Identification of genes that confer tumor cell resistance to the aurora B kinase inhibitor, AZD1152.

AZD1152 is a highly selective Aurora B kinase inhibitor currently undergoing Phase I and II clinical evaluation in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and advanced solid malignancies. We have established two AZD1152-resistant cell lines from SW620 colon and MiaPaCa pancreatic carcinoma lines, which are >100-fold resistant to the active metabolite of AZD1152, AZD1152 HQPA and interestingly, cross-resistant to the pan-Aurora kinase inhibitor, VX-680/MK0457. Using whole-genome microarray analysis and comparative genomic hybridization, we were able to identify MDR1 and BCRP as the causative genes that underlie AZD1152 HQPA-resistance in these models. Furthermore, the upregulation of either of these genes is sufficient to render in vivo tumor growth insensitive to AZD1152. Finally, the upregulation of MDR1 or BCRP is predictive of tumor cell sensitivity to this agent, both in vitro and in vivo. The data provide a genetic basis for resistance to Aurora kinase inhibitors, which could be utilized to predict clinical response to therapy.

Persistence of immunogenic pulmonary metastases in the presence of protective anti-melanoma immunity.

We have developed a murine melanoma model that allows us to investigate the mechanisms by which spontaneous, immunogenic melanoma metastases escape immunological destruction in syngeneic mice. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that loss of immunogenicity is an obligatory step in the persistence of pulmonary metastases. Fragments of syngeneic K1735-M2 tumor were implanted in the outer edge of one pinna per C3H/HeN mouse, and the growing tumors were removed 2-3 weeks later. Two weeks after removal of the tumors, the mice demonstrated effective T-cell-mediated immunity to s.c. challenge with K1735-M2 cells. However, lung metastases appeared in 23% of the immunized mice within 9-12 weeks after the initial tumor implantation. The expression of protective immunity to s.c. tumors required the presence of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The immunized mice had specific CTLs capable of killing both K1735-M2 melanoma cells and the cells of nine independently derived melanoma metastases. Furthermore, K1735-M2 immunization protected these mice from s.c. tumor challenge with all nine metastatic cell lines. Our results demonstrate that the persistence of these metastases within the lung was not attributable to emergence of antigen-loss variants in immunized hosts. Our model provides an approach to investigate other mechanisms by which spontaneous metastases escape from immunological control and an opportunity to improve immunotherapy of melanoma metastases.

Induction of primary cutaneous melanomas in C3H mice by combined treatment with ultraviolet radiation, ethanol and aloe emodin.

The role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the induction of nonmelanoma skin cancer is widely accepted, although its precise contribution to the development of primary cutaneous melanoma skin cancer requires further definition. We found that painting aloe emodin, a trihydroxyanthraquinone from Aloe barbadensis, in ethyl alcohol vehicle on the skin of mice in conjunction with exposure to UVB (280-320 nm) radiation results in the development of melanin-containing skin tumors. C3H/HeN mice were treated thrice weekly with aloe emodin in a 25% ethanol in water vehicle and exposed to 15 kJ/m2 UV radiation. Neither ethanol vehicle nor aloe emodin alone induced skin tumors in the absence of UV radiation. In two separate experiments, 20-30% of the mice treated with a combination of UV radiation and ethanol vehicle and 50-67% of the UV-irradiated animals given aloe emodin in ethanol vehicle developed primary cutaneous melanin-containing tumors. The diagnosis of melanoma was established using Fontana silver stain for melanin; these tumors were negative for vimentin and keratin. Melanin-containing melanosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy in tumors diagnosed as melanomas. Although the mechanism of carcinogenesis in these mice is currently unknown, our findings have led to the development of the first facile murine model for the induction of primary melanoma. This model has the potential to clarify the role of UV radiation in the etiology of malignant melanoma.

Molecular regulation of UVB-induced cutaneous angiogenesis.

We determined whether cutaneous angiogenesis induced by exposure of mice to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation is associated with an imbalance between positive and negative angiogenesis-regulating molecules. Unshaved C3H/HeN mice were exposed to a single dose (15 kJ per m2) of UVB. At various times, the mice were killed, and their external ears were processed for routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Antibodies against proliferating cell nuclear antigen and bromodeoxyuridine identified dividing cells. Antibodies against CD31/ PECAM-1 identified endothelial cells, and antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor, and interferon-beta (IFN-beta) identified angiogenesis-regulating molecules. Epidermal hyperplasia was documented by 48 h and reached a maximum on day 7 after exposure to UVB. The expression of bFGF increased by 24 h, whereas the expression of IFN-beta decreased by 72 h after exposure to UVB. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor increased slightly after irradiation. The altered balance between bFGF and IFN-beta was associated with increased endothelial cell proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine + CD31 + cells) within existing blood vessels, leading to telangiectasia and new blood vessels. UV-induced epidermal hyperplasia and cutaneous angiogenesis were highest in IFN-alpha/beta receptor knockout mice. These results demonstrate that in response to UVB radiation, dividing keratinocytes produce a positive angiogenic molecule (bFGF) but not a negative angiogenic molecule (IFN-beta), and that this altered balance is associated with enhanced cutaneous angiogenesis.

Enhanced growth of murine melanoma in ultraviolet-irradiated skin is associated with local inhibition of immune effector mechanisms.

We have developed a model for studying the role of local immunologic mechanisms in tumor development, in which injection of K1735 melanoma cells into the UV-irradiated ears of C3H mice results in a significantly higher incidence of tumors than injection into unirradiated ears. This effect of UV irradiation is immunologically mediated. We hypothesized that UV blocks the efferent arm of the immune response, thereby facilitating tumor development within the irradiated site. We demonstrate that elicitation of a delayed type hypersensitivity response to alloantigen is diminished in UV-irradiated ears. in addition, tumor rejection is impaired in melanoma-immune mice challenged in UV-irradiated ears, even though such mice exhibit systemic immunity when challenged in a nonirradiated site. The ability of immune lymphoid cells to inhibit melanoma growth when mixed with tumor cells and injected into the ears was inhibited by prior UV irradiation of the ears, indicating that the activity of immune effector cells is abrogated in the UV-irradiated microenvironment. Analysis of lymphoid cells in growing tumors indicated that the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes was reduced in the UV-irradiated site. We conclude that efferent immune responses are impaired in UV-irradiated tissue and suggest that the impairment may involve reductions in both the number and the activity of immune effector cells. These studies illustrate that conditions in the local microenvironment during the early stages of tumor growth may profoundly influence the outcome of the host-tumor interaction.

Enhanced development of murine melanoma in UV-irradiated skin: UV dose response, waveband dependence, and relation to inflammation.

Previously we reported that exposure of mice to UV radiation increases the incidence of melanomas arising from injection of syngeneic melanoma cells into the UV-irradiated ears. In this study, we investigated the UV dose-response characteristics, duration, waveband dependence, and role of inflammation in this effect of UV irradiation. The optimal conditions consisted of short term (3-4 weeks), intermittent (twice weekly) exposures to a moderate dose (4.8 kJ/m2) of UVB (280-320 nm) radiation from FS40 sunlamps and the effect lasted only for 3 days after the final UV irradiation. Removal of wavelengths below 315 nm with a Mylar filter abrogated the effect. The UV dose response and the time course of UV-induced inflammation, assessed by ear swelling and microscopic evaluation, did not correlate with that for enhanced melanoma outgrowth, nor did the treatment of the ears with the inflammatory agents turpentine and 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate mimic the UV effects on melanoma development. These results indicate that enhancement of melanoma development in UV-irradiated skin is probably unrelated to the inflammatory effects of UV irradiation.

Effect of sunscreens on UV radiation-induced enhancement of melanoma growth in mice.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic evidence suggests that exposure to UV radiation plays a significant role in the development of melanoma skin cancers. As early surgical removal of the melanoma is the only effective therapy, current strategies for reducing mortality from melanoma focus on prevention of the disease. Chemical sunscreens protect mice from development of skin cancers that resemble sunlight-induced human squamous cell cancers, but there appears to be a complex relationship between UV radiation exposure and development of melanoma. PURPOSE: We asked whether common sunscreens would protect mice against UV radiation-induced enhancement of melanoma incidence. METHODS: C3H mice were exposed to 4.8 kJ/m2 UVB from FS40 sunlamps twice a week for 3 weeks. Sunscreens containing 7.5% 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, 8% octyl-N-dimethyl-p-aminobenzoate, 6% benzophenone-3, or the oil-in-water vehicle alone were applied to the ears and tails of the mice 20 minutes before irradiation. At various times during and after exposure, we determined UV radiation-induced inflammation by measuring ear swelling. We also examined the ears histologically for UV radiation-induced alterations. One day after the final irradiation, 2.5 x 10(4) syngeneic K1735 melanoma cells were injected into the external ears. Mice were examined weekly for tumor growth for 5-8 weeks after tumor cell injection. Control mice were treated in the identical way except for exposure to UV radiation. RESULTS: The incidence of melanomas was significantly higher in the UV-irradiated mice. All three sunscreens protected against UV radiation-induced ear swelling and clearly diminished histopathologic alterations, including sunburn cell formation, epidermal hyperplasia, and mononuclear cell infiltrate in the dermis. However, the sunscreens failed to protect against UV radiation-induced increase in melanoma incidence. The sunscreens or vehicle alone did not significantly alter tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: Protection against sunburn does not necessarily imply protection against other possible UV radiation effects, such as enhanced melanoma growth. IMPLICATIONS: Sunscreen protection against UV radiation-induced inflammation may encourage prolonged exposure to UV radiation and thus may actually increase the risk of melanoma development. These findings suggest that further research on the ability of sunscreens to prevent melanoma is urgently needed.

Analysis of the protective effect of different sunscreens on ultraviolet radiation-induced local and systemic suppression of contact hypersensitivity and inflammatory responses in mice.

We investigated the capacity of three sunscreen compounds to protect mice from the inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The sunscreen preparations contained 7.5% 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, 8% octyl-N-dimethyl-p-aminobenzoate, or 6% benzophenone-3 in an oil-in-water emulsion. Skin swelling was used as the measure of their effect on UVR-induced inflammation, and immunosuppression was assessed by contact sensitization with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene applied to UV-irradiated skin (local suppression) or a distant site (systemic suppression). The sunscreens were applied to the shaved dorsal skin of C3H mice, which were then given a single dose of UVR ranging from 2 to 32 kJ/m2 within the UVB (280-320 nm) region. All three sunscreens gave complete protection against local suppression of contact hypersensitivity caused by a dose of 2 kJ/m2 UVB. They also protected against both inflammation and systemic immunosuppression caused by UVR; however, protection was highly dependent on the UVR dose. Furthermore, the sunscreens were less effective in protecting against systemic immunosuppression than against inflammation. These results indicate that immunosuppression is less sensitive to the protective effects of the sunscreens than inflammation and that protection against UVR-induced inflammation does not necessarily imply prevention of immunologic alterations. In addition, these studies suggest that UVR-induced immunosuppression and inflammation may involve different mechanisms.

Lack of correlation between UV-induced enhancement of melanoma development and local suppression of contact hypersensitivity.

Injection of melanoma cells into the UV-irradiated ear skin of syngeneic mice results in an increased incidence of melanomas compared with that in nonirradiated ear skin. This effect of UV is localized to the site of irradiation and appears to be immunologically mediated. In these studies we test the hypothesis that the effect of UV irradiation on melanoma development is related to its ability to alter epidermal Langerhans cells and impair the induction of contact hypersensitivity. A regimen of UV irradiation that altered epidermal immune cells and interfered with the generation of contact hypersensitivity was tested for its ability to increase the incidence of melanoma. Conversely, the ear skin of C3H mice treated with a regimen of UV radiation that enhanced melanoma development was examined for the number of appearance of ATPase+ and Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells and tested for the ability to initiate a contact hypersensitivity response. No correlation between these effects of UV irradiation could be detected. Furthermore, implantation of melanoma cells into UV-irradiated ear skin resulted in the generation of systemic immunity against subsequent tumor challenge. Therefore, we conclude that the ability of UV irradiation to modify melanoma development is unrelated to its effects on the afferent arm of the contact hypersensitivity response and that enhanced melanoma development is not due to an impairment in the induction of tumor immunity.

Effect of psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation on in vivo growth of melanoma cells.

Exposure of murine skin to UVB (280-320 nm) radiation accelerates the outgrowth of melanoma cells implanted into the irradiated site. Because many of the biological effects of psoralen plus UVA (320-400 nm) radiation (PUVA) resemble those of UVB radiation and because PUVA therapy is used extensively in the treatment of cutaneous diseases in humans, we determined the effect of PUVA on the growth of transplanted murine melanoma cells. Unshaved C3H/HeN(MTV-) mice were treated twice each week for 3 weeks with 0.4 mg 8-methoxypsoralen i.p. plus 4.25 kJ/m2 UVA radiation; syngeneic K1735 melanoma cells were then injected s.c. into the external ear. This treatment stimulated the outgrowth of the melanomas compared to that in untreated mice and mice treated with 8-methoxypsoralen or UVA alone. The use of a nonphototoxic, monofunctional psoralen plus UVA was equally effective, indicating that neither phototoxicity nor the ability to form DNA crosslinks was required for this effect. In vitro treatment of a murine keratinocyte cell line PAM 212 with PUVA caused the release of soluble factors that, when mixed with K1735 melanoma cells prior to injection, stimulated their outgrowth in vivo. These studies demonstrate that PUVA treatment can contribute to the pathogenesis of melanoma by exerting a stimulatory effect on the outgrowth of melanoma cells. Furthermore, they suggest that this effect may result from the ability of PUVA to cause the release of stimulatory factors from keratinocytes.

Evidence that the local effect of ultraviolet radiation on the growth of murine melanomas is immunologically mediated.

We had reported previously that the outgrowth of melanoma is enhanced when melanoma cells are injected into UV-irradiated skin of syngeneic mice. To determine whether this effect was specific for melanomas, we compared the growth of 13 different tumor cell lines (3 melanomas, 6 fibrosarcomas, 2 undifferentiated skin tumors, a squamous cell carcinoma, and a spontaneous hepatocarcinoma) in UV-irradiated and nonirradiated syngeneic mice. C3H/HeN(MTV-) mice were exposed to 4.8 kJ/m2 UV-B (280-320 nm) radiation twice a week for 3 weeks; the tumor cells were injected into the UV-irradiated pinna 24 h after the final UV irradiation. The growth of all the melanomas and 4 of the fibrosarcomas was enhanced in UV-irradiated mice, indicating that the effect of UV radiation was not specific for melanomas or tumors of a particular etiology. Using an in vivo immunization and challenge assay, we found that the 7 tumors exhibiting enhanced development in UV-irradiated skin were highly immunogenic, whereas the remaining 6 tumors were not. This suggested that enhanced tumor outgrowth resulted from an immunosuppressive effect of the UV radiation. When tested further, we found that UV-B radiation had no effect on melanoma outgrowth in congenitally athymic mice, sublethally X-irradiated mice, or mice depleted of Thy1+ cells in vivo. These results indicate that immunological mechanisms play a role in the effect of UV radiation on the growth of murine melanomas.

Photoimmunology of experimental melanoma.

Increases in the incidence of cutaneous melanoma during the past few decades has drawn attention to the possible causes of this cancer. Although sunlight exposure has long been suspected of being a contributing factor, direct evidence of its participation has been difficult to obtain using epidemiological approaches. We have used murine models to investigate the possible contributions of UV radiation to the induction and pathogenesis of melanoma. Our studies demonstrate that UV radiation contributes to the induction of melanoma in a variety of ways, including an indirect, local effect on the skin. Recent evidence suggests that this indirect effect is immunologically mediated.