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 trials
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
2019
PLEKHA5 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 specimensB 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 progressionTumor 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
PD-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
Pembrolizumab for patients with melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer and untreated brain metastases: early analysis of a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial
Goldberg SB, Gettinger SN, Mahajan A, Chiang AC, Herbst RS, Sznol M, Tsiouris AJ, Cohen J, Vortmeyer A, Jilaveanu L, Yu J, Hegde U, Speaker S, Madura M, Ralabate A, Rivera A, Rowen E, Gerrish H, Yao X, Chiang V, Kluger HM. Pembrolizumab for patients with melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer and untreated brain metastases: early analysis of a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial. The Lancet Oncology 2016, 17: 976-983. PMID: 27267608, PMCID: PMC5526047, DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(16)30053-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgressive brain metastasesUntreated brain metastasesBrain metastasis responseYale Cancer CenterBrain metastasesPhase 2 trialCell lung cancerAdverse eventsMetastasis responseCancer CenterLung cancerMelanoma cohortGrade 3 colitisGrade 3 fatigueGrade 3 pneumonitisPD-1 axisAcute kidney injuryNeurological adverse eventsPD-1 inhibitorsAcceptable safety profilePD-L1 expressionSystemic immunotherapyKidney injuryPrimary endpointNSCLC cohort
2015
MET Expression in Primary and Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Implications of Correlative Biomarker Assessment to MET Pathway Inhibitors
Shuch B, Falbo R, Parisi F, Adeniran A, Kluger Y, Kluger HM, Jilaveanu LB. MET Expression in Primary and Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Implications of Correlative Biomarker Assessment to MET Pathway Inhibitors. BioMed Research International 2015, 2015: 192406. PMID: 26448928, PMCID: PMC4584049, DOI: 10.1155/2015/192406.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClear cell renal cell carcinomaCell renal cell carcinomaMetastatic sitesRenal cell carcinomaMET expressionCell carcinomaPredictive biomarkersPrimary tumorMetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomaMetastatic kidney cancerAppropriate patient selectionDistant metastatic sitesPatient selectionMetastatic tissuesKidney cancerMET pathwayTissue microarrayBiomarker assessmentNumber of casesPrimary siteModerate concordancePathway inhibitorTumorsDistant tissuesNephrectomyCharacterization of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in paired primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma specimens
Baine MK, Turcu G, Zito CR, Adeniran AJ, Camp RL, Chen L, Kluger HM, Jilaveanu LB. Characterization of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in paired primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma specimens. Oncotarget 2015, 6: 24990-25002. PMID: 26317902, PMCID: PMC4694809, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4572.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedB7-H1 AntigenCarcinoma, Renal CellCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesCD8-Positive T-LymphocytesFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueForkhead Transcription FactorsHumansKidney NeoplasmsLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasm MetastasisTissue Array AnalysisYoung AdultConceptsRenal cell carcinomaT cell ratioMetastatic specimensPD-L1Cell carcinomaPD-1/PD-L1 blockadePD-1/PD-L1 statusPD-1/PD-L1 pathwayMetastatic renal cell carcinomaHigh PD-L1PD-L1 blockadeUnfavorable tumor characteristicsPD-L1 expressionPD-L1 statusPD-L1 pathwayT-cell contentPre-treatment tumorsLow CD8TIL subsetsCharacterization of tumorsTIL densitySuch patientsTumor characteristicsImmune activationPatient survivalCharacterization of PD-L1 Expression and Associated T-cell Infiltrates in Metastatic Melanoma Samples from Variable Anatomic Sites
Kluger HM, Zito CR, Barr ML, Baine MK, Chiang VL, Sznol M, Rimm DL, Chen L, Jilaveanu LB. Characterization of PD-L1 Expression and Associated T-cell Infiltrates in Metastatic Melanoma Samples from Variable Anatomic Sites. Clinical Cancer Research 2015, 21: 3052-3060. PMID: 25788491, PMCID: PMC4490112, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-3073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPD-L1 expressionT-cell contentPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsHigher T-cell contentT-cell infiltratesPD-L1 inhibitorsAnatomic sitesBrain metastasesMetastatic melanomaTissue microarrayHigh PD-L1 expressionLess PD-L1 expressionLow PD-L1 expressionTumor PD-L1 expressionHigher TIL contentImproved overall survivalT cell infiltrationLess T cellsMetastatic melanoma samplesExtracerebral metastasesCerebral metastasesOverall survivalDermal metastasesImproved survivalPD-L1PLEKHA5 as a Biomarker and Potential Mediator of Melanoma Brain Metastasis
Jilaveanu LB, Parisi F, Barr ML, Zito CR, Cruz-Munoz W, Kerbel RS, Rimm DL, Bosenberg MW, Halaban R, Kluger Y, Kluger HM. PLEKHA5 as a Biomarker and Potential Mediator of Melanoma Brain Metastasis. Clinical Cancer Research 2015, 21: 2138-2147. PMID: 25316811, PMCID: PMC4397107, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-0861.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBiomarkers, TumorBrain NeoplasmsCell Line, TumorFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueGene Expression ProfilingHumansImage Processing, Computer-AssistedIntracellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedNeoplasm InvasivenessTissue Array AnalysisTranscriptomeYoung AdultConceptsCell line modelsBlood-brain barrierBrain metastasesGene expression profilesGene expression profilingExpression profilingExpression profilesPLEKHA5Brain metastasis-free survivalA375P cellsQuantitative immunofluorescenceEarly brain metastasisMelanoma brain metastasesMetastasis-free survivalProfile of patientsPotential mediatorsProtein levelsMetastatic melanoma casesEarly developmentMelanoma cellsKnockdownDecrease proliferationBBB transmigrationExtracerebral sitesMetastatic sites
2014
MEK targeting in N-RAS mutated metastatic melanoma
Thumar J, Shahbazian D, Aziz SA, Jilaveanu LB, Kluger HM. MEK targeting in N-RAS mutated metastatic melanoma. Molecular Cancer 2014, 13: 45. PMID: 24588908, PMCID: PMC3945937, DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-45.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsN-RASShort-term cultureMelanoma patientsMelanoma culturesYale Cancer CenterMetastatic melanoma patientsTime of presentationOngoing clinical trialsProtein kinase pathway activationN-RAS mutationsB-RafPan-RAF inhibitorTerm cultureKinase pathway activationConclusionsThe prognosisBrain metastasesClinical characteristicsMetastatic diseasePathologic dataWorse prognosisCancer CenterMetastatic melanomaClinical trialsMutant melanomaMelanoma cell cultures
2013
Expression of Drug Targets in Patients Treated with Sorafenib, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel
Jilaveanu LB, Zhao F, Zito CR, Kirkwood JM, Nathanson KL, D'Andrea K, Wilson M, Rimm DL, Flaherty KT, Lee SJ, Kluger HM. Expression of Drug Targets in Patients Treated with Sorafenib, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e69748. PMID: 23936348, PMCID: PMC3735539, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069748.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalOverall survivalVEGF-R1FGF-R1Paclitaxel-based therapyVEGF-R1 expressionPre-treatment tumorsPredictive biomarker signaturesMultitarget kinase inhibitorPDGF-RβSitu protein expressionTherapeutic ratioTaxane sensitivityMitogen-activated protein kinase pathwayPatientsVEGF-R3CarboplatinSorafenibVEGF-R2C-kitKinase inhibitorsTherapyProtein expressionPhase IIISorafenib targets
2012
Multi-Level Targeting of the Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Zito CR, Jilaveanu LB, Anagnostou V, Rimm D, Bepler G, Maira SM, Hackl W, Camp R, Kluger HM, Chao HH. Multi-Level Targeting of the Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e31331. PMID: 22355357, PMCID: PMC3280285, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031331.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenocarcinomaAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntineoplastic AgentsBlotting, WesternCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungCarcinoma, Squamous CellCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationClass Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-KinaseDrug SynergismFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueHumansImmunoenzyme TechniquesLung NeoplasmsMaleMiddle AgedPhosphoinositide-3 Kinase InhibitorsProtein Kinase InhibitorsProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktSignal TransductionTissue Array AnalysisTOR Serine-Threonine KinasesConceptsNon-small cell lung cancerNSCLC cell linesDual PI3K/mTOR inhibitorPI3K/AKT/mTOR pathwayPI3K/mTOR inhibitorAKT/mTOR pathwayPI3K inhibitorsNVP-BEZ235MTOR inhibitorsNVP-BKM120MTOR expressionAdvanced stageCell linesMTOR pathwayPI3K subunitsNon-small cell lung cancer cellsK inhibitorsCell lung cancer cellsCell lung cancerSquamous cell carcinomaP85 expressionSynergistic growth inhibitionRegulation of pAktExpression of p85Lung cancer cells
2011
Melanoma Brain Metastases: Is It Time to Reassess the Bias?
Flanigan JC, Jilaveanu LB, Faries M, Sznol M, Ariyan S, Yu JB, Knisely JP, Chiang VL, Kluger HM. Melanoma Brain Metastases: Is It Time to Reassess the Bias? Current Problems In Cancer 2011, 35: 200-210. PMID: 21911183, PMCID: PMC3173717, DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2011.07.003.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2010
A phase 2 trial of dasatinib in advanced melanoma
Kluger HM, Dudek AZ, McCann C, Ritacco J, Southard N, Jilaveanu LB, Molinaro A, Sznol M. A phase 2 trial of dasatinib in advanced melanoma. Cancer 2010, 117: 2202-2208. PMID: 21523734, PMCID: PMC3116034, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.25766.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalC-kit mutationsPhase 2 trialResponse ratePartial responseMedian progression-free survivalMelanoma cell proliferationDaily dasatinibMucosal primaryPFS ratesStarting dosageCommon toxicitiesUnresectable melanomaAdvanced melanomaPleural effusionMelanoma patientsPredictive biomarkersMinor responseCombination trialsTumor assessmentDose reductionPatientsPrespecified endpointsDasatinibMelanoma