 dose-escalation/dose-optimization study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary activity of eftoza in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients received eftoza 2.5–15 mg/kg intravenously on day 1 or day 1/day 8 every 21 days in the dose-escalation phase, and 1.25–7.5 mg/kg once-weekly (QW) in the dose-optimization phase. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluated during the first treatment cycle to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated in circulation and tumor tissue. A total of 105 patients were enrolled in the study (dose-escalation cohort, n = 57; dose-optimization cohort, n = 48 patients [n = 24, colorectal cancer (CRC); n = 24, pancreatic cancer (PaCA)]). In the dose-escalation cohort, seven patients experienced DLTs. MTD and RP2D were not determined. Most common treatment-related adverse events were increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, nausea, and fatigue. The one treatment-related death occurred due to respiratory failure. In the dose-optimization cohort, three patients (CRC, n = 2; PaCA, n = 1) had a partial response. Target engagement with regard to receptor saturation, and downstream apoptotic pathway activation in circulation and tumor were observed. Eftoza had acceptable safety, evidence of pharmacodynamic effects, and preliminary anticancer activity. The 7.5-mg/kg QW regimen was selected for future studies on the basis of safety findings, pharmacodynamic effects, and biomarker modulations. (Trial registration number: NCT03082209 (registered: March 17, 2017)).

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Upregulates TRAIL-R3 Expression in Hepatocytes Resulting in Escape From Both Cell Apoptosis and Suppression of HBV Replication by TRAIL.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) evades host immunity by regulating intracellular signals. To clarify this immune tolerance mechanism, we performed gene expression analysis using HBV-infected humanized mouse livers. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor 3 (TRAIL-R3) was significantly upregulated in livers of HBV-infected human hepatocyte transplanted mice by cDNA microarray and next-generation sequencing. We analyzed the significance of TRAIL-R3 upregulation in HBV infection using human hepatocyte transplanted mice and HepG2 cell lines. TRAIL-R3 induction by HBV infection was verified by in vitro and in vivo HBV replication models, and induction was inhibited by antiviral nucleot(s)ide analogue treatment. TRAIL-R3 transcription was regulated by the TRAIL-R3 promoter at -969 to -479 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site, and by hepatitis B x (HBx) via activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal. TRAIL not only induced cell apoptosis but also inhibited HBV replication. TRAIL-R3 upregulation could inhibit both TRAIL-dependent apoptosis in HBV-infected hepatocytes and TRAIL-mediated suppression of HBV replication. These results suggest a mechanism by which HBV persists by escaping host immunity through upregulation of TRAIL-R3. Development of novel drugs to inhibit this escape system might lead to complete HBV elimination from human hepatocytes.

A first-in-human phase Ia/b, open-label, multicenter study of the TRAILR2 agonist BI 905711 in patients (pts) with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

TPS222 Background: Activation of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAILR2) induces apoptosis via caspase activation. Targeting TRAILR2 is an attractive therapeutic strategy, but some early TRAILR2 agonists were associated with severe hepatotoxicity. Cadherin 17 (CDH17), a membrane protein highly expressed in GI cancers, is not expressed in normal hepatocytes so using CDH17 as a liver-sparing anchor may avoid hepatotoxicity. BI 905711 is a tetravalent bispecific antibody that cross-links TRAILR2 with CDH17 to induce CDH17-dependent TRAILR2 oligomerisation. In preclinical assays, BI 905711 demonstrated a potency shift of ̃1000 fold versus the 1st-generation TRAILR2 agonist lexatumumab. BI 905711 induced apoptosis in CDH17-positive tumor cells in vitro, impaired tumor growth in pt-derived colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts, and no hepatotoxicity was observed. Methods: This phase Ia/Ib study (NCT04137289) aims to determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of BI 905711 in pts with advanced, refractory GI cancers. Up to 140 adult pts with histologically confirmed, advanced unresectable/metastatic colorectal, gastric, esophageal or pancreatic adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, or gallbladder or small intestine carcinoma, who have progressed on standard-of-care therapies, will be enrolled. In phase Ia, pts will receive intravenous BI 905711 at escalating doses (range 0.02–4.8 mg/kg) every 14 days, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities. Dose escalation will be guided by a Bayesian logistic regression model with overdose control based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in the first 28 days. In phase Ia, a minimum number of CRC pts will be enrolled to each cohort: ≥1 CRC pt at each of the 2 lowest dose levels (0.02/0.06 mg/kg) and 4 pts at each subsequent dose level (0.2/0.6/1.2/2.4/3.6/4.8 mg/kg). In parallel to dose escalation in CRC pts, up to 4 pts with non-CRC GI cancers will be included at the dose level below that of the CRC cohort. If an objective response (OR) per RECIST v1.1 is observed in CRC or non-CRC GI pts at a safe dose level, up to 10 additional pts with the same tumor type will be recruited at that dose level. In phase Ib, CRC pts will be randomized into up to 4 dose cohorts (as determined in phase Ia; n=20 each) to define the recommended phase II dose. The primary endpoints are determination of the MTD based on the proportion of pts with DLTs (phase Ia) and OR rate based on RECIST v1.1 (phase Ib). Secondary endpoints include PK parameters and OR in pts with measurable disease (phase Ia), and disease control, tumor shrinkage, duration of response, and progression-free survival (phase Ib). Trial enrollment is ongoing, with 33 pts enrolled to date. Clinical trial information: NCT04137289.

TRAIL-R1-Targeted CAR-T Cells Exhibit Dual Antitumor Efficacy.

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1) has limited expression in normal tissues but was highly expressed in various types of tumors, making it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we utilized the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) from our previously identified TRAIL-R1–targeting monoclonal antibody (TR1419) with antitumor efficacy and produced the TR1419 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. We characterized the phenotypes and functions of these CAR-T cells and found that the third-generation TR1419-28BBζ CAR-T cells exhibited greater target sensitivity and proliferative capability, with slightly higher PD-1 expression after antigen stimulation. Importantly, we found that the TR1419 CAR-T cells could induce TRAIL-R1–positive tumor cell death via a dual mechanism of the death receptor–dependent apoptosis as well as the T-cell–mediated cytotoxicity. Altogether, the TR1419 CAR-T cells could serve as a promising strategy for targeting the TRAIL-R1–positive tumors.

Selectively targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells through TRAIL receptor 2 to enhance the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy for treatment of breast cancer

BackgroundSuccessful targeting of solid tumors such as breast cancer (BC) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has proven challenging, largely attributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Myeloid-derived suppressor...

Proteomics to improve phenotyping in obese patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Recent evidence points towards a distinct obese phenotype among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to identify differentially expressed circulating biomarkers in obese HFpEF patients and link them to disease severity and outcomes. From the LIFE-Heart study, 999 patients with HFpEF and 999 patients without heart failure (no-HF) were selected and 92 circulating serum biomarkers were measured using a proximity extension assay. Elevation of identified biomarkers was validated in 220 patients from the Aldo-DHF trial with diagnosed HFpEF. HFpEF patients were older and had more comorbidities including coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes as compared to no-HF patients (P < 0.05 for all). After adjusting for covariates, adrenomedullin (ADM), galectin-9 (Gal-9), thrombospondin-2 (THBS-2), CD4, and tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) were significantly higher in obese HFpEF patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 , n=464] as compared to lean HFpEF (BMI <30 kg/m2 , n=535) and obese no-HF patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 , n=387) (P < 0.001 for both); these findings were verified in the Aldo-DHF validation cohort (P < 0.001). Except for CD4 these proteins were associated with increased estimates of left atrial pressure in a linear fashion. Importantly, ADM and CD4 were associated with increased mortality in obese HFpEF patients after adjusting for covariates. Obese HFpEF patients exhibit higher circulating biomarkers of volume expansion (ADM), myocardial fibrosis (THBS-2) and systemic inflammation (Gal-9, CD4) compared to obese non-HFpEF or lean HFpEF patients. These findings support the clinical definition of a distinct obese HFpEF phenotype and might merit further investigation.

Predicting outcome in acute myocardial infarction: an analysis investigating 175 circulating biomarkers.

There is a paucity of studies comprehensively comparing the prognostic value of larger arrays of biomarkers indicative of different pathobiological axes in acute myocardial infarction (MI). In this explorative investigation, we simultaneously analysed 175 circulating biomarkers reflecting different inflammatory traits, coagulation activity, endothelial dysfunction, atherogenesis, myocardial dysfunction and damage, apoptosis, kidney function, glucose-, and lipid metabolism. Measurements were performed in samples from 1099 MI patients (SWEDEHEART registry) applying two newer multimarker panels [Proximity Extension Assay (Olink Bioscience), Multiple Reaction Monitoring mass spectrometry]. The prognostic value of biomarkers regarding all-cause mortality, recurrent MI, and heart failure hospitalizations (median follow-up ≤6.6 years) was studied using Lasso analysis, a penalized logistic regression model that considers all biomarkers simultaneously while minimizing the risk for spurious findings. Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2), ovarian cancer-related tumour marker CA 125 (CA-125), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) consistently predicted all-cause mortality in crude and age/sex-adjusted analyses. Growth-differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) was strongly predictive in the crude model. TRAIL-R2 and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) consistently predicted heart failure hospitalizations. No biomarker predicted recurrent MI. The prognostic value of all biomarkers was abrogated following additional adjustment for clinical variables owing to our rigorous statistical approach. Apart from biomarkers with established prognostic value (i.e. BNP and to some extent GDF-15), several 'novel' biomarkers (i.e. TRAIL-R2, CA-125, FGF-23) emerged as risk predictors in patients with MI. Our data warrant further investigation regarding the utility of these biomarkers for clinical decision-making in acute MI.

Therapeutic targeting of FOS in mutant TERT cancers through removing TERT suppression of apoptosis via regulating survivin and TRAIL-R2

The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has long been pursued as a direct therapeutic target in human cancer, which is currently hindered by the lack of effective specific inhibitors of TERT. The FOS/GABPB/(mutant) TERT cascade plays a critical role in the regulation of mutant TERT, in which FOS acts as a transcriptional factor for GABPB to up-regulate the expression of GABPB, which in turn activates mutant but not wild-type TERT promoter, driving TERT-promoted oncogenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that inhibiting this cascade by targeting FOS using FOS inhibitor T-5224 suppressed mutant TERT cancer cells and tumors by inducing robust cell apoptosis; these did not occur in wild-type TERT cells and tumors. Mechanistically, among 35 apoptotic cascade-related proteins tested, the apoptosis induced in this process specifically involved the transcriptional activation of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2) and inactivation of survivin, two key players in the apoptotic cascade, which normally initiate and suppress the apoptotic cascade, respectively. These findings with suppression of FOS were reproduced by direct knockdown of TERT and prevented by prior knockdown of TRAIL-R2. Further experiments demonstrated that TERT acted as a direct transcriptional factor of survivin, up-regulating its expression. Thus, this study identifies a therapeutic strategy for TERT promoter mutation-driven cancers by targeting FOS in the FOS/GABPB/(mutant) TERT cascade, circumventing the current challenge in pharmacologically directly targeting TERT itself. This study also uncovers a mechanism through which TERT controls cell apoptosis by transcriptionally regulating two key players in the apoptotic cascade.

COMP (Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein) Neoepitope: A Novel Biomarker to Identify Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis.

COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) is abundantly expressed in the cardiovascular system, cartilage, and atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated if the total COMP (COMPtotal) and COMP neoepitope (COMPneo) with other cardiovascular markers and clinical parameters could identify symptomatic carotid stenosis. Approach and Results: Blood samples were collected from patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (stenosis, n=50), patients with stroke without carotid stenosis but small plaques (plaque, n=50), and control subjects (n=50). COMPtotal and COMPneo were measured using an ELISA. Ninety-two cardiovascular disease markers were measured by the Olink CVD kit. The presence of native COMP and COMPneo was determined by immunohistochemistry. The concentration of COMPneo was higher and COMPtotal was lower in the stenosis group. When the concentration was compared between the stenosis and control groups, IL-1ra (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein), IL6 (interleukin-6), REN (Renin), MMP1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1), TRAIL-R2 (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2), ITGB1BP2 (integrin beta 1 binding protein 2), and COMPneo were predictive of stenosis. Conversely, KLK6 (kallikrein-6), COMPtotal, NEMO (nuclear factor-kappa-B essential modulator), SRC (Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src), SIRT2 (SIR2-like protein), CD40 (cluster of differentiation 40), TF (tissue factor), MP (myoglobin), and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) were predictive of the control group. Model reproducibility was good with the receiver operating characteristic plot area under the curve being 0.86. When comparing the plaque group and stenosis group, COMPneo, GAL (galanin), and PTX3 (pentraxin-related protein PTX3) were predictive of stenosis. Model reproducibility was excellent (receiver operating characteristic plot area under the curve 0.92). COMPneo was detected in smooth muscle-, endothelial-, and foam-cells in carotid stenosis. Degradation of COMP may be associated with atherosclerosis progression and generation of a specific COMP fragment-COMPneo. This may represent a novel biomarker that together with COMPtotal and other risk-markers could be used to identify symptomatic carotid stenosis. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.

Effect of 4,5-diazafluorene derivative on γδ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against renal cell carcinoma

AimsThis study aimed to investigate the effect of previously synthesized 4,5-diazafluorene derivative (14c) on γδ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methodsA real-time cell analyzer monitored cell proliferation, and Cell Counting Kit-8 determined cell viability. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyzed gene expression, and protein expression was determined by cellular immunofluorescence analysis and Western blot. Key findingsThe compound 14c induced the expression of immunomodulatory molecules, such as natural killer group 2, member D ligands (NKG2DLs), fibroblast-associated (Fas) death receptor, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors (TRAILRs) in RCC. In addition, 14c induced DNA damage responses in RCC. Blocking DNA damage by KU-55933 reduced the effect of γδ T cells on 14c-treated RCC, suggesting that DNA damage responses were involved in the augmentation of γδ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Treating 786-O cells with a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate prodrug further enhanced the anti-tumor effect of γδ T cell plus 14c combination treatment. SignificanceThe present evidence indicates that 14c induced DNA damage responses in RCC and augmented γδ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity primarily through NKG2D/NKG2DLs pathways, suggesting potential cancer immunotherapy for harnessing γδ T cells and small compounds that induce DNA damage responses.

BRAF inhibitor resistance of melanoma cells triggers increased susceptibility to natural killer cell-mediated lysis

BackgroundTargeted therapies and immunotherapies are first-line treatments for patients with advanced melanoma. Serine–threonine protein kinase B-RAF (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibition leads to a 70% response rate in...

Targeted Apoptosis of Ductular Reactive Cells Reduces Hepatic Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Cholestasis.

In cholestatic liver diseases, ductular reactive (DR) cells extend into the hepatic parenchyma and promote inflammation and fibrosis. We have previously observed that multidrug-resistant 2 (Mdr2-/- ) double knockout (DKO) mice lacking tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor (Tr-/- ) display a more extensive ductular reaction and hepatic fibrosis compared to Mdr2-/- mice. This observation suggests that the magnitude of the DR-cell population may be regulated by apoptosis. To examine this concept, we cultured epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive reactive cholangioids (ERCs) obtained from wild-type (WT), Tr-/- , Mdr2-/- and DKO mice. Single-cell transcriptomics and immunostaining of both WT and DKO ERCs confirmed their DR-cell phenotype. Moreover, DKO ERCs displayed a unique translational cluster with expression of chemokines, indicating a reactive state. Incubation with the myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1) inhibitor S63845, a proapoptotic BH3-mimetic therapy, significantly decreased DKO and Mdr2-/- ERC viability compared to WT. Intravenous administration of S63845 significantly reduced the DR-cell population and markers of inflammation and liver fibrosis in Mdr2-/- and DKO mice. Furthermore, DKO mice treated with S63845 displayed a significant decrease in hepatic B lymphocytes compared to untreated mice as assessed by high-definition mass cytometry by time-of-flight. Coculture of bone marrow-derived macrophages with ERCs from DKO mouse livers up-regulated expression of the B cell-directed chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5. Finally, DR cells were noted to be primed for apoptosis with Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer activation in vitro and in vivo in primary sclerosing cholangitis liver specimens. DR cells appear to play a key role in recruiting immune cells to the liver to actively create an inflammatory and profibrogenic microenvironment. Pharmacologic targeting of MCL1 in a mouse model of chronic cholestasis reduces DR-cell and B-cell populations and hepatic fibrosis.

Human apoptosis antibody array-membranes studying the apoptotic effect of marine bacterial exopolysaccharides in HepG2 cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, in spite of great advances in its treatment. The carbohydrate polymers, exopolysaccharides (EPSs), showed anticancer activity in diverse cancers. The purpose of this study is to investigate a panel of 43 apoptotic proteins to assess the possible apoptotic induction effect of bacterial EPSs showing promising cytotoxic effects in HepG2 cells in our previous study, in an attempt to introduce exopolysaccharides as new source for cancer treatment. Apoptosis-related proteins panel were examined through the analysis of Human Apoptosis Antibody Array-Membrane (43 targets). EPS-6 induces apoptosis through upregulation of different pro-apoptotic proteins as cytochrome C (9.52 fold) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor (TRAIL-R1) (153.49 fold). EPS-RS induces apoptosis through up regulation of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) (15.75 fold) and the six insulin-like growth factors binding proteins (IGFBP-1 through - 6) (76.81 fold, 7.68 fold, 55.15 fold, 4.9 × 107 fold, 29.69 fold, and 28.92 fold), respectively. Our results suggested that EPS-6 and EPS-RS could be considered as promising agents in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Targeted multiplex proteomics for prediction of all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up in outpatients with peripheral arterial disease

Background and aimsPatients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at high risk for fatal events. We aimed to investigate the ability among several serum proteins to predict all-cause mortality in outpatients with PAD. MethodsConsecutive outpatients with carotid and/or lower extremity PAD were included in the discovery cohort (n = 436), and subjects with PAD from a population-based sample in the validation cohort (n = 129). Blood samples were analyzed for 81 proteins by a proximity extension assay. The proteins best predicting incident all-cause mortality were identified using L1-regularized Cox regression. The added value of the identified proteins to clinical risk markers was evaluated by Cox regression models and presented by the area under the receiver operator characteristics curves (AUC). ResultsIn the discovery cohort (mean age 70 years; 59% men), 195 died (4.8 events per 100 person-years) during a 10.3 years median follow-up. The clinical risk markers generated an AUC of 0.70 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.65–0.76). The two serum protein biomarkers with best prediction of all-cause mortality were growth differentiation factor 15 and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2. Adding these proteins to the clinical risk markers significantly improved prediction (p < 0.001) and yielded an AUC of 0.76 (95%CI 0.71–0.80). A higher discriminatory performance was observed in the validation cohort (AUC 0.84; 95% CI 0.76–0.92). ConclusionsIn a large-sample targeted proteomics assay, we identified two proteins that improved risk prediction beyond the COPART risk score. The use of high-throughput proteomics assays may identify potential biomarkers for improved risk prediction in patients with PAD.

P-169 A first-in-human phase Ia/b, open-label, multicentre, dose-escalation study of BI 905711 in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancers

Activation of the tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAILR2) induces apoptosis via caspase activation. Hence, targeting TRAILR2 is an attractive therapeutic strategy; however, early trials of TRAILR2 agonists resulted, in some cases, in severe hepatotoxicity that may have been due to TRAILR2 activation on hepatocytes. Cadherin 17 (CDH17), a membrane protein highly expressed in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, is not expressed in normal hepatic cells. Thus, the hepatotoxicity of prior TRAILR2 agonists may be avoided through crosslinking with CDH17.

The serum protein transthyretin as a platform for dimerization and tetramerization of antibodies and Fab fragments to enable target clustering

Transthyretin (TTR) is an abundant homotetrameric serum protein and was selected here for engineering higher-valency molecules because of its compact size, simple structure, and natural propensity to tetramerize. To demonstrate this utility, we fused TTR to the C terminus of conatumumab, an antibody that targets tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2, as heavy chains to form antibody dimers and Fab heavy chains to form Fab tetramers. Moreover, we used constant heavy domain 3 heterodimerization substitutions to create TTR-mediated conatumumab tetramers. The conatumumab-TTR fusions displayed substantially enhanced potency in cell-based assays, as well as in murine tumor xenograft models. We conclude that antibody-TTR fusions may provide a powerful platform for multimerizing antibody and Fab fragments to enhance the capabilities of human therapeutics that benefit from target clustering and higher-order antigen-binding valency.

Pharmacodynamic effects in blood and tumor tissue of eftozanermin alfa, a tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor agonist.

e15668 Background: Eftozanermin alfa (eftoza; formerly known as ABBV-621), a 2nd-generation tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor agonist, is being evaluated in previously treated solid and hematologic malignancies (NCT03082209). In a dose-expansion cohort, patients (pts) with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer (n = 24) and pancreatic cancer (n = 24) were evaluated at 3 dose levels with 12 mandatory paired biopsies per tumor type (pretreatment [Tx] and on-Tx collection). Following eftoza dosing, RNA and protein expression including posttranslational modifications were assessed in tumor biopsies to understand the target engagement and downstream pathway activation. Plasma was evaluated for changes in somatic mutant allele frequency and M30, M65 (circulating apoptotic markers). Methods: Biopsies were collected anytime during the screening period (pre-Tx) and 24±4 h following 2nd or 3rd infusion (on-Tx). Of the requested 4–6 fresh biopsy cores, 1–2 cores were collected as formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) and the rest were frozen tissue. FFPE tissue was analyzed by multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RNAseq; reverse phase protein array was used for frozen cores. Plasma was collected at cycle 1 predose and 2, 8, 24, 48, and 168 h postdose and analyzed for M30, M65 (by ELISA) and circulating tumor DNA (64-gene PlasmaSELECT assay). Results: Twenty-five pts consented to biopsies; paired biopsies were obtained from 16 pts at a 64% success rate: FFPE (n = 15) and frozen cores (n = 12). Tumor cells were detected in 11/15 (73%) FFPE and 4/12 (33%) frozen cores. Increase in M30, activated caspases, and cleaved PARP levels was observed in on-Tx biopsy samples compared with pre-Tx, thus serving as evidence for apoptosis induction in tumors following eftoza dosing. Changes in the tumor microenvironment were observed post-Tx by RNAseq and multiplex IHC (eg, CD68 level). Downregulation of prosurvival signaling pathways (eg, AKT/MEK) was also observed following eftoza dosing. Thirteen out of 16 pts showed transient increase in mutant allele fractions post eftoza Tx that correlated with increased plasma circulating tumor markers M30 and M65 at similar time points, suggesting activation of apoptosis pathway. Increase in M30, M65 levels also preceded increase in liver enzymes (ALT/AST) at 2, 48 hr post-Tx. Conclusions: Pharmacodynamic effect of eftoza was successfully demonstrated in blood and tumor tissue, including induction of apoptosis and modulation of PI3K and MEK signaling pathways. Clinical trial information: NCT03082209.