Ames, Matthew M.

Abstract The selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) tamoxifen and raloxifene can reduce the occurrence of breast cancer in high-risk women by 50%, but this U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved prevention therapy is not often used. We attempted to identify genetic factors that contribute to variation in SERM breast cancer prevention, using DNA from the NSABP P-1 and P-2 breast cancer prevention trials. An initial discovery genome-wide association study identified common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in or near the ZNF423 and CTSO genes that were associated with breast cancer risk during SERM therapy. We then showed that both ZNF423 and CTSO participated in the estrogen-dependent induction of BRCA1 expression, in both cases with SNP-dependent variation in induction. ZNF423 appeared to be an estrogen-inducible BRCA1 transcription factor. The OR for differences in breast cancer risk during SERM therapy for subjects homozygous for both protective or both risk alleles for ZNF423 and CTSO was 5.71. Significance: This study identified novel, functionally polymorphic genes involved in the estrogen-dependent regulation of BRCA1 expression, as well as a novel mechanism for genetic variation in SERM therapeutic effect. These observations, and definition of their underlying mechanisms, represent steps toward pharmacogenomically individualized SERM breast cancer prevention. Cancer Discov; 3(7); 812–25. ©2013 AACR. See related commentary by Machiela and Chanock, p. 728 This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 705

Abstract Purpose: This phase I study was conducted to identify the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of alvocidib when combined with vorinostat in patients with relapsed, refractory, or poor prognosis acute leukemia, or refractory anemia with excess blasts-2. Secondary objectives included investigating the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of the combination. Experimental Design: Patients received vorinostat (200 mg orally, three times a day, for 14 days) on a 21-day cycle, combined with 2 different alvocidib administration schedules: a 1-hour intravenous infusion, daily × 5; or a 30-minute loading infusion followed by a 4-hour maintenance infusion, weekly × 2. The alvocidib dose was escalated using a standard 3+3 design. Results: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled and treated. The alvocidib MTD was 20 mg/m2 (30-minute loading infusion) followed by 20 mg/m2 (4-hour maintenance infusion) on days one and eight, in combination with vorinostat. The most frequently encountered toxicities were cytopenias, fatigue, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and QT prolongation. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were cardiac arrhythmia-atrial fibrillation and QT prolongation. No objective responses were achieved although 13 of 26 evaluable patients exhibited stable disease. Alvocidib seemed to alter vorinostat pharmacokinetics, whereas alvocidib pharmacokinetics were unaffected by vorinostat. Ex vivo exposure of leukemia cells to plasma obtained from patients after alvocidib treatment blocked vorinostat-mediated p21CIP1 induction and downregulated Mcl-1 and p-RNA Pol II for some specimens, although parallel in vivo bone marrow responses were infrequent. Conclusions: Alvocidib combined with vorinostat is well tolerated. Although disease stabilization occurred in some heavily pretreated patients, objective responses were not obtained with these schedules. Clin Cancer Res; 19(7); 1873–83. ©2013 AACR.

Abstract Purpose: Controversy exists about CYP2D6 genotype and tamoxifen efficacy. Experimental Design: A matched case–control study was conducted using the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group Trial 8 (ABCSG8) that randomized postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer to tamoxifen for 5 years (arm A) or tamoxifen for 2 years followed by anastrozole for 3 years (arm B). Cases had disease recurrence, contralateral breast cancer, second non–breast cancer, or died. For each case, controls were identified from the same treatment arm of similar age, surgery/radiation, and tumor–node—metastasis (TNM) stage. Genotyping was conducted for alleles associated with no (PM; *3, *4, *6), reduced (IM; *10, and *41), and extensive (EM: absence of these alleles) CYP2D6 metabolism. Results: The common CYP2D6*4 allele was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. In arm A during the first 5 years of therapy, women with two poor alleles [PM/PM: OR, 2.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–5.73, P = 0.04] and women with one poor allele (PM/IM or PM/EM: OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 0.95–2.93; P = 0.07) had a higher likelihood of an event than women with two extensive alleles (EM/EM). In years 3 to 5 when patients remained on tamoxifen (arm A) or switched to anastrozole (arm B), PM/PM tended toward a higher likelihood of a disease event relative to EM/EM (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 0.86–6.66; P = 0.09) among women on arm A but not among women on arm B (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.03–2.30). Conclusion: In ABCSG8, the negative effects of reduced CYP2D6 metabolism were observed only during the period of tamoxifen administration and not after switching to anastrozole. Clin Cancer Res; 19(2); 500–7. ©2012 AACR.

Abstract Purpose: A phase I, dose-finding study of vorinostat in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and pharmacokinetics in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG). Experimental Design: This phase I, dose-finding, investigational study was conducted in two parts. Part 1 was a dose-escalation study of vorinostat in combination with TMZ 150 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 28 days. Part 2 was a dose-escalation study of vorinostat in combination with TMZ 150 mg/m2/day for 5 days of the first cycle and 200 mg/m2/day for 5 days of the subsequent 28-day cycles. Results: In part 1, the MTD of vorinostat administered on days 1 to 7 and 15 to 21 of every 28-day cycle, in combination with TMZ, was 500 mg daily. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) included grade 3 anorexia, grade 3 ALT, and grade 5 hemorrhage in the setting of grade 4 thrombocytopenia. In part 2, the MTD of vorinostat on days 1 to 7 and 15 to 21 of every 28-day cycle, combined with TMZ, was 400 mg daily. No DLTs were encountered, but vorinostat dosing could not be escalated further due to thrombocytopenia. The most common serious adverse events were fatigue, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and thromboembolic events. There were no apparent pharmacokinetic interactions between vorinostat and TMZ. Vorinostat treatment resulted in hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4 in peripheral mononuclear cells. Conclusion: Vorinostat in combination with temozolomide is well tolerated in patients with HGG. A phase I/II trial of vorinostat with radiotherapy and concomitant TMZ in newly diagnosed glioblastoma is underway. Clin Cancer Res; 18(21); 6032–9. ©2012 AACR.

Abstract Background: In tamoxifen (TAM) treated patients, both CYP2D6 metabolism and low steady state concentrations of endoxifen (END), the active metabolite of TAM, have been associated with a higher risk of recurrence (Madlensky L, Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011; 89(5):718-25). END drug development is ongoing at Mayo and NCI, and our previous data demonstrated that 1) END had high oral bioavailability in mice and yielded plasma concentrations and total exposure 20-fold greater as compared to an equivalent oral dose of TAM (MM Ames et al, Cancer Res 2011;70(8 Suppl 1):Abstract nr 3603) and 2) END is superior to TAM in both HER2 (Reinicke AACR 2011) and aromatase expressing (Goetz, SABC 2011) MCF-7 xenograft models. While subcutaneous (SQ) TAM is used by most researchers to study and develop models of TAM resistance, little is known about 1) whether murine and human TAM pharmacokinetics are comparable and 2) whether the route of administration affects concentrations of the active metabolites. Therefore, we conducted murine pharmacokinetic studies evaluating both the oral and SQ administration of TAM and END. Results: Following administration of TAM, concentrations of the active metabolites (END and 4-hydroxy TAM [4HT]) were therapeutic (Cmax- END 35.9 nM, 4HT 62.8 nM) only after a 0.5 mg oral dose of TAM. In contrast, following all doses of SQ TAM, concentrations of the active metabolites (END and 4HT) were sub-therapeutic (Cmax- END 5.2 nM; 4HT 18.7 nM). In contrast to humans, the Cmax of N-desmethyl TAM, the most abundant human TAM metabolite, was < 16.5 nM in mice after oral and SQ TAM. SQ administration of END and TAM resulted in substantially greater bioavailability of the parent drug compared with oral dosing. Following administration of 0.25-5 mg oral END and 0.0625-0.625 mg subcutaneous END, the increase in AUC was greater than dose proportional and active concentrations (>80 nM) were detected in plasma at every dose and both dosing routes. Comparable END and TAM plasma concentrations were achieved with a 0.0625 mg SQ END and a 0.5 mg SQ TAM, respectively. Conclusions: Our data strongly suggest that SQ dosing of TAM results in non-therapeutic concentrations of the active hydroxylated metabolites, and may be a simple pharmacokinetic factor influencing response and resistance in a murine in vivo xenograft model. Given the nonlinear pharmacokinetics and differences in metabolism, the dose and route of END must be carefully selected for comparative studies with TAM. These data support the ongoing human studies designed to bypass the need for TAM metabolism by the direct administration of END. Supported by the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center Grant (CA15083) and the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer SPORE (CA 116201; MMA, JMR, MPG). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3781. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3781

Abstract Batracylin (NSC 320846, BAT) is a heterocyclic arylamine and topoisomerase II inhibitor shown to be active in murine tumor models, but with demonstrated species differences in toxicity associated with metabolism to N-acetylbatracylin (NBAT) by N-acetyltransferase (NAT). BAT is a preferential substrate of human NAT2. Accordingly, production of NBAT should be subject to population variability as a function of NAT2 polymorphisms. A phase I clinical trial of BAT in patients with advanced cancer and slow acetylator NAT2 phenotypes to reduce the risk of NBAT-related toxicity found a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of cystitis/hemorrhagic cystitis. In subsequent in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies to elucidate metabolic pathways that might contribute to BAT toxicity, we found oxidative metabolites and thiol conjugates of BAT and NBAT (MM Ames et al, Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1303). Since these data are consistent with metabolic activation of BAT to potentially toxic metabolites, we assessed formation of reactive intermediates as measured by covalent binding (CB) to protein and DNA or by formation of glutathione conjugates. Radiolabeled BAT and NBAT were incubated with 3-MC-induced rat (r), human (h) and dog (d) liver microsomes (LM), as well as with recombinant human cytochromes P450 (CYPs) with or without added DNA. NADPH-dependent BAT protein and DNA CB were detected in all microsomal preparations (see table below). NADPH-dependent NBAT protein CB was detected in all microsomal preparations except hCYP1B1. NADPH-dependent NBAT DNA CB was detected in all microsomal preparations except 3MC-rLM. We also detected a glutathione conjugate of mono-hydroxy BAT by lc/ms/ms analysis when BAT was incubated with hLM in the presence of glutathione and NADPH. Thus, CYP-catalyzed oxidation of BAT yields reactive metabolites that that bind protein and DNA and may contribute to drug-related DLT. Supported in part by NCI Contract N01-CM-52206. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3769. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3769

Abstract Introduction: The NSABP P-1 and P-2 breast cancer prevention trials have demonstrated that the SERMs tamoxifen and raloxifene can reduce the risk of breast cancer in high risk women. Methods: We performed a nested matched case-control GWAS utilizing DNA from participants enrolled in P-1 and P-2. 592 participants developed invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ, and were matched with 1171 controls who did not. Genome-wide genotyping with the Illumina 610-Quad chip and CYP2D6 genotyping for pertinent alleles were performed. Functional genomic studies involved the use of cultured cells, with siRNA knockdown, followed by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Results: Eleven SNPs with p-values < 3E-05 were identified. Twenty one additional SNPs with p < 4E-05 were identified by imputation around the genotyped SNPs on chromosomes (Chrs) 4, 8, 9, 13, 16 and 22, which were then genotyped with the Invader platform. Initial functional genomic studies focused on 6 SNPs on Chr16 (p-values 1.81-9.55E-06), all of which were in ZNF423, a gene encoding a putative zinc-finger protein. The Chr16 minor variant SNP sequences had less risk than the common variant (OR=0.7). Our functional studies showed that incubation of Hs578T cells stably transfected with estrogen receptor (ER) α with 0.1 nM estradiol (E2) induced expression of ZNF423, BRCA1/2 for WT but not variant SNP sequences. There was also a striking difference between E2-induced ZNF423, BRCA1/2 expression for variant and WT SNPs in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) stably transfected with ERα, with only WT showing induction. ChIP assay showed that ZNF423 could bind to the 5’-flanking region of BRCA1, and reporter gene assays showed that ZNF423 could regulate BRCA1/2 transcription. In LCLs stably transfected with ERα and genotyped for ZNF423 SNPs, estrogen-dependent expression of all 3 genes occurred only in the presence of the WT, but not variant ZNF423 SNP sequences. Blockade of ERα with 4-OH tamoxifen prevented induction of expression in cells with WT sequences, but resulted in gene dose-dependent increases in BRCA1/2 expression in cells with variant SNP sequences-suggested that the minor variant has a “protective” effect during clinical SERM therapy and verified by ChIP assays. Conclusions: The SNPs in ZNF423 identified during GWAS were associated with differential E2-dependent induction of ZNF423, BRCA1 and BRCA2-implying that ZNF423 is “upstream” for the estrogen-dependent induction of BRCA1/2 expression. However, LCLs with variant SNP sequences showed greatly enhanced expression of ZNF423, BRCA1/2 during 4-OH tamoxifen exposure, while cells with WT sequences did not. These results may reveal a novel mechanism for SERM-dependent regulation of BRCA1/2 expression and may have implications for patient selection for SERM therapy. Funded by U10-CA37377, U10-CA69974 and U14-GM61388. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4727. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4727

Abstract Background: In estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression is associated with resistance to tamoxifen (Tam). Endoxifen is the most abundant active metabolite of Tam, resulting in part from cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolism. While Tam has been extensively used to model proliferative ER/HER2 cross-talk, there are no published data regarding endoxifen's effect on ER/HER2 nongenomic nor ER genomic signaling. Methods: Using ER+ cells (MCF7) and ER+/HER2+ cells (MCF7-HER2, BT474) we compared the effects of Tam and endoxifen on proliferation using crystal violet assays, Erk1/2 phosphorylation by western blotting, and E2-stimulated ER-regulated gene expression of amphiregulin (AREG), c-Myc (MYC) and progesterone receptor (PGR) by real-time RT-PCR assays. To examine the anti-proliferative affects of endoxifen compared to Tam in vivo we performed E2-stimulated MCF7-HER2 xenograft studies in athymic nude mice. Endoxifen doses of 25 (low) and 75 mg/kg (high) were used based on our prior pharmacokinetic studies showing achievable steady state levels of 100 nM and 1 uM, respectively. Z-Endoxifen HCl was synthesized by NCI. Results: Endoxifen, unlike Tam, potently inhibits growth in both ER+ and ER+/HER2+ breast cancer cell lines at concentrations observed in human CYP2D6 intermediate and extensive metabolizers (>40 nM). Tam (10-1000 nM) stimulates phosphorylation of Erk1/2 in stark contrast to endoxifen at similar doses. Endoxifen (100-1000 nM) significantly decreases E2-stimulated transcription of ER-regulated genes in MCF7-HER2 cells; AREG 2-3 fold, MYC 1-2 fold, and PGR 2-4 fold. Conversely, Tam (10-1000 nM) maintains or stimulates transcription; AREG 2-3 fold, MYC 0.5-2.5 fold, and PGR 0-3 fold. After 7 weeks of treatment of MCF7-HER2 xenografts, both high (p=0.001) and low dose endoxifen (p=0.01) resulted in greater antitumor activity than Tam, with high dose superior to low dose endoxifen (p=0.024). MCF7-HER2 xenografts that progressed on Tam to 200% growth at 7 weeks were randomized to either continued Tam or endoxifen. Four weeks after randomization endoxifen was superior to Tam (p<0.0001) with tumor size decreased by ≥ 20%. No significant toxicity was observed.Conclusions: We have demonstrated in both ER+ and ER+/HER2+ breast cancer cell lines that in contrast to Tam, endoxifen potently inhibits growth (both in vitro and in vivo), does not activate Erk1/2 signaling, and inhibits E2-stimulated transcription of ER-regulated genes. Endoxifen exhibited potent antitumor activity in MCF7-HER2 xenografts refractory to Tam. These data support the ongoing NCI sponsored phase I studies of Z-endoxifen at Mayo Clinic and NCI. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2283. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2283

Abstract Batracylin (NSC 320846, BAT) is a heterocyclic arylamine and topoisomerase II inhibitor that was shown to be active in several murine tumor models. Pharmacology and toxicology studies demonstrated marked species differences in sensitivity to the toxic effects of BAT attributed to metabolism to N-acetylbatracylin (NacBAT) by N-acetyltransferase (NAT). It was subsequently shown that BAT is a preferential substrate for human NAT2; thus production of NacBAT is likely subject to population variability as a function of known NAT2 polymorphisms. A phase I clinical trial of BAT in patients with advanced cancer and slow acetylator NAT2 genotypes to reduce the risk of toxicity due to NacBAT is ongoing and a potentially dose-limiting toxicity of cystitis/hemorrhagic cystitis was observed in several patients. In order to determine if this toxicity is due to BAT, NacBAT, and/or other metabolites, we investigated the in vitro metabolism of BAT and NacBAT in human (h) and rat (r) liver microsomes (LM) and hepatocytes, and the in vivo metabolism of BAT and NacBAT in rats. 14C-BAT and differentially deuterated (d3- and d4-) BAT were provided to facilitate metabolic profiling. d3- and d4- NacBAT were generated in situ. BAT, NacBAT and their metabolites were detected and quantified by HPLC with diode array, fluorescence, radiochemical and mass spectrometry as appropriate. The goals of these investigations were to obtain a detailed metabolic profile for BAT in rats and humans and to elucidate pathways that might contribute to BAT toxicity. In NADPH-fortified microsomal preparations, loss of BAT was accompanied by formation of one hydroxylated metabolite in hLM and three hydroxylated metabolites in rLM. The single hydroxylated metabolite found in incubations of NacBAT with hLM was attributed to deacetylation by microsomal carboxlesterase. Six mono- and di- hydroxy NacBAT metabolites were found in incubations of NacBAT with rLM. Hydroxylation sites were identified with deuterated BAT and NacBAT. Incubation with recombinant cytochomes P450 (CYPs) identified rCYP1A1, rCYP1A2, hCYP1A1 and hCYP1B1 as the major CYP isoforms that metabolize BAT and NacBAT. Glucuronide conjugates of BAT and NacBAT were identified in rat and human hepatocyte incubations. NacBAT, hydroxylated BAT and NacBAT, and glucuronide conjugates were detected in in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies with BAT and NacBAT in rats. Finally, thiol-containing adducts, consistent with metabolic activation of BAT, were identified in kidney and urine samples from in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies with rats. In conclusion, we characterized the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of BAT and identified a pathway for metabolic activation of BAT to potential toxic metabolites. Supported by NCI Contract N01-CM-52206. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1303. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1303