Citations

Abstract Purpose: Androgen receptor (AR) variant AR-V7 is a ligand-independent transcription factor that promotes prostate cancer resistance to AR-targeted therapies. Accordingly, efforts are under way to develop strategies for monitoring and inhibiting AR-V7 in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The purpose of this study was to understand whether other AR variants may be coexpressed with AR-V7 and promote resistance to AR-targeted therapies. Experimental Design: We utilized complementary short- and long-read sequencing of intact AR mRNA isoforms to characterize AR expression in CRPC models. Coexpression of AR-V7 and AR-V9 mRNA in CRPC metastases and circulating tumor cells was assessed by RNA-seq and RT-PCR, respectively. Expression of AR-V9 protein in CRPC models was evaluated with polyclonal antisera. Multivariate analysis was performed to test whether AR variant mRNA expression in metastatic tissues was associated with a 12-week progression-free survival endpoint in a prospective clinical trial of 78 CRPC-stage patients initiating therapy with the androgen synthesis inhibitor, abiraterone acetate. Results: AR-V9 was frequently coexpressed with AR-V7. Both AR variant species were found to share a common 3′ terminal cryptic exon, which rendered AR-V9 susceptible to experimental manipulations that were previously thought to target AR-V7 uniquely. AR-V9 promoted ligand-independent growth of prostate cancer cells. High AR-V9 mRNA expression in CRPC metastases was predictive of primary resistance to abiraterone acetate (HR = 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–12.2; P = 0.02). Conclusions: AR-V9 may be an important component of therapeutic resistance in CRPC. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4704–15. ©2017 AACR.

175 Background: Genome and transcriptome aberrations associated with primary resistance to abiraterone acetate/prednisone (AA/P) in mCRPC are not known. In a prospective trial (NCT#01953640) we assessed whole-exome and RNA-seq based aberrations in metastases of CRPC stage patients (pts) for identifying markers associated with primary resistance to AA/P. Methods: Whole-exome and RNA-seq of biopsies from metastases was performed followed by analyses for association between genomic aberrations & primary resistance. Primary resistance was defined by progression on AA/P after 12-weeks of therapy(non-responders) using PSA, RECIST, bone scan and symptom criteria (per PCWG2). Gene network analysis was performed in genes mutated more frequently in non-responders, and also in genes that were differentially expressed between non-responders and responders and a “risk ratio” (RR) was calculated thereof. Results: Between 6/2013 & 8/2015, 92 pts were enrolled of which 82 had complete whole-exome, RNA-seq and 12-week outcome data available for analysis. Median age was 72.5 yrs (IQR: 68.5-78); median PSA-18 ng/ml (IQR: 8.1- 46.6). At 12-weeks 33/82 had progressed. Using the RR of 2 as threshold, we identified 113 and 292 genes that were more frequently mutated in non-responders & responders respectively. Among the 113 genes, OBSCN, ADAM21, LPHN3, DOCK10 ( P = 0.08, RR= inf) & USP42 ( P = 0.16, RR = 5.71) were the top candidates.Gene network analysis revealed that in non-responders, genes involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were frequently mutated and negative regulators of Wnt pathway ( DKK4, SFRP2 & LRP6) were also frequently deleted. Gene expression analyses revealed the expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors were significantly reduced while expression levels of cell cycle regulatory genes were significantly increased in non-responders. Conclusions: In this study we observed Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation to be associated with primary AA/P resistance. This finding offers a potential for the development of predictive biomarkers and modulation of targeted pathways to overcome AA/P resistance. Clinical trial information: NCT# 01953640.

464 Background: Although the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene is mutated in 60% of ccRCC, deletion of VHL in mice is insufficient for tumorigenesis. Sequencing of ccRCC tumors identified mutations in SETD2, a histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36) trimethyltransferase. We hypothesize that loss of SETD2 methyltransferase activity alters the genome wide pattern of H3K36 trimethylation (H3K36me3) in ccRCC, and contributes to the cancer phenotype. Methods: To generate a genome-wide profile of H3K36me3 in frozen nephrectomy samples and RCC cell lines, we optimized a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) protocol for the isolation of DNA associated with H3K36me3. H3K36me3 is associated with open chromatin and an H3K36me3-specific antibody was used for immunoprecipitation of endogenous H3K36me3-bound DNA. ChIP PCR primers were optimized for active genes, such as actin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and a “gene desert” on chromosome 12 (negative control). ChIP libraries were then generated from 3 paired uninvolved kidney and RCC and 2 RCC cell lines. In order to identify H3K36Me3 upregulated regions in uninvolved kidney and RCC, reads from the ChIP sequencing were mapped to the human genome using Burrows-Wheeler Aligner and SICER algorithms. Results: Using ChIP PCR, we found that active genomic regions were enriched 15-30 fold over the negative controls indicating that the quality and yield of immunoprecipitated DNA/chromatin complexes from frozen tissue was sufficient for ChIP sequencing. A preliminary ChIP sequencing analysis of RCC cell lines and frozen ccRCC tissue indicates that H3K36me3 enriched DNA sequences were mapped to exons (31.3%) compared to introns (13.5%, p<0.001), consistent with the role of H3K36me3 in transcription. Conclusions: Genomic regions enriched for H3K36Me3 binding were identified from patient-derived tissue and RCC cell lines. Current efforts are focused on comparing the H3K36me3 profiles between matched tumor and uninvolved kidney ChIP libraries to generate a genome wide map of dysregulated H3K36me3 modifications.

424 Background: Programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor negatively regulates T cell-mediated responses.PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) is aberrantly expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and is associated with worse prognosis. Levels of PD-L1 expressions in non-ccRCC and its association with clinicopathological features and survival are unknown. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens were obtained from 97 patients with chromophobe (CHR), papillary (PAP), translocation Xp11.2 (TrL) RCC and oncoytoma (ONC) and were included in the analysis. PD-L1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using a mouse monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibody (405.9A11). The assay was validated using FFPE cell line controls known to be positive or negative for PD-L1 expression by flow cytometry. PD-L1 tumor positivity (PD-L1+) was defined as ≥5% tumor cell membrane staining. For PD-L1 expression in immune cells, a combined score based on the intensity of infiltrate and percentage of positive cells was used. Baseline characteristics including stage/grade, and survival data were collected. Comparisons between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological features were evaluated using chisq or wilcoxon rank sum tests. Cox model tests for association of PD-L1 expression with OS in univariate and multivariable analysis. Results: Among 97 patients, 12 (12.4%) were considered PD-L1+ in tumor cells: 2/36 (5%) of CHR RCC, 5/50 (10%) of PAP RCC, 3/7 (43%) of TrL RCC, and 2/4 (50%) of ONC. PD-L1 positivity in tumor cells was significantly associated with higher stage (p=0.026) and grade (p=0.046), as well as lower OS on univariate (p=0.02) but not multivariate analysis (p=0.29). On the other hand, PD-L1 positivity by immune cells was observed in 50 (51.5%) patients: 13/36 (36%) of CHR RCC, 30/50 (60%) of PAP RCC, 6/7 (86%) of TrL RCC, and 1/4 (25%) of ONC. PD-L1 positivity in immune cells did not correlate with stage (p=0.7), grade (p=0.1) or OS (p=0.8). Conclusions: PD-L1 expression is variable in non-ccRCC and depends on histology and tumor vs. immune cells scoring. Only PD-L1 positivity in tumors cells was associated with aggressive features. Patients with non-ccRCC should not be automatically excluded from trials of agents that target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.

414 Background: While mutations in PBRM1 (~40%) and BAP1(~10%) are associated with clinical outcomes and pathologic features in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the impact of protein expression of these genes remains unknown. Herein, we quantify PBRM1/BAP1 protein expression in a large cohort of patients with localized ccRCC and associate expression with cancer-specific survival (CSS) and pathologic features. Methods: We utilized the Mayo Clinic Renal Registry and identified 1,416 patients who underwent nephrectomy to treat clinically localized ccRCC between 1/3/1990 and 4/14/2009. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect PBRM1/BAP1 expression, and a central pathologist blinded to the outcomes scored tumors as either positive or negative. Tumors with heterogeneous or equivocal staining were excluded from this analysis. We generated Cox proportional hazard regression models for associations with ccRCC-SS, and we employed Mann-Whitney U tests for associations with pathologic features. Results: Of the 1,416 samples, 1,232 (87%) were PBRM1/BAP1 positive or negative, 163 (11%) had heterogeneous staining, and 21 (1%) could not be assessed. The distribution and association of PBRM1/BAP1 phenotypes with clinical outcomes are listed in the table below. PBRM1+/BAP1+ tumors have the best CSS, and PBRM1-/BAP1- have the worst. In addition, PBRM1/BAP1 expression strongly associated with the tumor size, stage, grade, and tumor necrosis (p<0.0001). Conclusions: This study is the first and largest to quantify PRBM1/BAP1 protein expression in ccRCC tumors. We were able to quantify PBRM1/BAP1 through IHC in the vast majority of tumors (87%), and PRBM1/BAP1 expression strongly associates with both CSS and pathologic tumor characteristics. Our data confirms our previous findings of the importance of PRBM1/BAP1 in the molecular pathogenesis of ccRCC. [Table: see text]

386 Background: Angiogenesis plays a role in tumor growth and is partly mediated by factors in both the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathways. Brivanib inhibits both VEGF receptor 2 and FGF receptors (FGFR)-1/2. Methods: Nephrectomy material from 40 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) receiving sorafenib ± interferon was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The Ariol imaging platform was used to stratify the specimens based on intensity of staining for FGF biomarkers: FGFR-1 and fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (pFRS2). The relationship between fibroblast growth factor pathway marker levels and progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression methods. To assess the efficacy of dual targeting of VEGF and FGF receptor signaling by brivanib, we treated a xenograft RCC mouse model with sunitinib, brivanib, or sunitinib followed by brivanib. Results: Our analysis indicated that more intense FGFR-1 staining was associated with shorter PFS (p = 0.0452), and that pFRS2 staining were not significantly associated with PFS (p = 0.2610). FGF pathway activation was associated with decreased PFS in patients with metastatic RCC treated with sorafenib. Xenograft mice were treated with 20 mg/kg sunitinib and after an initial stabilization phase, resistance developed by day 20. A switch to 30 mg/kg brivanib prolonged the stabilization phase after progression on sunitinib (p = 0.0033). Conclusions: The PFS of patients treated with sorafenib is associated with FGF pathway activation. In a xenograft RCC mouse model, brivanib overcame the tumor escape after initial treatment with sunitinib. Switching from sunitinib to brivanib at the time of tumor escape prolonged the stabilization phase and overcame a sunitinib-induced resistance phenotype. The results suggest that FGF pathway activation mediates both innate and acquired tumor resistance to VEGF receptor inhibition. The efficacy of dual inhibition of FGF and VEGF in the subset of patients with increased FGF activation prior to treatment requires further study.

507 Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a well-described molecularly heterogeneous tumor. Herein, we assessed the concordance of two of the most commonly mutated genes in ccRCC, PBRM1 (~50%), and BAP1 (~15%), in patient-matched primary and metastatic tumors. Methods: One pathologist (PK) assessed PBRM1 and BAP1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 99 patients with a primary and at least one metastatic ccRCC tumor available for analysis. All available metastatic tumors were analyzed. Results: A total of 99 patients (48 M0 and 51 M1) had both a primary tumor and at least one metastatic tumor available for analysis. There were a total of 158 metastases with one patient having up to 7 metastases available for analysis. The concordance between primary and patient-matched metastasis was 87% for PBRM1 and 99% for BAP1. We observed a similar concordance between patients with M0 versus M1 disease. Conclusions: While ccRCC is molecularly heterogeneous, PRBM1, and BAP1 are largely concordant between primary and metastatic lesions suggesting that PBRM1 and BAP1 are genetically truncal events in the molecular pathogenesis of ccRCC.

501 Background: Predictive biomarkers of response to targeted therapy are lacking in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We evaluated a cohort of RCC patients referred for molecular profiling to identify potentially actionable recurrent molecular aberrations. Methods: 166 consecutive renal cases referred to Caris Life Sciences over 2 yrs were evaluated with central pathology review. Cases were subtyped into clear cell (ccRCC), n=100, papillary (PRCC), n=20, sarcomatoid, n=10, translocation, n=6, medullary, n=4 or unclassified, n=26. 63% of cases were metastatic. Testing included a combination of sequencing (Sanger or next generation sequencing [NGS]), protein expression (immunohistochemistry [IHC]), and/or gene amplification (CISH or FISH). Results: ccRCC had a 52% loss of PTEN, while PRCC had a 21% loss (p value=0.02). 100% of ccRCC with sarcomatoid features (4) showed aberrant expression of PD-L1 and were infiltrated with PD-1+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes; 100% of 10 non-ccRCC sarcomatoids also had aberrant expression of PD-L1. Loss of PBRM1 expression was observed in 60% of ccRCC. Loss of histone 3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3), which is associated with SETD2 mutations, was observed in 30% of ccRCC. TOP2A was overexpressed in ccRCC at 30% and in non-ccRCC at 50%. 100% of ccRCC and PRCC overexpressed EGFR; a single unclassified renal cell carcinoma did not overexpress EGFR. 50% of cases had cMET overexpression, amplification, or mutation. HER2 was not amplified or overexpressed in any RCC; a single rare HER2 mutation (R816H) was found in a collecting duct carcinoma. VHL mutations were identified in 50% of ccRCC tumors. We observed lower rates of TP53 (14%), ATM (6%), and PIK3CA(4% ccRCC, 7% PRCC) mutations compared to other cancers. Conclusions: Multiplatform molecular profiling of renal cell carcinoma identifies potential predictive biomarkers in ccRCC. The documented activity of everolimus in ccRCC (RECORD-1 trial) may be attributable to PIK3CA pathway alterations. RCC with sarcomatoid features may respond to PD1/PD-L1 targeted immunotherapies. The impact of molecular profiling in ccRCC to predict responses to currently available targeted therapy has important implications for trial design and patient selection.

447 Background: Components of the peripheral blood counts (PBC) are associated with poor prognosis in patients diagnosed with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Related to this, higher tumor expression of programmed death ligand one (PDL1) is also associated with poor ccRCC prognosis. Herein, we utilize a large cohort of patients undergoing nephrectomy for localized ccRCC to evaluate the association of PBC with tumor expression of PDL1. Secondarily, we examine the association of PBC and relapse free survival (RFS) after adjusting for age and PDL1 expression. Methods: Through chart review, we obtained PBC values at time of nephrectomy for patients enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Renal Registry from 1990-2009 who were treated for localized (M0) ccRCC including the following: hemoglobin (HGB), white blood cell (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), absolute eosinophil count (AEC), absolute monocyte count (AMC), and platelets (PLT). We determined tumor PDL1 expression as a continuous variable (% of positive PDL1 tumor cells) using the 5H1 antibody on archived tissues. We analyzed the correlation of PBC values with PDL1 expression as a continuous variable using a linear estimate. To evaluate the association of PBC values with RFS after adjusting for PDL1 expression, we employed multivariate Cox regression models. Results: A total of 706 ccRCC patients had available PDL1 expression and PBC. PDL1 expression was inversely associated with HGB (linear estimate of -0.02, p<0.001) and positively associated with platelets (linear estimate 1.73, p<0.001) whereas there was no association with PDL1 with WBC, ANC, AEC, or AMC. After adjusting for age and PDL1 expression, a higher HGB (HR=0.87, p<0.001), higher ALC (HR 0.68, p=0.003), and higher AEC (HR 0.12, p=0.002) were all associated with improved relapse free survival. Conversely, higher PLT was associated with decreased RFS (HR 1.002, p<0.001). Conclusions: PDL1 expression is associated with decreased HGB and increased PLT at the time of nephrectomy. After adjusting for PDL1 expression and age, higher HGB, ALC, and AEC are associated with improved RFS, while higher platelets are associated with decreased RFS.

422 Background: There is significant variability in the response to VEGF-TT in mRCC with no validated predictive biomarkers. We hypothesized that whole exome analysis might identify markers of response and resistance to VEGF-TT in mRCC. Methods: mRCC patients who received first-line sunitinib or pazopanib and were in two extreme phenotypes of response were identified. Extreme responders (ER) were defined as PR or CR for ≥3 years (n=10) and primary refractory patients (PRP) were defined as PD within the first 3 months of therapy (n=10). WES was performed in pre-treatment specimens and established Broad Institute analytical pipelines were utilized to identify point mutations and copy number alterations across the exome. ER (n=4) and PRP (n=4) who were part of TCGA project for clear-cell RCC were included in this analysis. Nonsense, missense and indel mutations in established or novel RCC genes were investigated. Results: IMDC prognostic scores were not significantly different between the two groups. VHL mutations were observed at similar frequency in ER and PRP, overall 57%. Mutations in PBRM1 were identified in 7 ER (50%) vs. 1 PRP (7%) (p=0.03). In addition, mutations in TP53 were only found in PRP (p=0.09). No other gene had mutations that were associated with either response or primary refractory disease (Table). Conclusions: In this pilot study, PBRM1 mutations were associated with extreme response to VEGF-TT. However, this was exploratory, and multivariable analysis was not performed. Analysis of additional patient samples is ongoing to confirm or refute this association. If true it suggests that epigenetic effects of PBRM1 mutation may contribute to response to VEGF-TT in mRCC. [Table: see text]