Project description:The TGFβ signaling pathway is known for its pleiotropic functions in a plethora of biological processes. In melanoma, TGFβ signaling promotes invasiveness and metastasis formation. However, its involvement in the response to therapy is controversial. While several studies have linked TGFβ signaling to elevated resistance to targeted therapy in melanoma, separate findings have indicated a favorable treatment response through TGFβ-mediated increase of cell death. We now found that the outcome of TGFβ signaling in the context of targeted therapy is dose dependent. Unlike low doses, high levels of TGFβ signal activation induce apoptosis upon simultaneous MAPK pathway inhibition, even in targeted therapy resistant melanoma cell lines. Using transcriptomic analyses, combined with genomic target identification of the critical TGFβ signaling effector SMAD4, we demonstrate that parallel activation of TGFβ signaling and MAPK pathway inhibition causes a complete switch of TGFβ target genes from promoting pro-invasive processes to fueling pro-apoptotic pathways. Investigations of underlying mechanisms identified a novel apoptosis-inducing gene signature. Functional validation of signature members confirmed the deubiquitinating enzyme BAP1, the ubiquitin conjugation factor UBE4B and the pro-apoptotic BCL2 family member BCL2L11 (BIM) to mediate apoptosis in this condition. Using a modified, synthetic version of the TGFβ1 mRNA for intra-tumoral injections, we additionally showcase a potential therapeutic application of this treatment combination.
Project description:CUT&RUN LoV-U was performed against SMAD4 using two different antibodies in M170117 human melanoma cells under 4 conditions: Control (DMSO), TGFb, MEKi and TGFb + MEKi (Both).
Project description:We defined the molecular alterations associated with acquired resistance using combined treatment with BRAFi/MEKi in melanoma cell lines. After the successful establishment of six resistant cell lines, we determined the invasion properties and gene/protein expression differences between sensitive and resistant cells. We observed that the in-vasive potential of three of six resistant cell lines increased significantly compared to sensitive cell lines. We also observed that resistant cells were not drug addicted and did not exhibit significantly increased lethality following the “drug holiday”. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were associated with epithelial-mesenchymal tran-sition (EMT), the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway, and KRAS signalling
Project description:The majority of BRAFV600 mutant melanomas regress in response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi). Yet nearly all relapse within the first two years. Most BRAFi/MEKi-resistant tumors are cross-resistant to immunotherapies, highlighting the need to prevent and circumvent resistance. We recently showed that androgen receptor (AR) activity is required for sustained melanoma cells proliferation and tumorigenesis. Here we find that AR expression is markedly increased in BRAFi resistant melanoma cells as well as in sensitive cells already at very early times of BRAFi exposure. Proliferation and tumorigenicity of BRAFi resistant melanoma cells are blunted by genetic or pharmacologic suppression of AR activity, while AR overexpression is by itself sufficient to rendersmelanoma cells BRAFi/MEKi-resistant. Increased AR elicits transcriptional changes linked with AXL-positive BRAFi resistant subpopulations and induces expression of PAI-1 and EGFR, two determinants of melanoma progression that associate with elevated AR expression in clinical cohorts. Our results point to increased AR signaling as a determinant of melanoma BRAFi resistance, which can be counteracted by AR as well as PAI-1 and EGFR inhibitors.
Project description:The majority of BRAFV600 mutant melanomas regress in response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi). Yet nearly all relapse within the first two years. Most BRAFi/MEKi-resistant tumors are cross-resistant to immunotherapies, highlighting the need to prevent and circumvent resistance. We recently showed that androgen receptor (AR) activity is required for sustained melanoma cells proliferation and tumorigenesis. Here we find that AR expression is markedly increased in BRAFi resistant melanoma cells as well as in sensitive cells already at very early times of BRAFi exposure. Proliferation and tumorigenicity of BRAFi resistant melanoma cells are blunted by genetic or pharmacologic suppression of AR activity, while AR overexpression is by itself sufficient to rendersmelanoma cells BRAFi/MEKi-resistant. Increased AR elicits transcriptional changes linked with AXL-positive BRAFi resistant subpopulations and induces expression of PAI-1 and EGFR, two determinants of melanoma progression that associate with elevated AR expression in clinical cohorts. Our results point to increased AR signaling as a determinant of melanoma BRAFi resistance, which can be counteracted by AR as well as PAI-1 and EGFR inhibitors.
Project description:The majority of BRAFV600 mutant melanomas regress in response to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi). Yet nearly all relapse within the first two years. Most BRAFi/MEKi-resistant tumors are cross-resistant to immunotherapies, highlighting the need to prevent and circumvent resistance. We recently showed that androgen receptor (AR) activity is required for sustained melanoma cells proliferation and tumorigenesis. Here we find that AR expression is markedly increased in BRAFi resistant melanoma cells as well as in sensitive cells already at very early times of BRAFi exposure. Proliferation and tumorigenicity of BRAFi resistant melanoma cells are blunted by genetic or pharmacologic suppression of AR activity, while AR overexpression is by itself sufficient to rendersmelanoma cells BRAFi/MEKi-resistant. Increased AR elicits transcriptional changes linked with AXL-positive BRAFi resistant subpopulations and induces expression of PAI-1 and EGFR, two determinants of melanoma progression that associate with elevated AR expression in clinical cohorts. Our results point to increased AR signaling as a determinant of melanoma BRAFi resistance, which can be counteracted by AR as well as PAI-1 and EGFR inhibitors.
Project description:Purpose: To identify new targets in melanoma for targeted treatment based on a mutational analysis of melanoma cell lines and subsequent individualized treatment combinations. Experimental Design: A series of 57 melanoma cell lines (mostly short-term cultures) are analyzed for their mutation pattern based on a mutation panel of 83 genes selected from the most abundant mutations (more than 5 % of samples). Of these, 28 cell lines are treated with small molecule inhibitors either as single-agent or combination therapy. Most effective therapies are estimated by Chou Talaley method, applied to multiple drug treatments, based on growth characteristics of melanoma cells during life-cell imaging. Results: In a number of cell lines, combination treatment showed better treatment response rates than monotherapy. BRAFi and an inhibitor of a further pathway is more efficient to induce an anti-proliferative effect than the standard therapy with a BRAFi-MEKi combination. Among these are PI3K/mTOR inhibitor apitolisib either together with a BRAFi or as triple combination with BRAFi/MEKi. A combination of BRAFi and CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib also showed significant synergy. The most promising drug combinations in NRASmut cell lines is a triple combination of MEKi, ERKi and and PI3K/mTOR apitolisib, or a combination of MEKi, apitolisib and aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib. Transcriptomic analysis showed that BRAF and NRAS mutant cell lines could be differentiated by ARHGAP42 and DLD expression, both higher expressed in BRAFmut cell lines, and ARHGAP42 being a putative new target for BRAFmut melanoma cells. Conclusion: Combination treatment of melanoma cells with individual drug combinations based on mutational patterns are sometimes more effective than monotherapy or classical double-agent therapy and may thereby replace classical treatment approaches.
Project description:Developmental signaling pathways associated with growth factors such as TGFb are commonly dysregulated in melanoma. Here we identified a human TGFb enhancer that was specifically activated in melanoma cells treated with TGFB1 ligand. We generated stable transgenic zebrafish with this enhancer driving green fluorescent protein (TIE:EGFP). EGFP was not expressed in normal melanocytes or early melanomas but was expressed in spatially distinct regions of mature melanomas. Single cell RNA-sequencing revealed that TIE:EGFP+ melanoma cells down-regulated interferon response, while up-regulating a novel set of chronic TGFb target genes. AP-1 factor binding is required for activation of this chronic TGFb reporter. Overexpression of the chromatin remodeler, SATB2, which is associated with tumor spreading shows activation of TGFb signaling in melanoma precursor zones and early melanomas. Confocal imaging and flow cytometric analysis showed that macrophages are recruited to EGFP positive regions and preferentially phagocytose TIE:EGFP+ cells. This work identifies a TGFb induced immune response and demonstrates the need for the development of chronic TGFb biomarkers to predict patient response to TGFb inhibitors.
Project description:Developmental signaling pathways associated with growth factors such as TGFb are commonly dysregulated in melanoma. Here we identified a human TGFb enhancer that was specifically activated in melanoma cells treated with TGFB1 ligand. We generated stable transgenic zebrafish with this enhancer driving green fluorescent protein (TIE:EGFP). EGFP was not expressed in normal melanocytes or early melanomas but was expressed in spatially distinct regions of mature melanomas. Single cell RNA-sequencing revealed that TIE:EGFP+ melanoma cells down-regulated interferon response, while up-regulating a novel set of chronic TGFb target genes. AP-1 factor binding is required for activation of this chronic TGFb reporter. Overexpression of the chromatin remodeler, SATB2, which is associated with tumor spreading shows activation of TGFb signaling in melanoma precursor zones and early melanomas. Confocal imaging and flow cytometric analysis showed that macrophages are recruited to EGFP positive regions and preferentially phagocytose TIE:EGFP+ cells. This work identifies a TGFb induced immune response and demonstrates the need for the development of chronic TGFb biomarkers to predict patient response to TGFb inhibitors.
Project description:Treatment of advanced V600BRAF mutant melanoma using a BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) or its combination with a MEKi typically elicits partial responses. We compared the transcriptomes of patient-derived tumors regressing on MAPKi therapy against MAPKi-induced temporal transcriptomic states in human melanoma cell lines or murine melanoma in immune-competent mice. Despite heterogeneous dynamics of clinical tumor regression, residual tumors displayed highly recurrent transcriptomic alterations and enriched processes, which were also observed in MAPKi-selected cell lines (implying tumor cell-intrinsic reprogramming) or in bulk mouse tumors (and the CD45-negative or -positive fractions,, implying tumor cell-intrinsic or stromal/immune alterations, respectively). Tumor cell-intrinsic reprogramming attenuated MAPK-dependency, while enhancing mesenchymal, angiogenic and IFN-inflammatory features and growth/survival dependence on multi-RTKs and PD-L2. In the immune compartment, PD-L2 upregulation in CD11c+ immunocytes drove the loss of T-cell inflammation and promoted BRAFi resistance. Thus, residual melanoma early on MAPKi therapy already displays potentially exploitable adaptive transcriptomic, epigenomic, immune-regulomic alterations.