Analysing responsible innovation along a value chain-A single-cell protein case study

The British Standards Institution's Publicly Available Specification 440 (PAS 440) provides a Responsible Innovation Framework (RIF) that companies can use to continuously monitor the societal, environmental and health benefits and risks of their innovations, as well as relevant changes to the supply chain and regulations. PAS 440 is intended to help companies achieve the benefits of innovation in a timely manner and avoid any potential harm or unintended misuse of a new product, process or service. Here, the authors have applied the PAS 440 RIF to a novel single-cell protein (SCP) animal feed ingredient taking into consideration the perspectives of the value chain partners (VCPs), companies and laboratories involved in an Innovate UK research project. The authors' findings show how VCPs can use PAS440 to demonstrate that they are innovating responsibly. Using this approach to responsible innovation along the value chain-from manufacturing scale-up, through regulatory approval, to incorporation in animal feed and from there to food on supermarket shelves-can support the development of innovations that contribute to the economic and environmental sustainability of the animal feed sector. The authors conclude that the PAS 440 Guide can facilitate the progress of a new product throughout a value chain and contribute to coordinating responsible behaviour among companies involved in the value chain.

Supplemental B-Vitamins and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers in the Women's Health Initiative

B-vitamins contribute to DNA synthesis, maintenance, and regulation. Few studies have examined associations of supplemental sources of B-vitamins with the incidence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers [including gastric (GCA) and esophageal (ECA) cancers]; the only prior study to comprehensively examine such intakes reported potential elevated risks of ECA. We examined 159,401 postmenopausal women, ages 50-79 years at baseline, including 302 incident GCA and 183 incident ECA cases, over 19 years of follow-up within the Women's Health Initiative observational study and clinic trials. Adjusted Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of supplemental B-vitamins [riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), or cobalamin (B12)] with GCA and ECA risk, respectively. Although HRs were generally below 1.0, we observed no statistically significant associations between supplemental intakes of any of the evaluated B-vitamins with the risk of GCA or ECA. As the first prospective study to comprehensively assess these associations, our findings do not corroborate prior research indicating potential harm from supplemental B-vitamin intake for upper GI cancer risk. This study adds evidence that supplemental intakes of B-vitamins may be used by postmenopausal women without regard to their relationship with upper GI cancer risk.

Mainstreaming germline genetic testing for patients with pancreatic cancer increases uptake

Germline genetic testing is recommended for all patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) but uptake rates are low. We implemented a mainstreaming program in oncology clinics to increase testing for PC patients. Genetic counselors trained oncology providers to offer a standardized multigene panel and obtain informed consent using an educational video. Pre-test genetic counseling was available upon request. Otherwise, patients with identified pathogenic variants, strong family history, or questions regarding their results were referred for post-test genetic counseling. We measured rates of testing and genetic counseling visits. From September 2019 to April 2021, 245 patients with PC underwent genetic testing. This represents a 6.5-fold increase in germline testing volume (95% confidence interval 5.2-8.1) compared to previous years. At least one pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (PV/LPV) was found in 34 (13.9%) patients, including 17 (6.9%) PV/LPVs in high or moderate risk genes and 18 (7.3%) in low risk or recessive genes. Five (2.0%) PVs had implications on treatment selection. 22 of the positive patients (64.7%) and an additional 8 PC patients (1 negative, 3 VUS, and 4 pre-test) underwent genetic counseling during the study period. Genetic counselors saw 2.0 PC patients/month prior to this project, 1.6 PC patients/month during this project, and would have seen 2.2 PC patients/month if all patients with pathogenic variants attended post-test counseling. Conclusions Mainstreaming genetic testing expands access for PC patients without overwhelming genetic counseling resources.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

Abstract 2777: Characterizing the molecular underpinnings of sorafenib sensitivity in desmoid tumors

Background: Desmoid tumors (DT) are rare fibroblastic sarcomas that have high recurrence rates. Though we know mutations in the beta-catenin (CTNNB1) gene are commonly observed with dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway in patients with DT, the molecular mechanisms driving DT growth remain poorly understood. There is currently no standard systemic treatment for DT. The multi-kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, has been identified as a potential front-line agent for DT after a recent clinical trial demonstrated an objective response in one third of patients. The mechanism for how sorafenib inhibits DT progression is still unclear, so it is unknown which characteristics predict response to the drug. Our work has identified the early growth response-1 (EGR1) gene as a downstream target of sorafenib.

Methods: Nine DT cell lines have previously been brought into culture with stable passage. These cell lines were treated with sorafenib at 10 μM. RNA was collected from parental and treated cells and subsequent RNA sequencing was performed. Differential gene expression was performed using R. Appropriate comparisons for multiplicity were performed. Western blots were performed to confirm changes in expression of key genes at the protein level. EGR1 overexpression vector was introduced to the 2 DT cell lines and further treated with sorafenib. Additional banked patient desmoid tumor samples were sequenced to assess EGR1 levels and correlation with the CTNNB1.

Results: We first evaluated the effect of sorafenib on CTNNB1 in the DT models. Western blot demonstrated no changes in protein levels of CTNNB1 in the 4 cell lines tested at 72 hours post-treatment. This was further confirmed on RNA-sequencing. To identify additional gene targets of sorafenib, additional differential gene expression analysis was performed resulting in 13 altered genes at an adjusted p < 0.01. The most significantly altered gene, both by p-value and by fold change, was the EGR1 mRNA transcript. EGR1 transcript levels were significantly attenuated by sorafenib treatment (logFC = 2.720, adjusted p-value << 0.0001). Western blot analysis confirmed this decrease. EGR1-high DT cell line models exhibited faster growth rates and also higher sensitivity to sorafenib. Fifteen additional patient desmoid tumor samples confirmed the steady state of CTNNB1 and high variability of the EGR1 transcript. There was no correlation between the EGR1 and CTNNB1 transcript.

Conclusion: This study found that sorafenib does not directly modulate CTNNB1, but does decrease EGR1 expression at both the mRNA and protein level. This suggests that EGR1 expression may be associated with aggressive DT and may also predict responsiveness to treatment with sorafenib. Confirmatory EGR1 modulation experiments are underway and will be provided at time of presentation.

Citation Format: Max Devine, Joy Tang, Colin Stets, John Hays, James L. Chen. Characterizing the molecular underpinnings of sorafenib sensitivity in desmoid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2777.

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis Demonstrates a Decrease in Porins and Increase in CMY-2 β-Lactamases in Escherichia coli Exposed to Increasing Concentrations of Meropenem

While Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamases barely degrade carbapenem antibiotics, they are able to bind carbapenems and prevent them from interacting with penicillin-binding proteins, thereby inhibiting their activity. Further, it has been shown that Enterobacterales can become resistant to carbapenems when high concentrations of ESBL and AmpC β-lactamases are present in the bacterial cell in combination with a decreased influx of antibiotics (due to a decrease in porins and outer-membrane permeability). In this study, a targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay was developed for the detection of the Escherichia coli porins OmpC and OmpF, its chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase, and the plasmid-mediated CMY-2 β-lactamase. BlaCMY–2–like positive E. coli isolates were cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of meropenem, and resistant mutants were analyzed using the developed LC-MS/MS assay, Western blotting, and whole genome sequencing. In five strains that became meropenem resistant, a decrease in OmpC and/or OmpF (caused by premature stop codons or gene interruptions) was the first event toward meropenem resistance. In four of these strains, an additional increase in MICs was caused by an increase in CMY-2 production, and in one strain this was most likely caused by an increase in CTX-M-15 production. The LC-MS/MS assay developed proved to be suitable for the (semi-)quantitative analysis of CMY-2-like β-lactamases and porins within 4 h. Targeted LC-MS/MS could have additional clinical value in the early detection of non-carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant E. coli.

Search for magnetic monopoles produced via the Schwinger mechanism

Electrically charged particles can be created by the decay of strong enough electric fields, a phenomenon known as the Schwinger mechanism¹. By electromagnetic duality, a sufficiently strong magnetic field would similarly produce magnetic monopoles, if they exist². Magnetic monopoles are hypothetical fundamental particles that are predicted by several theories beyond the standard model^3-7 but have never been experimentally detected. Searching for the existence of magnetic monopoles via the Schwinger mechanism has not yet been attempted, but it is advantageous, owing to the possibility of calculating its rate through semi-classical techniques without perturbation theory, as well as that the production of the magnetic monopoles should be enhanced by their finite size^8,9 and strong coupling to photons^2,10. Here we present a search for magnetic monopole production by the Schwinger mechanism in Pb-Pb heavy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, producing the strongest known magnetic fields in the current Universe¹¹. It was conducted by the MoEDAL experiment, whose trapping detectors were exposed to 0.235 per nanobarn, or approximately 1.8 × 10⁹, of Pb-Pb collisions with 5.02-teraelectronvolt center-of-mass energy per collision in November 2018. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer scanned the trapping detectors of MoEDAL for the presence of magnetic charge, which would induce a persistent current in the SQUID. Magnetic monopoles with integer Dirac charges of 1, 2 and 3 and masses up to 75 gigaelectronvolts per speed of light squared were excluded by the analysis at the 95% confidence level. This provides a lower mass limit for finite-size magnetic monopoles from a collider search and greatly extends previous mass bounds.

Odderon Exchange from Elastic Scattering Differences between pp and pp[over ¯] Data at 1.96 TeV and from pp Forward Scattering Measurements

We describe an analysis comparing the pp[over ¯] elastic cross section as measured by the D0 Collaboration at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV to that in pp collisions as measured by the TOTEM Collaboration at 2.76, 7, 8, and 13 TeV using a model-independent approach. The TOTEM cross sections, extrapolated to a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV, are compared with the D0 measurement in the region of the diffractive minimum and the second maximum of the pp cross section. The two data sets disagree at the 3.4σ level and thus provide evidence for the t-channel exchange of a colorless, C-odd gluonic compound, also known as the odderon. We combine these results with a TOTEM analysis of the same C-odd exchange based on the total cross section and the ratio of the real to imaginary parts of the forward elastic strong interaction scattering amplitude in pp scattering for which the significance is between 3.4σ and 4.6σ. The combined significance is larger than 5σ and is interpreted as the first observation of the exchange of a colorless, C-odd gluonic compound.

Phase I evaluation of lenvatinib and weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent endometrial, ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and describe toxicities associated with lenvatinib and weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent endometrial and platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Using a 3 + 3 design patients were given weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV day 1, 8, 15 and oral levantinib daily on a 28-day cycle. Lenvatinib dose levels were 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg, 20 mg. Toxicities were recorded using CTCAE v4.03 and response was determined with imaging after cycle 2, then every 3rd cycle, using RECIST 1.1 criteria.

RESULTS

26 patients were enrolled; 19 with ovarian cancer (14 high grade serous, 1 low grade serous, 2 clear cell, 1 endometrioid, and 1 carcinosarcoma), and 7 with endometrial cancer (3 serous, and 4 endometrioid). The MTD was established at lenvatinib 16 mg and weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2. Toxicities (all grades) occurring in ≥25% of patients included anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, mucositis, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, hypertension, fatigue, proteinuria, epistaxis, hoarseness. Twenty-three patients were evaluable for response and PFS; 15 (65%) had a partial response, 7 (30%) stable, 1 (4%) progressive disease with an objective response rate of 65%; 71% in ovarian and 50% in endometrial cancer. Median progression free survival (PFS) is 12.4 months; 14.0 months in endometrial cancer, 7.2 months in ovarian cancer; 54% had a PFS > 6 months. The median duration of response for PR patients (n = 15) was 10.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The regimen was tolerable with manageable side effects. Encouraging activity was observed in endometrial and ovarian cancer, and warrants further development.

CD4 T Cell-Dependent Rejection of Beta-2 Microglobulin Null Mismatch Repair-Deficient Tumors

Inactivation of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) is considered a determinant of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) in melanoma and lung cancers. In contrast, B2M loss does not appear to affect response to ICPis in mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) colorectal tumors where biallelic inactivation of B2M is frequently observed. We inactivated B2m in multiple murine MMRd cancer models. Although MMRd cells would not readily grow in immunocompetent mice, MMRd B2m null cells were tumorigenic and regressed when treated with anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA4. The efficacy of ICPis against MMRd B2m null tumors did not require CD8⁺ T cells but relied on the presence of CD4⁺ T cells. Human tumors expressing low levels of B2M display increased intratumoral CD4⁺ T cells. We conclude that B2M inactivation does not blunt the efficacy of ICPi in MMRd tumors, and we identify a unique role for CD4⁺ T cells in tumor rejection. SIGNIFICANCE: B2M alterations, which impair antigen presentation, occur frequently in microsatellite-unstable colorectal cancers. Although in melanoma and lung cancers B2M loss is a mechanism of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade, we show that MMRd tumors respond to ICPis through CD4⁺ T-cell activation.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1601.

First Search for Dyons with the Full MoEDAL Trapping Detector in 13 TeV pp Collisions

The MoEDAL trapping detector consists of approximately 800 kg of aluminum volumes. It was exposed during run 2 of the LHC program to 6.46  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHCb interaction point. Evidence for dyons (particles with electric and magnetic charge) captured in the trapping detector was sought by passing the aluminum volumes comprising the detector through a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. The presence of a trapped dyon would be signaled by a persistent current induced in the SQUID magnetometer. On the basis of a Drell-Yan production model, we exclude dyons with a magnetic charge ranging up to five Dirac charges (5g_{D}) and an electric charge up to 200 times the fundamental electric charge for mass limits in the range 870-3120 GeV and also monopoles with magnetic charge up to and including 5g_{D} with mass limits in the range 870-2040 GeV.

Post hoc analyses of GOG 9923: Does BRCA status affect toxicities?: An NRG oncology study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), dichotomized by BRCA status, tolerate intravenous (IV) or intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy given with veliparib and bevacizumab (bev) on a GOG phase I study (GOG 9923, NCT00989651).

METHODS

This is an unplanned, post hoc analysis of an IRB approved, multi-institutional, prospective study (GOG 9923). Clinical characteristics and toxicity data based on BRCA status were evaluated and descriptive statistics were used to summarize baseline patient characteristics and toxicities. The Kaplan Meier method was used to generate survival estimates.

RESULTS

Four hundred twenty-four patients were evaluable. Patients were treated with IV carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bev every 21 days (regimen 1), weekly IV paclitaxel with carboplatin and bev (regimen 2) or IV paclitaxel and bev with IP cisplatin (regimen 3). Bev was continued as maintenance in all arms. Within each of these regimens, veliparib was given either twice daily for the entirety of each cycle (continuous) or on days -2 to 5 (intermittent). Ten percent of patients treated on regimen 1, 12% on regimen 2, and 19.8% on regimen 3 had BRCA-associated tumors. Patients with BRCA-associated tumors, when compared to wild type, experienced similar rates of anemia, febrile neutropenia (, abdominal pain, colonic perforation, nausea, vomiting, and peripheral sensory neuropathy. Median progression free survival (PFS) was not significantly different between BRCA-associated and wild type cancers (HR 0.96, CI 0.65-1.42), though this study's primary aim was not to evaluate outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Germline BRCA mutations positively affect chemosensitivity in EOC, but whether differences in toxicities among BRCA-associated and BRCA wild type tumors existed was previously not reported. In this population with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer no differences in reported toxicity between the two groups was observed.

MDM2-Dependent Rewiring of Metabolomic and Lipidomic Profiles in Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma Models

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is an aggressive mesenchymal cancer marked by amplification of MDM2, an inhibitor of the tumor suppressor TP53. DDLPS patients with higher MDM2 amplification have lower chemotherapy sensitivity and worse outcome than patients with lower MDM2 amplification. We hypothesized that MDM2 amplification levels may be associated with changes in DDLPS metabolism. Six patient-derived DDLPS cell line models were subject to comprehensive metabolomic (Metabolon) and lipidomic (SCIEX 5600 TripleTOF-MS) profiling to assess associations with MDM2 amplification and their responses to metabolic perturbations. Comparing metabolomic profiles between MDM2 higher and lower amplification cells yielded a total of 17 differentially abundant metabolites across both panels (FDR < 0.05, log2 fold change < 0.75), including ceramides, glycosylated ceramides, and sphingomyelins. Disruption of lipid metabolism through statin administration resulted in a chemo-sensitive phenotype in MDM2 lower cell lines only, suggesting that lipid metabolism may be a large contributor to the more aggressive nature of MDM2 higher DDLPS tumors. This study is the first to provide comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic characterization of DDLPS cell lines and provides evidence for MDM2-dependent differential molecular mechanisms that are critical factors in chemoresistance and could thus affect patient outcome.

Outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before CRS-HIPEC for patients with appendiceal cancer

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is indicated for patients with peritoneal dissemination of appendiceal cancer. The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before CRS-HIPEC remains controversial.

METHODS

A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent CRS ± HIPEC for metastatic appendiceal cancer between 2000-2017 was performed. Patients who received NAC followed by surgery were compared with those who underwent surgery first (SF) with and without 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Among 803 patients with appendiceal cancer who underwent CRS ± HIPEC, 225 (28%) received NAC, and 578 (72%) underwent SF. After PSM (n = 186), median overall survival (OS) did not differ (NAC: 40 vs SF: 56 months; P = .210) but recurrence-free survival (RFS) was worse among patients who received NAC (14 vs 22 months; P = .007). NAC was independently associated with worse OS (hazards ratio [HR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-3.18) and RFS (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.25-2.99).

CONCLUSION

In this multi-institutional retrospective analysis of patients with peritoneal dissemination from appendiceal cancer, the use of NAC before CRS-HIPEC was associated with worse OS and RFS even after PSM and multivariable regression. Immediate surgery should be considered for patients with disease amenable to complete cytoreduction.

Efficacy of FGFR Inhibitors and Combination Therapies for Acquired Resistance in FGFR2-Fusion Cholangiocarcinoma

The fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in approximately 15% to 20% of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Currently, several FGFR kinase inhibitors are being assessed in clinical trials for patients with FGFR-altered cholangiocarcinoma. Despite evidence of initial responses and disease control, virtually all patients eventually develop acquired resistance. Thus, there is a critical need for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to overcome acquired drug resistance. Here, we present findings from a patient with FGFR2-altered metastatic cholangiocarcinoma who enrolled in a phase II clinical trial of the FGFR inhibitor, infigratinib (BGJ398). Treatment was initially effective as demonstrated by imaging and tumor marker response; however, after 8 months on trial, the patient exhibited tumor regrowth and disease progression. Targeted sequencing of tumor DNA after disease progression revealed the FGFR2 kinase domain p.E565A and p.L617M single-nucleotide variants (SNV) hypothesized to drive acquired resistance to infigratinib. The sensitivities of these FGFR2 SNVs, which were detected post-infigratinib therapy, were extended to include clinically relevant FGFR inhibitors, including AZD4547, erdafitinib (JNJ-42756493), dovitinib, ponatinib, and TAS120, and were evaluated in vitro Through a proteomics approach, we identified upregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in cells harboring the FGFR2 p.E565A mutation and demonstrated that combination therapy strategies with FGFR and mTOR inhibitors may be used to overcome resistance to FGFR inhibition, specific to infigratinib. Collectively, these studies support the development of novel combination therapeutic strategies in addition to the next generation of FGFR inhibitors to overcome acquired resistance in patients.

Neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: The need for patient-centered research

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer with high recurrence rates following surgical resection. While adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival, a significant proportion of patients are unable to initiate or complete all intended therapy following pancreatectomy due to postoperative complications or poor performance status. The administration of chemotherapy prior to surgical resection is an alternative strategy that ensures its early and near universal delivery as well as improves margin-negative resection rates and potentially improves long-term survival outcomes. Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly being recommended to patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, however, patient-centered research on its use is lacking. In this review, we highlight opportunities to focus research efforts in the domains of patient preferences, patient-reported outcomes, patient experience, and survivorship. Novel research in these areas may identify relevant barriers and facilitators to the use of neoadjuvant therapy thereby increasing its utilization, improve shared-decision making for patients and providers, and optimize the experience of those undergoing neoadjuvant therapy.

Magnetic Monopole Search with the Full MoEDAL Trapping Detector in 13 TeV pp Collisions Interpreted in Photon-Fusion and Drell-Yan Production

MoEDAL is designed to identify new physics in the form of stable or pseudostable highly ionizing particles produced in high-energy Large Hadron Collider (LHC) collisions. Here we update our previous search for magnetic monopoles in Run 2 using the full trapping detector with almost four times more material and almost twice more integrated luminosity. For the first time at the LHC, the data were interpreted in terms of photon-fusion monopole direct production in addition to the Drell-Yan-like mechanism. The MoEDAL trapping detector, consisting of 794 kg of aluminum samples installed in the forward and lateral regions, was exposed to 4.0  fb^{-1} of 13 TeV proton-proton collisions at the LHCb interaction point and analyzed by searching for induced persistent currents after passage through a superconducting magnetometer. Magnetic charges equal to or above the Dirac charge are excluded in all samples. Monopole spins 0, ½, and 1 are considered and both velocity-independent and-dependent couplings are assumed. This search provides the best current laboratory constraints for monopoles with magnetic charges ranging from two to five times the Dirac charge.

A Microfluidic Chip Enables Isolation of Exosomes and Establishment of Their Protein Profiles and Associated Signaling Pathways in Ovarian Cancer

Because of limits on specificity and purity to allow for in-depth protein profiling, a standardized method for exosome isolation has yet to be established. In this study, we describe a novel, in-house microfluidic-based device to isolate exosomes from culture media and patient samples. This technology overcomes contamination issues because sample separation is based on the expression of highly specific surface markers CD63 and EpCAM. Mass spectrometry revealed over 25 exosome proteins that are differentially expressed in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cell lines compared with normal cells-ovarian surface epithelia cells and fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSEC). Top exosome proteins were identified on the basis of their fold change and statistical significance between groups. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified STAT3 and HGF as top regulator proteins. We further validated exosome proteins of interest (pSTAT3, HGF, and IL6) in HGSOC samples of origin-based cell lines (OVCAR-8, FTSEC) and in early-stage HGSOC patient serum exosome samples using LC/MS-MS and proximity extension assay. Our microfluidic device will allow us to make new discoveries for exosome-based biomarkers for the early detection of HGSOC and will contribute to the development of new targeted therapies based on signaling pathways that are unique to HGSOC, both of which could improve the outcome for women with HGSOC. SIGNIFICANCE: A unique platform utilizing a microfluidic device enables the discovery of new exosome-based biomarkers in ovarian cancer.

Abstract 3529: Modulation of MDM2 alters the metabolomic programming of dedifferentiated liposarcoma and its sensitivity to cholesterol inhibition

BACKGROUND: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a highly morbid, mesenchymal tumor characterized by amplification of the 12q chromosomal loci. Although DDLPS are lipid tumors, they produce little lipid. Life expectancy is typically less than 15 months in the advanced setting and standard treatments remain highly toxic. Superior treatment options are clearly needed. Amplification of the MDM2 oncogene that resides in these loci is observed in 100% of all DDLPS; however, to variable levels. Through a negative feedback loop, MDM2 inhibits the tumor suppressive functions of p53 that halts cell growth after cellular stress. Previously, we have reported that MDM2 levels correspond with cellular growth and drug metabolism, but little is known about the effects of MDM2 alterations on global metabolomic profiles. These profiles will help us pinpoint dysregulated pathways that explain, at least partially, the functional effects associated with MDM2 amplification. METHODS: Six DDLPS cell lines were brought directly into culture from patients. MDM2 levels were determined via Western blot and RNA-sequencing. Metabolomics data was generated using the Metabolon platform. Cell viability assays were performed in ZOOM IncuCyte or measured by XTT. Atorvastatin was used to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. MDM2 levels were altered using SAR405838 to raise MDM2 levels and MI-192 to lower MDM2 levels. Synergy was calculated via Chou-Talalay method to determine the combination index (CI) using Compusyn software. RESULTS: MDM2 levels are inversely correlated with metabolites in the lipid and cholesterol pathway (Fisher's, p &lt; 0.001). The lipid metabolism pathway was also the top deregulated pathway (pathway enrichment p-value = 0.03) in transcriptionally profiled DDLPS cell lines treated with MDM2 elevating agent SAR405838. MDM2 low DDLPS cell lines were exquisitely sensitive to HMGA-CoA reductase inhibitors in the low micromolar range. Lipid metabolite profiling of MDM2 low versus high cell lines treated with atorvastatin demonstrated that twice as many lipid metabolites were altered in MDM2 low versus high cells (Chi-square, p &lt; 0.001). MDM2 levels by RNA-seq demonstrated significant correlation between MDM2 gene expression and atorvastatin IC50 doses (r=0.963). MDM2 modulation by use of SAR405838 and MI-192 respectively in combination with atorvastatin displayed antagonism (average CI = 1.5) and synergy (average CI = 0.63), respectively. CONCLUSION: Modulation of MDM2 alters cholesterol metabolism in DDLPS and may serve as druggable target.

Citation Format: Bryce Demoret, Andrew Patt, John Hays, Ewy Mathé, James L. Chen. Modulation of MDM2 alters the metabolomic programming of dedifferentiated liposarcoma and its sensitivity to cholesterol inhibition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3529.

Measurement of the Effective Weak Mixing Angle in pp[over ¯]→Z/γ^{*}→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-} Events

We present a measurement of the effective weak mixing angle parameter sin^{2}θ_{eff}^{ℓ} in pp[over ¯]→Z/γ^{*}→μ^{+}μ^{-} events at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV, collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider and corresponding to 8.6  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity. The measured value of sin^{2}θ_{eff}^{ℓ}[μμ]=0.23016±0.00064 is further combined with the result from the D0 measurement in pp[over ¯]→Z/γ^{*}→e^{+}e^{-} events, resulting in sin^{2}θ_{eff}^{ℓ}[comb]=0.23095±0.00040. This combined result is the most precise measurement from a single experiment at a hadron collider and is the most precise determination using the coupling of the Z/γ^{*} to light quarks.

Combined Forward-Backward Asymmetry Measurements in Top-Antitop Quark Production at the Tevatron

The CDF and D0 experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron have measured the asymmetry between yields of forward- and backward-produced top and antitop quarks based on their rapidity difference and the asymmetry between their decay leptons. These measurements use the full data sets collected in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV. We report the results of combinations of the inclusive asymmetries and their differential dependencies on relevant kinematic quantities. The combined inclusive asymmetry is A_{FB}^{tt[over ¯]}=0.128±0.025. The combined inclusive and differential asymmetries are consistent with recent standard model predictions.

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma: A review of pathologic characteristics

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare pathologic entity defined as a tumor exhibiting both adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma components. Though uncommon, these tumors show aggressive behavior and generally portend a poor prognosis. This study seeks to further define clinicopathological characteristics of MANEC to aid in accurate diagnosis and properly direct clinical management. Thirty-four confirmed MANECs were identified in our 25-year retrospective review of cases arising in the gastrointestinal tract. Various gross and microscopic variables were compared to overall survival. Tumors diagnosed at advanced stage (pT4), had a prominent mucinous component and lacked goblet cell clusters, which were all significantly associated with worse overall survival. This study supports previous findings and further elucidates clinicopathologic characteristics of MANEC.

Akt Activation Mediates Acquired Resistance to Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor BGJ398

Activation of FGFR signaling through mutations, amplifications, or fusions involving FGFR1, 2, 3, or 4 is seen in multiple tumors, including lung, bladder, and cholangiocarcinoma. Currently, several clinical trials are evaluating the role of novel FGFR inhibitors in solid tumors. As we move forward with FGFR inhibitors clinically, we anticipate the emergence of resistance with treatment. Consequently, we sought to study the mechanism(s) of acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitors using annotated cancer cell lines. We identified cancer cell lines that have activating mutations in FGFR1, 2, or 3 and treated them chronically with the selective FGFR inhibitor, BGJ398. We observed resistance to chronic BGJ398 exposure in DMS114 (small-cell lung cancer, FGFR1 amplification) and RT112 (urothelial carcinoma, FGFR3 fusion/amplification) cell lines based on viability assays. Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) analysis showed increased phosphorylation of Akt (T308 and S473) and its downstream target GSK3 (S9 and S21) in both the resistant cell lines when compared with matching controls. Results of RPPA were confirmed using immunoblots. Consequently, the addition of an Akt inhibitor (GSK2141795) or siRNA was able to restore sensitivity to BGJ398 in resistant cell lines. These data suggest a role for Akt pathway in mediating acquired resistance to FGFR inhibition. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(4); 614-24. ©2017 AACR.

Abstract LB-036: Elevated STAT3 expression in ovarian tumor ascites regulates invasion and metastasis: a promising therapeutic target

Objectives: Although, the ovarian cancer patient ascites is a recognized source of metastasis, the expression of oncogenic proteins in ascites and their effects on the tumor metastatic microenvironment still remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the role of STAT3 in primary ovarian cancer ascites and STAT3 as a potential target for ovarian tumor therapy in a preclinical animal model using our novel and safe STAT3 inhibitor of HO-3867.

Methods: We start with culturing the primary cancer cell lines from various human ascites and confirming the status of STAT3 signaling. The exact role that STAT3 plays in ovarian cancer was addressed using STAT3 knocked down and STAT3 overexpression cell lines. These were further used to develop an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer. In vivo antitumor activity of STAT3 inhibitor of HO-3867 assessment was done by oral administration of HO-3867 in orthotopic tumor mice. using histopathological analysis, RPPA, TUNEL and angiogenesis assays. In vivo bio-absorption of HO-3867 compounds in tumors by EPR and LCMS analysis.

Results: We have found that pSTAT3 Tyr705 is constitutively expressed in the patient ascites derived cancer cells (ADCCs) and the range of expression could be very high to low. Subsequent in vivo transplantation of ADCCs with higher pSTAT3 expression injected into mice resulted in a large primary tumor and widespread metastases; while the mice with cells with STAT3 Knocked out had a smaller tumor and no metastases. We further demonstrate that the cytokines secreted into the culture medium can activate the JAK/STAT pathway in the STAT3 Ko cells thereby making up for the absence of inherent STAT3 in the cells. Once we proved the importance of STAT3 in ovarian cancer progression and metastases, we moved on to targeting STAT3 using our novel STAT3 inhibitor and pre-clinical orthotopic tumor model. Treatment with HO-3867 (100 ppm) significantly suppressed ovarian tumor growth and metastasis. A substantial amount of HO-3867 was detected in the ovarian tumor tissues. Suppression of STAT3 and its downstream target proteins were confirmed with reverse phase protein array. In vivo Matrigel assay showed that HO-3867 treated samples had significantly reduced vessel formation (∼4 times) when compared to untreated control. HO-3867 was also found to have cytotoxic effects in ex vivo culture of freshly collected human tumor samples, including patients with chemotherapy-resistant disease.

Conclusions: Our study has concluded that constitutive expression of STAT3 in patient ascites is a significant contributor in ovarian tumor invasion and metastasis. STAT3-selective targeting agent HO-3867 in orthotopic ovarian tumor and ex vivo tumor tissue culture, results in inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apoptosis both in vivo and ex vivo, suggesting that HO-3867 is an exciting new cytotoxic agent acting through targeting STAT3; which could have a considerable role in the future treatment of ovarian cancer.

Citation Format: Uksha Saini, Shan Naidu, Adam C. ElNaggar, Hemant K. Bid, John Wallbillich, Ross Wanner, Kristin Bixel, Maria Riley, Chelsea Bolyard, Adrian A. Suarez, Balveen Kaur, Periannan Kuppusamy, John Hays, Paul Goodfellow, David E. Cohn, Karuppaiyah Selvendiran. Elevated STAT3 expression in ovarian tumor ascites regulates invasion and metastasis: a promising therapeutic target. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-036.

Evidence for a B_{s}^{0}π^{±} State

We report evidence for a narrow structure, X(5568), in the decay sequence X(5568)→B_{s}^{0}π^{±}, B_{s}^{0}→J/ψϕ, J/ψ→μ^{+}μ^{-}, ϕ→K^{+}K^{-}. This is evidence for the first instance of a hadronic state with valence quarks of four different flavors. The mass and natural width of this state are measured to be m=5567.8±2.9(stat)_{-1.9}^{+0.9}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and Γ=21.9±6.4(stat)_{-2.5}^{+5.0}(syst)  MeV/c^{2}. If the decay is X(5568)→B_{s}^{*}π^{±}→B_{s}^{0}γπ^{±} with an unseen γ, m(X(5568)) will be shifted up by m(B_{s}^{*})-m(B_{s}^{0})∼49  MeV/c^{2}. This measurement is based on 10.4  fb^{-1} of pp[over ¯] collision data at sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider.

Mixed Adeno-neuroendocrine Carcinoma: An Aggressive Clinical Entity

BACKGROUND

Mixed adeno-neuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a rare pathologic diagnosis recently defined by the World Health Organization in 2010. Due to poor understanding of MANEC as a clinical entity, there is significant variation in the management of these patients. The purpose of our study was to characterize MANEC to develop evidence-based treatment strategies.

METHODS

The Ohio State University patient database was queried for the diagnosis of MANEC and 46 patients were identified. For comparison, the database also was queried for goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) of the appendix, signet ring cell carcinoma, and carcinoid/neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix. Charts were then retrospectively reviewed for clinicopathologic characteristics, patient treatment, and survival data.

RESULTS

The mean age of diagnosis of MANEC was 54 years. Eighty-seven percent of MANEC arose from the appendix, with 28 % of patients undergoing appendectomy and 35 % undergoing right hemicolectomy as their index operation. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for chromogranin (82 %), synaptophysin (97 %), and CD56 (67 %). Sixty-seven percent of patients presented with stage IV disease and 41 % had nodal metastases. Overall survival was 4.1 years, which was statistically significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) compared with carcinoid tumors (13.4 years), GCC (15.4 years), and signet ring carcinoma (2.2 years).

CONCLUSIONS

MANEC is a more aggressive clinical entity than both GCC of the appendix and carcinoid/neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix. Based on these findings, we recommend patients with MANEC tumors undergo aggressive multidisciplinary cancer management and close surveillance.

Evidence for Simultaneous Production of J/ψ and ϒ Mesons

We report evidence for the simultaneous production of J/ψ and ϒ mesons in 8.1  fb^{-1} of data collected at sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab pp[over ¯] Tevatron Collider. Events with these characteristics are expected to be produced predominantly by gluon-gluon interactions. In this analysis, we extract the effective cross section characterizing the initial parton spatial distribution, σ_{eff}=2.2±0.7(stat)±0.9(syst)  mb.

Inclusive Production of the X(4140) State in pp[over ¯] Collisions at D0

We present a study of the inclusive production of the X(4140) state with the decay to the J/ψϕ final state in hadronic collisions. Based on 10.4  fb^{-1} of pp[over ¯] collision data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider, we report the first evidence for the prompt production of an X(4140) state and find the fraction of X(4140) events originating from b hadrons to be f_{b}=0.39±0.07(stat)±0.10(syst). The ratio of the nonprompt X(4140) production rate to the B_{s}^{0} yield in the same channel is R=0.19±0.05(stat)±0.07(syst). The values of the mass M=4152.5±1.7(stat)_{-5.4}^{+6.2}(syst)  MeV and width Γ=16.3±5.6(stat)±11.4(syst)  MeV are consistent with previous measurements.

Search for Violation of CPT and Lorentz Invariance in Bs(0) Meson Oscillations

We present the first search for CPT-violating effects in the mixing of Bs(0) mesons using the full Run II data set with an integrated luminosity of 10.4  fb(-1) of proton-antiproton collisions collected using the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We measure the CPT-violating asymmetry in the decay Bs(0)→μ(±)Ds(±) as a function of celestial direction and sidereal phase. We find no evidence for CPT-violating effects and place limits on the direction and magnitude of flavor-dependent CPT- and Lorentz-invariance violating coupling coefficients. We find 95% confidence intervals of Δa⊥<1.2×10(-12)  GeV and (-0.8<ΔaT-0.396ΔaZ<3.9)×10(-13)  GeV.

Tevatron Combination of Single-Top-Quark Cross Sections and Determination of the Magnitude of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa Matrix Element V_{tb}

We present the final combination of CDF and D0 measurements of cross sections for single-top-quark production in proton-antiproton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The data correspond to total integrated luminosities of up to 9.7 fb^{-1} per experiment. The t-channel cross section is measured to be σ_{t}=2.25_{-0.31}^{+0.29} pb. We also present the combinations of the two-dimensional measurements of the s- vs t-channel cross section. In addition, we give the combination of the s+t channel cross section measurement resulting in σ_{s+t}=3.30_{-0.40}^{+0.52} pb, without assuming the standard model value for the ratio σ_{s}/σ_{t}. The resulting value of the magnitude of the top-to-bottom quark coupling is |V_{tb}|=1.02_{-0.05}^{+0.06}, corresponding to |V_{tb}|>0.92 at the 95% C.L.

Measurement of the Effective Weak Mixing Angle in pp[over ¯]→Z/γ^{*}→e^{+}e^{-} Events

We present a measurement of the fundamental parameter of the standard model, the weak mixing angle sin^{2}θ_{eff}^{ℓ} which determines the relative strength of weak and electromagnetic interactions, in pp[over ¯]→Z/γ^{*}→e^{+}e^{-} events at a center of mass energy of 1.96 TeV, using data corresponding to 9.7 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The effective weak mixing angle is extracted from the forward-backward charge asymmetry as a function of the invariant mass around the Z boson pole. The measured value of sin^{2}θ_{eff}^{ℓ}=0.23147±0.00047 is the most precise measurement from light quark interactions to date, with a precision close to the best LEP and SLD results.

Tevatron constraints on models of the Higgs boson with exotic spin and parity using decays to bottom-antibottom quark pairs

Combined constraints from the CDF and D0 Collaborations on models of the Higgs boson with exotic spin J and parity P are presented and compared with results obtained assuming the standard model value JP=0+. Both collaborations analyzed approximately 10  fb(-) of proton-antiproton collisions with a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV collected at the Fermilab Tevatron. Two models predicting exotic Higgs bosons with JP=0- and JP=2+ are tested. The kinematic properties of exotic Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson differ from those predicted for the standard model Higgs boson. Upper limits at the 95% credibility level on the production rates of the exotic Higgs bosons, expressed as fractions of the standard model Higgs boson production rate, are set at 0.36 for both the JP=0- hypothesis and the JP=2+ hypothesis. If the production rate times the branching ratio to a bottom-antibottom pair is the same as that predicted for the standard model Higgs boson, then the exotic bosons are excluded with significances of 5.0 standard deviations and 4.9 standard deviations for the JP=0- and JP=2+ hypotheses, respectively.

Measurement of the B(s)(0) lifetime in the flavor-specific decay channel B(s)(0)→D(s)(-)μ(+)νX

We present an updated measurement of the B(s)(0) lifetime using the semileptonic decays B(s)(0)→D(s)(-)μ(+)νX, with D(s)(-)→ϕπ(-) and ϕ→K(+)K(-) (and the charge conjugate process). This measurement uses the full Tevatron Run II sample of proton-antiproton collisions at √[s]=1.96  TeV, comprising an integrated luminosity of 10.4  fb(-1). We find a flavor-specific lifetime τ(fs)(B(s)(0))=1.479±0.010(stat)±0.021(syst)  ps. This technique is also used to determine the B(0) lifetime using the analogous B(0)→D(-)μ(+)νX decay with D(-)→ϕπ(-) and ϕ→K(+)K(-), yielding τ(B(0))=1.534±0.019(stat)±0.021(syst)  ps. Both measurements are consistent with the current world averages, and the B(s)(0) lifetime measurement is one of the most precise to date. Taking advantage of the cancellation of systematic uncertainties, we determine the lifetime ratio τ(fs)(B(s)(0))/τ(B(0))=0.964±0.013(stat)±0.007(syst).