AACR: Advancements in combination therapies for liver and pancreatic cancers, organoid-based platform for personalized head and neck cancer treatment, liquid biopsies for cancer detection and more

Investigators from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer will present the latest advancements in cancer research and treatments at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago from April 25 to 30.

The annual meeting, which showcases cutting-edge cancer science and medicine, will feature UCLA-led research in key areas of both translational and basic scientific research. These include new combination immunotherapy approaches, updated organoid models, epigenetic markers for breast cancer risk and efforts to overcome drug resistance in liver cancer.

“The work being presented at the AACR annual meeting showcases a wide range of innovative studies that push the boundaries of science, from personalized treatment strategies to pioneering new technologies for earlier detection,” said Dr. Michael Teitell, director of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “We’re excited about the potential of these discoveries to improve cancer care and offer hope to patients facing some of the most challenging cancers.”

Highlights of noteworthy presentations by UCLA faculty at AACR include:

Abstract CT018: Topical treatment for acneiform rash caused by targeted cancer therapy

Dr. Antoni Ribas, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the tumor immunology program at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and his team will present findings from a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized phase 2 clinical trial that assesses the effectiveness of a topical BRAF inhibitor called LUT014 for acneiform rash toxicities from anti-EGFR therapies. The new clinical data will be highlighted in an oral presentation at the Clinical Trials Plenary Session on Sunday, April 27 from 3:30 to 5:30pm CT.

Abstract 559: Targeting MCL1 or SOS1 to overcome lenvatinib resistance in liver cancer

Kevin Chau, a graduate student in the department of molecular & medical pharmacology at UCLA, will present on lenvatinib resistance in liver cancer and potential combination therapies to enhance its efficacy. The study identified specific drug combinations, such as SOS1 inhibitors and anti-apoptosis targeting agents, that showed promise in overcoming resistance and improving treatment outcomes for patients with advanced liver cancer. The research, led by Dr. Dennis Slamon, director of clinical and translational research at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and chief of hematology/oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, will be presented on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 5pm CT during the Reversal of Drug Resistance 1 Poster Session.

Abstract 1830: New high-throughput organoid-based platform advances personalized treatment for aggressive head and neck cancer

Luda Lin, a graduate research assistant at UCLA, will present findings on a high-throughput organoid-based drug screening platform developed to evaluate the combined effects of radiotherapy and targeted therapies on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The platform successfully identified therapeutic strategies that enhance radiosensitivity and reduce tumor invasion, with the goal of improving personalized treatment outcomes for patients with advanced HNSCC. The work, led by Dr. Alice Soragni, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at UCLA, and Dr. Maie St. John, professor and chair of head and neck surgery at UCLA Health, will be presented on Monday, April 28 from 9am to 12pm CT during the Radiation Treatment Combinations for Tumors, Normal Tissue Poster Session.

Abstract 3244: Personalized liquid biopsy enhances cancer detection and monitoring

Shuo Li, an assistant project scientist in the lab for translational genomics and bioinformatics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, will discuss cfTrack-methyl, a highly sensitive blood test that detects minimal residual disease in patients with cancer. By combining a patient’s unique tumor methylation signatures with data from other cancer patients, this approach enhances accuracy, even in individuals with complex conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis B. The research, led by Dr. Jasmine Zhou, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, will be shared on Monday, April 28 from 2 to 5pm CT during the Liquid Biopsy: Circulating Nucleic Acids 1 Poster Session. 

Abstract 826: Combination of CDK4/6 and CDK2/4/6 inhibitors with novel biguanides for pancreatic cancer treatment

Samantha Melendrez, a student researcher at UCLA, will discuss a promising new approach to treating pancreatic cancer that combines JD006, a novel biguanide analogue, with CDK inhibitors. Early work shows that this combination significantly reduces cell proliferation and disrupts key molecular pathways. The study, led by Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, associate professor of medicine, and Dr. Richard Pietras, professor of medicine, will be presented on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 5pm CT during the Targeted Therapies and Combinations 1 Poster Session.

Abstract 4119: Epigenetic age as an early tumor biomarker for breast cancer

Dr. Su Yon Jung, an associate professor of the translational sciences section in the UCLA School of Nursing, will discuss her latest research that found accelerated epigenetic aging, a DNA-based marker of aging, is linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. These findings suggest that measuring epigenetic age in blood could help identify high-risk individuals and guide breast cancer prevention strategies. The findings will be presented on Tuesday, April 29 from 9am to 12pm CT during the Integrating Chromatin, Oncogenes, DNA Repair, and Biomarkers for Therapeutic Advancements Poster Session.