Project description:Whole exome sequencing was performed on set of 48 DNA samples obtained from 16 EGFR mutated NSCLC patients whose tumors progressed following EGFR-TKI treatment. The DNA samples included baseline biopsy, rebiopsy and blood from the same patient. By comparing the variants in rebiopsy tumors and baseline tumors we aim to understand the genomic alterations responsible for the development of EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC patients.
Project description:Intratumoral heterogeneity in EGFR mutant NSCLC results in divergent resistance mechanisms in response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition We used microarrays to investigate the gene expression underlying EGFR TKI resistance with a mesenchymal phenotype.
Project description:EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors cause dramatic responses in EGFR-mutant lung cancer, but resistance universally develops. The involvement of β-catenin in EGFR TKI resistance has been previously reported however the precise mechanism by which β-catenin activation contributes to EGFR TKI resistance is not clear. Here, we show that EGFR inhibition results in the activation of β-catenin signaling in a Notch3-dependent manner, which facilitates the survival of a subset of cells that we call “adaptive persisters”. We previously reported that EGFR-TKI treatment rapidly activates Notch3, and here describe the physical association of Notch3 with β-catenin, leading to increased stability and activation of β-catenin. We demonstrate that the combination of EGFR-TKI and a β-catenin inhibitor inhibits the development of these adaptive persisters, decreases tumor burden, improves recurrence free survival, and overall survival in xenograft models. These results supports combined EGFR-TKI and β-catenin inhibition in patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer.