Biology subjects

Van Schaeybroeck, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Van Schaeybroeck, S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Bcl-xL is a key mediator of apoptosis following KRASG12C inhibition in KRASG12C mutant colorectal cancer.

PurposeNovel covalent inhibitors of KRASG12C have shown limited response rates in KRASG12C mutant (MT) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Thus, novel KRASG12C inhibitor combination strategies that can achieve deep and durable responses are needed. Experimental designSmall molecule KRASG12C inhibitors AZ1569 and AZ8037 were employed. To identify novel candidate combination strategies for AZ1569, we performed RNA sequencing, siRNA and high-throughput drug screening. Top hits were validated in a panel of KRASG12CMT CRC cells and in vivo. AZ1569-resistant CRC cells were generated and characterised. ResultsResponse to AZ1569 was heterogeneous across the KRASG12CMT models. AZ1569 was ineffective at inducing apoptosis when used as single-agent or combined with chemotherapy or agents targeting the EGFR/KRAS/AKT axis. Using a systems biology approach, we identified the anti-apoptotic BH3-family member BCL2L1/Bcl-xL as a top hit mediating resistance to AZ1569. Further analyses identified acute increases in the pro-apoptotic protein BIM following AZ1569 treatment. ABT-263 (Navitoclax), a pharmacological Bcl-2 family-inhibitor that blocks the ability of Bcl-xL to bind and inhibit BIM, led to dramatic and universal apoptosis when combined with AZ1569. Furthermore, this combination also resulted in dramatically attenuated tumour growth in KRASG12CMT xenografts. Finally, AZ1569-resistant cells showed amplification of KRASG12C, EphA2/c-MET activation, increased pro-inflammatory chemokine profile and cross-resistance to several targeted agents. Importantly, KRAS amplification and AZ1569-resistance were reversible upon drug withdrawal, arguing strongly for the use of drug holidays in the case of KRAS amplification. ConclusionsCombinatorial targeting of Bcl-xL and KRASG12C is highly effective, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for KRAS G12CMT CRC patients.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

An atlas of inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneityof apoptosis competency in colorectal cancertissue at single cell resolution

Cancer cells ability to inhibit apoptosis is key to malignant transformation and limits response to therapy. Here, we performed multiplexed immunofluorescence analysis on tissue microarrays with 373 cores from 168 patients, segmentation of 2.4 million individual cells and quantification of 20 cell lineage and apoptosis proteins. Ordinary differential equation-based modelling of apoptosis sensitivity at single cell resolution was conducted and an atlas of inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity in apoptosis susceptibility generated. We identified an enrichment for BCL2 in immune, and BAK, SMAC and XIAP in cancer cells. ODE-based modelling at single cell resolution identified an enhanced sensitivity of cancer cells to mitochondrial permeabilization and executioner caspase activation compared to immune and stromal cells, with significant inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. However, we did not find increased spatial heterogeneity of apoptosis signaling in cancer cells, suggesting that such heterogeneity is an intrinsic, non-genomic property not increased by the process of malignant transformation.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Stratification Of Chemotherapy-Treated Stage III Colorectal Cancer Patients Using Multiplexed Imaging And Single Cell Analysis Of T Cell Populations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has one of the highest cancer incidences and mortality rates. In stage III, postoperative chemotherapy benefits <20% of patients, while more than 50% will develop distant metastases. Predictive biomarkers for identification of patients with increased risk for disease recurrence are currently lacking, with progress in biomarker discovery hindered by the diseases inherent heterogeneity. The immune profile of colorectal tumors has previously been found to have prognostic value. The aims of this study were to evaluate immune signatures in the tumor microenvironment (TME) using an in situ multiplexed immunofluorescence imaging and single cell analysis technology (Cell DIVE). Tissue microarrays (TMAs) with up to three 1mm diameter cores per patient were prepared from 117 stage III CRC patients treated with adjuvant fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin chemotherapy. Single sections underwent multilplexed immunofluorescence with Cy3- and Cy5-conjugated antibodies for immune cell markers (CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, PD1) and cell segmentation markers (DAPI, pan-cytokeratin, AE1, NaKATPase and S6). We applied a probabilistic multi-class, multi-label classification algorithm based on multi-parametric models to build statistical models of protein expression to classify immune cells. Expert annotations of immune cell markers were made on a range of images, and Support Vector Machines (SVM) were used to derive a statistical model for cell classification. Images were also manually scored independently by a Pathologist as high, moderate or low, for stromal and total immune cell content. Excellent agreement was found between manual and total automated scores (p<0.0001). Higher levels of multi-marker classified regulatory T cells (CD3+CD4+FOXP3+PD1-) were significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall-survival (OS) (p=0.049 and 0.032), compared to FOXP3 alone. Our results also showed that PD1- Tregs rather than PD1+ Tregs were associated with improved survival. Overall, compared to single markers, multi-marker classification provided more accurate quantitation of immune cells with greater potential for predicting patient outcomes.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

TRAIL signalling promotes entosis in colorectal cancer

Entosis is a form of non-phagocytic cell-in-cell (CIC) interaction where a living cell enters into another. Tumours show evidence of entosis, however factors controlling entosis remain to be elucidated. Here we find that the death receptor ligand TRAIL is a potent activator of entosis in colon cancer cells. CLEM/3D confocal microscopy analysis revealed ultrastructural features of entosis and subsequent entotic cell death of inner cells upon TRAIL treatment. Induction of entosis and apoptosis by TRAIL were mutually exclusive events but both required the presence of caspase-8. Bax/Bak double knock-out or caspase inhibition altered the fate of inner cells from entotic cell death to survival and escape. Analysis of colorectal cancer tumours showed a significant association between expression levels of TRAIL and CICs. Notably, the presence of CICs in the invasive front regions of colorectal tumours was significantly correlated with adverse patient prognosis.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Modulating the unfolded protein response: Impacts of radiation on the response of prostate cancer cells to ONC201

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men and a notable cause of cancer mortality when it metastasises. Localised disease is mostly treated with surgery or radiotherapy. As PCa develops and treatment resistance emerges, the unfolded protein response (UPR) arises as an important adaptive biology co-amplifying with key cancer drivers [1]. The UPR can be cytoprotective but when acutely activated can lead to cell death. In this study we sought to enhance the acute activation of the UPR using radiation and ONC201, previously reported to be an UPR activator [2]. We found that treating PCa cells with ONC201 quickly increases the expression of components in all arms of the UPR - ATF4, ATF6 and IRE1-XBP1 - culminating in the subsequent cell death. During this time window between UPR activation and cell death we tested the priming effect of short-term administration of ONC201 on radiation responses. Pre-treatment with ONC201 for 24 hours prior to irradiation led to enhanced cytotoxicity compared to radiation alone assessed by cell viability and clonogenic assays. With priming, RNA-Seq analysis showed a sustained suppression of transcripts encoding cell cycle regulators as well as components of the DNA damage response pathways. Phenotypically this was reflected in enhanced cell cycle arrest and induction of necrosis and apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that short-term administration of inhibitors of cell cycle regulators (Dinaciclib and BI2536), could replicate this priming effect. Thus, we propose future studies to assess the impact of the short-term administration of drugs targeting the UPR and cell cycle regulation to enhance radiotherapy response.

cancer biology↗