MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are generated by two-step processing to yield small RNAs that negatively regulate target gene expression at the post-transcriptional level1. Deregulation of miRNAs has been linked to diverse pathological processes, including cancer2,3. Recent studies have also implicated miRNAs in the regulation of cellular response to a spectrum of stresses4, such as hypoxia, which is frequently encountered in the poorly angiogenic core of a solid tumour5. However, the upstream regulators of miRNA biogenesis machineries remain obscure, raising the question of how tumour cells efficiently coordinate and impose specificity on miRNA expression and function in response to stresses. Here we show that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is the product of a well-characterized oncogene in human cancers, suppresses the maturation of specific tumour-suppressor-like miRNAs in response to hypoxic stress through phosphorylation of argonaute 2 (AGO2) at Tyr 393. The association between EGFR and AGO2 is enhanced by hypoxia, leading to elevated AGO2-Y393 phosphorylation, which in turn reduces the binding of Dicer to AGO2 and inhibits miRNA processing from precursor miRNAs to mature miRNAs. We also identify a long-loop structure in precursor miRNAs as a critical regulatory element in phospho-Y393-AGO2-mediated miRNA maturation. Furthermore, AGO2-Y393 phosphorylation mediates EGFR-enhanced cell survival and invasiveness under hypoxia, and correlates with poorer overall survival in breast cancer patients. Our study reveals a previously unrecognized function of EGFR in miRNA maturation and demonstrates how EGFR is likely to function as a regulator of AGO2 through novel post-translational modification. These findings suggest that modulation of miRNA biogenesis is important for stress response in tumour cells and has potential clinical implications.

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The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene plays an important physiologic role in the development of the brain and can be oncogenically altered in several malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL). Most prevalent ALK alterations are chromosomal rearrangements resulting in fusion genes, as seen in ALCL and NSCLC. In other tumors, ALK copy-number gains and activating ALK mutations have been described. Dramatic and often prolonged responses are seen in patients with ALK alterations when treated with ALK inhibitors. Three of these—crizotinib, ceritinib, and alectinib—are now FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC positive for ALK fusions. However, the emergence of resistance is universal. Newer ALK inhibitors and other targeting strategies are being developed to counteract the newly emergent mechanism(s) of ALK inhibitor resistance. This review outlines the recent developments in our understanding and treatment of tumors with ALK alterations.

Myeloma tumors are characterized by high expression of syndecan-1 (CD138), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan present on the myeloma cell surface and shed into the tumor microenvironment. High levels of shed syndecan-1 in the serum of patients are an indicator of poor prognosis, and numerous studies have implicated syndecan-1 in promoting the growth and progression of this cancer. In the present study we directly addressed the role of syndecan-1 in myeloma by stable knockdown of its expression using RNA interference. Knockdown cells that were negative for syndecan-1 expression became apoptotic and failed to grow in vitro. Knockdown cells expressing syndecan-1 at ϳ28% or ϳ14% of normal levels survived and grew well in vitro but formed fewer and much smaller subcutaneous tumors in mice compared with tumors formed by cells expressing normal levels of syndecan-1. When injected intravenously into mice (experimental metastasis model), knockdown cells formed very few metastases as compared with controls. This indicates that syndecan-1 may be required for the establishment of multi-focal metastasis, a hallmark of this cancer. One mechanism of syndecan-1 action occurs via stimulation of tumor angiogenesis because tumors formed by knockdown cells exhibited diminished levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and impaired development of blood vessels. Together, these data indicate that the effects of syndecan-1 on myeloma survival, growth, and dissemination are due, at least in part, to its positive regulation of tumor-host interactions that generate an environment capable of sustaining robust tumor growth.

With the increasing availability of genomics, routine analysis of advanced cancers is now feasible. Treatment selection is frequently guided by the molecular characteristics of a patient's tumor, and an increasing number of trials are genomically selected. Furthermore, multiple studies have demonstrated the benefit of therapies that are chosen based upon the molecular profile of a tumor. However, the rapid evolution of genomic testing platforms and emergence of new technologies make interpreting molecular testing reports more challenging. More sophisticated precision oncology decision support services are essential. This review outlines existing tools available for health care providers and precision oncology teams and highlights strategies for optimizing decision support. Specific attention is given to the assays currently available for molecular testing, as well as considerations for interpreting alteration information. This article also discusses strategies for identifying and matching patients to clinical trials, current challenges, and proposals for future development of precision oncology decision support. .

The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an effector that transduces the output of the Hippo pathway to transcriptional modulation. Considering the role of YAP in cancers, this protein has emerged as a key node in malignancy development. In this study, we determined that Aurora A kinase acts as a positive regulator for YAP-mediated transcriptional machinery. Specifically, YAP associates with Aurora A predominantly in the nucleus. Activation of Aurora A can impinge on YAP activity through direct phosphorylation. Moreover, aberrant expression of YAP and Aurora A signaling is highly correlated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We herein provide evidence to establish the functional relevance of this newly discovered regulatory axis in TNBC.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of oncology-related death in US women. Despite extensive research, over 30% of breast cancer patients develop metastatic disease, and metastases account for majority of breast cancer-associated morbidity and mortality. Of all invasive breast cancers, patients with tumors lacking expression of the Estrogen and Progesterone hormone Receptors and Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 have the poorest clinical prognosis. These triple-negative tumors (TNBC) represent an aggressive form of the disease that is marked by an early-onset metastasis, a high tumor recurrence rate, and a low overall survival during the first three years post-diagnosis. However, few TNBC mouse models of metastasis currently exist. Results: We noticed that a well-established MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell line produces rapid and extremely lytic bone lesions in lumbar, sacral and caudal vertebrae, and hind limbs in about 10% of animals injected intravenously. We biopsied one of these bone metastases and established a new metastatic MDA-MB-231-1566 cell line. Following an intravenous injection, MDA-MB-231-1566 cells produce early-onset metastasis to bone in up to 70% of animals with concurrent metastases to lungs, liver, and soft tissues. We demonstrate that 100% of animals injected with MDA-MB-231-1566 cells developed metastasis and had median survival of 60 days vs. 80 days in mice injected with the parental cell line. We also demonstrate that ribosomal protein S6 is highly phosphorylated on Ser235/236 in metastatic TNBC tumors, and that this phosphorylation is indicative of upstream S6 kinase (S6K) activity. Lastly, we provide evidence that targeting S6K with a highly specific inhibitor, PF-4708671, at sub-lethal doses inhibits cell migration without inducing cell death, and thus may provide a potent anti-metastatic adjuvant therapy approach. Conclusion: We established a new model of rapid TNBC metastases to multiple organs following a simple intravenous injection. We believe this model provides a valuable tool for screening new therapeutics aimed to stop growth of metastases. Citation Format: Yekaterina B. Khotskaya, Aarthi Goverdhan, Jia Shen, Mariano Ponz Sarvice, Shih-Shin Chang, Ming-Chuan Hsu, Yongkun Wei, Weiya Xia, Patricia Steeg, Dihua Yu, Mien-Chie Hung. S6K1 promotes invasiveness of breast cancer cells in a novel model of triple-negative breast cancer metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: The Translational Impact of Model Organisms in Cancer; Nov 5-8, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2014;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A49.

High throughput genomic and molecular profiling of tumors is emerging as an important clinical approach. Molecular profiling is increasingly being utilized to guide cancer patient care, especially in advanced and incurable cancers. However, navigating the scientific literature to make evidenced-based clinical decisions based on molecular profiling results is overwhelming for many oncology clinicians and researchers. The Personalized Cancer Therapy website (www.personalizedcancertherapy.org) was created to provide an online resource for clinicians and researchers to facilitate navigation of available data. Specifically, this resource can be used to help identify potential therapy options for patients harboring oncogenic genomic alterations. Herein, we describe how content on www.personalizedcancertherapy.org is generated and maintained. We end with case scenarios to illustrate the clinical utility of the website. The goal of this publically-available resource is to provide easily-accessible information to a broad oncology audience, as this may help ease the information retrieval burden facing participants in the precision oncology field.