Work over the past SPORE funding period has established the transcription factor MITF as a new melanoma oncogene, and one that represents a promising therapeutic target. We propose here a novel chemical genomic approach toward the development of anti-MITF therapeutics for melanoma. The approach is based on the modulation of gene expression signatures using the Gene Expression-Based High Throughput Screening (GE-HTSO method developed in the Golub laboratory. The expectation is that as a result of this effort, compounds with high potential for clinical translation will be identified. To accomplish these goals, the project has been organized into 3 Specific Aims.
In Aim 1, we will define a gene expression signature of MITF activation through a combination of gain-of-function experiments, loss-of-function experiments (shRNA-mediated), and computational analysis of MITF-associated gene expression patterns in melanoma patient samples. We will then convert that MITF activation signature to a Luminex bead assay (of up to 100 transcripts) that is suitable for high throughput, low cost chemical screening. In parallel, we will evaluate the feasibility of measuring the MITF signature in routinely collected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded melanoma biopsies such that the MITF signature could serve as a future diagnostic biomarker and pharmacodynamic marker of anti-MITF therapeutic response.
In Aim 2, we will use the MITF signature in a high throughtput screen to identify small molecule compounds capable of modulating the MITF signature, and by inference, capable of modulating MITF activity. Special emphasis will be placed on screening all ~ 2,000 FDAapproved drugs because these can be most rapidly advanced to preclinical and clinical testing. Our experience with other GE-HTS screens is that unexpected activities of FDA-approved compounds are likely to be discovered in this screen.
In Aim 3, we will validate the hits that emerge from the screen, and identify those compounds with the greatest potency, most biological activity in melanoma transformation assays, and as such will prioritize compounds for possible future clinical development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Specialized Center (P50)
Project #
5P50CA093683-09
Application #
8332864
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2011-08-01
Budget End
2012-07-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$271,316
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
de Masson, Adele; O'Malley, John T; Elco, Christopher P et al. (2018) High-throughput sequencing of the T cell receptor ? gene identifies aggressive early-stage mycosis fungoides. Sci Transl Med 10:
Sung, Hyeran; Kanchi, Krishna L; Wang, Xue et al. (2016) Inactivation of RASA1 promotes melanoma tumorigenesis via R-Ras activation. Oncotarget 7:23885-96
Kirsch, Ilan R; Watanabe, Rei; O'Malley, John T et al. (2015) TCR sequencing facilitates diagnosis and identifies mature T cells as the cell of origin in CTCL. Sci Transl Med 7:308ra158
Lee, Jonathan J; Granter, Scott R; Laga, Alvaro C et al. (2015) 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine expression in metastatic melanoma versus nodal nevus in sentinel lymph node biopsies. Mod Pathol 28:218-29
Ma, Jie; Frank, Markus H (2015) Isolation of Circulating Melanoma Cells. Methods Mol Biol :
Jain, Salvia; Stroopinsky, Dina; Yin, Li et al. (2015) Mucin 1 is a potential therapeutic target in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Blood 126:354-62
Watanabe, Rei; Gehad, Ahmed; Yang, Chao et al. (2015) Human skin is protected by four functionally and phenotypically discrete populations of resident and recirculating memory T cells. Sci Transl Med 7:279ra39
Lee, Jonathan J; Cook, Martin; Mihm, Martin C et al. (2015) Loss of the epigenetic mark, 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine, correlates with small cell/nevoid subpopulations and assists in microstaging of human melanoma. Oncotarget 6:37995-8004
Bhela, Siddheshvar; Kempsell, Christine; Manohar, Monali et al. (2015) Nonapoptotic and extracellular activity of granzyme B mediates resistance to regulatory T cell (Treg) suppression by HLA-DR-CD25hiCD127lo Tregs in multiple sclerosis and in response to IL-6. J Immunol 194:2180-9
Lee, Jonathan J; Sholl, Lynette M; Lindeman, Neal I et al. (2015) Targeted next-generation sequencing reveals high frequency of mutations in epigenetic regulators across treatment-naïve patient melanomas. Clin Epigenetics 7:59

Showing the most recent 10 out of 132 publications