Preliminary and published data from this group show for the first time that patients'tumors grown in a SCID mouse/xenograft model can be highly sensitive to being killed by Apo2L/ TRAIL, a recently identified death ligand of the TNF family for which there is considerable pre-clinical optimism. However, our preliminary observations also show that some tumors are resistant to Apo2L/TRAIL,implying that certain patients may not benefit from Apo2L/TRAILtherapy. The overall goal of the proposed research is to obtain a clear understanding of the degree to which Apo2L/TRAIL sensitivity vs. resistance naturally occurs in patient tumors and to identify both markers for sensitivity vs. resistance as well as strategies for overcoming resistance. Using our patient tumor model, we will test the hypothesis that targeting the two, complementary apoptotic signaling pathways (i.e. extrinsic and intrinsic) simultaneously with Apo2L/TRAIL in combination with chemotherapy will strengthen the apoptotic signal and facilitate enhanced killing of resistant malignant cells. Furthermore, in tumors displaying a natural sensitivity to Apo2L/TRAIL,this reagent could increase the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy, thereby enabling lower doses and reduced side effects. We expect that combination therapy will target a heterogeneous population of malignant cells with differential levels of sensitivity to single agents alone and may thereby target a broader population of tumor cells. The integrated aims of this proposal will:
Aim 1) characterize a panel of freshly obtained patient pancreatic and colon tumors with regard to their sensitivity to Apo2UTRAIL Aim 2) analyze apoptotic signaling pathways in Apo2L/TRAIL sensitive vs. resistant tumors to identify markers that will enable selection of patients who will benefit by this treatment;
Aim 3) analyze and compare apoptotic signaling pathways during treatment with Apo2L/TRAILalone, chemotherapy alone or combination therapy to identify mechanisms by which these agents interact to enhance tumor killing. Because of the extensive amount of experience and preliminary data we have acquired, our group is in a unique position to perform this analysis of patient tumors for factors that control sensitivity/resistance to Apo2L/TRAIL Moreover, this information will provide practical, relevant knowledge in terms of the clinical use of Apo2L/TRAIL.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA108888-05
Application #
7745435
Study Section
Cancer Biomarkers Study Section (CBSS)
Program Officer
Thurin, Magdalena
Project Start
2006-02-10
Project End
2011-12-31
Budget Start
2010-01-01
Budget End
2011-12-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$309,799
Indirect Cost
Name
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
Department
Type
DUNS #
824771034
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14263
Hylander, Bonnie L; Sen, Arindam; Beachy, Sarah H et al. (2015) Tumor priming by Apo2L/TRAIL reduces interstitial fluid pressure and enhances efficacy of liposomal gemcitabine in a patient derived xenograft tumor model. J Control Release 217:160-9
Eng, Jason W-L; Reed, Chelsey B; Kokolus, Kathleen M et al. (2015) Housing temperature-induced stress drives therapeutic resistance in murine tumour models through ?2-adrenergic receptor activation. Nat Commun 6:6426
Sharma, Rohit; Buitrago, Sandra; Pitoniak, Rose et al. (2014) Influence of the implantation site on the sensitivity of patient pancreatic tumor xenografts to Apo2L/TRAIL therapy. Pancreas 43:298-305
Hylander, Bonnie L; Punt, Natalie; Tang, Haikuo et al. (2013) Origin of the vasculature supporting growth of primary patient tumor xenografts. J Transl Med 11:110
Sugamura, Kenji; Gibbs, John F; Belicha-Villanueva, Alan et al. (2008) Synergism of CPT-11 and Apo2L/TRAIL against two differentially sensitive human colon tumor xenografts. Oncology 74:188-97