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768 citation(s) found for "Su, Leon".

Utilization of tumor-informed ctDNA to de-escalate treatment or monitoring in metastatic breast cancer exceptional responders.
Janda, Guneet, Haddad, Tufia C. , Peethambaram, Prema P. , Leon‐Ferre, Roberto A. , Calkins, Hannah, Rodriguez, Angel , Liu, Minetta C. , Goetz, Matthew P. , Scott, Nicole, Giridhar, Karthik V.

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e13042 Get It

e13042 Background: The conventional treatment paradigm for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is to continue systemic therapy until disease progression. With improved systemic therapy options, some patients (pts) with MBC attain radiographic remission. Tumor-informed circulating tumor (ct)DNA detects molecular disease burden and may guide decision-making. We report on an institutional cohort of pts with MBC in which tumor-informed ctDNA testing was utilized prospectively to guide decisions on systemic therapy or surveillance imaging frequency. Methods: Utilizing an IRB-approved protocol, we retrospectively identified pts monitored with tumor-informed ctDNA using the Signatera™ mPCR-NGS assay (Natera, Inc) as part of routine clinical care in Mayo Clinic, Rochester. We then identified a subset with biopsy-proven MBC who attained radiographic remission of disease following systemic therapy, deemed by the treating medical oncologist as “exceptional responders”. Real-time ctDNA testing was used to inform a decision to either discontinue systemic therapy, treatment de-escalation (remove a component of multi-drug therapy), increase the time interval between restaging scans, or stay off therapy previously stopped due to toxicity . Data on breast cancer characteristics, imaging results, ctDNA test results, and outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: 10 pts met our study criteria. The median age at MBC diagnosis was 42 years (range 28-61); 5 pts had TNBC, 3 pts had HER2+, and 2 pts with ER+/HER2- MBC. Most pts (60%) were on first or second line therapy (range 1-5). The median duration of the most recent regimen was 27.5 months (range 10-70 months). All pts were without radiographic evidence of active cancer at the time of ctDNA testing with negative results (0 MTM/mL) at the time of clinical decision-making. 4 pts stopped all systemic therapy and proceeded with observation (1 trastuzumab, 1 trastuzumab deruxtecan, 1 pembrolizumab, and 1 talazoparib). 2 pts discontinued a targeted therapy (1 olaparib, 1 abemaciclib) while continuing endocrine therapy. 1 patient stopped targeted therapy (abemaciclib) due to a blood clot, and ctDNA testing guided the decision to not start another CDK4/6 inhibitor while continuing endocrine therapy. In 3 pts the frequency of restaging scans was decreased to either annually or semi-annually. The median follow-up after a ctDNA-informed decision was 11 months (range 1-41 months). At this time, no patient has converted to ctDNA-positivity, experienced resurgence or progression of disease, needed to change systemic therapy or increase imaging frequency. Conclusions: Tumor-informed ctDNA may offer additional confidence to oncologists and pts to deescalate systemic therapy or decrease the interval of imaging frequency in exceptional responders with MBC. Additional data to support this approach is needed.
Efficacy and safety of pralsetinib in RET fusion-positive solid tumors: Final data from the ARROW trial.
Paz‐Ares, Luis , Vuky, Jacqueline , Lopes, Gilberto , Kalemkerian, Gregory P. , Seetharam, ­Mahesh , Thomassen, Amber , Wang, Sophia , Subbiah, Vivek , Cassier, Philippe A. , Siena, Salvatore , Garralda, Elena , Garrido, Pilar , Nadal, Ernest , Bowles, Daniel W. , Schüler, Martin , Fan, Yun , Curigliano, Giuseppe

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 3116-3116

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.3116 Get It

3116 Background: Pralsetinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively and potently targets oncogenic RET fusion and mutation proteins. RET fusions or mutations are present in various tumor types. We report the final results from the phase 2 portion of ARROW, a phase 1/2, open-label, multi-cohort, dose-expansion study evaluating the efficacy and safety of pralsetinib (NCT03037385) in patients with RET fusion-positive solid tumors other than non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and thyroid cancer. Methods: Eligible pts were ≥18 years of age with a pathologically documented, definitively diagnosed advanced solid tumor with an oncogenic RET fusion or mutation, had previously received standard of care appropriate for their tumor type, and were not eligible for any other study groups. Overall response rate (ORR) and safety were primary endpoints of the study. Key secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The final database lock was May 20, 2024. Results: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled with 11 different solid tumor histologies. Twenty-six (90%) received prior systemic therapy. Median age was 58 years (range 25-75); 59% were female. Twenty-eight patients were included in the efficacy analysis. ORR (by RECIST) was 46.4% (13/28); 10.7% (3/28) achieved complete response (pancreatic cancer, n=2; cancer of unknown primary, n=1) and 35.7% (10/28) achieved partial response. Median PFS was 7 months (95% CI: 3.9, 12.8). Median DOR was 11.1 months (95% CI: 5.5, 25.1). Median OS was 10.3 months (95% CI: 6.8, 25.2). Twenty-five (86%) patients experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs); 19/29 (66%) reported TRAEs ≥grade 3. The most common TRAEs included increased aspartate aminotransferase (11/29; 38%), increased alanine aminotransferase (10/29; 35%), and anemia (9/29; 31%). Four (13.8%) patients experienced hypertension, and 1 (3.4%) patient had ≥grade 3 hypertension. No new safety risks were identified; AEs remained manageable with supportive care and/or dose modifications. Conclusions: In the phase 2 portion of this trial, responses were observed in many tumor types (Table). Pralsetinib demonstrated robust and durable anti-tumor activity with an ORR of 46.4%. These data validate RET fusions as a tissue-agnostic target with sensitivity to RET inhibition and activity beyond NSCLC and thyroid cancer, further supporting the promising potential of pralsetinib to address the unmet medical need in these patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03037385 . Overall response rate by tumor type. Cancer Type (patient n) ORRn (%) Pancreatic (5) 5 (100) Cancer of unknown primary (1) 1 (100) Neuroendocrine (3) 2 (67) Sarcoma (3) 2 (67) Head and neck (2) 1 (50) Small cell lung (2) 1 (50) Hepatobiliary (4) 1 (25) Colorectal (5), gastric (1), ovarian (1), thymic (1) 0
Practical Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis for Dermatologists, Rheumatologists, and Primary Care Physicians by the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network
Sheth, Samip , Inestroza, Karla , Weber, Brittany , Garshick, Michael , Garshick, Michael , Inestroza, Karla , Weber, Brittany , Merola, Joseph F.

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis® | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 124-130

10.1177/24755303251337020 | PMID 40454109 Get It

Patients with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are at significantly increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease, attributed to chronic systemic inflammation and a high burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities. Despite this, CV risk factors in this population are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. This consensus document, developed by the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network (PPACMAN), provides practical recommendations for dermatologists, rheumatologists, and primary care physicians to improve CV risk assessment and management in PsO and PsA. Key recommendations include conducting baseline CV risk assessments at diagnosis—particularly for patients with moderate-to-severe PsO, PsA, or those requiring biologic therapy—and routine screening for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The use of biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and lipoprotein(a) may help refine risk stratification. Patients at elevated risk should be referred to their primary care provider or a cardiologist for further evaluation and may require additional imaging, including coronary artery calcium scoring. Lifestyle counseling on diet, exercise, weight management, and smoking cessation is essential. Pharmacologic strategies, such as earlier initiation of statins and consideration of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, are encouraged when clinically appropriate. Systemic inflammation should be reduced using anti-inflammatory therapies, although outcome data remain mixed. Clinicians must carefully assess the risks and benefits of NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. This document aims to bridge existing gaps in interdisciplinary care and facilitate earlier, more aggressive CV risk management in psoriatic disease, aligning with current cardiology and dermatology guidelines to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Updated Overall Survival and Long-Term Safety With Ripretinib Versus Sunitinib in Patients With GI Stromal Tumor: Final Overall Survival Analysis From INTRIGUE
Heinrich, Michael C. , Blay, Jean‐Yves , Gelderblom, Hans , George, Suzanne , Schöffski, Patrick , Mehren, Margaret von , Jones, Robin L. , Kang, Yoon‐Koo , Razak, Albiruni R. Abdul , Attia, Steven , Cesne, Axel Le , Goldstein, David , Sánchez, César , Cox, P. H. , Davis, Erika, Sherman, Matthew L. , Ruiz‐Soto, Rodrigo , Bauer, Sebastian , von Mehren, Margaret , Jones, Robin L , Kang, Yoon-Koo , Razak, Albiruni Abdul , Trent, Jonathan , Attia, Steven , Le Cesne, Axel , Boye, Kjetil , Sánchez, César , Cox, Paulina , Ruiz-Soto, Rodrigo , Bauer, Sebastian , Blay, Jean-Yves , Gelderblom, Hans , Heinrich, Michael C , George, Suzanne , Zalcberg, John , Trent, Jonathan C. , Siontis, Brittany L.

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 23, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 20 | Pages: 2239-2244

10.1200/jco-24-02818 | PMID 40408605 Get It

In the INTRIGUE phase III trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03673501 ), adult patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor previously treated with imatinib were randomly assigned 1:1 to ripretinib 150 mg once daily or sunitinib 50 mg once daily (4 weeks on/2 weeks off). In the primary analysis, overall survival (OS) was immature. In this study, we report the final planned analysis of OS (key secondary end point), progression-free survival (PFS) on third-line therapy (second PFS; prespecified exploratory end point), and long-term safety. Final OS analysis was prespecified to occur with approximately 200 and ≥145 events in the overall and KIT exon 11 intention-to-treat (ITT) populations, respectively. As of March 15, 2023, there were 211 and 151 OS events in the overall ITT and KIT exon 11 ITT populations, respectively. Median OS was similar between second-line ripretinib and sunitinib in both populations (overall, 35.5 v 31.5 months; KIT exon 11, 35.5 v 32.8 months). Median second PFS (on third-line therapy) for the overall ITT population was similar between the ripretinib and sunitinib arms (7.7 v 7.4 months). Safety was consistent with the primary analysis. OS from this analysis was similar between arms, and second PFS suggests that receiving ripretinib did not adversely affect the PFS of third-line therapy.
AAPM Task Group No. 249.B—Essentials and guidelines for clinical medical physics residency training programs
Nye, Jonathon A. , Dugas, Joseph P., Erwin, William D. , Gierga, David P., Kaurin, D.G., Leon, Stephanie , Liu, Ho‐Ling , Lu, Zheng Feng , Magri, Alphonso, Rill, Lynn, Schubert, Leah , Schueler, Beth A. , Vergalasova, Irina , Vetter, John, Wichman, Brian, Yu, Amy S. , Leon, Stephanie M , Liu, Ho-Ling Anthony , Yu, Amy Shu-Jung , Zheng, Dandan , Zheng, Dandan

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics | May 19, 2025 | Volume: 26 | Issue: 6 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/acm2.70111 | PMID 40387591 Get It

Abstract The establishment of guidelines and curriculum standards for medical physics residency training is a critical component of setting expectations and competencies for the profession. Since the last publication of these standards, residency training has become integrated into the eligibility criteria for most medical physics certification bodies. The rapid growth of medical physics requires periodic review of the curriculum to remove outdated approaches, update established knowledge, and add emerging technologies. The goal of this document is to provide a reference standard for residency training program directors, training mentors, and residents to guide creation and/or optimization of their program's curriculum. The document is intentionally forward‐looking to capture emerging technological advances including hybrid diagnostic and therapeutic delivery systems and applications of image processing. This document is an update of the current residency training curriculum. Version history of residency training guidelines Publication Title Date 2013 Essentials and Guidelines for Clinical Medical Physics Residency Training Programs—AAPM Report No. 249 2006 Essentials and Guidelines for Hospital‐Based Medical Physics Residency Training Programs—Report No. 90 1992 Essentials and Guidelines for Hospital‐Based Medical Physics Residency Training Programs—Report No. 36 The Work Group on Periodic Review of Medical Physics Residency Training (WGMPRT) would like to acknowledge the authors of past versions of this document as they form the basis for this update. It is the sincere hope of the WGMPRT that this report will continue to be used by the medical physics community to guide training in the profession.
2024 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guideline for the Screening, Treatment, and Management of Lupus Nephritis
Sammaritano, Lisa R. , Askanase, Anca , Bermas, Bonnie L. , Dall’Era, Maria , Duarte‐García, Alí , Hiraki, Linda T. , Rovin, Brad H. , Alvarado, Anthony, Aranow, Cynthia , Broder, Anna , Chowdhary, Vaidehi , Contreras, Gabriel, Felix, Christele, Gibson, Keisha L. , Hersh, Aimee O. , Kalunian, Kenneth , Rollins, Brandi , Smith, Benjamin J. , Thomas, Asha , Timlin, Homa , Ward, Michael D. , Cunha, Joanne S., DeQuattro, Kimberly , Figueroa‐Parra, Gabriel , Greco, Jessica , Cuéllar‐Gutiérrez, María C. , Iyer, Priyanka , Johannemann, Andrew, Jorge, April , Kasturi, S.Psi. Taufik , Khawandi, Jana , Legge, Alexandra , Liang, Kelly V. , Lockwood, Megan M. , Sánchez-Rodríguez, Alain , Turgunbaev, Marat, Williams, Jessica N. , Turner, Amy S. , Aranow, Cynthia , Barnado, April , Brunner, Hermine I , Ferucci, Elizabeth D , Hersh, Aimee O , Smith, Benjamin J , Wallace, Daniel J , Bartels, Christie M , DeQuattro, Kimberly , Figueroa-Parra, Gabriel , Garg, Shivani , Cuéllar-Gutiérrez, María C, Jorge, April , Kasturi, Shanthini , Kawtharany, Hassan , Kirou, Kyriakos A , Lockwood, Megan M , Sanchez-Rodriguez, Alain , Williams, Jessica N , Turner, Amy S , Duarte-García, Alí , Rovin, Brad H , Askanase, Anca , Bermas, Bonnie , Son, Mary Beth F. , Barnado, April , Contreras, Gabriel, Ferucci, Elizabeth D. , Izmirly, Peter , Kamen, Diane L. , Rollins, Brandi, Thomas, Asha, Azzam, Muayad , Bartels, Christie M. , Fava, Andrea , Garg, Shivani , Kawtharany, Hassan , Kirou, Kyriakos A. , Mustafa, Reem A

Mayo Clinic

Arthritis & Rheumatology | May 7, 2025 | Volume: 77 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 1115-1135

10.1002/art.43212 | PMID 40331662 Get It

ObjectiveThe objective is to provide evidence‐based and expert guidance for the screening, treatment, and management of lupus nephritis.MethodsThe Core Team developed clinical questions for screening, treatment, and management of lupus nephritis using the PICO format (population, intervention, comparator, and outcome). Systematic literature reviews were completed for each PICO question, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used to assess the quality of evidence and to formulate recommendations. The Voting Panel achieved a consensus ≥70% on the direction (for or against) and strength (strong or conditional) of each recommendation.ResultsWe present 28 graded recommendations (7 strong, 21 conditional) and 13 ungraded, consensus‐based good practice statements for the screening and management of lupus nephritis. Our recommendations focus on the unifying principle that lupus nephritis therapy is continuous and ongoing, rather than consisting of discrete induction/initial and maintenance/subsequent therapies. Therapy should include pulse glucocorticoids followed by oral glucocorticoid taper and two additional immunosuppressive agents for 3–5 years for those achieving complete renal response.ConclusionThis guideline provides direction for clinicians regarding screening and treatment decisions for management of lupus nephritis. These recommendations should not be used to limit or deny access to therapies, as treatment decisions may vary due to the unique clinical situation and personal preferences of each individual patient.
Twenty Years of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society
Gaze, Mark N. , Beldjoudi, Guillaume , Freeman, Carolyn, Indelicato, Daniel J. , Kortmann, Rolf‐Dieter , Lassen, Yasmin, Mahajan, Anita , Marcus, Karen J. , Njiraini, Pauline Njoki , Parkes, Jeannette , Qureshi, Bilal Mazhar , Robles, Beatriz García, Seiersen, Klaus , Indelicato, Daniel J , Njiraini, Pauline Njoki , Parkes, Jeannette , Paulino, Arnold C , Qureshi, Bilal Mazhar , Gaze, Mark N , Carrié, C. , Kristensen, Ingrid Fagerström , Laprie, Anne , Paulino, Arnold C. , Robles, Beatriz García, Timmermann, Beate , Esiashvili, Natia

Mayo Clinic

Pediatric Blood & Cancer | May 5, 2025 | Volume: 72 | Issue: 7 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/pbc.31764 | PMID 40320663 Get It

ABSTRACT In 2005, the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS), a multi‐professional association to promote radiotherapy for children and young people, was created. Its mission has been to educate those involved in this field, and to improve the standards of radiation oncology care for children, adolescents, and young adults across the globe, not least in less privileged settings where the majority of the world's children, and most with cancer, live. Through regular congresses, and joint meetings with the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), PROS has facilitated a focus on this treatment modality, and advocated on behalf of those who might benefit from it.
Abstract CT237: A randomized phase 2 non-inferiority trial of (Z)-endoxifen + goserelin and exemestane + goserelin as neoadjuvant treatment for premenopausal women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer (EVANGELINE)
López, Clàudia, Erickson, Hayley, Nguyen, Lonnissa, Mina, Lida A. , Advani, Pooja , Leon‐Ferre, Roberto A. , Flora, Daniel , Jones, Jason M. , Hunt, Katie N. , Buhrow, Sarah A. , Schellenberg, Matthew J. , Hawse, John R. , Goetz, Matthew P. , Suman, Vera J. , López, Claudia S. , Erickson, Hayley, Hammer, Sandra S. , Giridhar, Karthik V. , Batalini, Felipe , Bagegni, Nusayba , Piltin, Mara A. , Degnim, Amy C. , Ingle, James N. , Boughey, Judy C. , Reid, Joel M. , Quay, Steven C.

Mayo Clinic

Cancer Research | April 25, 2025 | Volume: 85 | Issue: 8_Supplement_2 | Pages: CT237-CT237

10.1158/1538-7445.am2025-ct237 Get It

Abstract Background: Endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors (AI) plus ovarian function suppression (OFS) is standard for premenopausal women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. However, many premenopausal women are intolerant of AI + OFS, leaving tamoxifen (with or without OFS) as their only option. Extensive studies have demonstrated that premenopausal women treated with neoadjuvant ET whose tumors exhibit Ki-67 ≤ 10% following 4 weeks of therapy (defined as endocrine sensitive disease (ESD)) achieve 5-year distant disease-free survival > 96%. Problematically, only 41% of patients reach this ESD threshold with tamoxifen compared to 78% with AI+OFS (Nitz JCO 2022). (Z)-endoxifen (ENDX) is a potent selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that inhibits ERα at plasma concentrations of 3-5 ng/ml and dually targets PKCβ1, a suspected oncogene in breast tumors, at concentrations ≥ 500 ng/ml. We therefore developed the EVANGELINE study (NCT05607004) is an open label, randomized neoadjuvant phase II study that includes a pharmacokinetic (PK) Run-in, aiming to evaluate whether ENDX +/- goserelin is non-inferior to exemestane plus goserelin with respect to ESD rate. Following the completed PK run-in portion of the study, where 40mg/day or 80mg/day ENDX were assessed, the 40 mg/day dose was selected for further evaluation in the second part of the trial. The second part is comprised of a randomized treatment cohort, for patients with a Ki-67% >10% at preregistration randomized to either 40mg (Z)-endoxifen + goserelin or exemestane + goserelin neoadjuvant treatment and a Single Arm Treatment Cohort for patients who have a Ki-67 ≤ 10% at pre-registration assigned to 40mg/day (Z)-endoxifen monotherapy neoadjuvant treatment. Methods: To investigate ENDX further in premenopausal women, a multicenter study in the United States, was designed(EVANGELINE; NCT05607004). This phase 2, open-label, randomized, neoadjuvant trial includes a PK run-in phase designed to assess whether the 4-week ESD rate with (Z)-endoxifen + goserelin is non-inferior to that of exemestane + goserelin in premenopausal women with Stage IIA or IIB ER+/HER2- breast cancer with diagnostic Ki67 > 10%. Additionally, a single arm Phase 2, open-label neoadjuvant Cohort was designed to assess the 4-week ESD rate with ENDX monotherapy in premenopausal women with Stage IIA or IIB ER+/HER2- BC with diagnostic Ki67 ≤10%. Subjects will undergo neoadjuvant treatment for six months before receiving surgical treatment in the involved breast. This study will additionally assess safety, tolerability, response rates, surgical outcomes, and monitor disease progression. Comprehensive biomarker evaluations will be conducted using paired tumor biopsies and blood samples collected at baseline and week four, as well as 6 month surgical specimens. Enrollment in the PK run-in phase (n-22) was completed in Fall 2024 with the second portion of the trial slated to begin early in 2025. Citation Format: Matthew P. Goetz, Vera J. Suman, Claudia Lopez, Hayley Erickson, Lonnissa Nguyen, Sandra S. Hammer, Lida Mina, Pooja Advani, Roberto Leon-Ferre, Karthik Giridhar, Felipe Batalini, Daniel Flora, Jason M. Jones, Nusayba A. Bagegni, Katie N. Hunt, Mara Piltin, Amy Degnim, James N. Ingle, Judy C. Boughey, Sarah A. Buhrow, Joel M. Reid, Matthew Schellenberg, John R. Hawse, Steven C. Quay. A randomized phase 2 non-inferiority trial of (Z)-endoxifen + goserelin and exemestane + goserelin as neoadjuvant treatment for premenopausal women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer (EVANGELINE) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_2):Abstract nr CT237.
Abstract 7130: Spatially resolved single-cell analysis reveals cGAS-STING-mediated tumor-immune interactions via IFNα as determinants of pembrolizumab sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer
Liu, Yi , Chumsri, Saranya , Ma, Yaohua , Perez, Edith A. , Leon‐Ferre, Roberto A. , Zahrieh, David M. , Knutson, Keith L. , Thompson, E. Aubrey , Carter, Jodi M. , Nassar, Aziza , Hillman, David W. , Boughey, Judy C. , Ingle, James N. , Kalari, Krishna R. , Couch, Fergus J. , Goetz, Matthew P. , Knutson, Keith L.

Mayo Clinic

Cancer Research | April 21, 2025 | Volume: 85 | Issue: 8_Supplement_1 | Pages: 7130-7130

10.1158/1538-7445.am2025-7130 Get It

Abstract Purpose: While an addition of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), pembrolizumab, has improved outcomes of patients with TNBC, early-stage TNBC patients with residual cancer burden (RCB) II/III after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with pembrolizumab (NAP) still have poor outcomes. Previously, we demonstrated that intratumoral HLA-DRA expression and interferon-alpha (IFNα) responses were associated with immune-inflamed phenotype and better outcomes in TNBC patients receiving chemotherapy. This study utilized the CosMx™ SMI to investigate in early-stage TNBC treated with NAP. Methods: Of 151 samples from TNBC patients treated with NAP at Mayo Clinic, 8 pre-treatment biopsy samples (5 pCR and 3 RCB II/III were analyzed using the CosMx™ SMI platform. Linear mixed models to assess differential expression (DE), adjusting for hierarchical data structures. DE analyses were expressed as log2-fold changes (logFC), with the Benjamini-Yekutieli method. GSEA and IPA for signaling pathway exploration. Results: 1.7 million cells were identified across 8 samples after stringent quality control. Immune cell profiling revealed higher B cells, plasma cells, plasmablasts, and T cells (CD4 and CD8) in responders, whereas fibroblasts and myeloid cells were enriched in non-responders. DE analysis showed significantly elevated expression of HLA-DRA (logFC 1.955, p<0.001), other MHC class I and II components, and IFNα in responders. Tumor cells in responders exhibited the highest IFNα expression across cell types. GSEA and IPA analysis revealed enrichment in interferon signaling, antigen presentation, and the cGAS-STING pathway, which drives IFNα production. Spatial analysis categorized cells by their proximity to tumor cells: within 50 µm, 50-100 µm, and over 100 µm. T cells, particularly CD8 T cells, showed a distance-dependent distribution, with a higher abundance near tumor cells in responders. CD8 T cell activation scores declined with increasing distance from IFNα-positive tumor cells but remained consistently low near IFNα-negative tumor cells. IFNγ-positive CD8 T cells exhibited higher activation compared to IFNγ-negative cells, with activation levels influenced by proximity to tumor cells. Lastly, MHC expression in tumor cells was examined relative to CD8 T cell proximity. HLA-DRA and CIITA expression decreased as tumor cells were farther from CD8 T cells. Conclusions: This spatially resolved single-cell analysis highlights the pivotal role of tumor-immune interactions in response to pembrolizumab in TNBC. Our data suggest that tumor cells secrete IFNα through the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, which activates T cells within close proximity, highlighting the potential role of cGAS-STING agonist as well as IFNα signaling and antigen presentation in augmenting TNBC responses to ICIs. Citation Format: Yi Liu, Saranya Chumsri, Yaohua Ma, Jodi M. Carter, Aziza Nassar, Edith Perez, Roberto A. Leon-Ferre, David Zahrieh, David W. Hillman, Judy C. Boughey, James Ingle, Krishna R. Kalari, Fergus J. Couch, Matthew P. Goetz, Keith L. Knutson, E. Aubrey Thompson. Spatially resolved single-cell analysis reveals cGAS-STING-mediated tumor-immune interactions via IFNα as determinants of pembrolizumab sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7130.
Abstract 5978: Pharmacological blockade of AURKA and NOTCH3 oncogenic pathways to inhibit cancer cell plasticity in triple negative breast cancer
D’Assoro, Antonino B. , Leon‐Ferre, Roberto A. , Haddad, Tufia C. , Montagner, Annapaola, Takchi, Andrew , Babadi, Ellie, Goetz, Matthew P. , Lange, Carol Ann , Ingle, James N. , Miele, Lucio , Lendahl, Urban

Mayo Clinic

Cancer Research | April 21, 2025 | Volume: 85 | Issue: 8_Supplement_1 | Pages: 5978-5978

10.1158/1538-7445.am2025-5978 Get It

Abstract Background: Despite recent advances in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) many patients are still suffering from early recurrence, therapy resistance, and organ metastasis 1 to 3 years post-chemotherapy. TNBC cells with stem cell-like properties are resistant to standard of care chemotherapy and are responsible for early tumor relapse and poor outcome. Up-regulation of PD-L1 expression in Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) has been associated with immune evasion capacity and promotion of their stem-like properties. In this study we identify two druggable stemness target, Aurora-A Kinase (AURKA) and NOTCH3, with positive feedback on intra-tumoral PD-L1 expression and cancer cell plasticity. Methods: MDA-MB 231, MDA-MB 231 LM and SUM149-PT TNBC cells were used both in 2D and 3D environment. Unique TNBC cells were established from metastatic PDX models. TNBC cells were treated with Alisertib (AURKA inhibitor, 50nM) or AV353 (NOTCH3 inhibitor, 200ng). Immunofluorescence and immunoblot were used to compare different biomarker expression. ALDH was measured using Aldefluor kit. Apoptotic cells were quantified in real-time using IncuCyte S3. In vivo studies; 1x106 MDA MB 231/LM cells were injected into the mammary fat pad of NSG-female mice and treated with Alisertib or AV353. Control groups were treated with pacebo. Results: Our study shows that AURKA and NOTCH3 pharmacological blockade reduced nuclear/undruggable PD-L1, that is not achieved clinically by using FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Significantly, following stemness-targeted therapy with alisertib or AV353, reduction of intra-tumoral PD-L1 resulted in inhibition of tumor growth, decreased levels of CD44 expression, increased CD8+ T-cell tumor infiltration, impairment in the enrichment of ALDHhigh CSCs and enhanced chemosensitivity. In vivo pharmacological blockade of AURKA and NOTCH3 signaling pathways induced inhibition of tumor growth, apoptosis, and impairment of organ metastases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that selective AURKA and NOTCH3 pharmacological blockade results in the inhibition of cancer cell plasticity that is linked to reduction of undruggable nuclear PD-L1 in TNBC cells. Our findings provide the strong preclinical rationale to develop novel clinical trials for patients with advanced TNBC that are refractory to chemotherapy and show limited response to FDA-approved ICIs. Citation Format: Antonino Bonaventura D'Assoro, Matthew Goetz, Carol Lange, Roberto Leon-Ferre, Tufia Haddad, James Ingle, Annapaola Montagner, Andrew Takchi, Ellie Babadi, Lucio Miele, Urban Lendahl, Urban Lendahl. Pharmacological blockade of AURKA and NOTCH3 oncogenic pathways to inhibit cancer cell plasticity in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 5978.