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L.M. Montuenga

Moderator of

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    OA11 - Angiogenesis in Advanced Lung Cancer (ID 387)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Oral Session
    • Track: Advanced NSCLC
    • Presentations: 8
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      OA11.01 - Prolonged OS of Patients Exposed to Weekly Paclitaxel and Bevacizumab: Impact of the Cross-Over in the IFCT-1103 ULTIMATE Study (ID 4988)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): A.B. Cortot, C. Audigier Valette, O. Molinier, S. Le Moulec, F. Barlesi, G. Zalcman, P. Dumont, D. Pouessel, S. Hiret, C. Poulet, P.J. Souquet, A. Dixmier, P. Renault, A. Langlais, M. Lebitasy, F. Morin, D. Moro-Sibilot, B. Besse

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Overall survival (OS) is considered as the gold standard for evaluating efficacy of antineoplastic treatments, including chemotherapy and targeted therapies. In randomized trials, allowing patients to cross-over to the other arm usually prevents demonstration of a survival benefit. However, it may provide important information with clinical relevance.

      Methods:
      The phase III IFCT-1503 ULTIMATE study compared weekly paclitaxel and bevacizumab (wPB) vs. docetaxel (DOC) as second- or third-line therapy in non-squamous NSCLC. At progression, patients were allowed to cross over to the other arm. Date of progression was collected for patients who crossed over to the other arm and for those who did not cross over but received a post-discontinuation treatment within 60 days following progression. Post-discontinuation progression-free survival (PFS2) and OS2 were calculated from day 1 of post-discontinuation treatment.

      Results:
      The study met its primary endpoint, PFS, which was significantly improved in the wPB arm (medians 5.4 vs. 3.9 mo, hazard ratio (HR) 0.62, p=0.006). No overall survival was observed (medians 9.9 vs. 11.4 mo, HR 1.18, p=0.4). Out of patients treated with DOC (n=55), those who crossed over to wPB (n=21, 38.2%) had a median PFS2 of 4.9 mo [3.1-6.2] and a median OS2 of 12.5 mo (7.0-NR), whereas those who did not cross over but received a post-discontinuation treatment (n=13, 23.7%) had a median PFS2 of 1.7 mo [1.1-2.2] and a median OS2 of 4.1 mo [2.1-5.9]. Out of patients treated with wPB (n=111), median PFS2 was 1.9 mo [1.2-2.2] for those who crossed over to DOC (n=9, 8.3%) and median PFS2 and OS2 were 1.9 mo [1.7-2.6] and 5.0 m [3.4-9.0] for those who did not cross over but received a post-discontinuation treatment (n=57, 52.3%).

      Conclusion:
      Allowing patients to cross over to the other arm demonstrated benefit of wPB following progression on docetaxel and explains the absence of OS benefit.

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      OA11.02 - Randomized Phase 1b/3 Study of Erlotinib plus Ramucirumab in First-Line EGFR Mut + Stage IV NSCLC: Phase 1b Safety Results (ID 3827)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): K. Nakagawa, E.B. Garon, L. Paz-Arez, S. Ponce, J. Corral, O.J. Vidal, E. Nadal, K. Kiura, J. Liu, S. He, J. Treat, R. Dalal, P. Lee, M. Reck

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Ramucirumab, an antiangiogenic IgG1 VEGFR2-targeted monoclonal antibody, and erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, are both active in advanced NSCLC. This global phase 1b/3 study (NCT02411448) will assess safety, tolerability and efficacy of the combination of ramucirumab with erlotinib in previously untreated patients with EGFR mutation-positive stage IV NSCLC. Here we report phase 1b safety results.

      Methods:
      Eligible patients with ECOG PS 0-1, an activating EGFR mutation, and previously untreated stage IV NSCLC received ramucirumab 10 mg/kg intravenously on day 1 of repeating 14-day (± 3 days) cycle and erlotinib 150 mg orally daily. Treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective of part A was to assess the safety and tolerability, in terms of dose limiting toxicities (DLT), of adding the recommended dose of ramucirumab for phase 3 (part B) to standard dose erlotinib. Data were analyzed separately for Japan (JP) (cohort 1) and US/EU (cohort 2). The DLT assessment occurred during the first 2 cycles (approximately 28 days).

      Results:
      As of Dec 16th, 2015, 14 patients were treated in the phase 1b part of this trial and 12 were DLT evaluable (6 JP; 6 US/EU). Overall, 6 grade (Gr) 3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) were noted, with at least one TEAE in 5 patients; no serious adverse events or Gr 4-5 TEAEs occurred. In the JP cohort the median age was 73 (64-79), 57% had ECOG PS 1 and 29% had a history of smoking. Four patients (57%) experienced a Gr 3 TEAE, of which one was a DLT (elevation of alanine aminotransferase) while the others (hypertension [n=2], dermatitis acneiform, and diarrhea) were not DLTs. In the US/EU cohort the median age was 71 (31-83), 86% had ECOG PS 1, and no patients had a history of smoking. One patient experienced Gr 3 TEAE of rash; no DLTs were observed in this cohort.

      Conclusion:
      Enrollment on the phase 1b portion of this trial is complete and the safety results were consistent with previous combinations of antiangiogenic/erlotinib in this patient population. No unexpected toxicities were identified. Phase 3 enrollment has been initiated maintaining the dose of ramucirumab at 10 mg/kg Q2W.

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      OA11.03 - A Randomized, Multi-Center, Double-Blind Phase II Study of Fruquintinib in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 4571)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): S. Lu, J. Chang, X. Liu, J. Shi, Y. Lu, W. Li, J. Yang, J. Zhou, J. Wang, L. Yang, Z. Chen, X. Zhou, Z. Liu, Y. Hua, W. Su

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Targeting the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor angiogenesis, has led to the successful development and approval of a number of targeted therapies thereby changing the standard of care for many types of cancer. However, treatment options are limited in third-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Fruquintinib is a potent and highly selective oral kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and is currently in late stage development for multiple cancers. This Phase II study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in third-line NSCLC patients (NCT02590965).

      Methods:
      A total of 91 patients were randomized to receive best supportive care (BSC) plus fruquintinib or BSC plus placebo in a 2:1 ratio from 12 Chinese clinical centers. Fruquintinib initial dose was 5 mg once daily and treatment was given in every 4-week cycle (3 weeks treatment followed by 1 week off). The primary objective was to compare progression free survival (PFS) between the two treatment groups. Secondary efficacy parameters included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS). Tumor response was assessed per RECIST 1.1.

      Results:
      As of August 7, 2015, median PFS was 3.8 months for the fruquintinib group comparing with 1.2 months for the placebo group (hazard ratio=0.27, p<0.001). The ORR was 16.4% for the fruquintinib group comparing with 0% for the placebo group (p=0.02). The DCR of the fruquintinib group was significantly higher than that of the placebo group with a difference of 53.8% (36.3, 71.4; 95% CI, p<0.001). OS was not mature and initial analysis revealed 3- and 6-month OS rates of 90.2% and 68.3% for the fruquintinib group, and 73.3% and 58.2% for the placebo group, respectively. Adverse event was reported in 68.9% and 60.0% patients in fruquintinib and placebo group, respectively. The incidence of serious adverse events was 3.3% in the fruquintinib group and 6.7% in the placebo group.

      Conclusion:
      Fruquintinib in third-line NSCLC met the primary efficacy endpoint of PFS and demonstrated superiority in the secondary endpoints of ORR and DCR as compared with placebo. OS has yet to mature. Fruquintinib was generally well tolerated and safety profile consistent with previously reported. These results support further development of fruquintinib in third-line NSCLC patients. A randomized, double-blind, multi-center Phase III registration study was initiated in December 2015 (NCT02691299). Clinical trial information: NCT02590965.

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      OA11.04 - Discussant for OA11.01, OA11.02, OA11.03 (ID 7018)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): M. Pérol

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Abstract not provided

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      OA11.05 - A Phase 2 Study of Cabozantinib for Patients with Advanced RET-Rearranged Lung Cancers (ID 5731)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): A. Drilon, R. Somwar, R.S. Smith, L. Delasos, M. Albano, M. Van Voorthuyson, L. Wang, N. Rekhtman, A. Ni, A. Plodkowski, M. Ginsberg, G.J. Riely, C. Rudin, M. Ladanyi, M.G. Kris

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      RET rearrangements are actionable drivers found in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers. We previously reported the efficacy and safety of the multikinase RET inhibitor cabozantinib in 16 patients with RET-rearranged lung cancers in the first stage of our Simon two-stage phase 2 clinical trial (overall response rate 38%; Drilon, ASCO 2015). This study has since completed accrual of both stages, now with 26 patients treated with cabozantinib.

      Methods:
      This was an open-label, single center, phase 2 trial (NCT01639508). Eligibility criteria: stage IV pathologically-confirmed lung cancers, presence of a RET rearrangement, KPS >70%, and measurable disease. RET rearrangements were detected by FISH or next-generation sequencing. Cabozantinib was administered in tablet form at 60 mg daily until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was to determine the overall response rate (ORR, RECIST v1.1). Secondary objectives included determining progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. 5 responses in 25 response-evaluable patients were required to meet the primary endpoint (Simon two-stage minimax design: H~0~ 10% vs H~A~ 30% ORR). All patients who received at least one dose of cabozantinib were evaluable for toxicity.

      Results:
      26 patients with RET-rearranged lung adenocarcinomas were treated with cabozantinib. KIF5B-RET was the predominant fusion type identified in 16 (62%) patients. The median number of prior chemotherapy lines was 1 (0-5). One patient who discontinued therapy in cycle 1 and did not undergo a response assessment was not response-evaluable as per protocol. The study met its primary endpoint with confirmed partial responses observed in 7 (ORR 28% [95% CI 12-49%]) of 25 response-evaluable patients. The median PFS was 5.5 months (95% CI 3.8-8.4). The median OS was 9.9 months (95% CI 8.1-not reached). Response by RET fusion partner: Unknown (FISH+) 2/6 (33%), KIF5B 3/15 (20%), CLIP1 1/1, TRIM33 1/1, CCDC6 0/1, ERC1 0/1. In 26 patients evaluable for toxicity, the most common all-grade treatment-related adverse events were increased alanine aminotransferase in 25 (96%) patients, increased aspartate aminotransferase in 19 (73%) patients, hypothyroidism in 18 (69%) patients, diarrhea in 16 (62%) patients, and palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia in 15 (58%) patients. Nineteen (73%) patients required dose reduction.

      Conclusion:
      This study met its primary endpoint. Cabozantinib is an active agent in patients with RET-rearranged lung cancers. An improved understanding of tumor biology and novel therapeutic approaches will be required to improve outcomes with RET-directed therapy.

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      OA11.06 - Role of Fibroblasts in the Subtype-Specific Therapeutic Effects of Nintedanib in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (ID 5029)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): M. Gabasa, R. Ikemori, F. Solca, F. Hilberg, N. Reguart, J. Alcaraz

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      There is growing evidence that tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) play a major role in critical steps of tumor progression in solid tumors including NSCLC. However the role of TAFs in regulating the response to targeted therapies is poorly understood. One of such targeted therapies is nintedanib (NTD), a multi-kinase inhibitor of VEGF, FGF and PDGF receptors that has been recently approved to treat advanced lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) patients. Although the therapeutic effects of NTD in lung cancer have been associated with its anti-angiogenic functions, NTD has also been shown to exhibit anti-fibrotic effects in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Since lung fibrosis is largely driven by activated fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, and TAFs are positive for myofibroblasts markers, it is conceivable that NTD anti-tumor effects may be additionally driven through its direct action on lung TAFs. The main goal of this study was to analyze the latter hypothesis.

      Methods:
      Patient derived lung TAFs from ADC and SCC patients as well as paired control fibroblasts from non-malignant pulmonary tissue were exposed to increasing concentrations of NTD and analyzed for growth and activation upon stimulation with growth factors and TGF- β1, respectively. Activation markers included alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen-I.

      Results:
      We found that NTD exhibited a dual inhibitory role in TAFs in terms of growth and TGF-β1-induced activation in a subtype-specific fashion. Specifically, NTD-mediated growth inhibition was larger in SCC-TAFs than in ADC-TAFs, which correlated with the larger Erk signaling previously reported by our group in SCC-TAFs in the absence of mitogenic stimuli. Conversely, inhibition by NTD of TGF-β1-mediated activation was larger in ADC-TAFs than SCC-TAFs. Likewise, NTD inhibited the growth and invasive advantages of ADC cancer cells in vitro elicited by the conditioned medium of ADC-TAFs treated with TGF-β1 compared to those advantages elicited in the absence of NTD. These results reveal for the first time that the pro-tumorigenic effects of ADC-TAFs in vitro are markedly reduced in the presence of NTD.

      Conclusion:
      TAFs in vivo are largely activated and quiescent, and TGF-β1 is a potent fibroblast activator that is frequently upregulated in lung cancer and associated with poor prognosis. Based on these previous observations, we argue that our new findings strongly suggest that the selective therapeutic advantage observed for NTD in ADC patients may be in part related to its selective inhibition of TGF-β1-dependent activation of ADC-TAFs. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights on the subtype-specific therapeutic effects of NTD in NSCLC.

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      OA11.07 - Combining Anti-Angiogenesis and Immunotherapy Enhances Antitumor Effect by Promoting Immune Response in Lung Cancer (ID 4985)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): S. Zhao, T. Jiang, X. Li, C. Zhou

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Increasing studies have shown that anti-angiogenic therapy targeting VEGF/VEGFR2 axis are furnishing demonstrable therapeutic effect on lung cancer,but the treatment benefit is transitory in clinic, generally followed by restoration of tumor growth and disease progression. Blockade of VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway can not only induce anti-vascular effect, but also remodel the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment probably due to promoting suppressive cells infiltration and enhancing PD-L1 expression, resulting in impairing antitumor immunity. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate whether combining anti-angiogenic and anti-PD-L1 treatments can induce synergistic antitumor effect by enhancing antitumor immune response in murine lung cancer.

      Methods:
      We evaluated the antitumor effects of anti-VEGFR2 agent (apatinib) as monotherapy or in combination with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody in a murine lung cancer model using Lewis lung cancer cells (LLCs). The changes of immune components in tumor and spleen were dynamically tested in different treatment groups and time points by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

      Results:
      The results showed that VEGF/VEGFR2 blockade could retard tumor growth and inhibit tumor neovascularization via eradicating Foxp3[+ ]regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) and reducing the density of microvessels in the first two weeks of treatment. On the third week of apatinib monotherapy, the number of Foxp3[+ ]Tregs and MDSCs had increased again. Although VEGF/VEGFR2 blockade induced more tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), especially CD8[+] T cells, infiltrating into the tumor mass than control group (P < 0.01), the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1was also significantly upregulated than that control group (P < 0.01). Compared to apatinib monotherapy, combining treatment demonstrated that anti-VEGFR2 plus anti-PD-L1 therapy could significantly inhibit tumor growth (P < 0.01) by persistently eliminating Foxp3[+ ]Tregs and MDSCs. Furthermore, combining anti-VEGFR2 and anti-PD-L1 therapy could not only dramatically increase TILs infiltration, especially CD8[+] T cells, but also significantly reduce the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1.

      Conclusion:
      Simultaneous blockade of VEGF/VEGFR2 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways induced a synergistic anti-tumor effect in-vivo, possibly through eliminating immunosuppressive components including Tregs and MDSCs and enhance antitumor immune response.

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      OA11.08 - Discussant for OA11.05, OA11.06, OA11.07 (ID 7015)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): R. Wiewrodt

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Abstract not provided

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Author of

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    MA02 - RNA in Lung Cancer (ID 377)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Mini Oral Session
    • Track: Biology/Pathology
    • Presentations: 1
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      MA02.04 - Discussant for MA02.01, MA02.02, MA02.03 (ID 6958)

      14:20 - 15:50  |  Author(s): L.M. Montuenga

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Abstract not provided

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    MA09 - Immunotherapy Combinations (ID 390)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Mini Oral Session
    • Track: Chemotherapy/Targeted Therapy/Immunotherapy
    • Presentations: 1
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      MA09.01 - Dual Blockade of PD-1 and C5a/C5aR Synergistically Protects against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumor Growth (ID 5261)

      14:20 - 15:50  |  Author(s): L.M. Montuenga

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Immunotherapy based on PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors has emerged as a powerful tool for the treatment of lung cancer. To further enhance the antitumor efficacy of individual treatments, numerous ongoing studies are trying to identify synergistic combinations that simultaneously block more than one immunomodulatory pathway. C5aR1 is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by C5a, an anaphylatoxin released during the activation of the complement system, a major component of innate immunity. We have previously shown in a murine model of lung cancer that pharmacological blockade of C5aR1 reduces cancer progression by reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Thus, we hypothesized that a combined inhibition of C5aR1 and PD-1 may have a synergistic effect in the treatment of lung cancer.

      Methods:
      We characterized the immunosuppressive activity of C5aR1 and evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the dual administration of PD-1 and C5a/C5aR1 antagonists in syngeneic non-small cell lung cancer mouse models. The RMP1-14 monoclonal antibody was used to block PD-1, and a PEG-modified L-aptamer, which binds to complement C5 and C5a, was used to inhibit the C5a/C5aR1 interaction.

      Results:
      Kras[G12D/+] mice deficient for C5aR (Kras[G12D/+];C5aR1[Δ/Δ]) had a lower lung tumor burden and survived longer than Kras[G12D/+];C5aR1[wt/wt] littermates. Interestingly, Kras[G12D/+];C5aR1[Δ/Δ] mice showed a significant reduction of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), a subpopulation of immune cells that profoundly influences the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. We therefore evaluated whether C5a/C5aR blockade may enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy by reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment. In the Kras/Tp53 mutant 393P syngeneic lung cancer model, the combination of C5a and PD-1 blockade dramatically reduced in vivo tumor growth, as compared to the effect of each treatment alone. Similarly, this combination showed a remarkable synergistic antitumor effect in Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL)-bearing mice. Survival analysis confirmed the benefit of the combined treatment. Finally, the therapeutic combination significantly diminished the in vivo metastatic capacity of the highly aggressive Lacun3 lung cancer cell line in syngeneic BALB/c mice, as compared to the effect of anti-PD-1 or anti-C5a drugs as monotherapy.

      Conclusion:
      Our study supports the notion that the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this context, C5a/C5aR1 blockade concomitant to anti-PD1 therapy obliterates the resistance mechanisms mediated by MDSCs, improving antitumor immune responses. These findings provide a framework for the clinical evaluation of this therapeutic strategy.

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    MA17 - Genetic Drivers (ID 409)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Mini Oral Session
    • Track: Biology/Pathology
    • Presentations: 1
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      MA17.10 - YES1 Kinase is a New Therapeutic Target in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 7159)

      14:20 - 15:50  |  Author(s): L.M. Montuenga

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Next-generation sequencing techniques have allowed the discovery of driver mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be translated into advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, specific oncogenic alterations are still unknown in a high proportion of NSCLC patients, that therefore cannot benefit from targeted therapies. The challenge is to identify new genetic alterations that allow the use of molecular-targeted therapies. In previous studies from our group (Aramburu et al. BMC Genomics 2015), the analysis of tumor molecular profiles from patients with NSCLC allowed us to identify the DNA copy number amplification of YES1 kinase (v-YES-1 Yamaguchi sarcoma viral oncogene homolog 1) as a prognostic marker in lung cancer. YES1 kinase is member of the Src family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases that are involved in the regulation of cell growth, apoptosis, cell-cell adhesion, cytoskeleton remodeling, and differentiation. The aim of this project is to evaluate if YES1 is a driver gene in NSCLC, and if targeting its activation may be a potential new therapeutic strategy.

      Methods:
      We first evaluated the prognostic role of YES1 protein expression in two independent series of 76 and 234 NSCLC patients, respectively. In both series, the multivariate analysis revealed that high YES1 expression is an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival (CUN series HR: 3.416 [0.933-12.508]; MD Anderson series HR: 1.570 [1.032-2.391]). We next evaluated the effect of YES1 knockdown in 5 NSCLC cell lines with YES1 amplification and overexpression, and in 3 cell lines without YES1 amplification and with low protein expression. YES1 downregulation by two specific siRNAs decreased proliferation and cell survival only in those cells overexpressing YES1. Congruently, YES1 inhibition led to apoptosis only in those cells.

      Results:
      Consistent with these results, constitutive overexpression of YES1 in cells with low YES1 expression significantly enhanced cell proliferation. We next evaluated the effect of the multitarget Src kinase inhibitor dasatinib on the proliferation of NSCLC cell lines with high (8 cell lines) or low (4 cell lines) YES1 expression. Dasatinib dramatically inhibited proliferation in high YES1-expressing cell lines, whereas low YES1 cell lines were more resistant to dasatinib treatment (GI50s were four orders of magnitude higher in resistant cells).

      Conclusion:
      In conclusion, our results indicate that YES1 is a promising therapeutic target in NSCLC. Furthermore, amplification and high expression of YES1 may define a subset of patients who may potentially benefit from dasatinib treatment.

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