The Medical Oncology Collection includes reasearch publications from the Cell Therapy Group, Glyco-Oncology Group and the Translational Angiogenesis Group. This collection contains items published from 2008 onwards.

Recent Submissions

  • Adding more content to screening: reactivation of FOXO as a therapeutic strategy.

    Zanella, Fabian; Carnero, Amancio; Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain. (2009-10)
    The discovery of novel targets that can be pharmacologically exploited to lead to a better disease outcome has long been an aim of biomedical research. At present, the technology and robotisation available have pushed the search for novel molecules to a high-throughput screening (HTS) context, making it possible to screen several hundreds of compounds or genes in a single day. High-content screenings (HCS) have added a refined complexity to the screening processes, as the information drawn from an image- based assay is more complete than the monoparametric readouts obtained in classical HTS assays. Here, we review the development of HCS platforms to identify molecules influencing FOXO nuclear relocation and activation as pharmacological targets, their applicability and the future directions of the screening field.
  • Quantifying antivascular effects of monoclonal antibodies to vascular endothelial growth factor: insights from imaging.

    O'Connor, James P B; Carano, Richard A D; Clamp, Andrew R; Ross, Jed; Ho, Calvin C K; Jackson, Alan; Parker, Geoff J M; Rose, Chris J; Peale, Franklin V; Friesenhahn, Michel; et al. (2009)
  • Methods comparison for high-resolution transcriptional analysis of archival material on Affymetrix Plus 2.0 and Exon 1.0 microarrays.

    Linton, Kim M; Hey, Yvonne; Dibben, Sian; Miller, Crispin J; Freemont, Anthony J; Radford, John A; Pepper, Stuart D; Cancer Research UK Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. kim.linton@christie.nhs.uk (2009-07)
    Microarray gene expression profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues is a new and evolving technique. This report compares transcript detection rates on Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 and Human Exon 1.0 ST GeneChips across several RNA extraction and target labeling protocols, using routinely collected archival FFPE samples. All RNA extraction protocols tested (Ambion-Optimum, Ambion-RecoverAll, and Qiagen-RNeasy FFPE) provided extracts suitable for microarray hybridization. Compared with Affymetrix One-Cycle labeled extracts, NuGEN system protocols utilizing oligo(dT) and random hexamer primers, and cDNA target preparations instead of cRNA, achieved percent present rates up to 55% on Plus 2.0 arrays. Based on two paired-sample analyses, at 90% specificity this equalled an average 30 percentage-point increase (from 50% to 80%) in FFPE transcript sensitivity relative to fresh frozen tissues, which we have assumed to have 100% sensitivity and specificity. The high content of Exon arrays, with multiple probe sets per exon, improved FFPE sensitivity to 92% at 96% specificity, corresponding to an absolute increase of ~600 genes over Plus 2.0 arrays. While larger series are needed to confirm high correspondence between fresh-frozen and FFPE expression patterns, these data suggest that both Plus 2.0 and Exon arrays are suitable platforms for FFPE microarray expression analyses.
  • The impact of primary tumour origins in patients with advanced oesophageal, oesophago-gastric junction and gastric adenocarcinoma--individual patient data from 1775 patients in four randomised controlled trials.

    Chau, I; Norman, A R; Cunningham, D; Oates, J; Hawkins, Robert E; Iveson, T; Nicolson, M; Harper, P; Seymour, M; Hickish, T; et al. (2009-05)
    BACKGROUND: It is unclear if differential chemotherapy effects exist on overall survival (OS), response rate (RR) and toxicity depending on primary tumour origin [oesophageal versus oesophago-gastric junction (OGJ) versus gastric adenocarcinoma]. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2110 patients were enrolled in four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing fluoropyrimidine +/- platinum-based chemotherapy. This analysis used individual patient data and restricted to patients with adenocarcinoma who received one or more dose of chemotherapy. Gastric origin was the control in comparisons of tumour origin. RESULTS: Of the 2110 patients randomised, 1775 (84%) patients had adenocarcinoma with oesophageal (n = 485), OGJ (n = 457) and gastric (n = 833) origins. The median OS was 9.5 months in oesophageal, 9.3 months in OGJ and 8.7 months in gastric cancer (P = 0.68). RR was 44.1% in oesophageal, 41.1% in OGJ and 35.6% in gastric cancers (P = 0.11 and 0.27, respectively, compared with gastric cancer on multivariate analysis). Toxicity composite end point occurred in 46%, 47% and 45% in oesophageal, OGJ and gastric cancers, respectively (P = 0.85 and 0.62 compared with gastric). CONCLUSIONS: In our large multicentre RCT dataset, no significant differences were demonstrated on multivariate analyses in OS, RR and toxic effects among patients with advanced oesophageal, OGJ and gastric adenocarcinoma. Future RCTs should not exclude oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
  • A FTIR microspectroscopic study of the uptake and metabolism of isotopically labelled fatty acids by metastatic prostate cancer.

    Gazi, Ehsan; Harvey, Tim J; Brown, Michael D; Lockyer, Nicholas P; Gardner, Peter; Clarke, Noel W; Genito Urinary Cancer research Group, School of Cancer and Imaging Sciences, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK (2009)
  • Predicting the myelotoxicity of chemotherapy: the use of pretreatment O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase determination in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

    Sabharwal, A; Waters, R; Danson, Sarah; Clamp, Andrew R; Lorigan, Paul C; Thatcher, Nick; Margison, Geoffrey P; Middleton, Mark R; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. (2011-12-21)
    To assess the value of pretreatment O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in predicting haematological toxicity with O-alkylating agent chemotherapy, we explored this relationship retrospectively in melanoma patients. Ninety-three patients treated with temozolomide or dacarbazine in four clinical trials were assessed, and a model of the interaction between MGMT expression and haematological toxicity was constructed. Nadir white-cell and platelet counts were related to, and hence could be predicted from, pretreatment MGMT. Leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were more prevalent amongst patients with low pretreatment MGMT, according to the highest grades of toxicity experienced and/or the dose intensity patients could sustain. Addition of interferon to chemotherapy or compression of the temozolomide schedule increased the toxicity. The model also predicts significant myelotoxicity where PBMC MGMT is inactivated, consistent with the experience in the clinic with lomeguatrib and O-benzylguanine. Determination of MGMT in PBMC can identify patients at greatest risk of toxicity or who are suitable for dose intensification.
  • Phase I dose escalation, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of naptumomab estafenatox alone in patients with advanced cancer and with docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

    Borghaei, Hossein; Alpaugh, Katherine; Hedlund, Gunnar; Forsberg, Goran; Langer, Corey J; Rogatko, Andre; Hawkins, Robert E; Dueland Svein; Lassen, Ulrik; Cohen, Roger B; et al. (2009)
  • Frequency of human T regulatory cells in peripheral blood is significantly reduced by cryopreservation.

    Elkord, Eyad; Clinical Immunotherapy Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M204BX, UK. eelkord@picr.man.ac.uk (2009-08-15)
    Cryopreservation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is essential for many clinical and research assays. Some studies reported consistent changes in PBMC phenotype following cryopreservation. We hypothesized that PBMC freezing may have a negative impact on estimation of the frequency of T regulatory cell (Treg). Treg levels were measured in 6 fresh PBMC samples isolated from 6 healthy donors and these levels were re-measured after freezing for three weeks. Herein, we report a significant reduction in Treg frequency in all samples following cryopreservation.
  • Flipping of alkylated DNA damage bridges base and nucleotide excision repair.

    Tubbs, Julie L; Latypov, Vitaly F; Kanugula, Sreenivas; Butt, Amna; Melikishvili, Manana; Kraehenbuehl, Rolf; Fleck, Oliver; Marriott, Andrew S; Watson, Amanda J; Verbeek, Barbara; et al. (2009-06-11)
    Alkyltransferase-like proteins (ATLs) share functional motifs with the cancer chemotherapy target O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) and paradoxically protect cells from the biological effects of DNA alkylation damage, despite lacking the reactive cysteine and alkyltransferase activity of AGT. Here we determine Schizosaccharomyces pombe ATL structures without and with damaged DNA containing the endogenous lesion O(6)-methylguanine or cigarette-smoke-derived O(6)-4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxobutylguanine. These results reveal non-enzymatic DNA nucleotide flipping plus increased DNA distortion and binding pocket size compared to AGT. Our analysis of lesion-binding site conservation identifies new ATLs in sea anemone and ancestral archaea, indicating that ATL interactions are ancestral to present-day repair pathways in all domains of life. Genetic connections to mammalian XPG (also known as ERCC5) and ERCC1 in S. pombe homologues Rad13 and Swi10 and biochemical interactions with Escherichia coli UvrA and UvrC combined with structural results reveal that ATLs sculpt alkylated DNA to create a genetic and structural intersection of base damage processing with nucleotide excision repair.
  • Retrovirally-mediated genetic correction of mesenchymal stem cells from patients affected by mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter Syndrome)

    Corradi-Perini, Carla; Southgate, Thomas D; Besley, Guy T N; Cooper, Alan; Deakin, Jon A; Wraith, J Ed; Fairbairn, Leslie J; Wynn, Robert F; Bellantuono, Ilaria; Stem Cell Research Group, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester. (2008)
  • New therapeutic agents in ovarian cancer.

    Collinson, Fiona J; Jayson, Gordon C; University of Leeds, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK. fjcollinson@doctors.org.uk (2009-02)
    PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite advances in management over recent years, epithelial ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. Methods of early detection, as well as improved therapeutic options, are urgently needed. RECENT FINDINGS: Currently, a number of targeted therapies, including vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors and folate receptor inhibitors look promising in this arena and this article will review a number of these drugs and the evidence pertaining to their use. SUMMARY: Much further research is required to define if, when and how best to integrate these novel therapies, and also to define associated biomarkers that predict toxicity and select patients most likely to derive benefit. Individualized therapy is not an impossible dream, but there is still a long way to go.
  • The binding properties of minimal oligosaccharides reveal a common heparan sulfate/dermatan sulfate-binding site in hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor that can accommodate a wide variety of sulfation patterns.

    Deakin, Jon A; Blaum, B; Gallagher, John T; Uhrín, D; Lyon, Malcolm; Cancer Research UK Glyco-Oncology Group, School of Cancer and Imaging Sciences, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Rd., Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom. (2009-03-06)
    Heparan sulfate (HS)/heparin and dermatan sulfate (DS) both bind with high affinity to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and function as necessary co-factors in vitro. How both these two structurally distinct glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are recognized has remained unclear. We have now reconciled this issue using a panel of minimal tri- and tetrasaccharide sequences of variable but well defined sulfation patterns in combination with further development of the gel mobility shift assay to allow simultaneous comparisons of relative protein affinities/selectivities for different oligosaccharides. From this approach it would seem that a minimum binding sequence is a disulfated trisaccharide comprised of an internal iduronate flanked by monosulfated hexosamine residues and that additional sulfation further enhances affinity. However, the similarity in recognition of HS/heparin and DS seems to arise primarily from a lack of any apparent positional requirement for sulfation. Thus, isomers of HS/heparin tetrasaccharides containing only two sulfates irrespective of whether they are purely N-, 2-O-, or 6-O-sulfates bind with equivalent apparent affinity as a disulfated DS tetrasaccharide. In addition, the NMR chemical shifts induced in NK1 (the truncated variant of HGF/SF comprised of the N-terminal and first Kringle domains) by titration with either heparin or DS oligosaccharides strongly indicate that both bind to essentially the same site. Together, these observations reveal an unexpected degree of flexibility in the GAG-HGF/SF interface, allowing a single binding site in the protein to accommodate iduronate-containing sequences of variable sulfation pattern and/or density from different GAGs.
  • Eradication of established B-cell lymphoma by CD19-specific murine T cells is dependent on host lymphopenic environment and can be mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

    Cheadle, Eleanor J; Hawkins, Robert E; Batha, Hayley; Rothwell, Dominic G; Ashton, Garry; Gilham, David E; Department of Medical Oncology, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK. echeadle@picr.man.ac.uk (2009-04)
    B-cell malignancies seem to be particularly amenable to immunotherapy and as such make particularly attractive targets for adoptive T-cell therapy. Murine T cells gene-modified to express a chimeric immune receptor specific for CD19+ (aCD19z) efficiently kill CD19 B-cell lymphoma cells in vitro. aCD19z T cells also secrete high levels of interleukin-2 during culture with target cells in a CD86 independent manner. aCD19z T cells proved effective at eradicating established B-cell lymphoma in a syngeneic model system when combined with a lymphodepleting preconditioning regimen. In mice deficient of T, B, and natural killer cells (severe combined immunodeficient/Beige), aCD19z T cells efficiently eradicated long-term (13 d) established tumors with 100% of treated animals remaining tumor free for greater than 77 days. Although gene-modified CD4+ and CD8+ were both active in this setting, poor engraftment by CD8+ T cells coupled with the rigorous expansion of CD4+ cells in the Balb/c background suggests that CD4+ T cells may be playing a predominant role in lymphoma rejection in this model. Taken together, the therapeutic effectiveness of aCD19z T cells in this model supports a recently opened phase 1 trial of this receptor in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Vaccination of patients with metastatic renal cancer with modified vaccinia Ankara encoding the tumor antigen 5T4 (TroVax) given alongside interferon-alpha.

    Hawkins, Robert E; Macdermott, Catriona; Shablak, Alaaeldin; Hamer, Caroline; Thistlethwaite, Fiona C; Drury, Noel L; Chikoti, Priscilla; Shingler, William; Naylor, Stuart; Harrop, Richard; et al. (2009-05)
    Approximately 90% of renal cell tumors overexpress the tumor antigen 5T4. The attenuated strain of vaccinia virus, modified vaccinia Ankara, has been engineered to express 5T4 (TroVax). We conducted an open-label phase 1/2 trial in which TroVax was administered alongside interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) to 11 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Antigen-specific cellular and humoral responses were monitored throughout the study, and clinical responses were assessed by measuring the changes in tumor burden by computed tomography scan (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors). The primary objective was to assess the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of TroVax when given alongside IFNalpha. Treatment with TroVax plus IFNalpha was well tolerated with no serious adverse events attributed to TroVax. All 11 patients mounted 5T4-specific antibody responses and 5 (45%) mounted cellular responses. No objective tumor responses were seen, but the overall median time to progression (TTP) of 9 months (range: 2.1 to 26+ mo) was longer than expected for IFNalpha alone. For the 10 clear cell patients the TTP ranged from 3.9 to 26+ months, with a median TTP of 10.4 months. The high frequency of 5T4-specific immune responses and prolonged median TTP for clear cell patients compared with that expected for IFNalpha alone is encouraging and warrants further investigation.
  • Normal breast tissue implanted into athymic nude mice identifies biomarkers of the effects of human pregnancy levels of estrogen.

    Blance, Rognvald N; Sims, Andrew H; Anderson, Elizabeth; Howell, Anthony; Clarke, Robert B; Breast Biology Group, School of Cancer and Imaging Sciences, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. (2009-03)
    We have generated a novel model system for the study of estrogen intervention in normal breast tissue. Nulliparous human breast tissue was implanted into immunocompromised nude mice and treated with high-dose estrogen to simulate the effects of pregnancy. Treatment of mice with human mid-pregnancy levels of 17beta-estradiol for a period of 4 weeks was followed by 4 weeks of withdrawal to mimic involution. Gene expression in the xenograft tissue was then analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR to identify differences between treated and control tissues. Ten genes previously identified as altered by pregnancy in rodent models were found to be differentially expressed in human breast tissue with a > or =1.8-fold up-regulation of CDC42, TGFbeta3, DCN, KRT14, LTF, and AREG and a > or =0.7-fold down-regulation of STAT1, CTGF, IGF1, and VAMP1. Immunohistochemical analysis of archival paraffin-embedded adult premenopausal human breast tissue specimens identified a significantly lower level of expression of STAT1 (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) in parous compared with age-matched nulliparous tissue (median of 24% compared with 42% epithelial cells positive). We conclude that many of the pregnancy-induced breast cancer-protective changes observed in rodent models also occur in human breast tissue following intervention using human pregnancy levels of estrogen and that STAT1 expression is a potential biomarker of parity-induced breast cancer protection in the human breast.
  • Synthesis of [18F]fluoroacetaldehyde. Application to [18F]fluoroethylation of benzylamine under reductive alkylation conditions

    Prenant, C; Gillies, James M; Bailey, J; Chimon, G N; Smith, N; Jayson, Gordon C; Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK (2008)
  • Oligosaccharides as anti-angiogenic agents.

    Cole, Claire L; Jayson, Gordon C; Translational Angiogenesis Group, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. ccole@picr.man.ac.uk (2008-03)
    BACKGROUND: Several studies of drugs that inhibit tumour angiogenesis have shown improvements in the survival of cancer patients, thus validating angiogenesis as a clinically relevant target. Both intracellular and extracellular approaches have shown promising results in clinical situations. OBJECTIVES: To compare and contrast oligosaccharide therapies and other anti-angiogenic compounds for their benefits and toxicity. Methods: Analysis of the relevant literature including presentations at recent conferences. RESULTS: Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are orally available but have a broad spectrum of activity which is associated with toxicity. Antibodies are associated with different toxicities, however, they are administered parenterally. Oligosaccharides that act as competitive inhibitors of heparan sulfate (HS) are in the early and late phases of clinical development. The advantage of oligosaccharides should be that they can be designed to target several angiogenic molecules, that they are relatively safe and that they can be administered subcutaneously at home. The key questions concerning their development focus on whether compounds with sufficient affinity and relative specificity can be generated, whether they are active at doses that do not perturb the coagulation cascade to a clinically dangerous level, whether the synthetic routes are scalable and, whether the current Phase III trials will yield positive results. CONCLUSIONS: Saccharides represent a novel and exciting therapeutic approach that targets a spectrum of angiogenic molecules that cannot be inhibited through established drug development programmes.
  • Quantitative multiplexed quantum dot immunohistochemistry.

    Sweeney, Elizabeth; Ward, Timothy H; Gray, N; Womack, C; Jayson, Gordon C; Hughes, Andrew; Dive, Caroline; Byers, Richard J; Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, 420 4BX, UK. (2008-09-19)
    Quantum dots are photostable fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals possessing wide excitation and bright narrow, symmetrical, emission spectra. These characteristics have engendered considerable interest in their application in multiplex immunohistochemistry for biomarker quantification and co-localisation in clinical samples. Robust quantitation allows biomarker validation, and there is growing need for multiplex staining due to limited quantity of clinical samples. Most reported multiplexed quantum dot staining used sequential methods that are laborious and impractical in a high-throughput setting. Problems associated with sequential multiplex staining have been investigated and a method developed using QDs conjugated to biotinylated primary antibodies, enabling simultaneous multiplex staining with three antibodies. CD34, Cytokeratin 18 and cleaved Caspase 3 were triplexed in tonsillar tissue using an 8h protocol, each localised to separate cellular compartments. This demonstrates utility of the method for biomarker measurement enabling rapid measurement of multiple co-localised biomarkers on single paraffin tissue sections, of importance for clinical trial studies.
  • Interactions of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor with various glycosaminoglycans reveal an important interplay between the presence of iduronate and sulfate density.

    Catlow, Krista R; Deakin, Jon A; Wei, Zheng; Delehedde, Maryse; Fernig, David G; Gherardi, Ermanno; Gallagher, John T; Pavão, Mauro S G; Lyon, Malcolm; Cancer Research UK Glyco-Oncology Group, School of Cancer and Imaging Sciences, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom. (2008-02-29)
    Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) has a cofactor requirement for heparan sulfate (HS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) in the optimal activation of its signaling receptor MET. However, these two glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have different sugar backbones and sulfation patterns, with only the presence of iduronate in common. The structural basis for GAG recognition and activation is thus very unclear. We have clarified this by testing a wide array of natural and modified GAGs for both protein binding and activation. Comparisons between Ascidia nigra (2,6-O-sulfated) and mammalian (mainly 4-O-sulfated) DS species, as well as between a panel of specifically desulfated heparins, revealed that no specific sulfate isomer, in either GAG, is vital for interaction and activity. Moreover, different GAGs of similar sulfate density had comparable properties, although affinity and potency notably increase with increasing sulfate density. The weaker interaction with CS-E, compared with DS, shows that GlcA-containing polymers can bind, if highly sulfated, but emphasizes the importance of the flexible IdoA ring. Our data indicate that the preferred binding sites in DS in vivo will be comprised of disulfated, IdoA(2S)-containing motifs. In HS, clustering of N-/2-O-/6-O-sulfation in S-domains will lead to strong reactivity, although binding can also be mediated by the transition zones where sulfates are mainly at the N- and 6-O- positions. GAG recognition of HGF/SF thus appears to be primarily driven by electrostatic interactions and exhibits an interesting interplay between requirements for iduronate and sulfate density that may reflect in part a preference for particular sugar chain conformations.

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