One of the key advances in the field of renal ell cancer (RCC) is the development and approval of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), sorafenib and sunitinib. While these inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) driven angiogenesis have impressive clinical activity, the response to these agents is finite with resistance developing within 5-12 months. Development of resistance to such agents possibly with accompanying disease acceleration might negate much of the potential value of the therapy. We have found, in a mouse model of RCC, that resistance to sorafenib and sunitinib therapy is accompanied by a loss in interferon gamma (IFNg) signaling and that resistance occurs in the setting of renewed angiogenesis as seen by Arterial Spin Labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging. In addition, we have found evidence that resistance to VEGFR TKI therapy is reversible as resistant tumors respond to therapy again when they are reimplanted into naive hosts. Our proposal outlines the study of the role of IFNg in resistance to VEGFR TKIs to further understand the biology of resistance. Our hypothesis is that loss of IFNg signaling is sufficient to lead to resistance and that restoration of one or more of the IFNg regulated chemokines may prevent or delay resistance to treatment with sorafenib or sunitinib. Advances in the understanding of these mechanisms of resistance could greatly enhance the therapeutic options for patients with metastatic RCC.

Public Health Relevance

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibits a period of disease stabilization in response to inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). However, this response is inevitably ensued by the development of resistance to therapy. We have identified a loss in interferon gamma signaling at the time of resistance to VEGFR inhibitors. This proposal seeks to confirm this finding and extend it to develop new treatments for RCC.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
1K08CA138900-01A1
Application #
7787849
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Myrick, Dorkina C
Project Start
2010-08-11
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2010-08-11
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$169,560
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Gao, Xin; Jegede, Opeyemi; Gray, Connor et al. (2018) Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of Metastatic Tumors in a Phase 2 Biomarker Study of Everolimus in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma. Clin Genitourin Cancer 16:341-348
Zhang, Liang; Wang, Xiaoen; Bullock, Andrea J et al. (2015) Anti-S1P Antibody as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for VEGFR TKI-Resistant Renal Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 21:1925-1934
Wang, Xiaoen; Bullock, Andrea J; Zhang, Liang et al. (2014) The role of angiopoietins as potential therapeutic targets in renal cell carcinoma. Transl Oncol 7:188-95
Bhatt, Rupal S; Atkins, Michael B (2014) Molecular pathways: can activin-like kinase pathway inhibition enhance the limited efficacy of VEGF inhibitors? Clin Cancer Res 20:2838-45
Wang, X; Zhang, L; O'Neill, A et al. (2013) Cox-2 inhibition enhances the activity of sunitinib in human renal cell carcinoma xenografts. Br J Cancer 108:319-26
Wang, Xiaoen; Zhang, Liang; Goldberg, S Nahum et al. (2011) High dose intermittent sorafenib shows improved efficacy over conventional continuous dose in renal cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 9:220
Zhang, Liang; Bhasin, Manoj; Schor-Bardach, Rachel et al. (2011) Resistance of renal cell carcinoma to sorafenib is mediated by potentially reversible gene expression. PLoS One 6:e19144
Bhatt, Rupal S; Wang, Xiaoen; Zhang, Liang et al. (2010) Renal cancer resistance to antiangiogenic therapy is delayed by restoration of angiostatic signaling. Mol Cancer Ther 9:2793-802