Understanding the molecular etiology and heterogeneity of disease has a direct effect on cancer therapeutics. To identify novel molecular changes associated with breast cancer progression, we conducted phosphoproteomics of the MCF10AT model comprising isogenic, ErbB2-and ErbB3-positive, xenograft-derived cell lines that mimic different stages of breast cancer. Using in vitro animal model and clinical breast samples, our study revealed a marked reduction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression with breast cancer progression. Such diminution of EGFR expression was associated with increased resistance to Gefitinib/Iressa in vitro. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that loss of EGFR gene copy number was one of the key mechanisms behind the low/null expression of EGFR in clinical breast tumors. Statistical analysis on the immunohistochemistry data of EGFR expression from 93 matched normal and breast tumor samples showed that (a) diminished EGFR expres-

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13064 Background: Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor are identified in 20–25% of adult AML patients associated with poor prognosis. ABT-869 is active in FLT3-AML and is currently under clinical investigaton. We hypothesize that the combination of ABT-869 with chemotherapy can improve the therapeutic index in FLT3-AML. Methods: Using Calcusyn software, the additive, synergistic or antagonistic effect of ABT-869 with concurrent or sequential cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) or doxorubicin (Dox) was measured in MV4–11 and MOLM-14 cells. The synergistic combination sequence was further tested in a MV4–11 xenograft model in four groups (10 mice/group) including control, Ara-C, ABT-869, and combination (Ara-C first for 4 days, then daily ABT-869). Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis and signal pathway assays were performed in vitro and in vivo. Results: ABT-869 induced dose- and time-dependent apoptosis on FLT3-AML cells resulting in down regulation of p-FLT3, p-STAT5, Bcl-XL and up regulation of p53 and BID. ABT-869 caused G1-phase arrest and the removal of cells in the S- and G2/M-phase mediated by reduction of cyclins D and E. We observed significant synergistic effect with Ara-C or Dox first, followed by ABT-869, as well as in concurrent treatment with ABT-869 and Dox. Simultaneous treatment with ABT-869 and Ara-C only achieved additive effect. Conversely, we found an antagonistic effect in the sequence of pretreatment of ABT-869 followed by chemotherapy. In a MV4–11 xenograft model, all mice succumbed to leukemia in the control and Ara-C groups (median survival = 53 and 55.5 days respectively). Combination therapy gave a faster reduction of tumor volume compared to ABT-869 treatment alone (p=0.03) without recurrence of leukemia in either group by day 67. In vivo immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis revealed ABT-869 potently inhibited VEGF and phosphor-ERK. Conclusions: ABT-869 can be given after Ara-C or Dox to act synergistically. Our study suggests that combinations of RTKIs with chemotherapy should be carefully tested prior to clinical protocol development. A clinical trial of such combination therapy in FLT3-AML is warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.