Jennifer O. Lauchle

Inherited predispositions and hyperactive Ras in myeloid leukemogenesis.

Identifying the molecular basis for inherited cancer predispositions reveals genes that when mutated, play a critical role in the earliest stages of tumorigenesis. Although rare, inherited predispositions to myeloid leukemias have led to a greater understanding of pathways important for myeloid proliferation and maturation. In particular, elucidating why children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Noonan syndrome (NS) are predisposed to juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) has uncovered a critical role of hyperactive Ras signaling in normal myeloid growth and leukemogenesis. Here, we review studies of human samples and experiments performed in genetically engineered strains of mice investigating the molecular and biochemical basis of aberrant growth in JMML. These strains model human disease features and provide an opportunity to investigate novel therapeutic strategies that may ultimately cure JMML and other myeloid malignancies characterized by hyperactive Ras.

Response and resistance to MEK inhibition in leukaemias initiated by hyperactive Ras

The cascade comprising Raf, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a therapeutic target in human cancers with deregulated Ras signalling, which includes tumours that have inactivated the Nf1 tumour suppressor. Nf1 encodes neurofibromin, a GTPase-activating protein that terminates Ras signalling by stimulating hydrolysis of Ras–GTP. We compared the effects of inhibitors of MEK in a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) initiated by inactivating Nf1 in mouse bone marrow and in acute myeloid leukaemias (AMLs) in which cooperating mutations were induced by retroviral insertional mutagenesis. Here we show that MEK inhibitors are ineffective in MPD, but induce objective regression of many Nf1-deficient AMLs. Drug resistance developed because of outgrowth of AML clones that were present before treatment. We cloned clone-specific retroviral integrations to identify candidate resistance genes including Rasgrp1, Rasgrp4 and Mapk14, which encodes p38α. Functional analysis implicated increased RasGRP1 levels and reduced p38 kinase activity in resistance to MEK inhibitors. This approach represents a robust strategy for identifying genes and pathways that modulate how primary cancer cells respond to targeted therapeutics and for probing mechanisms of de novo and acquired resistance.

Sustained MEK inhibition abrogates myeloproliferative disease in Nf1 mutant mice

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are predisposed to juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), an aggressive myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that is refractory to conventional chemotherapy. Conditional inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor in hematopoietic cells of mice causes a progressive MPN that accurately models JMML and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). We characterized the effects of Nf1 loss on immature hematopoietic populations and investigated treatment with the MEK inhibitor PD0325901 (hereafter called 901). Somatic Nf1 inactivation resulted in a marked expansion of immature and lineage-committed myelo-erythroid progenitors and ineffective erythropoiesis. Treatment with 901 induced a durable drop in leukocyte counts, enhanced erythropoietic function, and markedly reduced spleen sizes in mice with MPN. MEK inhibition also restored a normal pattern of erythroid differentiation and greatly reduced extramedullary hematopoiesis. Remarkably, genetic analysis revealed the persistence of Nf1-deficient hematopoietic cells, indicating that MEK inhibition modulates the proliferation and differentiation of Nf1 mutant cells in vivo rather than eliminating them. These data provide a rationale for performing clinical trials of MEK inhibitors in patients with JMML and CMML.

A MEK Inhibitor Abrogates Myeloproliferative Disease in Kras Mutant Mice

Inhibiting the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway reverses the harmful effects of oncogenic Kras on hematopoietic differentiation, suggesting a strategy for treating myeloproliferative neoplasms. A MEKanistic Strategy for Beating Leukemia Overactivity of the Ras master signaling molecule has been implicated in both juvenile and chronic myelomonocytic leukemias (JMML and CMML). Despite its involvement in these leukemias, it has proven difficult to block either oncogenic Ras or its downstream signaling components. To address this issue, Lyubynska et al. used a mouse model with a mutation in the Kras gene (KrasG12D) that recapitulates features of the human myeloproliferative neoplasms JMML and CMML. They crossed two existing engineered strains to obtain the Mx1-Cre, KrasG12D mouse, which rapidly develops a progressive myeloproliferative neoplasm that is characterized by an increase in white blood cells (leukocytosis), an enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), and a lowered red blood cell count (anemia). Primary hematopoietic progenitor cells from the bone marrow of these mice display an overactive Raf/mitogen-activated or extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, which might be deregulated by oncogenic Ras; the authors therefore wondered whether blocking the downstream components of this pathway would be sufficient to block the effects of mutant Ras. So, they treated their 8-week-old Mx1-Cre, KrasG12D mice (with well-established myeloproliferative neoplasms) with PD0325901, a potent inhibitor of MEK, which is a signaling molecule that operates downstream of Ras. Compared to untreated mice, mice that received the MEK inhibitor demonstrated reduced leukocyte counts, disappearance of anemia, reduced spleen size, and prolonged survival—all of which indicate that PD0325901 reduces the severity of myeloproliferative disease. Lyubynska et al. attributed this positive effect to the ability of the MEK inhibitor to modulate the differentiation of bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells carrying the KrasG12D mutation, rather than boosting the proliferation of normal bone marrow progenitor cells. Although the effect of the Kras mutation might not be completely eliminated by MEK inhibition, the value of this new therapeutic strategy lies in reducing the symptoms caused by myeloproliferative neoplasms. Conventional chemotherapy exerts a purely antiproliferative effect on the rogue mutant hematopoietic progenitor cells, but PD0325901, in addition to restoring normal proliferation and differentiation programs for mutant myeloid progenitor cells, also helped to “rebalance” the hematopoietic system in vivo, despite continued KrasG12D expression. This intriguing study suggests that MEK inhibitors might be of clinical benefit for treating patients with JMML and CMML. Chronic and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemias (CMML and JMML) are aggressive myeloproliferative neoplasms that are incurable with conventional chemotherapy. Mutations that deregulate Ras signaling play a central pathogenic role in both disorders, and Mx1-Cre, KrasLSL-G12D mice that express the Kras oncogene develop a fatal disease that closely mimics these two leukemias in humans. Activated Ras controls multiple downstream effectors, but the specific pathways that mediate the leukemogenic effects of hyperactive Ras are unknown. We used PD0325901, a highly selective pharmacological inhibitor of mitogen-activated or extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK), a downstream component of the Ras signaling network, to address how deregulated Raf/MEK/ERK (extracellular signal–regulated kinase) signaling drives neoplasia in Mx1-Cre, KrasLSL-G12D mice. PD0325901 treatment induced a rapid and sustained reduction in leukocyte counts, enhanced erythropoiesis, prolonged mouse survival, and corrected the aberrant proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow progenitor cells. These responses were due to direct effects of PD0325901 on Kras mutant cells rather than to stimulation of normal hematopoietic cell proliferation. Consistent with the in vivo response, inhibition of MEK reversed the cytokine hypersensitivity characteristic of KrasG12D hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro. Our data demonstrate that deregulated Raf/MEK/ERK signaling is integral to the growth of Kras-mediated myeloproliferative neoplasms and further suggest that MEK inhibition could be a useful way to ameliorate functional hematologic abnormalities in patients with CMML and JMML.

Costello and cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndromes: Moving toward clinical trials in RASopathies

The RASopathies, one of the largest groups of multiple congenital anomaly syndromes known, are caused by germline mutations in various genes encoding components of the Ras/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The RASopathies have many overlapping characteristics, including craniofacial manifestations, cardiac malformations, cutaneous, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and ocular abnormalities, neurocognitive impairment, hypotonia, and an increased risk of developing cancer. Costello syndrome (CS) and cardio‐facio‐cutaneous (CFC) syndrome are two of the more rare RASopathies. CS is caused by activating mutations in HRAS, and CFC is caused by dysregulation of signaling in the Ras/MAPK pathway due to mutations in BRAF, MEK1, or MEK2. The Ras/MAPK pathway, which has been well‐studied in cancer, is an attractive target for inhibition in the treatment of various malignancies utilizing small molecule therapeutics that specifically inhibit the pathway. With many inhibitors of the Ras/MAPK pathway in clinical trials, the notion of using these molecules to ameliorate developmental defects in CS and CFC is under consideration. CS and CFC, like other syndromes in their class, have a progressive phenotype and may be amenable to inhibition or normalization of signaling.

Phase I Study of Apitolisib (GDC-0980), Dual Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose: This first-in-human phase I trial assessed the safety, tolerability, and preliminary antitumor activity of apitolisib (GDC-0980), a dual inhibitor of class I PI3K, and mTOR kinases. Experimental Design: Once-daily oral apitolisib was administered to patients with solid tumors for days 1 to 21 or 1 to 28 of 28-day cycles. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were assessed. Results: Overall, 120 patients were treated at doses between 2 and 70 mg. The commonest ≥G3 toxicities related to apitolisib at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) at 40 mg once daily included hyperglycemia (18%), rash (14%), liver dysfunction (12%), diarrhea (10%), pneumonitis (8%), mucosal inflammation (6%), and fatigue (4%). Dose-limiting toxicities (1 patient each) were G4 fasting hyperglycemia at 40 mg (21/28 schedule) and G3 maculopapular rash and G3 fasting hyperglycemia at 70 mg (21/28 schedule). The pharmacokinetic profile was dose-proportional. Phosphorylated serine-473 AKT levels were suppressed by ≥90% in platelet-rich plasma within 4 hours at the MTD (50 mg). Pharmacodynamic decreases in fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography uptake of >25% occurred in 66% (21/32) of patients dosed at 40 mg once daily. Evidence of single-agent activity included 10 RECIST partial responses (PR; confirmed for peritoneal mesothelioma, PIK3CA mutant head-and-neck cancer, and three pleural mesotheliomas). Conclusions: Apitolisib exhibited dose-proportional pharmacokinetics with target modulation at doses ≥16 mg. The RP2D was 40 mg once-daily 28/28 schedule; severe on-target toxicities were apparent at ≥40 mg, particularly pneumonitis. Apitolisib was reasonably tolerated at 30 mg, the selected dose for pleural mesothelioma patients given limited respiratory reserve. Modest but durable antitumor activity was demonstrated. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 2874–84. ©2016 AACR.

Phase I Study of GDC-0425, a Checkpoint Kinase 1 Inhibitor, in Combination with Gemcitabine in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors

Purpose: Chk1 inhibition potentiates DNA-damaging chemotherapy by overriding cell-cycle arrest and genome repair. This phase I study evaluated the Chk1 inhibitor GDC-0425 given in combination with gemcitabine to patients with advanced solid tumors. Experimental Design: Patients received GDC-0425 alone for a 1-week lead-in followed by 21-day cycles of gemcitabine plus GDC-0425. Gemcitabine was initially administered at 750 mg/m2 (Arm A), then increased to 1,000 mg/m2 (Arm B), on days 1 and 8 in a 3 + 3 + 3 dose escalation to establish maximum tolerated dose (MTD). GDC-0425 was initially administered daily for three consecutive days; however, dosing was abbreviated to a single day on the basis of pharmacokinetics and tolerability. TP53 mutations were evaluated in archival tumor tissue. On-treatment tumor biopsies underwent pharmacodynamic biomarker analyses. Results: Forty patients were treated with GDC-0425. The MTD of GDC-0425 was 60 mg when administered approximately 24 hours after gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicities included thrombocytopenia (n = 5), neutropenia (n = 4), dyspnea, nausea, pyrexia, syncope, and increased alanine aminotransferase (n = 1 each). Common related adverse events were nausea (48%); anemia, neutropenia, vomiting (45% each); fatigue (43%); pyrexia (40%); and thrombocytopenia (35%). The GDC-0425 half-life was approximately 15 hours. There were two confirmed partial responses in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TP53-mutated) and melanoma (n = 1 each) and one unconfirmed partial response in a patient with cancer of unknown primary origin. Conclusions: Chk1 inhibition with GDC-0425 in combination with gemcitabine was tolerated with manageable bone marrow suppression. The observed preliminary clinical activity warrants further investigation of this chemopotentiation strategy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2423–32. ©2016 AACR.

A multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 study of apitolisib (GDC-0980) for the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial carcinoma (MAGGIE study).

The current single‐arm, open‐label trial was designed to evaluate the activity of apitolisib (GDC‐0980), a dual phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) inhibitor, in patients with advanced endometrial cancer (EC).

Abstract B153: A phase I study evaluating the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) activity of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor GDC-0980 administered once weekly (QW).

Background: The PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway is deregulated in a wide variety of cancers. GDC-0980 is a potent, selective, oral inhibitor of class I PI3K and mTOR kinase demonstrating broad activity in xenograft cancer models (breast, ovarian, lung, and prostate). Methods: A Phase I dose escalation study using a 3+3 design has been initiated in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors or non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma. GDC-0980 is administered QW. The objectives are to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD), evaluate PK and PD effects, and describe observed anti-tumor activity of GDC-0980 on this schedule. PD assessments include evaluating pAKT levels in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), biomarker pS6 in paired pre- and on-treatment tumor biopsies, tumor FDG avidity via PET imaging (FDG-PET), and tumor vasculature changes via DCE-MRI. Archival tumor tissue is evaluated for PTEN expression and PIK3CA mutations. Results: Thirty-two pts have been enrolled in 7 successive cohorts evaluating 6 to 200 mg of GDC-0980 QW. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) reported in ≥10% of pts were nausea, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and fatigue. The only Grade (g) ≥3 drug-related AEs have been g3 hyperglycemia at ≥150 mg GDC-0980. Hyperglycemic events have been asymptomatic and generally well managed after initiation of an oral diabetic agent. One patient each at 150 and 200 mg GDC-0980 experienced the DLT of a repeat fasting g3 hyperglycemia following a subsequent dose of GDC-0980 during the DLT assessment period despite initiation of oral diabetic therapy. The patient with the DLT at 150 mg has continued on-treatment for more than 8 months with isolated g3 events. Analyses of PK data suggest dose-proportional increases in fasting mean Cmax and AUC. Levels of pAKT in PRP were inversely correlated with GDC-0980 plasma concentrations. All patients treated at ≥25 mg with evaluable-paired tumor biopsies demonstrated significant decreases in pS6 IHC staining of up to 100%. Signs of clinical activity include 3 pts [gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), solitary fibrous tumor, and ovarian cancer] treated at 150 mg QW who are all currently on study after 7 months. Clinical and PD activity was also observed in a pt with epithelioid sarcoma who was treated at 25 mg QW for 11 mo with a 22% decrease in tumor FDG avidity and a pt with ovarian cancer who was treated at 100 mg for 6.2 months and demonstrated a 22% decrease in tumor lesions by RECIST and 48% decrease in serum CA-125. By DCE-MRI, the pt with GIST on 150 mg QW demonstrated a 60% decrease in the blood-normalized area under the signal intensity-time curve (AUC BN ) in liver lesions as assessed by DCE-MRI after 2 doses of GDC-0980 suggesting a potential anti-angiogenic effect. Conclusions: GDC-0980 is generally well tolerated when administered QW up to 200 mg with signs of anti-tumor activity. Decreases in the PD markers pAKT and pS6 are consistent with downstream modulation of the PI3K pathway. Dose-escalation continues and updated PK/PD data will be presented. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B153.

Abstract CT139: Phase I study of GDC-0425, a checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine in patients with refractory solid tumors

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Background: Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) acts at S and G2/M checkpoints to allow time for high-fidelity DNA replication and repair before cell cycle progression. Chk1 inhibition converts a transient genotoxic insult from chemotherapy into a cytotoxic event by overriding cell cycle arrest, allowing cells mitosis with DNA damage. GDC-0425 is an oral, selective Chk1 inhibitor. GDC-0425 enhances gemcitabine (gem) efficacy in tumor xenograft models. Greater chemopotentiation is observed in cancer cell lines lacking p53 activity. Methods: A phase I dose-escalation trial (3+3+3 design) included patients (pts) with refractory solid tumors and ECOG performance status (PS) ≤ 1. Pts received a single dose of GDC-0425 on day -7 for PK evaluation followed by 21-day cycles of gem on Days 1 and 8 and GDC-0425 on Days 2 and 9 at gem (mg/m2) + GDC-0425 (mg) dose levels of 750 + 60, 1000 + 60, and 1000 + 80. p53 was evaluated in archival tumor tissue by gene sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression signature. Safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and tumor response were investigated. Results: Of 40 pts treated, 55% were female, median age was 56 years (range 33-82), and 68% had ECOG PS 0. Most common tumor types were breast (n = 10), non-small cell lung (n = 5), and cancer of unknown primary (CUP, n = 4). Maximum concentrations of GDC-0425 were achieved within 4 hours of dosing and its half-life was approximately 16 hours. Target exposures associated with checkpoint abrogation and anti-tumor activity in preclinical models were exceeded at 60 mg. No PK interaction was observed with GDC-0425 and gem. Dose escalation was halted at GDC-0425 80 mg with gem 1000 mg/m2 as 3 of 6 pts experienced Grade 4 thrombocytopenia as a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT); 1 pt also had Grade 3 neutropenia that delayed Cycle 2 (DLT). Blood counts recovered with treatment interruption and supportive care. The maximum tolerated dose of GDC-0425 was 60 mg with gem 1000 mg/m2. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) (all grades) related to GDC-0425 and/or gem were nausea (48%); anemia, neutropenia, vomiting (45% each); fatigue (43%); pyrexia (40%); and thrombocytopenia (35%). Serious AEs related to GDC-0425 and/or gem occurred in 8 pts: neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (n = 2 each); leukopenia, ALT/AST/GGT increased, pyrexia, rash, dyspnea, gastric ulcer, and gastroenteritis (n = 1 each). Median number of administered cycles was 3.5 (range 1-14). There were 3 partial responses in pts with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC, TP53 mutated), melanoma, and CUP (n = 1 each). Conclusions: It is safe and feasible to administer GDC-0425 with a standard dose of gem. At the doses assessed, bone marrow suppression is common but manageable and exposures exceed those predicted by preclinical models to inhibit Chk1. Clinical activity was observed, including 1 patient with TP53 mutated TNBC. Citation Format: Jeffrey R. Infante, Antoine Hollebecque, Sophie Postel-Vinay, Todd Bauer, Beth Blackwood, Marie Evangelista, Sami Mahrus, Frank Peale, Xuyang Lu, Srikumar Sahasranaman, Rui Zhu, Yuan Chen, Xiao Ding, Elaine Murray, Jennifer Schutzman, Jennifer Lauchle, Jean-Charles Soria, Patricia LoRusso. Phase I study of GDC-0425, a checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine in patients with refractory solid tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT139. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT139