Report on a Study of Myxoid Liposarcoma

By Torsten Nielsen, MD, PhD, Judith Bovée, MD, PhD,
Alexander Lazar, MD, PhD and Neeta Somaiah, MD

Introduction

This International Collaborative Grant was created to develop a coordinated research program in myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) by taking advantage of the combined tissue resource and research capacity of an international team of clinician investigators and scientists. The original aims of this International Collaborative Grant as presented in the companion Experimental Plan were:

1. To assemble the world's largest clinically annotated, high quality frozen and formalin-fixed human myxoid liposarcoma tissue repository, and develop and characterize urgently needed experimental research models
2. To use these resources to unravel myxoid liposarcoma-associated biomarkers and molecular predictors of therapeutic response, treatment resistance and disease outcome
3. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying myxoid liposarcoma biology to identify pathways that can be targeted with existing or experimental therapies
4. To assess the anti-myxoid liposarcoma effects of biologically justified therapeutic strategies

The myxoid liposarcoma International Collaborative Grant team has now been working together for over two years and includes members from MD Anderson Cancer Center led by Drs. Alexander Lazar and Neeta Somaiah (with involvement from Dr. Dina Lev who is now at Ohio State University & University of Tel Aviv Sackler School of Medicine); from University of British Columbia (UBC) led by Dr. Torsten Nielsen; and from Leiden University Medical Center led by Dr. Judith Bovée. This team met face-to-face in Vancouver (Spring 2012), Prague (Fall 2012), Leiden (Spring 2013) and New York (Fall 2013), during which time we added collaborators from Japan (Dr. Makoto Endo), Sweden (Prof. Pierre Åman) and Italy (Dr. Chiara Colombo). As of the end of the funded period (spring 2014), the research program has been able to substantially achieve its first two goals and make progress on goals 3 and 4, while also branching into new research directions as findings and opportunities have emerged.

Results

The following section summarizes our research findings based on the four main aims:

1. Assembling myxoid liposarcoma tissue repository and developing experimental research models

Given the relative rarity of experimental models and tissue samples for even more common types of sarcoma, it was critical for the three participating institutions to pool tissue resources to create what we believe is now the world's largest and best-characterized repository of human myxoid liposarcoma samples. This resource formed the basis not only for the rest of the studies in this research program, but also for ongoing and future collaborative studies with other groups. Material Transfer Agreements were set up at the start of the program to allow easy and rapid sharing of tissue samples among the three institutions - a crucial arrangement that facilitated our subsequent research studies.

Tissue Microarray. While MD Anderson and UBC already possessed clinically-annotated myxoid liposarcoma tissue microarrays, the construction of a myxoid liposarcoma tissue microarray at Leiden for this study expanded our combined MLS specimen total to 201, a far higher number than the sample sizes used in published studies to date (generally well under 100). This allowed us to achieve a large enough sample size to draw statistically-powered conclusions from biomarker studies (e.g. the immunotherapy target NY-ESO-1, described below).

Primary cell culture. Tissue specimens from patients provide the optimal experimental material to study the biology and behavior of myxoid liposarcoma. However, this is a small and finite resource, and the types of research experiments that can be carried out on primary tissue specimens are limited not just by their small quantity, but also by conventional tissue storage methods. Cell lines, preferably those derived from primary cell cultures, maintain some of the most critical aspects of myxoid liposarcoma's fundamental biology (i.e. presence of the FUS-DDIT3 fusion oncogene in its native cellular context) and, if they can be immortalized, can be shared among researchers for use in experiments in which the use of patient specimen is impractical or premature.

Myxoid liposarcoma cell lines have proven valuable for the isolation and study of the endogenous FUS-DDIT3 fusion protein, but until now the cell lines available to the research community had required immortalization using viral sequences from the SV40 early region. This genetic manipulation alters the function of a number of critical tumor suppressors including p53, PP2A and RB family members. For this reason, the relevance of such cell lines to what is happening in real patient tumors is limited when it comes to the study of critical aspects of cell growth and differentiation. During our early attempts at growing and expanding our collection of primary cell cultures, one particular primary cell line (DL-221), derived from a pleural metastasis of a myxoid liposarcoma patient, spontaneously immortalized. We have performed extensive characterization of DL-221, including its exome sequence, molecular cytogenetic profile, phenotypic properties and ability to engraft onto mice for future pre-clinical studies.

The details of DL-221's characterization were first presented as a poster at the 2013 Connective Tissue Oncology Society conference (poster abstract found here in conference program, Poster 144, page 229) and are being prepared for publication in a scientific journal, with the cell line now being made available to the wider research community.

In addition to DL-221, we established a cell culture of a myxoid liposarcoma (L1187) up to ~15 passages, and was successfully used for drug response assessments as well. This longstanding cell culture was also extensively characterized at the molecular level.

Significance: This program has created the world's largest and best-characterized repository of human myxoid lipoarcoma tissues not just for the studies in this program and future work by our group, but also for other dedicated researchers worldwide needing such a resource to translate their scientific insights. We have characterized and are making available a new myxoid liposarcoma cell line, DL-221, that was spontaneously immortalized, making it a valuable addition to what has to date been a very limited set of available myxoid liposaroma cell lines (especially since DL-221 did not require immortalization with SV40). In publishing the details of this cell line with its exome sequence (and that of its parental tumor tissue), we hope to set a new standard for the initial characterization and reporting of a sarcoma model system.

2. Discovering myxoid lipoarcoma-associated biomarkers of therapeutic response and disease outcome

The aim of this study was to interrogate our myxoid liposarcoma tissue cohorts for candidate biomarkers of targetable oncogenic pathways.

2.1 Exome sequencing of myxoid liposarcoma samples

As the program progressed, DNA sequencing technologies advanced rapidly, and our team had the opportunity to form a new collaboration with Dr. Andrew Futreal at MD Anderson that allowed us to go beyond our original plan of systematically checking the mutational status of genes related to the IGF/PI3K/PTEN/Akt/MTOR pathway. Using next generation sequencing technology, we have been able to perform exome sequencing not just in DL-221, but also in the original myxoid liposarcoma metastatic tumor from which DL-221 is derived.

Table I: Identified Sequence Changes

960 shared variants

32 exonic variants in cell line, not in metastatic tumor

63 exonic variants in metastatic tumor, not in cell line

90% of changes in variant allele frequencies between metastatic tumor and cell line <0.2

Summary of sequence changes identified by whole exome sequencing of DL-221
and the metastatic tumor from which it was derived.

There were few differences in exomic sequences between the two samples, DL-221 and its metastatic tumor. An important observation was the loss of chromosomes 2, 4 and 9, and gain of chromosome 14 in DL-221, suggesting that a subclone was selected for during establishment of the cell line. Of note are key mutations found in both DL-221 and its original metastatic tumor - mutations in APC (Wnt signaling pathway) and TP53 genes that are predicted to result in loss of normal function of their translated proteins.

Table 2: Summary of Key Mutations

MUTATION	METHOD
FUS-DDIT3 translocation	Breakdancer, Meerkat
TP53 p.N239D	Varscan
TP53 p.T125R	Varscan
APC p.R99W	Varscan
APC2 p.G343R	Varscan

Revealed by whole exome sequencing
and confirmed in both DL-221 and its original metastatic tumor

Work is still ongoing to expand sequencing and apply these same analyses to more myxoid liposarcoma tissue samples, especially those from Leiden, where the banked specimens were not altered by neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation and so represent the best quality material for sequencing work. Specifically, we will be able to measure the prevalence of mutations in the PI3K and mTOR pathways as this has implications for treatment options targeting one or both pathways. Repeated studies have indicated that inhibiting one pathway (PI3K or mTOR) often results in the upregulation of the other pathway^1,2 providing a mechanism of drug resistance and tumor survival. The scope of exome sequencing will additionally allow us to identify any novel secondary mutations in myxoid liposarcoma that should be the focus of new research and therapeutic strategies. We are also in the process of accruing enough good quality samples to compare the sequences of myxoid liposarcoma samples that respond to drug treatment to those that do not, and identify pre-existing mutations that may predict response to therapy.

2.2 NY-ESO-1 as a biomarker and target for immunotherapy

In addition to our work in exome sequencing, we also used our team's existing and newly constructed tissue microarrays to evaluate the expression of a biomarker, New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1), in myxoid liposarcoma. NY-ESO-1 is a highly immunogenic cancer-testis antigen and currently the focus of several targeted immunotherapy trials. Expression of NY-ESO-1 has previously been found in a number of tumor types including myxoid liposarcoma,^3-5 synovial sarcoma^6,7 and multiple myeloma,⁸ whereas its expression among healthy normal cells is limited to adult testis germ cells. This expression pattern makes NY-ESO-1 an ideal therapeutic target, since targeting it may have few side effects. In support of one of the recently opened clinical trials led by team member Dr. Neeta Somaiah, employing dendritic cell-targeted vaccination against NY-ESO-1 in a number of cancer types including myxoid liposarcoma, we set out to investigate NY-ESO-1 expression in sarcoma patient samples.

By performing a large-scale immunohistochemical expression study of NY-ESO-1 on our combined tissue microarray cohorts, we found that NY-ESO-1 is indeed expressed in almost 90% of the 158 myxoid liposarcoma samples we had collected. This finding provides an important external validation to two recent studies that reported high expression of NY-ESO-1 in smaller series (25 - 38 patients) of myxoid liposarcoma, published by two other US-based groups. Our study also included over 1000 samples from all of the major (and most of the minor) bone and soft tissue tumor types, and confirmed, on a large scale, that NY-ESO-1 expression is a useful marker for myxoid liposarcoma differential diagnosis as it is indeed quite specific for this disease (otherwise only expressed at high levels in synovial sarcoma).

Significance. Our preliminary work into sequencing the exome of patient samples will provide the foundation on which to expand sequencing into a larger set of samples and identify the critical secondary mutations in myxoid liposarcoma that can be targeted with new therapies or repurposed anticancer drugs. Our tissue microarrays are available for biomarker studies supporting clinical trials, one of which is already underway.

3. Fusion protein biology and protein binding partners

The defining molecular event in myxoid liposarcoma is a balanced translocation fusing FUS with DDIT3. However, there are still many unanswered questions behind the biology and mechanism of the resultant fusion oncoprotein, FUS-DDIT3. We have identified and validated a number of previously unreported protein binding partners by immunoprecipitating endogenous FUS-DDIT3 from three myxoid liposarcoma cell lines, including the new DL-221 line described above.

Our preliminary results support the current concept that FUS-DDIT3 forms an aberrant transcription complex resulting in the abnormal expression of DDIT3 target genes. Specifically, FUS-DDIT3 appears to associate with various protein complexes that are involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional repression. One of the proteins in these complexes, lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), can be targeted by new drugs in preclinical development. We have also confirmed the association of FUS-DDIT3 with histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), and a preliminary drug screen has identified a number of HDAC inhibitors that are effective against myxoid liposarcoma cell lines. The role and function of FUS-DDIT3 in these drug-targetable protein complexes is a major focus of our continuing research, given its implications for cancer treatment.

Significance. We have identified potential binding partners of the FUS-DDIT3 fusion protein that are targetable by existing drugs in preclinical development. Additional funding has been secured for further research into the biology of these protein interactions and to test the efficacy of drugs targeting the binding partners.

4. Assessing biologically justified therapeutic strategies

We used our model systems to establish the sensitivity of myxoid liposarcoma cell lines to trabectedin (ET-743, Yondelis), as it was shown by others to be effective in translocation related sarcomas, especially myxoid liposarcomas. Our goal was to understand the underlying mechanism of action. We confirmed that myxoid liposarcoma cell lines were sensitive to the commonly used conventional chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin, as well as to trabectedin. L1187 was least sensitive. We compared the sensitivity to other tumor types and demonstrated that other translocation associated tumors (Ewing sarcoma, synovial sarcoma) were also sensitive to trabectedin, while osteosarcoma and ovarian carcinoma needed much higher doses. As it was shown that trabectedin induces adipogenic differentiation both in vitro⁹ and in vivo¹⁰ we evaluated whether expression of genes involved in adipogenic differentiation was altered upon treatment. We initially intended to do an siRNA screen to evaluate synthetic lethality with trabectedin, as it was originally reported that the main effect of trabectedin was the dissociation of the fusion product from the DNA. As during the course of the project more pleiotropic effects were reported, we decided to adapt our plan of investigation and perform a drug screen on the 3 myxoid liposarcoma cell lines, followed by the assessment of possible synergy with trabectedin for selected hits only.

Marieke de Graaff, PhD student from Leiden, visited MD Anderson, Houston, to perform the drug screen in collaboration with Dr Neeta Somaiah. The Bioactive Compound Library L1700 from Selleckchem was used. At present, 273 out of 855 compounds have been screened, in 4 different concentrations, for 72 hours. Results are currently being analyzed and validated.

The effect of three HDAC inhibitors (a pan-HDAC inhibitor, HDAC I inhibitor MS275 and HDAC I and II inhibitor SAHA) was specifically evaluated through colony formation and cytotoxicity experiments on the three myxoid liposarcoma cell lines. The colony formation capacity was inhibited across all the cell lines after treatment with HDAC inhibitors and this was dose dependent. The effect was more prominent after treatment with MS275. Cell viability studies showed that the pan-HDAC inhibitor and SAHA had a greater inhibitory effect on 402-91 and 1765-92 compared to the MLS-DL-221 cell line, whereas the HDAC class I inhibitor MS275 led to a modest decrease of the tumor cell viability across all three cell lines. A larger number of HDAC inhibitors have also been tested as part of the 855 compound drug screen and again emerged as a class of agents having activity across the three cell lines; but higher potency against 402-91 and 1765-92 compared to DL-221.

We have also expanded our research by testing AXL receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition, based on the MD Anderson team's published finding of AXL expression as a prognosticator in myxoid liposarcoma.¹¹ That study demonstrated that AXL is expressed in almost all myxoid liposarcoma samples (97%), and that high AXL expression is a predictor of poor outcome in myxoid liposarcoma patients. In other studies, AXL has been associated with tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Our tests of an AXL inhibitor suggest that myxoid liposarcoma cell lines respond well to AXL inhibition.

Significance. Trabectedin has recently come into use as a new therapeutic option and we've taken this bedside result back to the bench to assess possible synergism with other compounds identified in our drug screen. The results of this study will identify potential combination therapies with trabectedin that can enhance efficacy against myxoid liposarcomas.

Summary

The myxoid liposarcoma ICG has been an extremely useful platform for collaborative work among our international research teams and resulted in synergism of our expertise and resources in myxoid liposarcoma research.

Since the formation of this ICG in 2012, reports have been published on the expression of NY-ESO-1 in myxoid liposarcoma cases.^3-5 We have made use our combined tissue microarray to perform an independent validation of high NY-ESO-1 expression in what is by far the largest sample set to date, in support of recently opened NY-ESO-1-targeted immunotherapy clinical trials in myxoid liposarcoma. The combined samples from our tissue repository are now also a valuable resource with critical volume to perform future correlational studies on new biomarkers. A second contribution from this ICG is the in-depth characterization of a new cell line DL-221 that is now available for use by the wider research community.

A few other projects within the ICG are still ongoing with increased scope after securing additional funding from other sources. These projects include exome and transcriptome sequencing of a larger set of patient samples with additional conditions such as comparison between drug treated or untreated samples, validation of potential FUS-DDIT3 binding partners and their role in transformation, and validation of the most promising compounds identified in a drug screen against myxoid liposarcomas and testing if any will synergize with existing therapies to enhance efficacy.

Finally, in the last two years, we have established collaborative ties not only among the core researchers funded by the ICG, but also now including other international groups from Sweden, Italy and Japan that are active in myxoid liposarcoma research. Despite the conclusion of the ICG, the expanded group is continuing its regular meetings and discussions that have been fruitful at generating new ideas and advancing research in myxoid liposarcomas.

 

Acknowledgements:

The principal investigators would like to thank Jamie Lim (PhD student, University of British Columbia) for her tireless work in organizing team meetings, project updates and reports. We also thank Marieke de Graaff and Hannah Cheung for contributions to this report.

V11N5 ESUN Copyright © 2014 Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

A "Bedside to Bench" Investigational Platform
for the Study of Myxoid Liposarcoma

By Torsten Nielsen, MD, PhD, Judith Bovée, MD, PhD,
Dina Lev, MD, and Alexander Lazar, MD, PhD

Abstract

Myxoid liposarcoma is one of the most common sarcomas bearing a characteristic chromosomal translocation encoding an oncogenic fusion transcription factor. In the case of myxoid liposarcoma it is the FUS-DDIT3 fusion protein. Although local control measures (surgery and radiation) are highly effective and cure about half of patients, this cancer is prone to distant metastases to sites around the body. The risk of metastasis is higher when there is round cell histology present, as well as when certain biomarkers are expressed (such as those implying activation of the IGF/Akt/mTOR axis). Conventional chemotherapy provides little, if any, survival benefit, although recent results suggest trabectedin may help some patients. Regardless, we have yet to convert these molecular insights into specific therapies targeting the FUS-DDIT3 fusion protein or its direct oncogenic effects. One major reason for slow progress has been a lack of available tissue samples from annotated cohorts and clinical trials; another has been a lack of representative model systems.

We have assembled an international team of sarcoma experts who have the ultimate goal of developing a multi-investigator driven "bed-side to bench and back" platform for advancing the study of myxoid liposarcoma.

We will do so by drawing on our institutions’ large combined catchment of sarcoma specimens and our connections to major sarcoma clinical trial groups in Europe and North America, to generate annotated archival resources and high quality material from incident cases. We have extensive experience with tissue microarrays, primary tumor culture and xenograft models. Team members also bring expertise developed in related sarcoma systems to detail the function of the FUS-DDIT3 oncogene and its relation to key molecular pathways including Akt/mTOR and histone modifications. This work will be linked to an experimental therapeutics program assessing trabectedin, histone deacetylase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors and other targeted therapies suggested by our research. If successful, we will be able to organize future targeted therapy trials for myxoid liposarcoma, and obtain long term funding from national sources.

Introduction and Background

Clinical Features and Pathology of Myxoid Liposarcoma

Myxoid liposarcomas represent about one third of liposarcomas and account for ~10% of all adult soft tissue sarcomas (recent reviews included in Romeo & de Toi¹ and Singer et al).² These tumors most commonly arise in the deep soft tissues, particularly thigh or retroperitoneum. Patients are typically younger (peak age 30-50) than for other types of liposarcoma, with no gender predilection. Standard treatment by surgical wide local excision and adjuvant radiation is often, but not always, sufficient to achieve local control. Most problematically, myxoid liposarcoma is prone to metastasis (seen in 35% of cases overall), with an unusual propensity for spread to extrapulmonary sites (such as other soft tissues throughout the body) which can be difficult to detect clinically. Conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy provides at best a small benefit to survival, and in the metastatic setting achieves at most partial responses. Five year survival figures have variously been quoted between 20-70%, depending in part on the amount of round cell histology present.

Under the microscope, myxoid liposarcoma consists of small histologically bland spindle cells, dispersed within an abundant hyaluronidase-sensitive myxoid matrix, with frequent pools of stromal mucin³ (Figure 1). This type of sarcoma displays an unusual, characteristic plexiform vasculature: a network of small capillaries, with larger arborizing vessels notably absent. Lipoblasts, cells representing an early stage of adipocytic differentiation, are a characteristic feature, as are varying amounts of mature fat. Round cells, defined as closely-packed high grade small blue cells with no evident line of differentiation and no matrix production, are present in a subset of myxoid liposarcomas. These define higher grade disease, portend increased rates of metastasis and poor outcomes,⁴ and can create problems for differential diagnosis on small biopsies.

Molecular Features of Myxoid Liposarcoma

Myxoid liposarcoma is one of the more common entities within the class of sarcomas bearing a fusion transcription factor oncogene (see box below for definition of transcription). In this disease, the defining molecular event is a balanced translocation, most commonly t(12;16)(q13;p11), fusing FUS with DDIT3.⁵ Twelve FUS-DDIT3 transcript variants (varying in the exons retained at splice sites) (Figure 2) have been reported, and EWSR1 (the Ewing sarcoma gene) may substitute for its homologue FUS in rare cases. The resulting chimeric transcript fuses 5’ amino terminal exons of FUS (transcriptional regulatory domains interacting with the RNA polymerase II complex) to the full coding sequence of DDIT3, which is a DNA-binding leucine-zipper transcription factor that plays a role in cell cycle control and adipocytic differentiation. Importantly, FUS-DDIT3 expression constructs can induce a sarcoma phenotype in cell model systems,⁶ although characteristic myxoid liposarcoma is not so derived, suggesting the in vivo cellular and tissue background for the translocation may be critical to modeling this disease. Relatively little is known about the mechanism of action of FUS-DDIT3 in molecular oncogenesis. Native DDIT3 dimerizes and inhibits fellow C/EBP family members, which are central effectors of growth arrest and terminal adipocyte differentiation, suggesting that the fusion oncoprotein may directly interfere with these critical functions. Evidence also exists suggesting net downstream results include activation of angiogenic factors (IL-8), early adipose differentiation (PPARγ), growth factor signaling (IGF, RET) and cell cycle progression (cyclinD-cdk4) among others.⁷

Therapeutic Opportunities in Myxoid Liposarcoma

Myxoid liposarcoma is highly susceptible to adjuvant or neoadjuvant radiotherapy, which aids in impressive local control rates achievable by experienced surgeons.⁸ Metastatic disease remains incurable in the great majority of cases, although multiple chemotherapeutic approaches can elicit at least temporary responses. Both radiation and chemotherapy cause extensive hyalinization and loss of neoplastic cellularity in myxoid liposarcoma, but the reduction in tumor size is less impressive (most likely due to the large portions of tumor volume composed of myxoid stroma).

More recently, the use of trabectedin (ET-743 or Yondelis) in these tumors has been associated with extensive lipid maturation and loss of characteristic myxoid liposarcoma cellularity. While overall patient response rates with this drug in advanced sarcomas are low (10%), myxoid and round cell liposarcomas appear particularly sensitive to trabectedin^.9 It has been postulated that this drug directly interacts with DNA chromatin grooves, displacing the FUS-DDIT3 chimeric transcription factor. Thus it may interrupt the key molecular initiator and driver of this tumor, an ideal characteristic for a "targeted therapy," although this remains far from proven. Interestingly, high-dose adriamycin/ifosfamide has recently been noted to show identical lipid maturation features (Lazar, unpublished data) and thus the morphologic changes induced by trabectedin treatment may not be unique. The molecular underpinnings of these similar responses to very different agents is largely unexplored.

Other agents with very different mechanisms may also be effective against fusion transcription factor associated sarcomas. The emerging delineation of histone deacetylase-driven epigenetic alterations that coincide with tumorigenicity and malignant progression has provided the impetus to develop HDAC inhibitors as novel cancer therapeutics.¹⁰ These initiatives were prompted by preclinical observations of broad growth inhibitory effects in cultured cancer cells while sparing normal cells, and significant in vivo effects in various human tumor xenografts. To date, clinical trials have documented the potential efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in multiple cancers and two compounds have already received FDA approval for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma therapy.¹¹ The study of HDACs in soft tissue sarcomas is one of the major research goals of the Lev and Nielsen laboratories. These efforts have identified in vitro and in vivo efficacy for several HDAC inhibitors against a range of soft tissue sarcomas,¹² where they may even be capable of disrupting the fusion oncoprotein’s effector complex.¹³ These insights have supported a recently initiated phase I/II clinical study examining the effects of PCI-24781 in combination with doxorubicin in advanced sarcomas and of SB939 in translocation-associated sarcomas. To the best of our knowledge, little is known about the potential effect of HDAC inhibitors on human myxoid liposarcoma. Our previous studies did include one myxoid liposarcoma cell line (402-91) demonstrating anti-tumor effects,¹⁴ and have since extended this finding to primary myxoid and myxoid-round cell liposarcoma xenograft models (see section 2c, below). These encouraging preliminary data form the basis for some of the studies proposed in this research program.

Current Research in Myxoid Liposarcoma by the Co-Principal Investigators

Dr. Nielsen began work in this field by helping generate the world’s first gene expression profile data on myxoid liposarcomas.¹⁵ Subsequent investigations identified gene signatures characteristic of early adipocytic development and branching vascular morphogenesis. Using tissue microarrays as a validation platform, Nielsen’s group confirmed that expression of the RET, IGF1R and IGF2 proteins is linked to poor outcome in myxoid liposarcoma, supporting a role for the MAPK and Akt/mTOR pathways in aggressive cases.¹⁶ Dr. Nielsen has also been active in developing HDAC inhibitors as experimental therapies, demonstrating that translocation-associated sarcomas, including myxoid liposarcoma, are particularly sensitive to such agents.¹⁴ This work has led to the opening of a multicentre Canadian trial, IND.200 (NCT01112384), for which Nielsen is the correlative science director.

Drs. Lazar and Lev, already working closely together in the MD Anderson Sarcoma Research Laboratory, have been involved in ongoing studies into the molecular events underlying progression of myxoid to round cell liposarcoma. Using multiple techniques, including tissue microarrays to investigate phosphorylation of downstream targets, Lazar’s group confirmed activation of the Akt pathway in myxoid liposarcoma, and found a further increase in flux through the pathway upon round cell transformation. Targeted mutational analysis of PIK3CA identified activating mutations in 14% of cases, confirming previously reported prevalence;¹⁷ these mutations were linked to round cell change. Moreover, loss of PTEN, a tumor suppressor and critical inhibitor of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, was found in an additional 13% of cases and was mutually exclusive with PIK3CA mutations. Lazar’s studies into IGF1R expression validated Nielsen’s prior findings, and further showed that poor outcomes could be linked to preferential IGF1R expression in round cell tumors. Taken together, these findings support a role for the PI3K/Akt pathway in round cell transformation, and provide an explanation for reports of poor prognosis associated with PIK3CA mutation and high pAKT expression in myxoid liposarcoma.¹⁸ Dr. Lazar has also collaborated with investigators at Texas Children’s Hospital in developing an optimized RT-PCR assay to detect FUS-DDIT3 fusion transcripts for clinical use.¹⁹

Overall, development in the field of myxoid liposarcoma has been hampered in part by a lack of available models. Prof. Pierre Aman’s research group (Lundberg Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, Göteborg University, Sweden) has provided the community with a number of established myxoid liposarcoma cell lines,^20,21 immortalized using viral sequences from the SV40 early region, which alters the function of a number of critical tumor suppressors including p53, PP2A, and RB family members. For this reason their relevance is limited for the study of growth and differentiation, although they are valued for isolation and study of the endogenous fusion protein. FUS-DDIT3 has been introduced into a number of cellular backgrounds including NIH3T3 and HT1080 cells, and more recently into murine²² and human²³ mesenchymal progenitor cells. In mice only p53 null cells were tumorigenic, whereas in humans no tumorigenic clones were obtained. Myxoid liposarcoma therefore appears to arise in a different background in humans, possibly from more lineage-committed cells, and possibly with requirement for different contributing mutations (since human tumors are largely wild type for p53). Very recently, research by Dr. Igor Matushansky suggested that myxoid liposarcoma cells are mesenchymal cells that are committed to adipocytic differentiation, but for reasons yet unknown, are unable to complete the terminal differentiation program. Their study results were based on a p53 null mouse model; which while very elegant for research, may not provide an authentic cellular background for myxoid liposarcoma.

The conclusion which we share with many groups is that native human myxoid liposarcoma cells obtained from patient tumors are the most representative models for the biology and behavior of this disease. Such cultures are hard to obtain even in designated sarcoma centres due to the usual management strategy of core needle biopsy (yielding insufficient cells for research) followed by neoadjuvant radiation (damaging viability of cells for research in the subsequent surgical excision). Dr. Bovée’s work in the field includes not only the genetic characterization of 2 established myxoid liposarcoma cell lines originally generated by Prof. Aman,²⁰ but also the establishment of new myxoid liposarcoma cell cultures from patient samples.²⁴ Her research group additionally performed kinome profiling and subsequent pathway analysis in these models of myxoid liposarcoma, to identify new molecular targets for systemic treatment. Kinome profiling revealed that kinases associated with the nuclear factor-kappaB and Src pathways are active in myxoid liposarcoma. Inhibition of Src by the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib showed mild effect on cell viability, whereas inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway, which is regulated by the FUS-DDIT3 fusion product, showed a significant decrease in myxoid liposarcoma cell viability, decreased phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappaB pathway proteins, and caspase 3 mediated apoptosis.

Take-Home Message

Although a pathognomonic FUS-DDIT3 translocation has been identified that appears to drive the biology of myxoid liposarcoma, it is not directly targeted by any known drugs. A better understanding of the critical mechanisms of oncogenesis by FUS-DDIT3, including transcriptional effector partners and target genes, may suggest much-needed more specific and effective systemic therapies. However, the limited availability and relevance of model systems and difficulties in obtaining viable primary tumor samples have slowed research progress worldwide.

The Myxoid Liposarcoma Investigative Team

Myxoid liposarcoma is among the more common sarcoma subtypes for which a defined underlying oncogenic event has been identified. However, this has yet to lead to breakthroughs in patient care, due to a lack of critical mass in resources: tissue specimens, patient data, funding and investigators pursuing myxoid liposarcoma research. In agreement with the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative’s philosophy, we believe improved patient management and outcome can best be made by a team of dedicated investigators (Figure 3) working cohesively on this disease.

Judith Bovée, MD, PhD, a pathologist / associate professor at the department of Pathology of the Leiden University Medical Center, where she is the principal investigator in the bone and soft tissue tumor pathology group. Her main focus is on translational sarcoma research, for which she has several grants from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (NWO) and the KWF Dutch Cancer Society. Her group coordinated a trans-European Network of Excellence, EuroBoNeT, on pathology and genetics of bone tumours, in which Dr. Bovée was work package leader on the biology of chondrosarcoma. Since March 1st she became work package leader for "Molecular diagnosis and translational research" within the EuroSarc collaborative project "European Clinical trials in Rare Sarcomas within an integrated translational trial network." She has published close to 80 research articles related to mesenchymal tumors.

Alexander Lazar, MD, PhD is on faculty in the Sarcoma Research Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC) where he has designated laboratory space and works collaboratively with Dr. Dina Lev. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and oversees the Institutional Sarcoma Tumor Bank. Dr. Lazar’s particular expertise lies in tissue-based translational research, molecular diagnostics and early genetic changes in sarcoma. Based on his clinical role as an academic pathologist, he has extensive experience in the classification of soft tissue tumors and serves as a reference pathologist for the Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration. He has helped author more than 100 papers and book chapters, mostly pertaining to sarcomas.

Dina Lev, MD is the principal investigator of the Sarcoma Research Laboratory (SRL) at UTMDACC, Houston, Texas. Integrated within one of the largest clinical sarcoma treatment centers worldwide, the SRL is provided unique access to a large number of sarcoma patient derived samples permitting establishment and development of relevant human soft tissue sarcoma experimental models. These resources are highly valuable and have already formed the basis for a comprehensive translational platform for the study of sarcomas. Dr. Lev’s research focuses on the identification of molecular markers and therapeutic targets for a range of soft tissue malignancies, and she has published over 120 peer reviewed manuscripts.

Torsten Nielsen, MD, PhD is a clinician-investigator pathologist at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. His centre draws sarcoma patients from Western Canada and is affiliated with the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group, wherein Dr. Nielsen is a member of the sarcoma executive committee, and its director of correlative science. He runs research labs active in translating novel molecular findings into practical diagnostics and new treatments, and he holds active funding for investigations of translocation-associated sarcomas from three major Canadian national granting agencies. His work has already led to two new, widely-used diagnostic biomarkers in sarcoma and to two clinical trials that are currently underway. Dr. Nielsen has published over 100 cancer research articles in scientific journals.

Each of the above investigators has been able to establish an infrastructure of equipment, specimens, models, laboratory and supporting personnel for sarcoma research, and has demonstrated a track record of productivity. Funding from the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative will synergize with existing infrastructure to bring a large array of research resources to bear on myxoid liposarcoma. Just as importantly, by working as an international team with complementary strengths, we will also be able to synergize our skills and research directions to address those questions which are both scientifically tractable and clinically relevant.

Our core team will also be supported by several close collaborators. Raphael Pollock MD, PhD, Head of the Division of Surgery and Director for the Sarcoma Research Center at UTMDACC, has extensive experience as a leading clinician-investigator in soft tissue sarcoma and will assist the group in securing access to needed human bioresources as well as troubleshooting experiments. Chad Creighton, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and the Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center Division of Biostatistics at UTMDACC, will serve as the biostatistics & bioinformatics advisor. T. Michael Underhill, PhD, a musculoskeletal developmental biologist at UBC, will assist in the molecular characterization work of FUS-DDIT3 and its targets. From Leiden, Bob van de Water, PhD (Toxicology) and Hans Gelderblom, MD, PhD (Clinical Oncology) will provide support for drug screening studies and for clinical trial translational work, respectively.

Aims of the Integrated Myxoid Liposarcoma Research Program

Our ultimate goal is to develop a multi-investigator driven "bed-side to bench and back" program for the study of myxoid liposarcoma that would remain operative beyond the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative funding timeline. The long term goals identified below have been identified as critical to developing and implementing this research program and their accomplishment will be our measure of success.

1. To assemble the world’s largest clinically annotated, high quality frozen and formalin-fixed human myxoid liposarcoma tissue repository, and develop and characterize urgently needed experimental research models
2. To use these resources to unravel myxoid liposarcoma-associated biomarkers and molecular predictors of therapeutic response, treatment resistance and disease outcome
3. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying myxoid liposarcoma biology to identify pathways that can be targeted with existing or experimental therapies
4. To assess the anti-myxoid liposarcoma effects of biologically justified therapeutic strategies

Experimental Design

All four principal investigators will contribute to each of the 5 specific objectives set out below (Figure 4), but with primary responsibility assigned to one PI. The critical tissue repository (Section 1a) – comprising formalin-fixed and frozen tissues, primary cultures and xenografted tumor tissues – will be consolidated, characterized and shared among all participants as a basis for biomarker (Section 1b), molecular biology (Section 2a) and experimental therapeutics (Section 2b and 2c) studies. Biomarker and molecular biology investigations will focus on pathways relevant to therapeutic intervention, supporting our "bedside to bench and back" theme.

1. Human Tumor-Based Insights

1A. Develop Tissue Repository

Pooled resources across our institutions provide a robust initial basis for our tissue repository. In addition to the existing resources described below, each of our investigators has established mechanisms in place for accrual of incident tumor specimens.

1. Formalin Fixed Tissue: Dr. Lazar and colleagues have developed a myxoid liposarcoma tissue microarray (TMA)¹⁸ with annotated clinical data, including patient outcomes. This tissue microarray includes 165 tumors from 111 patients, including 82 primaries, 27 locally recurrent tumors and 56 metastases, representing 75 myxoid tumors, 43 with round cell features and 45 with marked treatment effect. Six tumors are represented by pre- and post- therapy cores to include a total of 76 untreated tumors, 35 treated with chemotherapy, 13 by radiation alone, and 28 by combination chemoradiation. Clinical follow-up for specimens included in this TMA is available for 150 tumors, on the full spectrum of outcomes, including disease-specific mortality (n=36, median follow-up time 1.7 years) alive with disease (n=57, median follow-up 3 years), and alive with no evidence of disease (n=61, median follow-up 3 years). MDACC resources also include additional formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material for 75 cases included in the TMA, as well as 32 tumors with marked treatment effect which were not included on the TMA. This resource is complemented by the UBC adipose tumor TMA constructed by Dr. Nielsen's group, which includes 32 primary myxoid liposarcomas (11 of which have >5% round cell component) with detailed clinical annotation including median 78 month follow-up data.¹⁶ Both arrays have undergone detailed expert pathology review to confirm specimen quality for histology and immunohistochemistry.
2. Frozen Tumor Samples: Frozen tissue from 57 myxoid liposarcoma tumors is presently retained in the UTMDACC institutional and sarcoma-specific biorepositories, including 19 tumors with predominately myxoid features, 6 round cell tumors, and 32 with variable treatment effect. Dr. Bovée adds 35 frozen cases of myxoid and round cell liposarcoma, while Dr. Nielsen at UBC contributes an additional 12 frozen specimens from the UBC orthopaedic oncology tissue bank. Both UBC and MDACC capture incident cases (approx. 15 / year total) under a procurement protocol designed to ensure high specimen quality.



3. Primary cell culture: Both Bovée and Nielsen have obtained two established myxoid liposarcoma cell line models (402-91 and 1765-92) from Prof. P. Aman (Goteburg, Sweden).²⁰ Dr. Bovée has established and characterized 8 primary cell cultures at Leiden. These cell lines and primary cultures were previously successfully used for karyotype and fusion gene characterization, drug assays and Western blot analyses,²⁴ and cells from early passages are still available. Primary cell culture strains have been established at MDACC from 7 additional myxoid liposarcoma cases.
4. Primary tumor xenograft lines: The UBC group contributes expertise with 4 subrenal implant primary tumor xenograft lines that have been passaged in up to 5 generations of mice. These xenograft lines are an effective means for successfully propagating even low grade tumors in a fashion amenable to drug assays.²⁵ Importantly, the gross and characteristic microscopic features (including matrix, lipoblasts and vascularity) appear perfectly preserved in the subcapsular xenografts (Figure 6).

Resources to be acquired during grant period: Additional primary tumor material acquisition is ongoing as routine institutional and sarcoma-specific tumor banking at MDACC and UBC based on IRB-approved active protocols. This is enabling accumulation of additional frozen tumor tissues and primary cell cultures as well as access to FFPE materials for further studies on patient tumor specimens. We expect 25 to 30 incident cases a year at MD Anderson alone. Dr. Lazar is a reference pathologist and correlative science coordinator for the SARC clinical trial group and Dr. Nielsen serves a similar role for NCIC-CTG, facilitating access to clinical trial specimens from ongoing studies accruing myxoid liposarcomas, including studies of trabectedin and of HDAC inhibitors.

1B. Unravel Biomarkers and Molecular Prognosticators of Therapeutic Response and Outcome in Myxoid Liposarcoma

Twelve fusion variants of FUS-DDIT3 have been described (Figure 2).^19,24 However, data is mixed as to the clinical relevance of the different variants.^4,26 We will perform RT-PCR on samples from patients included in our TMA population in order to perform correlative analysis of specific fusion variants with both patient outcome, as well as response to therapy and biomarker expression. This work will create an efficient pipeline for identification of myxoid liposarcoma fusion subtype on diagnostic materials, and the resulting resource will be able to assess the biologic significance of potential fusion variants, both in untreated tumors, as well as in response to therapy.

PIK3CA mutations have been reported in up to 18% of all myxoid liposarcomas, based on the most detailed mutational profiling data published to date.¹⁷ Work by the Lazar/Lev group has confirmed this finding in a subset of 44 cases, and demonstrated that mutational frequency is higher in round cell tumors compared to myxoid tumors. In this proposal we will isolate DNA and RNA from our frozen and paraffin-embedded resources to assess the mutation status of the IGF/PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway using new and efficient technologies fit for this purpose. Mutation status will be correlated with expression of related molecules in this pathway, interrogating our existing rich dataset on growth factors (e.g. IGF2), receptor tyrosine kinases (IGF1R, RET), AKT and activated pAKT, as well as downstream markers pS6K, nuclear p27, and in particular phospho-4EBP1, which in recently-published experiments¹⁸ we identified as the most analytically and clinically robust immunohistochemical biomarker of Akt pathway activation, Of note, assessing the status of the Akt/mTOR pathway in sarcomas has taken on added importance following the recently-reported positive result of the SUCCEED trial using radiforolimus, an mTOR inhibitor which significantly improves progression-free survival in metastatic sarcomas.²⁷

Once we have assembled the annotated patient myxoid liposarcoma tissue cohorts, and enhanced their scientific value by detailing fusion oncogene and Akt pathway status, we will have the best resource in the world to interrogate other candidate biomarkers of targetable oncogenic pathways. The strength of the pathology expertise in our team will allow us to generate such results quickly and efficiently. Together with ongoing efforts to identify novel biomarkers from gene expression profile data,¹⁶ these additional investigations will include components of Akt/mTOR interrelated pathways including ERK. Dr. Nielsen has recently demonstrated high level expression of the therapeutic target histone deacetylase 2 and has reported on the adverse prognosis associated with RET expression in myxoid liposarcoma.^16,28 These findings will be expanded upon and confirmed in the MDACC patient cohort using the Lev/Lazar TMA, which has increased numbers of round cell tumors as well as treated tumors. This will not only validate expression of these potential therapeutic targets, but also enable a more clear determination of these biomarkers as independent risk factors, and allow correlation with changes associated with both round cell transformation and treatment-related effects. Biostatistical support for TMA analysis is provided by experienced biostatisticians associated with the Sarcoma Research Center at UTMDACC (key collaborator: C. Creighton).

2. Myxoid Liposarcoma Biology and Experimental Therapeutics

2A. Fusion Gene Protein Binding Partners

Recent work in the Nielsen lab, in collaboration with Underhill, has elucidated the nature of the abnormal transcriptional complex in synovial sarcoma,¹³ revealing druggable targets currently under evaluation. We will apply a similar strategy in myxoid liposarcoma, using the primary cell models generated by Dr. Bovée which endogenously express FUS-DDIT3 in an appropriate cellular context. The aim of this study will be to identify the specific proteins that bind to and interact with the FUS-DDIT3 fusion protein, especially those that may be targeted by existing drugs.

To identify novel interacting proteins of FUS-DDIT3, we are using a global proteomic approach by obtaining proteins from the primary cultures and performing immunoprecipitation with an anti-DDIT3 antibody. The isolated protein complex, now comprised of FUS-DDIT3 (wild-type DDIT3 is absent under normal culture conditions³⁰) and its interacting proteins, will then be separated by SDS-PAGE and the individual proteins sequenced and identified by mass spectrometry. The identities of the interacting proteins will be vigorously validated using multiple approaches including co-immunoprecipitation, glycerol gradient co-elution studies and chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Gene knockdown of identified binding partners will then be employed to interrogate dysregulatory effects on target gene transcription and consequent effects on oncogenic capacity. For both novel fusion gene binding partners and their relevant target genes, Dr. Lazar will perform validation on larger numbers of primary specimens and determine clinical relevance using the tissue microarray series described in Section 1a.

2B. Trabectedin Related Studies

Trabectedin (Yondelis, ET 743) is a novel chemotherapeutic agent derived from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata. By binding to the DNA minor groove, it disrupts repair mechanisms and causes inhibition of cell proliferation.³² Phase I and II clinical trial studies showed promising results in myxoid liposarcoma patients with advanced disease, though recent studies reported an increasing number of side effects.^33,34 The exact mechanism by which trabectedin inhibits myxoid liposarcoma proliferation is currently unknown, although it seems to induce terminal adipogenic differentiation.²⁰ Therefore, we will aim to identify the pathways that are driving tumor proliferation in order to establish targets for treatment, while concurrently investigating whether trabectedin affects these pathways.

The current proposed project will be performed in collaboration with Prof. Hans (AJ) Gelderblom, medical oncologist at Leiden. The LUMC is the leading sarcoma center in the Netherlands and Prof. Gelderblom is head of the systemic treatment committee of the EORTC Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma group and EORTC board member, which guarantees clinical translational overview of the project. Prof. Gelderblom currently participates in 2 trabectedin studies: the EORTC TRUSTS study and (as PI) the Dutch observational phase IV Trabectedin trial.

Dr. Bovée has access to an XCelligence system, which will allow us to assess proliferation, apoptosis and migration. In collaboration with the lab of Prof. van de Water, Department of Toxicology, Leiden University, with whom Dr. Bovée established a successful collaboration,³⁵ we will have access to high throughput screening and live cell imaging. As an additional read-out, we can assess adipogenic differentiation, reportedly induced by trabectedin,²⁰ using Oil-red-O staining in combination with live cell imaging.

• Subproject 1: Test the response to trabectedin in myxoid liposarcoma cell lines and primary cultures to test a possible relation to fusion type. Our panel of cell lines and cultures reflects the heterogeneity found with regards to fusion type in this disease. We will assess response to trabectedin within this panel of cell lines, evaluating proliferation, apoptosis and migration using the Xcelligence system as we reported previously for chondrosarcoma, and adipogenic differentiation using oil-red-o staining. Results will be correlated to fusion type and sensitive models will be assessed for treatment-induced changes in the FUS-DDIT3 complex and its targets identified by Nielsen and Lev. Doxorubicin will be used as a comparative positive control, a drug used world-wide with known activity in this disease.
• Subproject 2: Focused synthetic lethal kinase screen to identify genes or pathways that modify the response to trabectedin. In this subproject, we will identify genes and pathways that modify sensitivity to trabectedin in myxoid liposarcoma. This project is performed in collaboration with Prof. PCW Hogendoorn, Prof. B. van de Water and Dr. E. Danen. We will use an siRNA screen for kinase genes combined with trabectedin to identify the most important genes involved in the response to trabectedin.
• Subproject 3: Test whether the combination of trabectedin acts synergistically with inhibition of other pathways implicated in myxoid and round cell liposarcoma, such as AKT/PI3K and NF-kappaB. In parallel with the siRNA screen we will perform a focused compound screen using commercially available inhibitors that target the pathways known to be important in myxoid liposarcoma, with a focus on agents targeting pathways enhancing response to trabectedin emerging from subproject 2.

2C. Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) and HDAC Inhibitor Related Studies

HDAC inhibitors have also shown promise and preclinical efficacy in translocation-associated sarcomas. We recently extended on our published findings by demonstrating that SB939 (the HDAC inhibitor being evaluated in NCIC-CTG IND.200) inhibits the growth of mxyoid liposarcoma xenografts (Figure 8). Herein we propose to undertake detailed preclinical translational investigations of the effects of HDAC inhibitors on myxoid liposarcoma.

Utilizing the experimental models described in Section 1a (cell lines and xenografts) and the broad array of assays we have already developed,^12,14,37 we will evaluate the impact of HDAC inhibitors on the tumorigenic properties of myxoid liposarcoma in vitro and in vivo and aim to identify potential mechanisms of sensitivity/resistance. In synovial sarcoma, the Nielsen lab has recently shown that HDAC inhibitors disrupt the critical fusion oncogene transcriptional complex,¹³ and we will build on the results of the studies proposed above to see if this is also the case in myxoid liposarcoma.

The importance of our experimental plan is enhanced because the NCIC-Clinical Trials Group is currently undertaking a phase II clinical study to determine the anti-tumor effects of HDAC inhibition in patients afflicted by fusion gene sarcomas. Dr. Nielsen helped design this trial, and serves as its study pathologist and director of correlative science. Recruited patients already include four with myxoid liposarcoma, from whom FFPE blocks have been provided.

It is worth mentioning that HDACs are a family of isoforms divided into four classes.³⁸ HDAC inhibitors currently in the clinic inhibit multiple HDAC isoforms, mainly of class I.³⁹ Despite their promise, there is a clear need to improve the therapeutic index given their toxicities.⁴⁰ Targeting the most relevant HDAC isoform in a particular cancer may enhance therapeutic efficacy by attenuating the toxicities associated with inhibition of multiple isoforms. As part of the current proposal, we will determine the expression of class I isoforms in myxoid liposarcoma, and using an siRNA knockout approach in our models we will assess the impact of individual isoforms on myxoid liposarcoma growth and survival. New isoform-specific HDAC inhibitor drugs are in active development (HDAC8-specific inhibitors are already in use in the Lev lab), and those with narrow spectrums incorporating the key isoforms identified by siRNA studies will be prioritized for further assessment in this disease.

Conclusion

The group has already met in Vancouver in March 2012 (in conjunction with the USCAP meeting), and future meetings are planned in conjunction with CTOS meetings at the participating institutions. We will also seek to arrange a joint meeting with the existing Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative-funded well differentiated / dedifferentiated liposarcoma consortium.

The proposed work will create what we believe will be the world’s largest collection of primary tumor samples and cell models of myxoid liposarcoma, a resource we would not only use ourselves but also make available to qualified researchers worldwide in future collaborations. The frozen tissue would be positioned for use in sequencing-based discovery projects currently undergoing rapid technological advancement; the fixed tissue will provide a critical validation resource linked to detailed patient and outcome data allowing clinical interpretation; and the model systems can underpin functional and preclinical experiments central to translational research strategies. We will comprehensively evaluate existing biomarkers with therapeutic implications, and both existing drugs and novel targeted therapeutics for their capacity to help patients afflicted with this dangerous disease. Our links to clinical trials groups in Europe and North America will accelerate translation of our findings, allowing us to spearhead development of new trials rationally targeted to the molecular underpinnings of myxoid liposarcoma. Funding from the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative will create a collaborative group that can function as more than the sum of its parts, and commence an international program of research to translate existing and novel scientific knowledge into the best possible care.

 

Acknowledgements

The investigators of this study would like to acknowledge the important contributions of our trainees Jamie Lim MSc (UBC) and Elizabeth Demicco MD/PhD (MDACC) to the planning and presentation of our research plan.

V9N2 ESUN Copyright © 2012 Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

Walking with Hope, Strength, and Courage
to Find a Cure for Liposarcoma

By Bruce Shriver, PhD

We are proud to announce in this issue of ESUN a $250,000 International Collaborative Grant, "A 'Bedside to Bench' Investigational Platform for the Study of Myxoid Liposarcoma." The grant brings together researchers from Canada, the Netherlands and the United States. This grant complements the $250,000 International Collaborative Grant we awarded a year and a half ago, "Translational Research in Well-Differentiated and De-Differentiated Liposarcoma," which involves researchers from Australia, Norway, and the United States.

In both grants, each investigator has an established infrastructure of equipment, specimens, models, laboratory and supporting personnel for sarcoma research. In both grants, each member has demonstrated a track record of productivity and accomplishment in studying liposarcoma. These two Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative grants help enable these existing infrastructures to be collaboratively employed to bring a larger array of research personnel and resources to bear on studying liposarcoma. Importantly, each team can focus their skills and research directions to address questions that are both scientifically tractable and clinically relevant. Joint meetings between the two teams are planned so they can share insights and results. We are truly hopeful about the possible outcomes of such cross-pollinating meetings for the liposarcoma community.

These grants were made possible by generous donations raised by the dedicated and inspirational family behind the Wendy Walk. Wendy Landes’ three children, Ali, Matt and Jackie, created the Wendy Walk in 2010 after their mother was diagnosed with multi-focal dedifferentiated liposarcoma. They were inspired by their mother’s strength, courage, faith, and unwavering positive attitude, and they wanted to increase liposarcoma awareness and raise funds to support liposarcoma research.

Wendy, Robert, Matt, Ali and Jackie Landes

Wendy has already undergone three surgeries lasting over 12 hours each, and she has undergone six different chemotherapy protocols. Each surgery has placed in her in ICU! Throughout this journey the Wendy Walk has been the shining light that has encouraged her and her family to remain strong and committed to finding a cure. Wendy’s journey is an example of the battle that thousands of other patients are fighting around the world. Wendy and the Landes family are an inspiration to us and to those who learn about them. We are grateful that they are partnering with us to advance liposarcoma research, and we believe that the Landes’ legacy will be in the impact that this research makes in the lives of countless families around the world.

The International Collaborative Grants program is an integral part of the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative’s philosophy: Improved outcome for sarcoma patients is best achieved by teams of dedicated investigators working collaboratively and cohesively towards a common goal. Notably, there are few funding sources for sarcoma research that cross national boundaries. We are committed to providing a unique source of support for truly global initiatives in basic and translational sarcoma research. The approach we are taking with our International Collaborative Grants program is catalytic in bringing quality researchers and clinicians together to help find cures for these rare cancers.

V9N2 ESUN Copyright © 2012 Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative