Abstract 6289: Phenotypic screening of small molecules for novel immuno-oncology potential using BioMAP® Early Screening Services

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Vol. 80; no. 16_Supplement; p. 6289
• Main Authors: O'Mahony, Alison, Denker, Sheryl P., Velichko, Sharlene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.08.2020
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445
• DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2020-6289

Abstract Approved immuno-oncology (IO) drugs that have expanded the arsenal of available treatment options for recalcitrant cancers include antibodies to PD-(L)1 checkpoints–a relatively new class of immunotherapies. While the clinical success reported for these drugs is compelling, efficacy is limited to a small cohort of patients. The need for more IO therapeutic options has prompted the pursuit of next-generation candidates that can achieve better patient outcomes. One approach is to screen compounds for novel targets that elicit an immunorestorative response within the tumor microenvironment (TME), consistent with approved IO drugs. Ideally, a small molecule therapeutic would represent a distinct advantage over existing biologics, both in terms of administration as well as ability to optimize chemistry. In order to efficiently identify molecules with IO potential, a high throughput, physiologically relevant screening approach that recapitulates the complexity of the TME is needed. BioMAP Oncology systems are co-cultures of human primary cell types (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and PBMCs) and cancer cells that model immune suppressed TME biology. Compounds can be screened in these in vitro TME models to look for impacts on protein biomarkers relevant for immune responses, inflammation, matrix modulation and for impacts on cancer cells. These systems were validated for immune restorative activities using anti PD-(L)1 therapeutics such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and durvalumab. Specifically, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels served as hallmark activities indicating a reversal of the immune suppressive influence of the cancer cell. In one of the BioMAP Oncology systems, we screened a library of 72 compounds targeting different molecules, the vast majority of which had not previously been identified as potential immuno-oncology candidates. Several small molecules that increased one or more cytokines were identified, indicating immune restorative potential. Other small molecules inhibited immune responses and/or demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, modulation of matrix biomarkers on tissue and tumor cells indicate impacts on distinct compartments of the TME. This approach using human cell-based in vitro TME models represents a rapid and cost-effective manner to rapidly screen libraries of small molecules (both novel and repurposed) for immuno-oncology potential. Citation Format: Alison O'Mahony, Sheryl P. Denker, Sharlene Velichko. Phenotypic screening of small molecules for novel immuno-oncology potential using BioMAP® Early Screening Services [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6289.