2024
Melanocortin-1 Receptor Expression as a Marker of Progression in Melanoma
Su D, Djureinovic D, Schoenfeld D, Marquez-Nostra B, Olino K, Jilaveanu L, Kluger H. Melanocortin-1 Receptor Expression as a Marker of Progression in Melanoma. JCO Precision Oncology 2024, 8: e2300702. PMID: 38662983, DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00702.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMC1R expressionMelanoma progressionAssociated with shorter survivalStages of melanoma progressionCases of benign neviChronic sun exposureMarkers of progressionHuman melanoma tissuesBreslow thicknessMelanocortin-1Metastatic melanomaOverall survivalPrimary melanomaMetastatic tumorsMelanoma cohortReceptor expressionPredictive biomarkersAggressive melanomaPrimary lesionTissue microarrayShorter survivalMale sexQuantitative immunofluorescenceBenign neviClinical trialsVascular mimicry as a facilitator of melanoma brain metastasis
Provance O, Oria V, Tran T, Caulfield J, Zito C, Aguirre-Ducler A, Schalper K, Kluger H, Jilaveanu L. Vascular mimicry as a facilitator of melanoma brain metastasis. Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences 2024, 81: 188. PMID: 38635031, PMCID: PMC11026261, DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05217-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVascular mimicryBrain metastasesMouse model of metastatic melanomaIncreased risk of metastasisAssociated with tumor volumeMelanoma brain metastasesRisk of metastasisSurvival of miceFuture treatment regimensCell line modelsTumor suppressor pathwayMetastatic melanomaTumor volumeSolid tumorsTreatment regimensTumor typesPoor prognosisHippo tumor suppressor pathwayIncreased riskMouse modelDownstream targets YAPMelanomaMetastasisSuppressor pathwayTumor
2022
Coupled fibromodulin and SOX2 signaling as a critical regulator of metastatic outgrowth in melanoma
Oria VO, Zhang H, Zito CR, Rane CK, Ma XY, Provance OK, Tran TT, Adeniran A, Kluger Y, Sznol M, Bosenberg MW, Kluger HM, Jilaveanu LB. Coupled fibromodulin and SOX2 signaling as a critical regulator of metastatic outgrowth in melanoma. Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences 2022, 79: 377. PMID: 35737114, PMCID: PMC9226089, DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04364-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTumor suppressor Hippo pathwayNovel regulatory mechanismTumor vasculogenic mimicryMetastatic outgrowthExtracellular matrix componentsHippo pathwayRegulatory mechanismsMolecular eventsTumor-stroma interactionsCritical regulatorMetastatic competenceProgenitor markersProliferative stateFunctional roleFunctional studiesSOX2Vasculogenic mimicryDistinct phenotypesMatrix componentsEarly developmentFmodHigh expressionCritical processOutgrowthImportant roleInhibition of renalase drives tumour rejection by promoting T cell activation
Guo X, Jessel S, Qu R, Kluger Y, Chen TM, Hollander L, Safirstein R, Nelson B, Cha C, Bosenberg M, Jilaveanu LB, Rimm D, Rothlin CV, Kluger HM, Desir GV. Inhibition of renalase drives tumour rejection by promoting T cell activation. European Journal Of Cancer 2022, 165: 81-96. PMID: 35219026, PMCID: PMC8940682, DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.01.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPD-1 inhibitorsMurine melanoma modelMelanoma-bearing miceMelanoma modelTumor microenvironmentTumor rejectionCell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitorsAnti-PD-1 activityEnhanced T cell infiltrationT cell-dependent fashionMelanoma cellsMelanoma tumor regressionPreclinical melanoma modelsT cell infiltrationNatural killer cellsForkhead box P3Expression of IFNγWild-type miceProtein 1 inhibitorT cell activationTumor cell contentWild-type melanoma cellsCD4 cellsAdvanced melanomaAntibody treatment
2021
Spatially resolved analysis of the T cell immune contexture in lung cancer-associated brain metastases
Lu BY, Gupta R, Aguirre-Ducler A, Gianino N, Wyatt H, Ribeiro M, Chiang VL, Contessa JN, Adeniran AJ, Jilaveanu LB, Kluger HM, Schalper KA, Goldberg SB. Spatially resolved analysis of the T cell immune contexture in lung cancer-associated brain metastases. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2021, 9: e002684. PMID: 34670827, PMCID: PMC8529973, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002684.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary lung tumorsT cell subsetsMajor T cell subsetsMultiplexed quantitative immunofluorescenceLung tumorsT cellsCoinhibitory receptorsTim-3Cell subsetsBrain metastasesQuantitative immunofluorescenceHigh LAG-3 expressionTumor PD-L1 expressionPD-L1 protein expressionLymphocyte activation gene-3Low T cell infiltrationHigh TIM-3Major clinicopathological variablesPD-L1 expressionLAG-3 expressionT cell infiltrationTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesLonger overall survivalCell death 1Tumor immune microenvironmentA Phase I Study of APX005M and Cabiralizumab with or without Nivolumab in Patients with Melanoma, Kidney Cancer, or Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Resistant to Anti-PD-1/PD-L1
Weiss SA, Djureinovic D, Jessel S, Krykbaeva I, Zhang L, Jilaveanu L, Ralabate A, Johnson B, Levit NS, Anderson G, Zelterman D, Wei W, Mahajan A, Trifan O, Bosenberg M, Kaech SM, Perry CJ, Damsky W, Gettinger S, Sznol M, Hurwitz M, Kluger HM. A Phase I Study of APX005M and Cabiralizumab with or without Nivolumab in Patients with Melanoma, Kidney Cancer, or Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Resistant to Anti-PD-1/PD-L1. Clinical Cancer Research 2021, 27: 4757-4767. PMID: 34140403, PMCID: PMC9236708, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-0903.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-PD-1/PD-L1Non-small cell lung cancerCell lung cancerRenal cell carcinomaPD-L1Lung cancerDisease progressionCommon treatment-related adverse eventsPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsTreatment-related adverse eventsPhase 2 doseSubstantial clinical challengeUnconfirmed partial responseDose-limiting toxicityPD-L1 inhibitorsPhase I trialDose-escalation designPro-inflammatory cytokinesMultiple tumor typesAsymptomatic elevationStable diseaseIntolerable toxicityAdverse eventsMedian durationPartial response
2020
Melanoma brain metastases have lower T-cell content and microvessel density compared to matched extracranial metastases
Weiss SA, Zito C, Tran T, Heishima K, Neumeister V, McGuire J, Adeniran A, Kluger H, Jilaveanu LB. Melanoma brain metastases have lower T-cell content and microvessel density compared to matched extracranial metastases. Journal Of Neuro-Oncology 2020, 152: 15-25. PMID: 32974852, PMCID: PMC7910371, DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03619-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT-cell contentMelanoma brain metastasesPD-L1 expressionLower microvessel densityMicrovessel densityBrain metastasesExtracranial metastasesMacrophage contentB cellsProspective therapeutic clinical trialsTumor-infiltrating T cellsImmune-modulating drugsImmune cell subsetsTherapeutic clinical trialsExtracerebral metastasesHigh CD68Low CD3Low CD8Systemic therapyIntracerebral metastasesMetastatic sitesCell subsetsMetastatic melanomaImmune cellsClinical trialsPembrolizumab for management of patients with NSCLC and brain metastases: long-term results and biomarker analysis from a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial
Goldberg SB, Schalper KA, Gettinger SN, Mahajan A, Herbst RS, Chiang AC, Lilenbaum R, Wilson FH, Omay SB, Yu JB, Jilaveanu L, Tran T, Pavlik K, Rowen E, Gerrish H, Komlo A, Gupta R, Wyatt H, Ribeiro M, Kluger Y, Zhou G, Wei W, Chiang VL, Kluger HM. Pembrolizumab for management of patients with NSCLC and brain metastases: long-term results and biomarker analysis from a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial. The Lancet Oncology 2020, 21: 655-663. PMID: 32251621, PMCID: PMC7380514, DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30111-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain metastasis responseYale Cancer CenterPD-L1 expressionPhase 2 trialUntreated brain metastasesBrain metastasesAdrenal insufficiencyAdverse eventsMetastasis responseCNS diseaseCancer CenterCohort 2Cohort 1Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance statusTreatment-related serious adverse eventsModified Response Evaluation CriteriaStage IV NSCLCTreatment-related deathsAcute kidney injuryPD-1 blockadeSerious adverse eventsSolid Tumors criteriaPhase 2 studyProportion of patientsResponse Evaluation Criteria[11C]Methionine and [11C]PBR28 as PET Imaging Tracers to Differentiate Metastatic Tumor Recurrence or Radiation Necrosis
Tran TT, Gallezot JD, Jilaveanu LB, Zito C, Turcu G, Lim K, Nabulsi N, Huang H, Huttner A, Kluger HM, Chiang VL, Carson R. [11C]Methionine and [11C]PBR28 as PET Imaging Tracers to Differentiate Metastatic Tumor Recurrence or Radiation Necrosis. Molecular Imaging 2020, 19: 1536012120968669. PMID: 33147119, PMCID: PMC7649862, DOI: 10.1177/1536012120968669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRadiation necrosisTumor regrowthStereotactic radiosurgeryBrain metastasesPET tracersHigh amino acid uptakeMetastatic tumor recurrenceLung cancer cellsSpecific PET tracersPET imaging tracerTumor recurrenceAmino acid uptakeImaging tracerReliable markerDiagnostic imagingLack of specificityAcid uptakeCancer cellsSpecific markersMethionine levelsTranslocator proteinSequential imagingInflammationMetastasisDual tracer
2019
Complications associated with immunotherapy for brain metastases.
Tran TT, Jilaveanu LB, Omuro A, Chiang VL, Huttner A, Kluger HM. Complications associated with immunotherapy for brain metastases. Current Opinion In Neurology 2019, 32: 907-916. PMID: 31577604, PMCID: PMC7398556, DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000756.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain metastasesNeurologic toxicityImmune therapyPhase 2 clinical trialCheckpoint inhibitor therapyImmune checkpoint inhibitorsMultiple phase 2 clinical trialsTreatment-related morbidityBrain metastatic diseaseSymptomatic edemaCheckpoint inhibitorsAdverse eventsDurable responsesMedian survivalMetastatic diseaseInhibitor therapyMore patientsIntracranial activityPatient groupRadiation necrosisClinical trialsTherapy trialsMultidisciplinary teamMetastasisPatientsPLEKHA5 regulates tumor growth in metastatic melanoma
Zhang H, Zhu H, Deng G, Zito CR, Oria VO, Rane CK, Zhang S, Weiss SA, Tran T, Adeniran A, Zhang F, Zhou J, Kluger Y, Bosenberg MW, Kluger HM, Jilaveanu LB. PLEKHA5 regulates tumor growth in metastatic melanoma. Cancer 2019, 126: 1016-1030. PMID: 31769872, PMCID: PMC7147081, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32611.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAnimalsApoptosis Regulatory ProteinsBiomarkers, TumorBrain NeoplasmsCell ProliferationFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansIntracellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsMaleMelanomaMiceMice, NudeMiddle AgedPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesPrognosisProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktTOR Serine-Threonine KinasesTumor Cells, CulturedXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysYoung AdultConceptsTumor growthDisseminated melanomaExtracranial melanoma metastasesPI3K/AKT/mTOR pathwayMelanoma brain metastasesBetter overall survivalPI3K/Akt/mTORAKT/mTOR pathwayCell proliferationAkt/mTORMelanoma xenograft modelGrowth of tumorsS cell cycle transitionBrain metastasesOverall survivalPoor prognosisMetastatic melanomaMAPK/ERKSubcutaneous inoculationMelanoma metastasesXenograft modelClinical relevanceMelanoma growthNude miceCerebral specimensPerilesional edema in brain metastases: potential causes and implications for treatment with immune therapy
Tran TT, Mahajan A, Chiang VL, Goldberg SB, Nguyen DX, Jilaveanu LB, Kluger HM. Perilesional edema in brain metastases: potential causes and implications for treatment with immune therapy. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2019, 7: 200. PMID: 31362777, PMCID: PMC6668163, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0684-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdministration, IntravenousAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntigens, CD34Antineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalBlood-Brain BarrierBrain EdemaBrain NeoplasmsCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungClinical Trials, Phase II as TopicDrug Administration ScheduleHumansLung NeoplasmsMelanomaRetrospective StudiesTight JunctionsTreatment OutcomeTumor Cells, CulturedConceptsMelanoma brain metastasesBrain metastasesPerilesional edemaVessel densityEdema volumeSensitive tumorsBlood-brain barrier model systemNon-small cell lungTight junction resistancePhase II clinical trialSignificant perilesional edemaUntreated brain metastasesBlood-brain barrierPre-clinical modelsDegree of edemaTumor mass effectPotential causesMelanoma brainShort-term cultureExtracranial metastasesImmune therapyMelanoma patientsSignificant morbidityCell lungLarge tumorsB cell depletion or absence does not impede anti-tumor activity of PD-1 inhibitors
Damsky W, Jilaveanu L, Turner N, Perry C, Zito C, Tomayko M, Leventhal J, Herold K, Meffre E, Bosenberg M, Kluger HM. B cell depletion or absence does not impede anti-tumor activity of PD-1 inhibitors. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2019, 7: 153. PMID: 31200747, PMCID: PMC6567557, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0613-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPD-1 inhibitorsB cell contentB-cell depletionAnti-tumor activityB cellsMuMT miceCell depletionAnti-PD-1 inhibitorsAnti-PD-1 responseB-cell depleting drugsTumor-infiltrating B cellsImpaired B-cell functionT cell-dependent tumor rejectionPD-1 inhibitionMC38 colon cancerB cell functionAnti-tumor effectsB-cell malignanciesMurine cancer modelsCell contentOverall survivalTumor rejectionCD20 antibodyAutoimmune disordersTumor shrinkage
2018
Long-Term Survival of Patients With Melanoma With Active Brain Metastases Treated With Pembrolizumab on a Phase II Trial
Kluger HM, Chiang V, Mahajan A, Zito CR, Sznol M, Tran T, Weiss SA, Cohen JV, Yu J, Hegde U, Perrotti E, Anderson G, Ralabate A, Kluger Y, Wei W, Goldberg SB, Jilaveanu LB. Long-Term Survival of Patients With Melanoma With Active Brain Metastases Treated With Pembrolizumab on a Phase II Trial. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2018, 37: 52-60. PMID: 30407895, PMCID: PMC6354772, DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.00204.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain metastasis responseBrain metastasesMetastasis responseAdverse eventsAnti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) agentsDeath ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressionModified Response Evaluation CriteriaPhase II clinical trialActive brain metastasesAsymptomatic brain metastasesCD8 cell densityNeurologic adverse eventsPembrolizumab-treated patientsUse of pembrolizumabMelanoma brain metastasesPrimary end pointLigand 1 expressionPhase II trialResponse Evaluation CriteriaT-cell infiltratesUntreated brain metastasesDeath ligand 1Two-year survivalOverall survival timeResult of progressionOn the Dual Role of Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CEACAM1) in Human Malignancies
Calinescu A, Turcu G, Nedelcu RI, Brinzea A, Hodorogea A, Antohe M, Diaconu C, Bleotu C, Pirici D, Jilaveanu LB, Ion DA, Badarau IA. On the Dual Role of Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CEACAM1) in Human Malignancies. Journal Of Immunology Research 2018, 2018: 7169081. PMID: 30406153, PMCID: PMC6204181, DOI: 10.1155/2018/7169081.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCarcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1Cell adhesion molecule-1Adhesion molecule-1Molecule-1Role of CEACAM1Progression of malignancyPotential new molecular targetsNew molecular targetsPrognostic factorsSpecific cancer therapyPoor prognosisMetastatic spreadSolid cancersCarcinoembryonic antigenTumor progressionCarcinoembryonic antigen familyHuman malignanciesAntigen familyMolecular targetsCancer therapyBiologic functionsConsiderable downregulationMalignancyTumor suppressorEarly phaseTumor Microvessel Density as a Prognostic Marker in High-Risk Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated on ECOG-ACRIN E2805
Jilaveanu LB, Puligandla M, Weiss SA, Wang X, Zito C, Flaherty KT, Boeke M, Neumeister V, Camp RL, Adeniran A, Pins M, Manola J, DiPaola RS, Haas N, Kluger HM. Tumor Microvessel Density as a Prognostic Marker in High-Risk Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated on ECOG-ACRIN E2805. Clinical Cancer Research 2018, 24: 217-223. PMID: 29066509, PMCID: PMC5904512, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1555.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigher microvessel densityDisease-free survivalRenal cell carcinomaHigh-risk RCC patientsImproved overall survivalOverall survivalMicrovessel densityRCC patientsAdjuvant therapy trialsClear cell histologyHigh-risk patientsBiomarkers of outcomeTumor microvessel densityLower microvessel densityAbsence of necrosisFuhrman grade 1Clin Cancer ResAdjuvant sunitinibProlonged OSCell histologyLymphovascular invasionSarcomatoid featuresMultivariable analysisTreatment armsEntire cohort
2017
SHARPIN-mediated regulation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 controls melanoma growth
Tamiya H, Kim H, Klymenko O, Kim H, Feng Y, Zhang T, Han JY, Murao A, Snipas SJ, Jilaveanu L, Brown K, Kluger H, Zhang H, Iwai K, Ronai Z. SHARPIN-mediated regulation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 controls melanoma growth. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2017, 128: 517-530. PMID: 29227283, PMCID: PMC5749505, DOI: 10.1172/jci95410.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLinear ubiquitin chain assembly complexType II protein arginine methyltransferaseProtein arginine methyltransferase 5Protein arginine methyltransferaseTranscription factor Sox10Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2ATranscriptional corepressor SKIArginine dimethylationArginine methyltransferasePRMT5 activityAssembly complexMelanoma growthMethyltransferase activityPRMT5PRMT5 inhibitionRegulatory axisInhibitor 2ASHARPINNF-κB signalingHuman cancersMethylthioadenosine phosphorylaseMultiproteinImportant roleDimethylationMethyltransferasePD-L1 Studies Across Tumor Types, Its Differential Expression and Predictive Value in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Kluger HM, Zito CR, Turcu G, Baine M, Zhang H, Adeniran A, Sznol M, Rimm DL, Kluger Y, Chen L, Cohen JV, Jilaveanu LB. PD-L1 Studies Across Tumor Types, Its Differential Expression and Predictive Value in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Clinical Cancer Research 2017, 23: 4270-4279. PMID: 28223273, PMCID: PMC5540774, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-3146.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-small cell lung cancerPD-L1 expressionRenal cell carcinomaPD-1 inhibitorsCell carcinomaImmune-infiltrating cellsMelanoma patientsPD-L1Tumor cellsTumor typesTumor-associated inflammatory cellsCTLA-4 inhibitorsCell lung cancerRenal cell carcinoma cellsHigh response rateClin Cancer ResCell linesMelanoma tumor cellsPD-1Multivariable analysisNSCLC specimensInflammatory cellsLung cancerTissue microarrayResponse rate
2016
Melanoma central nervous system metastases: current approaches, challenges, and opportunities
Cohen JV, Tawbi H, Margolin KA, Amravadi R, Bosenberg M, Brastianos PK, Chiang VL, de Groot J, Glitza IC, Herlyn M, Holmen SL, Jilaveanu LB, Lassman A, Moschos S, Postow MA, Thomas R, Tsiouris JA, Wen P, White RM, Turnham T, Davies MA, Kluger HM. Melanoma central nervous system metastases: current approaches, challenges, and opportunities. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2016, 29: 627-642. PMID: 27615400, PMCID: PMC5398760, DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12538.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCEACAM1: Expression and Role in Melanocyte Transformation
Turcu G, Nedelcu RI, Ion DA, Brînzea A, Cioplea MD, Jilaveanu LB, Zurac SA. CEACAM1: Expression and Role in Melanocyte Transformation. Disease Markers 2016, 2016: 9406319. PMID: 27642217, PMCID: PMC5013198, DOI: 10.1155/2016/9406319.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCarcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1Melanoma patientsCell adhesion molecule-1Standard immunohistochemical panelImmune checkpoint inhibitorsSubgroup of patientsAdhesion molecule-1Development of melanomaAggressive therapyCheckpoint inhibitorsAdvanced melanomaPoor prognosisMetastatic melanomaImmunohistochemical panelCell adhesion moleculeMelanoma treatmentMolecule-1New biomarkersPatientsMelanoma progressionAdhesion moleculesMelanoma cellsMelanomaNormal melanocytesTherapy