TNG260 is a Small-Molecule CoREST Inhibitor that Sensitizes STK11-Mutant Tumors to Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with loss of the tumor suppressor gene STK11 are resistant to immune checkpoint therapies like anti-PD-1. Here, we conducted an in vivo CRISPR screen that identified HDAC1 as a target to reverse anti-PD-1 resistance driven by loss of STK11 and developed TNG260, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of the CoREST complex with selectivity exceeding previously generated inhibitors in this class in preclinical studies. Treatment with TNG260 led to increased expression of immunomodulatory genes in STK11-deficient cancer cells.

Deep mutational scanning reveals EGFR mutations conferring resistance to the 4th-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor BLU-945.

Fourth-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase are in development to overcome common resistance mutations. We performed deep mutational scanning (DMS) of the EGFR kinase domain in the context of L858R by introducing a saturation library of ~17,000 variants into Ba/F3 cells. DMS library-expressing cells were exposed to osimertinib or BLU-945 to identify escape mutations.

JAK2/STAT3 Signaling in Myeloid Cells Contributes to Obesity-Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance.

Adipose tissue inflammation contributes to obesity-induced insulin resistance. However, increasing evidence shows that high BMI (obesity) is not an accurate predictor of poor metabolic health in individuals. The molecular mechanisms regulating the metabolically activated M1 macrophage phenotype in the adipose tissues leading to insulin resistance remain largely unknown.

Characterization of tumour heterogeneity through segmentation-free representation learning on multiplexed imaging data.

High-dimensional multiplexed imaging can reveal the spatial organization of tumour tissues at the molecular level. However, owing to the scale and information complexity of the imaging data, it is challenging to discover and thoroughly characterize the heterogeneity of tumour microenvironments. Here we show that self-supervised representation learning on data from imaging mass cytometry can be leveraged to distinguish morphological differences in tumour microenvironments and to precisely characterize distinct microenvironment signatures.

Characterization of tumor heterogeneity through segmentation-free representation learning.

The interaction between tumors and their microenvironment is complex and heterogeneous. Recent developments in high-dimensional multiplexed imaging have revealed the spatial organization of tumor tissues at the molecular level. However, the discovery and thorough characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains challenging due to the scale and complexity of the images.

A Phase 1/2 multicenter trial of DKN-01 as monotherapy or in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Background: Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) is a Wingless-related integrate site (Wnt) signaling modulator that is upregulated in prostate cancers (PCa) with low androgen receptor expression. DKN-01, an IgG4 that neutralizes DKK1, delays PCa growth in pre-clinical DKK1-expressing models. These data provided the rationale for a clinical trial testing DKN-01 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC).

A Multivalent Peptoid Conjugate Modulates Androgen Receptor Transcriptional Activity to Inhibit Therapy-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancers adapt to androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors and progress to castration resistance due to ongoing AR expression and function. To counter this, we developed a new approach to modulate the AR and inhibit castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) using multivalent peptoid conjugates (MPC) that contain multiple copies of the AR-targeting ligand ethisterone attached to a peptidomimetic scaffold. Here, we investigated the antitumor effects of compound MPC309, a trivalent display of ethisterone conjugated to a peptoid oligomer backbone that binds to the AR with nanomolar affinity.

Single-cell analysis of localized prostate cancer patients links high Gleason score with an immunosuppressive profile.

Background: Evading immune surveillance is a hallmark for the development of multiple cancer types. Whether immune evasion contributes to the pathogenesis of high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) remains an area of active inquiry.

Methods: Through single-cell RNA sequencing and multicolor flow cytometry of freshly isolated prostatectomy specimens and matched peripheral blood, we aimed to characterize the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) of localized prostate cancer (PCa), including HGPCa and low-grade prostate cancer (LGPCa).

Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibition Exploits Selective Metabolic Vulnerabilities in LKB1 Mutant, KRAS Driven NSCLC.

Introduction: In KRAS-mutant NSCLC, co-occurring alterations in LKB1 confer a negative prognosis compared with other mutations such as TP53. LKB1 is a tumor suppressor that coordinates several signaling pathways in response to energetic stress. Our recent work on pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) revealed the impaired activity of numerous enzymes involved in glycolysis.

DNA Methylation Profiling Identifies Subgroups of Lung Adenocarcinoma with Distinct Immune Cell Composition, DNA Methylation Age, and Clinical Outcome.

Purpose: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a clinically heterogeneous disease, which is highlighted by the unpredictable recurrence in low-stage tumors and highly variable responses observed in patients treated with immunotherapies, which cannot be explained by mutational profiles. DNA methylation-based classification and understanding of microenviromental heterogeneity may allow stratification into clinically relevant molecular subtypes of LUADs.

Experimental Design: We characterize the genome-wide DNA methylation landscape of 88 resected LUAD tumors.

Loss of sensitizes immune checkpoint blockade in non-small cell lung cancer.

Tuberous sclerosis complex subunit 1 () and 2 () are frequently mutated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), however, their effects on antitumor immunity remained unexplored. A CRISPR screening in murine / (KP) model identified and as potent regulators of programmed cell death ligand 1 (Pd-l1) expression in vitro and sensitivity to anti-programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) treatment in vivo. or knockout (KO) promoted the transcriptional and membrane expression of PD-L1 in cell lines.

Ontogeny and Vulnerabilities of Drug-Tolerant Persisters in HER2+ Breast Cancer.

Unlabelled: Resistance to targeted therapies is an important clinical problem in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. "Drug-tolerant persisters" (DTP), a subpopulation of cancer cells that survive via reversible, nongenetic mechanisms, are implicated in resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in other malignancies, but DTPs following HER2 TKI exposure have not been well characterized. We found that HER2 TKIs evoke DTPs with a luminal-like or a mesenchymal-like transcriptome.

Targeting the Atf7ip-Setdb1 Complex Augments Antitumor Immunity by Boosting Tumor Immunogenicity.

Substantial progress has been made in understanding how tumors escape immune surveillance. However, few measures to counteract tumor immune evasion have been developed. Suppression of tumor antigen expression is a common adaptive mechanism that cancers use to evade detection and destruction by the immune system.

Targeting Exon 20 Insertion-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma with a Novel Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Mobocertinib.

No targeted treatments are currently approved for exon 20 insertion-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients. Mobocertinib (TAK-788) is a potent irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed to target human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 () exon 20 insertion mutations. However, the function of mobocertinib on exon 20 insertion-mutant lung cancer is still unclear.

The KRAS Inhibitor MRTX849 Reconditions the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Sensitizes Tumors to Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.

KRAS inhibitors, including MRTX849, are promising treatment options for KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PD-1 inhibitors are approved in NSCLC; however, strategies to enhance checkpoint inhibitor therapy (CIT) are needed. mutations are smoking-associated transversion mutations associated with high tumor mutation burden, PD-L1 positivity, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

SHP2 inhibition diminishes KRASG12C cycling and promotes tumor microenvironment remodeling.

KRAS is the most frequently mutated human oncogene, and KRAS inhibition has been a longtime goal. Recently, inhibitors were developed that bind KRASG12C-GDP and react with Cys-12 (G12C-Is). Using new affinity reagents to monitor KRASG12C activation and inhibitor engagement, we found that an SHP2 inhibitor (SHP2-I) increases KRAS-GDP occupancy, enhancing G12C-I efficacy.

Serial single-cell profiling analysis of metastatic TNBC during Nab-paclitaxel and pembrolizumab treatment.

Purpose: Immunotherapy has recently been shown to improve outcomes for advanced PD-L1-positive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in the Impassion130 trial, leading to FDA approval of the first immune checkpoint inhibitor in combination with taxane chemotherapy. To further develop predictive biomarkers and improve therapeutic efficacy of the combination, interrogation of the tumor immune microenvironment before therapy as well as during each component of treatment is crucial. Here we use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on tumor biopsies to assess immune cell changes from two patients with advanced TNBC treated in a prospective trial at predefined serial time points, before treatment, on taxane chemotherapy and on chemo-immunotherapy.

Epigenetic CRISPR Screens Identify as a Therapeutic Vulnerability in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Despite advancements in treatment options, the overall cure and survival rates for non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) remain low. While small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulators have recently emerged as promising cancer therapeutics, their application in patients with NSCLC is limited. To exploit epigenetic regulators as novel therapeutic targets in NSCLC, we performed pooled epigenome-wide CRISPR knockout screens and and identified the histone chaperone nucleophosmin 1 () as a potential therapeutic target.

Generation of Genetically Engineered Mouse Lung Organoid Models for Squamous Cell Lung Cancers Allows for the Study of Combinatorial Immunotherapy.

Purpose: Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a deadly disease for which only a subset of patients responds to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Therefore, preclinical mouse models that recapitulate the complex genetic profile found in patients are urgently needed.

Experimental Design: We used CRISPR genome editing to delete multiple tumor suppressors in lung organoids derived from Cre-dependent SOX2 knock-in mice.

CDK7 Inhibition Potentiates Genome Instability Triggering Anti-tumor Immunity in Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a central regulator of the cell cycle and gene transcription. However, little is known about its impact on genomic instability and cancer immunity. Using a selective CDK7 inhibitor, YKL-5-124, we demonstrated that CDK7 inhibition predominately disrupts cell-cycle progression and induces DNA replication stress and genome instability in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) while simultaneously triggering immune-response signaling.

Epigenetic CRISPR Screen Identifies as an Immunotherapeutic Target in -Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Despite substantial progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, the overall response rate in patients with -mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains low. Combining standard immunotherapy with adjuvant approaches that enhance adaptive immune responses-such as epigenetic modulation of antitumor immunity-is therefore an attractive strategy. To identify epigenetic regulators of tumor immunity, we constructed an epigenetic-focused single guide RNA library and performed an CRISPR screen in a / LUAD model.

Pulsatile MEK Inhibition Improves Anti-tumor Immunity and T Cell Function in Murine Kras Mutant Lung Cancer.

KRAS is one of the driver oncogenes in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but remains refractory to current modalities of targeted pathway inhibition, which include inhibiting downstream kinase MEK to circumvent KRAS activation. Here, we show that pulsatile, rather than continuous, treatment with MEK inhibitors (MEKis) maintains T cell activation and enables their proliferation. Two MEKis, selumetinib and trametinib, induce T cell activation with increased CTLA-4 expression and, to a lesser extent, PD-1 expression on T cells in vivo after cyclical pulsatile MEKi treatment.