Orthotopic Triple-negative Breast Cancer Model Research Articles

Oncolytic adenovirus encoding apolipoprotein A1 suppresses metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer in mice

BackgroundDysregulation of cholesterol metabolism is associated with the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is widely recognized for its pivotal role in regulating cholesterol efflux and maintaining cellular cholesterol homeostasis. However, further exploration is needed to determine whether it inhibits TNBC metastasis by affecting cholesterol metabolism. Additionally, it is necessary to investigate whether ApoA1-based oncolytic virus therapy can be used to treat TNBC.MethodsIn vitro experiments and mouse breast cancer models were utilized to evaluate the molecular mechanism of ApoA1 in regulating cholesterol efflux and inhibiting breast cancer progression and metastasis. The gene encoding ApoA1 was inserted into the adenovirus genome to construct a recombinant adenovirus (ADV-ApoA1). Subsequently, the efficacy of ADV-ApoA1 in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of TNBC was evaluated in several mouse models, including orthotopic breast cancer, spontaneous breast cancer, and human xenografts. In addition, a comprehensive safety assessment of Syrian hamsters and rhesus monkeys injected with oncolytic adenovirus was conducted.ResultsThis study found that dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis is critical for the progression and metastasis of TNBC. In a mouse orthotopic model of TNBC, a high-cholesterol diet promoted lung and liver metastasis, which was associated with keratin 14 (KRT14), a protein responsible for TNBC metastasis. Furthermore, studies have shown that ApoA1, a cholesterol reverse transporter, inhibits TNBC metastasis by regulating the cholesterol/IKBKB/FOXO3a/KRT14 axis. Moreover, ADV-ApoA1 was found to promote cholesterol efflux, inhibit tumor growth, reduce lung metastasis, and prolonged the survival of mice with TNBC. Importantly, high doses of ADV-ApoA1 administered intravenously and subcutaneously were well tolerated in rhesus monkeys and Syrian hamsters.ConclusionsThis study provides a promising oncolytic virus treatment strategy for TNBC based on targeting dysregulated cholesterol metabolism. It also establishes a basis for subsequent clinical trials of ADV-ApoA1 in the treatment of TNBC.

Abstract 2909: ST101, a clinical CEBPβ antagonist peptide, promotes an immune-active tumor microenvironment by multiple cellular mechanisms

Abstract CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) is a transcription factor that is an established driver of cellular transformation in several cancer types with poor prognosis, including glioblastoma (GBM), triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These cancers’ growth is often supported by an immunosuppressive (IS) tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by high expression of TAMs, MDSCs, Tregs, and in the case of GBM, IS microglia. In addition to its cell-autonomous role of promoting survival and proliferation in cancer cells, C/EBPβ is also critical for IS M2 macrophage polarization, while its role in other TME populations is less understood. ST101 is a peptide antagonist of C/EBPβ that is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical study in patients with recurrent and newly diagnosed glioblastoma (NCT04478279). Here we explored the impact of ST101 on IS TME cell populations and on activation of cytotoxic T-cells in macrophage co-culture systems. ST101 increased the M1:M2 ratio up to 40-fold in hPBMC-derived macrophages cultured under conditions that typically drive M2 polarization. Further, ST101 promoted M2 repolarization to the M1 cell type, demonstrating that C/EBPβ is required for maintenance of the M2 program. When added to co-cultures of T cells with M2 macrophages, ST101 induced a 3-4-fold increase in intracellular IFN-γ staining indicating enhanced T cell activation. Notably, in M1 cultures ST101 further enhanced expression of the immune activity marker CD80 and T cell activation. Similar to its effect on M2 repolarization, ST101 induced activation of iPs-derived IS human microglia cultures toward an M1-like program. ST101 also impacted IS cell populations in vivo, as demonstrated in an orthotopic TNBC model in which ST101 exposure was associated with a reduction of the TAM fraction, increased intratumoral M1/M2 ratios, reduction of Tregs, increase of CD8:Treg fraction, and enhanced activity in combination with anti-PD-1. Similar observations were observed in clinical samples, where following ST101 exposure a significant decrease in expression of factors involved in M2 polarization, including CD209, SIGLEC5, and IL-24, and T cell suppression, including FoxP3 and inhibitory KIR proteins, were observed. Gene expression analysis suggests that ST101 induced a decrease in the intratumoral Treg:TIL ratio, indicating a shift towards a more immune-active TME. Overall, these results provide novel evidence for the contribution of C/EBPβ to the expression of multiple IS cancer-associated cell types and support the use of ST101 to antagonize C/EBPβ and promote an immune-active TME. Further, these data provide rational for evaluating the clinical impact of ST101 in combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Citation Format: Claudio Scuoppo, Julia Diehl, Ricardo Ramirez, Mark Koester, Erin Gallagher, Siok Leong, Jerel Gonzales, Karen Mendelson, Zach Mattes, Lila Ghamsari, Gene Merutka, Abi Vainstein-Haras, Barry J. Kappel, Jim A. Rotolo. ST101, a clinical CEBPβ antagonist peptide, promotes an immune-active tumor microenvironment by multiple cellular mechanisms [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2909.

Co-Delivery Nanomicelles for Potentiating TNBC Immunotherapy by Synergetically Reshaping CAFs-Mediated Tumor Stroma and Reprogramming Immunosuppressive Microenvironment.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have received the most attention for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), while the response rate to ICI remains limited due to insufficient T cell infiltration. It is therefore essential that alternative strategies are developed to improve the therapeutic outcomes of ICI in non-responsive TNBC cases. The efficacy of pH-responsive nanomicelles (P/A/B@NM) co-loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor BMS-1 activating the T cell-mediated antitumor immune response were evaluated using a 4T1 antiPD-1-resistance breast tumor model. In vitro, pH-responsive antitumor effect of P/A/B@NM was investigated by assessing cell viability, migration and invasion. In vivo, the distribution of P/A/B@NM was visualized in 4T1 orthotopic TNBC model using an IVIS spectrum imaging instrument. The efficacy of the co-delivery nanocarriers was evaluated by monitoring mouse survival, tumor growth and metastasis, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-mediated tumor stroma and immunosuppressive microenvironment components, and the recruitment and infiltration of CD8+ T cells. The prepared P/A/B@NM in acid microenvironment demonstrates remarkable cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells, with an IC50 of 105 μg/mL. Additionally, it exhibits substantial inhibition of tumor cell migration and invasion. The P/A/B@NM based on co-delivery nanocarriers efficiently accumulate at the tumor site and release the drugs in a pH-responsive controlled manner. The nanomedicine-PTX, AMD3100, and BMS-1 formulation significantly inhibits tumor growth and lung/liver metastasis by inducing antitumor immune responses via CXCL12/CXCR4 axis blockade, and immunogenic cell death to reprogramme both tumor stroma and immunosuppressive microenvironment. As a result, CD8+ T cell infiltration is triggered into the tumor site, boosting the efficacy of ICI therapy synergistically. These results demonstrate that combination therapy using P/A/B@NM reshapes CAFs-mediated tumor stroma and immunosuppressive microenvironment, which can enhance the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, thereby reactivating anti-tumor immunity for non-responsive TNBC cases.

Photosensitive small extracellular vesicles regulate the immune microenvironment of triple negative breast cancer

Currently, the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is limited by the special pathological characteristics of this disease. In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has created new hope for the treatment of TNBC. Moreover, PDT can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and improve tumor immunogenicity. However, even though PDT can improve the immunogenicity of TNBC, the inhibitory immune microenvironment of TNBC still weakens the antitumor immune response. Therefore, we used the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 to inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by TNBC cells to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity. In addition, bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived sEVs have good biological safety and a strong drug loading capacity, which can effectively improve the efficiency of drug delivery. In this study, we first obtained primary BMSCs and sEVs, and then the photosensitizers Ce6 and GW4869 were loaded into the sEVs by electroporation to produce immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicles (Ce6-GW4869/sEVs). When administered to TNBC cells or orthotopic TNBC models, these photosensitive sEVs could specifically target TNBC and improve the tumor immune microenvironment. Moreover, PDT combined with GW4869-based therapy showed a potent synergistic antitumor effect mediated by direct killing of TNBC and activation of antitumor immunity. Here, we designed photosensitive sEVs that could target TNBC and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, providing a potential approach for improving the effectiveness of TNBC treatment. Statement of SignificanceWe designed an immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicle (Ce6-GW4869/sEVs) with the photosensitizer Ce6 to achieve photodynamic therapy and the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 to inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity. In this study, the immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicle could target TNBC cells and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, thus providing a potential approach for improving the treatment effect in TNBC. We found that the reduction in tumor sEVs secretion induced by GW4869 improved the tumor-suppressive immune microenvironment.Moreover, similar therapeutic strategies can also be applied in other kinds of tumors, especially immunosuppressive tumors, which is of great value for the clinical translation of tumor immunotherapy.

Self-oxygenated co-assembled biomimetic nanoplatform for enhanced photodynamic therapy in hypoxic tumor

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown great application potential in cancer treatment and the important manifestation of PDT in the inhibition of tumors is the activation of immunogenic cell death (ICD) effects. However, the strategy is limited in the innate hypoxic tumor microenvironment. There are two key elements for the realization of enhanced PDT: specific cellular uptake and release of the photosensitizer in the tumor, and a sufficient amount of oxygen to ensure photodynamic efficiency. Herein, self-oxygenated biomimetic nanoparticles (CS@M NPs) co-assembled by photosensitizer prodrug (Ce6-S-S-LA) and squalene (SQ) were engineered. In the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the oxygen carried by SQ can be converted to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, glutathione (GSH) consumption during transformation from Ce6-S-S-LA to chlorin e6 (Ce6) avoided the depletion of ROS. The co-assembled (CS NPs) were encapsulated by homologous tumor cell membrane to improve the tumor targeting. The results showed that the ICD effect of CS@M NPs was confirmed by the significant release of calreticulin (CRT) and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), and it significantly activated the immune system by inhibiting the hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α)-CD39-CD73-adenosine a2a receptor (A2AR) pathway, which not only promoted the maturation of dendritic cells (DC) and the presentation of tumor specific antigens, but also induced effective immune infiltration of tumors. Overall, the integrated nanoplatform implements the concept of multiple advantages of tumor targeting, reactive drug release, and synergistic photodynamic therapy-immunotherapy, which can achieve nearly 90% tumor suppression rate in orthotopic TNBC models.

Abstract LB016: Immunotherapeutic potential of ST316, a peptide antagonist of β-catenin

Abstract The transcription factor β-catenin is a key player in many cellular processes, including stem cell renewal, cellular homeostasis and inflammation. Deregulation of β-catenin occurs frequently in several cancer types by mutation or overexpression of the β-catenin gene or mutation of negative regulators such as Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC). ST316 is a novel peptide antagonist that specifically interferes with the association of β-catenin with its co-activator BCL9, disrupting β-catenin nuclear localization and attenuating target gene expression. In an orthotopic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model, ST316 demonstrates potent anti-tumor activity, resulting in 84% tumor growth inhibition (TGI) (p<0.001 vs. vehicle control). In addition to its cell-autonomous mechanisms, deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling can promote tumorigenesis by impacting the tumor microenvironment. Reprogramming of immunosuppressive M2-like Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) toward an immune-promoting program (M1-like) is an attractive cancer immunotherapeutic strategy. Here we explored ST316 potential for macrophage repolarization toward the M1-like phenotype, activation of cytotoxic T-cells in macrophage/T-cell co-culture assays and cooperation of ST316 with anti-PD-1 to enhance anti-tumor activity in vivo. Initial studies demonstrate that human macrophages derived from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (hPBMCs) and subsequently committed to the M2-like identity are reprogrammed toward an M1-like phenotype upon ST316 exposure. ST316 treatment dose-dependently suppressed expression of the M2 marker CD163 by flow cytometry and quantitative PCR, resulting in 100-fold increase in the M1/M2 ratio without substantial impact on cell viability. Importantly, T-cell viability and activation markers associated with M1-state (CD80, CD86) were not affected by ST316 at the concentrations used in these studies. Further, in co-cultures of M2 macrophage with T cells, ST316 exposure resulted in a three-fold increase in T-cell activation compared to control M2/T cell co-cultures, as measured by intracellular IFN-γ staining. Finally, in an orthotopic TNBC model in vivo, subtherapeutic ST316 enhanced the anti-tumor activity of anti-PD-1 [85% TGI with combination, compared to 51% TGI with anti-PD1 alone (p<0.01) and -9% TGI with subtherapeutic ST316 alone (p<0.001)]. Anti-tumor activity was accompanied by an increase the M1/M2 ratio. Overall, these results support the immuno-therapeutic potential of ST316 and extend the application range of ST316 to include Wnt-driven cancers with poor clinical response to immune checkpoint blockade and other immunotherapeutic agents. Citation Format: Claudio Scuoppo, Lila Ghamsari, Erin Gallagher, Siok Leong, Mark Koester, Rick Ramirez, Jerel Gonzales, Gene Merutka, Barry Kappel, Abi Vainstein-Haras, Jim Rotolo. Immunotherapeutic potential of ST316, a peptide antagonist of β-catenin [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr LB016.

Abstract 484: VIP236: A small molecule drug conjugate with an optimized camptothecin payload has significant activity in patient-derived and metastatic cancer models

Abstract Introduction: We previously presented the design and preliminary characterization of VIP236—an SMDC consisting of an αvβ3 integrin binder linked to an optimized camptothecin topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitor payload released by neutrophil elastase in the tumor microenvironment (Lerchen et al, Cancers 2022). Herein we evaluate VIP236 in patient-derived and metastatic models of cancer. Methods: Subcutaneous patient-derived xenograft mouse models in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) were treated with VIP236. Metastasis formation was measured by human DNA PCR in an orthotopic TNBC mouse model. Gastric cancer models included patient-derived and cell line xenograft mouse models. Tumor/control (T/C) ratios were calculated, and body weight was measured. Pharmacodynamic (PD) effect of VIP236 in a gastric cancer SNU16 xenograft mouse model was investigated. Tumor samples from vehicle- and VIP236-treated groups collected up to 144 hours postdose were analyzed for % positive γH2AX cells by a fit-for-purpose qualified immunohistochemistry assay. Results: VIP236 is efficacious in vivo patient-derived models of NSCLC, RCC, CRC and TNBC with T/C ratios of 0.0, 8.9,14.5 and 5.6 compared with vehicle control (p<0.0001, CRC p<0.01). VIP236 showed statistically improved in vivo efficacy in gastric cancer models versus trastuzumab deruxtecan (a commercial antibody-drug conjugate [ADC] with a camptothecin payload) in NCIH87 (HER2high, p<0.05), SNU16 (HER2neg, p<0.001), and GXA3040 (patient-derived, HER2low, p<0.001) xenografts. VIP236 induced statistically significant tumor growth inhibition in a patient-derived CRC liver metastasis model (p<0.01) and statistically significant reduction in lung (p<0.001) and brain (p<0.01) metastasis from an orthotopic TNBC model was observed. Across all in vivo models no clinically significant weight loss or treatment-related mortality were observed. Furthermore, a time-dependent increase of γH2AX % positive cells in SNU16 in vivo VIP236-treated tumors confirms that VIP236 drives robust TOP1 inhibition and subsequent DNA damage. Conclusions: In summary, VIP236 monotherapy efficacy in NSCLC, gastric, TNBC, RCC, CRC, and metastatic TNBC in vivo cancer models provides a rationale for clinical investigation in advanced metastatic solid tumors. In gastric cancer, VIP236 showed improved efficacy compared with the approved ADC, trastuzumab deruxtecan, regardless of HER2 expression. These results warrant further evaluation in clinical trials. Citation Format: Beatrix Stelte-Ludwig, Melanie M. Frigault, Hans-Georg Lerchen, Tibor Schomber, Raquel Izumi, Amy J. Johnson, Ahmed Hamdy. VIP236: A small molecule drug conjugate with an optimized camptothecin payload has significant activity in patient-derived and metastatic cancer models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 484.

SCN5A promotes the growth and lung metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer through EF2-kinase signaling

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer often associated with early metastasis, poor prognosis, and shortened survival. The main causes of its high mortality level are attributed to significant genetic heterogenity, rapid development of chemoresistance, and a limited number of targeted therapeutics. Therefore, as described herein, we investigated the role of the SCN5A gene encoding the voltage-gated sodium ion channel NaV1.5 in vitro and in vivo in TNBC models. Cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, western blot and in vivo analyzes were performed. We found that SCN5A gene/NaV1.5 and its neonatal spliced isoform nNaV1.5 were markedly upregulated in TNBC cells and that they promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, motility/migration, and invasion. Therapeutic targeting of NaV1.5/nNaV1.5 via systemic injection of specific siRNAs incorporated in single-lipid nanoparticles suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis in orthotopic TNBC models. We further demonstrated that targeting of NaV1.5/nNaV1.5 expression associated with eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (EF2K) expression. This approach led to the inhibition EF2K's oncogenic signaling and its clinically significant downstream targets, including integrin β1/Src/focal adhesion kinase, c-myc, cyclin D1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt, p-ERK, p-IF2α and p-PI3K. Targeting of NaV1.5/nNaV1.5 also induced robust apoptosis in TNBCs in vivo. Inhibition of both isoforms of SCN5A in TNBC cells enhanced the effect of first-line chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel. In conclusion, our results provide the first evidence that expression of SCN5A has an important role in the growth of primary and lung-metastatic TNBCs and that targeting of NaV1.5/nNaV1.5 by systemically administered therapeutics is a potential molecularly targeted strategy to control TNBC progression and may enhance the efficacy of currently used chemotherapeutics.

STAT3 Inactivation and Induction of Apoptosis Associate With Fluoxetine-inhibited Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition and Growth of Triple-negative Breast Cancer In Vivo.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and second leading cause of death in women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of BC, while the treatment option is limited and has long been considered as a major unmet need. Meta-analysis indicated the anti-tumor potential of anti-depressants, especially selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The SSRI fluoxetine has been shown to suppress BC and ovarian cancer cell growth; however, whether it suppresses tumor progression in vivo is unclear. We established an 4T1 bearing animal model, an orthotopic TNBC model, to identify the mechanism and therapeutic efficacy of fluoxetine. Tumor growth evaluated by caliper and computed tomography scan demonstrated the inhibition effect by fluoxetine treatment. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of STAT3-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins and apoptosis-related proteins was decreased. Fluoxetine may induce an anti-TNBC effect via inactivating STAT3 signaling transduction and triggering the caspase-mediated apoptotic pathway.

The PxIxIT motif of the RCAN3 inhibits angiogenesis and tumor progression in Triple Negative breast cancer in immunocompetent mice.

RCAN proteins are endogenous regulators of the calcineurin-cytosolic nuclear factor of activated T cells (CN-NFATc) pathway that bind CN through similar conserved motifs PxIxIT and LxVP of the NFATc family. RCAN1 and RCAN3 protein levels were reported to correlate with overall survival of breast cancer patients. We additionally provided supporting results about RCAN3 role on cancer showing that overexpression of the native PxIxIT sequence of RCAN3-derived R3 peptide (PSVVVH, EGFP-R3178-210) dramatically inhibits tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in an orthotopic mouse model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in nude mice. On the other hand, RCAN3 protein and its derived peptide EGFP-R3178-210 bind to CN and inhibit NFAT-mediated cytokine gene expression without affecting CN phosphatase activity suggesting that RCAN3 and EGFP-R3178-210 peptide have tumor suppressor and immunosuppressant activity. Due to the known relationship between tumor development and immune system, as well as the relevance of CN-NFATc in the regulation of the immune system, in the present study we decided to assess the effect of EGFP-R3178-210 peptide in an orthotopic syngeneic TNBC mouse model, in order to ensure that the role of RCAN3 as immunosuppressant do not override its tumor suppressor activity. Our results evidence that EGFP-R3178-210 peptide displays an inhibitory potential on tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis similar to those obtained in the previous orthotopic TNBC model. These results highlight the importance of the RCAN3 peptide as a tumor suppressor protein and totally complement our previous results, indicating that this antitumor activity role is maintained in the presence of a complete functional immune system.

Silencing of Pyruvate Kinase M2 via a Metal-Organic Framework Based Theranostic Gene Nanomedicine for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is typically associated with poor prognosis due to its only partial response to chemotherapy and lack of clinically established targeted therapies coupled with an aggressive disease course. Aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of reprogrammed metabolic activity in cancer cells, which can be repressed by small-interfering RNA (siRNA). However, the lack of effective carriers to deliver vulnerable siRNA restricts the clinical potentials of glycolysis-based gene therapy for TNBC. Herein, we develop a tumor-targeted, biomimetic manganese dioxide (MnO2)-shrouded metal-organic framework (MOF) based nanomedicine to deliver siRNA against pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme M2 (siPKM2), wherein PKM2 is a rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis, to inhibit the reprogrammed glycolysis of TNBC. This MOF-based genetic nanomedicine shows excellent monodispersity and stability and protects siPKM2 against degradation by nucleases. The nanomedicine not only substantially blocks the glycolytic pathway but also improves intracellular hypoxia in TNBC cells, with a resultant O2-enhanced anticancer effect. In the mice orthotopic TNBC model, the nanomedicine shows a remarkable therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, the Mn2+ ions released from acid microenvironment-responsive MnO2 enable in vivo monitoring of the therapeutic process with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our study shows great promise with this MRI-visible MOF-based nanomedicine for treating TNBC by inhibition of glycolysis via the RNA interference.

Abstract 1766: Triggering the resolution of inflammation with agonistic anti-ChemR23 antibody dampens inflammation-driven carcinogenesis

Abstract Chronic inflammation is associated with abnormal non-phlogistic clearance (efferocytosis) of apoptotic cells by macrophages and a defect of the resolution of inflammation pathways. The resolution of inflammation is an active immunological process mediated by specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) which target specific resolutive G-protein coupled receptors expressed by different immune cells and participate to the tissue homeostasis return after an injury. Defects in the clearance of (chemotherapy-induced) apoptotic tumor cell debris strengthens inflammation and has been associated with exacerbated tumor growth in several preclinical models. Proresolutive therapeutic approaches, such as using exogenous resolvin E1 (RvE1), the natural lipidic proresolutive ligand of the GPCR ChemR23, have been shown to dampen tumor-associated inflammation and to reduce tumor growth. Using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, we found that ChemR23 is mainly expressed by tumor-associated macrophages in melanoma and lung cancers. Moreover, ChemR23 expression was barely expressed in non-inflamed tissues indicating a preferential expression on the inflamed or tumor site. We screened and identified an anti-ChemR23 mAb which induces RvE1-like Akt and ERK signaling in mouse and human macrophages and favors macrophage polarization towards a pro-resolutive phenotype. In vitro, the agonist antibody significantly increased the phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor primary mesothelioma cells by human tumor-polarized macrophages. In vivo, the agonist ChemR23 mAb accelerates the resolution of inflammation in an acute inflammatory model, as illustrated by a significant decrease of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils infiltrates as compared to isotype control groups both in mice and non-human primate models. Similarly, ChemR23 triggering with the anti-ChemR23 mAb improved weight recovery, reduced diarrhea and decreased the development of colon neoplastic foci in a chronic colitis model coupled with the injection of a carcinogen agent. Furthermore, the administration of the anti-ChemR23 mAb as a monotherapy displayed some partial and complete antitumor responses in immunocompetent mouse models of subcutaneous colon carcinoma (MC38 and CT26) as well as orthotopic mesothelioma (AK7). Finally, using an orthotopic triple-negative breast cancer model (4T1), while we observed a limited impact on primary tumor growth, spontaneous metastasis development in the lung was significantly inhibited by the ChemR23 agonist mAb monotherapy. Our study reveals for the first time the therapeutic potential of triggering the proresolutive pathways using an anti-ChemR23 agonistic mAb to limit chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment and inhibit metastasis development. Citation Format: Vanessa Gauttier, Margot Lavy, Charlène Trilleaud, Kévin Biteau, Isabelle Girault, Lyssia Belarif, Géraldine Teppaz, Caroline Mary, Virginie Thépénier, Christophe Blanquart, Sophie Barillé-Nion, Nicolas Poirier. Triggering the resolution of inflammation with agonistic anti-ChemR23 antibody dampens inflammation-driven carcinogenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1766.

Anti-CEA tagged iron nanoparticles for targeting triple-negative breast cancer

Systemic therapy is generally required for breast cancer. However, treatment toxicity and side effects are a concern, especially for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype that usually develops resistance to chemotherapy. To overcome this issue, new nanoformulations capable of targeting cancer cells have been developed and alternative biomarkers have been explored as target molecules for TNBC management. In this study, we performed an in vivo assay in a murine orthotopic TNBC model to evaluate the targeting ability of anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) loaded nanoparticles (labelled MFCEA), which had been previously synthetized by our research group. 4T1 cells were injected in the mammary gland of balb-c mice, and tumors were evaluated for CEA expression by immunohistochemistry. Tumor-bearing mice received targeted (MFCEA) and non-targeted (MF) nanoparticles intraperitoneally. Tumors were removed 1, 4, 15 and 24 h after treatment, and Prussian blue iron staining was performed. Our results showed, as far as we know for the first time, that 4T1 induced tumors are CEA positive, and this opens up new prospects for treating TNBC. Furthermore, MFCEA nanoparticles were able to target malignant tissue and were retained in the tumor for longer than MF nanoparticles. The retention property of MFCEA, together with the absence of toxicity observed in the MTT assay, make these nanoparticles a promising device for management of CEA positive tumors and perhaps for TNBC. Nevertheless, further studies must be carried out to improve their performance and ensure safety for clinical studies.

LHRH-Targeted Redox-Responsive Crosslinked Micelles Impart Selective Drug Delivery and Effective Chemotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Systemic chemotherapy is efficacious against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but it is often associated with serious side effects. Here, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptor-targeted and tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticle system to selectively deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to TNBC cells, is reported. This delivery system (termed "LHRH-DCMs") contains poly(ethylene glycol) and dendritic cholic acid as a micellar carrier, reversible intra-micellar disulfide bond as a redox-responsive crosslink, and synthetic high-affinity (D-Lys)-LHRH peptide as a targeting moiety. LHRH-DCMs exhibit high drug loading efficiency, optimal particle size, good colloidal stability, and glutathione-responsive drug release. As expected, LHRH-DCMs are more efficiently internalized into human TNBC cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis, resulting in stronger cytotoxicity against these cancer cells than the non-targeted counterpart when encapsulated with paclitaxel (PTX). Furthermore, near-infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrate that LHRH-DCMs facilitate the tumor distribution and penetration of payloads in three different animal models of breast cancer, including cell line-derived xenograft (CDX), patient-derived xenograft (PDX), and transgenic mammary carcinoma. Finally, in vivo therapeutic studies show that PTX-LHRH-DCMs outperform both the corresponding nontargeted PTX-DCMs and the current clinical formulation (Taxol) in an orthotopic TNBC model. These results provide new insights into approaches for precise drug delivery of TNBC.

Thymoquinone Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of MDA-MB-231 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing Autophagy, Beclin-1 and LC3.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and highly heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis. A better understanding of the biology of this complex cancer is needed to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the improvement of patient survival. We have previously demonstrated that Thymoquinone (TQ), the major phenolic compound found in Nigella sativa, induces anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects and inhibits in vivo tumor growth in orthotopic TNBC models in mice. Also, we have previously shown that Beclin-1 and LC3 autophagy genes contributes to TNBC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, suggesting that Beclin-1 and LC3 genes provide proto-oncogenic effects in TNBC. However, the role of Beclin-1 and LC3 in mediating TQ-induced anti-tumor effects in TNBC is not known. To investigate the effects of TQ on the major autophagy mediators, Beclin-1 and LC3 expression, as well as autophagic activity in TNBC cells. Cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and autophagy activity were evaluated using MTS cell viability, colony formation assay, wound healing and acridine orange staining assays, respectively. Western blotting and RT-PCR assays were used to investigate LC3 and Beclin-1 protein and gene expressions, respectively, in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells in response to TQ treatments. TQ treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and autophagic activity of MDA-MB-231 cells and suppressed LC3 and Beclin-1 expressions. Furthermore, TQ treatment led to the inhibition of Integrin-β1, VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in TNBC cells. TQ inhibits autophagic activity and expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 in TNBC cells and suppresses pathways related to cell migration/invasion and angiogenesis, including Integrin-β1, VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP- 9, suggesting that TQ may be used to control autophagic activity and oncogenic signaling in TNBC.

Focal drug administration via heparin-containing cryogel microcarriers reduces cancer growth and metastasis

Developing drug delivery systems that release anticancer drugs in a controlled and sustained manner remains challenging. We hypothesized that highly sulfated heparin-based microcarriers would allow electrostatic drug binding and controlled release. In silico modelling showed that the anticancer drug doxorubicin has affinity for the heparin component of the microcarriers. Experimental results showed that the strong electrostatic interaction was reversible, allowing both doxorubicin loading and a subsequent slow release over 42 days without an initial burst release. The drug-loaded microcarriers were able to reduce cancer cell viability in vitro in both hormone-dependent and highly aggressive triple-negative human breast cancer cells. Focal drug treatment, of an in vivo orthotopic triple-negative breast cancer model significantly decreased tumor burden and reduced cancer metastasis, whereas systemic administration of an equivalent drug dose was ineffective. This study proves that heparin-based microcarriers can be used as drug delivery platforms, for focal delivery and sustained long-term drug release.

Deciphering the Biological Activities of Dunaliella sp. Aqueous Extract from Stressed Conditions on Breast Cancer: from in Vitro to in Vivo Investigations.

In order to harness local resources to improve well-being and human health, we aim in this study to investigate if the microalgae Dunaliella sp. isolated from the Tunisian coastal zone possesses any anticancer activity. Dunaliella sp. was cultured under normal (DSC) or stressed (DSS) conditions and extracted using different procedures. The biological activity assessment was performed on the Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) using 4T1 murine cells as a model. Results indicate that: (i) aqueous extract was the most cytotoxic compared to ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts; (ii) DSS activity was superior to that of DSC. DSS extracts induced apoptosis rather than necrosis, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, PARP-1 cleavage and caspase-3 activation. Evaluation in an orthotopic TNBC model validated the anticancer activity in vivo. Intratumoral injection of DSS extract resulted in reduced tumor growth and an enhanced immune system activation. On the transcriptional side, the expression level of the immunosuppressive enzyme Arg-1 was decreased, as well as those of NOS-2 and COX-2 genes. These results suggest a potential anticancer activity of Tunisian Dunaliella sp. deserving further attention.

Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Drug Delivery Systems for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Therapy.

Efficient targeted delivery of anticancer agents to TNBC cells remains one of the greatest challenges to developing therapies. The lack of tumor-specific markers, aggressive nature of the tumor, and unique propensity to recur and metastasize make TNBC tumors more difficult to treat than other subtypes. We propose to exploit natural ability of macrophages to target cancer cells by means of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as drug delivery vehicles for chemotherapeutic agents, paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (Dox). We demonstrated earlier that macrophage-derived EVs loaded with PTX (EV-PTX) and Dox (EV-Dox) target cancer cells and exhibited high anticancer efficacy in a mouse model of pulmonary metastases. Herein, we report a manufacture and characterization of novel EV-based drug formulations using different loading procedures that were optimized by varying pH, temperature, and sonication conditions. Selected EV-based formulations showed a high drug loading, efficient accumulation in TNBC cells in vitro, and pronounced anti-proliferation effect. Drug-loaded EVs target TNBC in vivo, including the orthotopic mouse T11 tumors in immune competent BALB/C mice, and human MDA-MB-231 tumors in athymic nu/nu mice, and abolished tumor growth. Overall, EV-based formulations can provide a novel solution to a currently unmet clinical need and reduce the morbidity and mortality of TNBC patients. Graphical Abstract Macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) for targeted drug delivery to TNBC tumors. Chemotherapeutics with different water solubility (Dox or PTX, i.e. hydrophilic or hydrophobic drugs, respectively) were loaded into macrophage-derived EVs through parental cells (Dox), or into naïve EVs (Dox or PTX), and their antitumor efficacy was demonstrated in mouse orthotopic TNBC model.

Therapeutic genome editing of triple-negative breast tumors using a noncationic and deformable nanolipogel

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which has the highest mortality rate of all breast cancer, is in urgent need of a therapeutic that hinders the spread and growth of cancer cells. CRISPR genome editing holds the promise of a potential cure for many genetic diseases, including TNBC; however, its clinical translation is being challenged by the lack of safe and effective nonviral delivery systems for in vivo therapeutic genome editing. Here we report the synthesis and application of a noncationic, deformable, and tumor-targeted nanolipogel system (tNLG) for CRISPR genome editing in TNBC tumors. We have demonstrated that tNLGs mediate a potent CRISPR knockout of Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2), a known breast cancer oncogene, in human TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. The loss of Lcn2 significantly inhibits the migration and the mesenchymal phenotype of human TNBC cells and subsequently attenuates TNBC aggressiveness. In an orthotopic TNBC model, we have shown that systemically administered tNLGs mediated >81% CRISPR knockout of Lcn2 in TNBC tumor tissues, resulting in significant tumor growth suppression (>77%). Our proof-of-principle results provide experimental evidence that tNLGs can be used as a safe, precise, and effective delivery approach for in vivo CRISPR genome editing in TNBC.

Harnessing Induced Essentiality: Targeting Carbonic Anhydrase IX and Angiogenesis Reduces Lung Metastasis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Xenografts.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is aggressive, metastatic and drug-resistant, limiting the spectrum of effective therapeutic options for breast cancer patients. To date, anti-angiogenic agents have had limited success in the treatment of systemic breast cancer, possibly due to the exacerbation of tumor hypoxia and increased metastasis. Hypoxia drives increased expression of downstream effectors, including Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX), a critical functional component of the pro-survival machinery required by hypoxic tumor cells. Here, we used the highly metastatic, CAIX-positive MDA-MB-231 LM2-4 orthotopic model of TNBC to investigate whether combinatorial targeting of CAIX and angiogenesis impacts tumor growth and metastasis in vivo to improve efficacy. The administration of a small molecule inhibitor of CAIX, SLC-0111, significantly reduced overall metastatic burden, whereas exposure to sunitinib increased hypoxia and CAIX expression in primary tumors, and failed to inhibit metastasis. The administration of SLC-0111 significantly decreased primary tumor vascular density and permeability, and reduced metastasis to the lung and liver. Furthermore, combining sunitinib and SLC-0111 significantly reduced both primary tumor growth and sunitinib-induced metastasis to the lung. Our findings suggest that targeting angiogenesis and hypoxia effectors in combination holds promise as a novel rational strategy for the effective treatment of patients with TNBC.