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A. Davies



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    P1.04 - Poster Session/ Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing (ID 233)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Poster
    • Track: Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing
    • Presentations: 1
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      P1.04-088 - Lung Cancer Cells Can Alter the Behaviour of Normal Bronchial Epithelial Cells Through Multiple Mechanisms (ID 1312)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): A. Davies

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Lung cancer is one of the most heterogeneous of all solid cancers. This may in part be due to hi-jacking and additional bystander affects that are exerted on the normal lung cell population by the cancer cells. A number of pathways may be stimulated through soluble factors or effector filled vesicles such as exosomes secreted by cancer cells. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells on an immortalised normal bronchial epithelial cell line.

      Methods:
      A normal bronchial epithelial cell line (HBEC4) was exposed to adenocarcinoma, large cell and squamous NSCLC cell lines and a number of phenotypic and genotypic characterisations were undertaken. These included cellular proliferation (BrdU ELISA), gene (RT-PCR) and miRNA expression screening (Nanostring). The effect of cancer exosome fractions was also determined.

      Results:
      Exposure to various subtypes of NSCLC significantly increased the cellular proliferation rate of the immortalised cell line in a number of models. Expression of a number of miRNAs were altered in the normal cells pre- and post exposure to the cancer cells. Various stem cell factor markers (KLF4, Oct, c-myc) were also significantly changed at the mRNA level. In addition, exosome fractions altered the behaviour of the normal cell line, likewise stimulating cell proliferation.

      Conclusion:
      Lung cancer cells may influence normal cell behaviour in both a direct and indirect manner using multiple mechanisms. Normal bronchial epithelial cells with stem like features may be induced to proliferate and behave in a malignant manner. This, akin to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, may contribute significantly to the composition of the tumour. Furthermore this observation may contribute to the heterogeneity of lung cancer tumours and affect treatment response. Ongoing studies are evaluating these effects in novel 2D and 3D culture systems.

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    P2.04 - Poster Session/ Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing (ID 234)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Poster
    • Track: Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P2.04-102 - Targeting Inflammatory Mediators to Overcome Intrinsic and Acquired Cisplatin Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 1314)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): A. Davies

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Cisplatin based doublet-chemotherapy is commonly used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment with an initial objective response rate of 40-50%. However, intrinsic and acquired chemo-resistance constitutes a major clinical obstacle. The mechanisms of resistance have yet to be fully understood. We have previously demonstrated that NF-κB levels are elevated in cisplatin resistant cells (CisR) and that the use of an NF-κB inhibitor, DHMEQ, resulted in greater CisR cell death. The goal of this project is to elucidate the mechanistic links between NF-κB regulated pathways and the development of cisplatin resistant NSCLC.

      Methods:
      The expression of NF-κB mediators and immune regulators were assessed in an isogenic NSCLC cell line model of cisplatin resistance using qPCR arrays (252 genes). A number of targets were identified and validated using PCR. The effect of drug combinations (Cisplatin and DHMEQ) was also determined. Comet assays (DNA damage) were also performed to determine the effect of DHMEQ alone or in combination with irradiation (6 Gy).

      Results:
      Various chemokines and their receptors were elevated in cisplatin resistant (CisR) cells compared with cisplatin sensitive (PT). In addition, a number of key TLRs and regulators of the innate immune pathway were altered. DHMEQ enhanced cellular sensitivity to cisplatin in both PT and CisR cell lines (p<0.05). This drug also overcame the chemo-protective effect of a number of chemokines and enhanced irradiation induced DNA damage. An animal study will commence shortly using DHMEQ alone and in combination with cisplatin.

      Conclusion:
      Immune-modulators such as DHMEQ may be a novel viable option in addressing inflammatory mediated acquired and intrinsic NSCLC chemo-resistance. In addition, immune regulators identified in this project may provide innovative targets for immuno-oncology therapy.

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