Targeted Inhibition of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF)/ LIFR Axis for the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Abstract

Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) and its ligand LIF play a critical role in cancer progression and therapy resistance. In this DOD funded project, we developed a first-in-class inhibitor of LIFR, EC359, which binds to LIFR and block LIF/LIFR interactions. EC359 treatment exhibited antiproliferative effects, reduced stemness, and promoted apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Treatment with EC359 attenuated the activation of LIF/LIFR driven pathways. EC359 also reduced the viability of therapy resistant TNBC models and synergized HDAC inhibitors.EC359 reduced the invasion and decreased metastases of TNBC cells. RNA-seq studies demonstrated oncogenic/survival signaling pathways were attenuated by the EC359 therapy. Importantly, EC359 inhibited the growth of TNBC patient derived explants ex vivo, cell derived xenografts and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. EC359 exhibits distinct pharmacologic advantages, including oral bioavailability, and in vivo stability. Collectively, these data supportEC359 as a novel targeted therapeutic that inhibits LIFR oncogenic signaling.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1190710

Entities

People

  • Bindu Santhamma
  • Ratna K Vadlamudi

Organizations

  • Evestra (United States)
  • University of Texas at San Antonio

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Molecular Dynamics
  • Oncology
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Oncology