Sunil Badve

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Sunil Badve's translational research efforts on efficient treatment of breast cancer have a two-pronged approach; developing novel targeted therapies on the one hand and identifying ineffective therapies on the other. His team is studying the individual biological components that culminate in cancer. Gaining a better understanding of these molecular mechanisms will enable identification of key "nodes" in cellular pathways, which can then be targeted by biological agents leading to better diagnosis and effective treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. Badve demonstrated that the FoxA1 protein plays a critical role in determining responses to anti-hormonal therapy IU patent, being licensed. His group has developed a gene signature useful for predicting brain metastasis (IU patent pending) and is currently, with (IU and non-IU) collaborators, trying to dissect the pathways associated with brain metastasis with the hope of preventing and treating this disease. He is also collaborating with IU and Purdue researchers to develop novel methods of detecting and treating breast cancer.

Dr. Badve's practical application of research into information that can be used by local clinicians in treating breast cancer is another example of how IUPUI's faculty members are TRANSLATING their RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE.

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Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 10 of 28
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    EarlyR: A Robust Gene Expression Signature for Predicting Outcomes of Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
    (2018) Buechler, Steven A.; Gökmen-Polar, Yesim; Badve, Sunil S.; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine
    Introduction Early stage estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer may be treated with chemotherapy in addition to hormone therapy. Currently available molecular signatures assess the risk of recurrence and the benefit of chemotherapy; however, these tests may have large intermediate risk groups, limiting their usefulness. Methods The EarlyR prognostic score was developed using integrative analysis of microarray data sets and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded–based quantitative real-time PCR assay and validated in Affymetrix data sets and METABRIC cohort using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Concordance index was used to measure the probability of prognostic score agreement with outcome. Results The EarlyR score and categorical risk strata (EarlyR-Low, EarlyR-Int, EarlyR-High) derived from expression of ESPL1, MKI67, SPAG5, PLK1 and PGR was prognostic of 8-year distant recurrence-free interval in Affymetrix (categorical P = 3.5 × 10−14; continuous P = 8.8 × 10−15) and METABRIC (categorical P < 2.2 × 10−16; continuous P < 10−16) data sets of ER+ breast cancer. Similar results were observed for the breast cancer–free interval end point. At most 13% of patients were intermediate risk and at least 66% patients were low risk in both ER+ cohorts. The EarlyR score was significantly prognostic (distant recurrence-free interval; P < .001) in both lymph node–negative and lymph node–positive patients and was independent from clinical factors. EarlyR and surrogates of current molecular signatures were comparable in prognostic significance by concordance index. Conclusion The 5-gene EarlyR score is a robust prognostic assay that identified significantly fewer patients as intermediate risk and more as low risk than currently available assays. Further validation of the assay in clinical trial–derived cohorts is ongoing.
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    The AKT inhibitor triciribine in combination with paclitaxel has order-specific efficacy against Zfp217-induced breast cancer chemoresistance
    (Impact Journals, 2017-07-17) Suarez, Christopher D.; Wu, Junmin; Badve, Sunil S.; Sparano, Joseph A.; Kaliney, William; Littlepage, Laurie E.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    We previously identified the transcription factor ZNF217 (human) / Zfp217 (mouse) as an oncogene and prognostic indicator of reduced survival, increased metastasis, and reduced response to therapy in breast cancer patients. Here we investigated the role of Zfp217 in chemotherapy resistance. Preclinical animal models of Zfp217 overexpression were treated with a combination therapy of the microtubule inhibitor epothilone B, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and cyclophosphamide (EAC). Tumors overexpressing Zfp217 increased their tumor burden compared to control tumors after treatment and accumulated a mammary gland progenitor cell population (K8+K14+). To overcome this chemoresistance after ZNF217 overexpression, we treated tumors ± Zfp217 overexpression with paclitaxel and triciribine, a nucleoside analog and AKT inhibitor that kills cells that overexpress ZNF217. Treatment order critically impacted the efficacy of the therapy. Combination treatment of triciribine followed by paclitaxel (TCN→PAC) inhibited tumor burden and increased survival in tumors that overexpressed Zfp217, whereas single agent or combination treatment in the reverse order (PAC→TCN) did not improve response. Analysis of these tumors and patient-derived tumor xenograft tumors treated with the same therapies suggested that Zfp217 overexpression in tumors contributes both to decreased microvessel density and vessel maturity, while TCN→PAC tumors overexpressing Zfp217 showed improved vessel maturity.
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    Update on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer, including recommendations to assess TILs in residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy and in carcinoma in situ: A report of the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group on Breast Cancer
    (Elsevier, 2017-10-09) Dieci, Maria Vittoria; Radosevic-Robin, Nina; Fineberg, Susan; van den Eynden, Gert; Ternes, Nils; Penault-Llorca, Frederique; Pruneri, Giancarlo; D’Alfonso, Timothy M.; Demaria, Sandra; Castaneda, Carlos; Sanchez, Joselyn; Badve, Sunil; Michiels, Stefan; Bossuyt, Veerle; Rojo, Federico; Singh, Baljit; Nielsen, Torsten; Viale, Giuseppe; Kim, Seong-Rim; Hewitt, Stephen; Wienert, Stephan; Loibl, Sybille; Rimm, David; Symmans, Fraser; Denkert, Carsten; Adams, Sylvia; Loi, Sherene; Salgado, Roberto; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine
    Morphological evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer is gaining momentum as evidence strengthens the clinical relevance of this immunological biomarker. TILs in the post-neoadjuvant residual disease setting are acquiring increasing importance as a stratifying marker in clinical trials, considering the raising interest on immunotherapeutic strategies after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. TILs in ductal carcinoma in situ, with or without invasive carcinoma, represent an emerging area of clinical breast cancer research. The aim of this report is to update pathologists, clinicians and researchers on TIL assessment in both the post-neoadjuvant residual disease and the ductal carcinoma in situ settings. The International Immuno-Oncology Working Group proposes a method for assessing TILs in these settings, based on the previously published International Guidelines on TIL Assessment in Breast Cancer. In this regard, these recommendations represent a consensus guidance for pathologists, aimed to achieve the highest possible consistency among future studies.
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    Invasion in breast lesions: the role of the epithelial-stroma barrier
    (Wiley, 2018) Rakha, Emad A.; Miligy, Islam; Gorringe, Kylie L.; Toss, Michael S.; Green, Andrew R.; Fox, Stephen B.; Schmitt, Fernando C.; Tan, Puay-Hoon; Tse, Gary M.; Badve, Sunil; Decker, Thomas; Vincent-Salomon, Anne; Dabbs, David J.; Foschini, Maria P.; Moreno, Filipa; Wentao, Yang; Geyer, Felipe C.; Reis-Filho, Jorge S.; Pinder, Sarah E.; Lakhani, Sunil R.; Ellis, Ian O.; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine
    Despite the significant biological, behavioural and management differences between ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma of the breast, they share many morphological and molecular similarities. Differentiation of these two different lesions in breast pathological diagnosis is typically based on the presence of an intact barrier between the malignant epithelial cells and stroma, namely the myoepithelial cell (MEC) layer and surrounding basement membrane (BM). Despite being robust diagnostic criteria, the identification of MECs and BM to differentiate in situ from invasive carcinoma is not always straightforward. The MEC layer around DCIS may be interrupted and/or show an altered immunoprofile. MECs may be absent in some benign locally infiltrative lesions such as microglandular adenosis and infiltrating epitheliosis, and occasionally in non-infiltrative conditions such as apocrine lesions, and in these contexts this does not denote malignancy or invasive disease with metastatic potential. MECs may be also absent around some malignant lesions such as some forms of papillary carcinoma yet these behave in an indolent fashion akin to some DCIS. In Paget's disease, malignant mammary epithelial cells extend anteriorly from the ducts to infiltrate the epidermis of the nipple but do not typically infiltrate through the BM into the dermis. Conversely, BM-like material can be seen around invasive carcinoma cells and around metastatic tumour cell deposits. Here, we review the role of MECs and BM in breast pathology and highlight potential clinical implications. We advise caution in interpretation of MEC features in breast pathology and mindfulness of the substantive evidence base in the literature associated with behaviour and clinical outcome of lesions classified as benign on conventional morphological examination before changing classification to an invasive lesion on the sole basis of MEC characteristics.
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    Paraneoplastic Syndromes and Thymic Malignancies: An Examination of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group Retrospective Database
    (Elsevier, 2017) Padda, Sukhmani K.; Yao, Xiaopan; Antonicelli, Alberto; Riess, Jonathan W.; Shang, Yue; Shrager, Joseph B.; Korst, Robert; Detterbeck, Frank; Huang, James; Burt, Bryan M.; Wakelee, Heather A.; Badve, Sunil S.; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine
    Introduction Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are associated with paraneoplastic autoimmune (PN/AI) syndromes. Myasthenia gravis is the most common PN/AI syndrome associated with TETs. Methods The International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) retrospective database was examined to determine (i) baseline and treatment characteristics associated with PN/AI syndromes and (ii) the prognostic role of PN/AI syndromes for patients with TETs. The competing risks model was used to estimate cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS). A Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis. Results 6670 patients with known PN/AI syndrome status were identified from 1951-2012. PN/AI syndromes were associated with younger age, female sex, type B1 thymoma, earlier stage, and an increased rate of total thymectomy and complete resection status. There was a statistically significant lower CIR in the PN/AI (+) group compared to the PN/AI (-) group (10-year 17.3% vs. 21.2%, respectively, p=0.0003). The OS was improved in the PN/AI (+) group compared to the PN/AI (-) group (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.54-0.74, P<0.0001, median OS 21.6 years versus 17.0 years, respectively). However, in the multivariate model for recurrence-free survival and OS, PN/AI syndrome was not an independent prognostic factor. Discussion Previously, there has been mixed data regarding the prognostic role of PN/AI syndromes for patients with TETs. Here, using the largest dataset in the world for TETs, PN/AI syndromes were associated with favorable features (i.e. earlier stage, complete resection status) but were not an independent prognostic factor for TETs.
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    MYBL1 rearrangements and MYB amplification in breast adenoid cystic carcinomas lacking the MYB–NFIB fusion gene
    (Wiley, 2017) Kim, Jisun; Geyer, Felipe C.; Martelotto, Luciano G.; Ng, Charlotte K. Y.; Lim, Raymond S.; Selenica, Pier; Li, Anqi; Pareja, Fresia; Fusco, Nicola; Edelweiss, Marcia; Kumar, Rahul; Gularte-Merida, Rodrigo; Forbes, Andre N.; Khurana, Ekta; Mariani, Odette; Badve, Sunil; Vincent-Salomon, Anne; Norton, Larry; Reis-Filho, Jorge S.; Weigelt, Britta; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine
    Breast adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), a rare type of triple-negative breast cancer, has been shown to be driven by MYB pathway activation, most often underpinned by the MYB–NFIB fusion gene. Alternative genetic mechanisms, such as MYBL1 rearrangements, have been reported in MYB–NFIB-negative salivary gland AdCCs. Here we report on the molecular characterization by massively parallel sequencing of four breast AdCCs lacking the MYB–NFIB fusion gene. In two cases, we identified MYBL1 rearrangements (MYBL1–ACTN1 and MYBL1–NFIB), which were associated with MYBL1 overexpression. A third AdCC harboured a high-level MYB amplification, which resulted in MYB overexpression at the mRNA and protein levels. RNA-sequencing and whole-genome sequencing revealed no definite alternative driver in the fourth AdCC studied, despite high levels of MYB expression and the activation of pathways similar to those activated in MYB–NFIB-positive AdCCs. In this case, a deletion encompassing the last intron and part of exon 15 of MYB, including the binding site of ERG-1, a transcription factor that may downregulate MYB, and the exon 15 splice site, was detected. In conclusion, we demonstrate that MYBL1 rearrangements and MYB amplification probably constitute alternative genetic drivers of breast AdCCs, functioning through MYBL1 or MYB overexpression. These observations emphasize that breast AdCCs probably constitute a convergent phenotype, whereby activation of MYB and MYBL1 and their downstream targets can be driven by the MYB–NFIB fusion gene, MYBL1 rearrangements, MYB amplification, or other yet to be identified mechanisms. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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    A large microRNA cluster on chromosome 19 is a transcriptional hallmark of WHO type A and AB thymomas
    (SpringerNature, 2016-02-16) Radovich, Milan; Solzak, Jeffrey P.; Hancock, Bradley A.; Conces, Madison L.; Atale, Rutuja; Porter, Ryan F.; Zhu, Jin; Glasscock, Jarret; Kesler, Kenneth A.; Badve, Sunil S.; Schneider, Bryan P.; Loehrer, Patrick J.; Department of Surgery, IU School of Medicine
    BACKGROUND: Thymomas are one of the most rarely diagnosed malignancies. To better understand its biology and to identify therapeutic targets, we performed next-generation RNA sequencing. METHODS: The RNA was sequenced from 13 thymic malignancies and 3 normal thymus glands. Validation of microRNA expression was performed on a separate set of 35 thymic malignancies. For cell-based studies, a thymoma cell line was used. RESULTS: Hierarchical clustering revealed 100% concordance between gene expression clusters and WHO subtype. A substantial differentiator was a large microRNA cluster on chr19q13.42 that was significantly overexpressed in all A and AB tumours and whose expression was virtually absent in the other thymomas and normal tissues. Overexpression of this microRNA cluster activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Treatment of a thymoma AB cell line with a panel of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors resulted in marked reduction of cell viability. CONCLUSIONS: A large microRNA cluster on chr19q13.42 is a transcriptional hallmark of type A and AB thymomas. Furthermore, this cluster activates the PI3K pathway, suggesting the possible exploration of PI3K inhibitors in patients with these subtypes of tumour. This work has led to the initiation of a phase II clinical trial of PI3K inhibition in relapsed or refractory thymomas (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02220855).
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    Genetic events in the progression of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast to high-grade triple-negative breast cancer
    (SpringerNature, 2016-11) Fusco, Nicola; Geyer, Felipe C.; De Filippo, Maria R.; Martelotto, Luciano G.; Piscuoglio, Salvatore; Guerini-Rocco, Elena; Schultheis, Anne M.; Fuhrmann, Laetitia; Wang, Lu; Jungbluth, Achim A.; Burke, Kathleen A.; Lim, Raymond S.; Vincent-Salomon, Anne; Bamba, Masamichi; Moritani, Suzuko; Badve, Sunil S.; Ichihara, Shu; Ellis, Ian O.; Reis-Filho, Jorge S.; Weigelt, Britta; Ng, Charlotte K.Y.; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a rare histologic type of triple-negative breast cancer with an indolent clinical behavior, often driven by the MYB-NFIB fusion gene. Here we sought to define the repertoire of somatic genetic alterations in two adenoid cystic carcinomas associated with high-grade triple-negative breast cancer. The different components of each case were subjected to copy number profiling and massively parallel sequencing targeting all exons and selected regulatory and intronic regions of 488 genes. Reverse transcription PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization were employed to investigate the presence of the MYB-NFIB translocation. The MYB-NFIB fusion gene was detected in both adenoid cystic carcinomas and their associated high-grade triple-negative breast cancer components. Whilst the distinct components of both cases displayed similar patterns of gene copy number alterations, massively parallel sequencing analysis revealed intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity. In case 1, progression from the trabecular adenoid cystic carcinoma to the high-grade triple-negative breast cancer was found to involve clonal shifts with enrichment of mutations affecting EP300, NOTCH1, ERBB2 and FGFR1 in the high-grade triple-negative breast cancer. In case 2, a clonal KMT2C mutation was present in the cribriform adenoid cystic carcinoma, solid adenoid cystic carcinoma and high-grade triple-negative breast cancer components, whereas a mutation affecting MYB was present only in the solid and high-grade triple-negative breast cancer areas and additional three mutations targeting STAG2, KDM6A and CDK12 were restricted to the high-grade triple-negative breast cancer. In conclusion, adenoid cystic carcinomas of the breast with high-grade transformation are underpinned by MYB-NFIB fusion gene, and, akin to other forms of cancer, may be constituted by a mosaic of cancer cell clones at diagnosis. The progression from adenoid cystic carcinoma to high-grade triple-negative breast cancer of no special type may involve the selection of neoplastic clones and/ or the acquisition of additional genetic alterations.
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    Breast lesions of uncertain malignant nature and limited metastatic potential: proposals to improve their recognition and clinical management
    (Wiley, 2016-08-16) Rakha, Emad A.; Badve, Sunil; Eusebi, Vincenzo; Reis-Filho, Jorge S.; Fox, Stephen B.; Dabbs, David J.; Decker, Thomas; Hodi, Zsolt; Ichihara, Shu; Lee, Andrew HS.; Palacios, José; Richardson, Andrea L.; Vincent-Salomon, Anne; Schmitt, Fernando C.; Tan, Puay-Hoon; Tse, Gary M.; Ellis, Ian O.; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Breast lesions comprise a family of heterogeneous entities with variable patterns of presentation, morphology and clinical behaviour. The majority of breast lesions are classified traditionally into benign and malignant conditions and their behaviour can, in the vast majority of cases, be predicted with a reasonable degree of accuracy. However, there remain lesions which show borderline features and lie in a grey zone between benign and malignant, as their behaviour cannot be predicted reliably. Defined pathological categorization of such lesions is challenging, and for some entities is recognized to be subjective and include a range of diagnoses, and forms of terminology, which may trigger over- or undertreatment. The rarity of these lesions makes the acquisition of clinical evidence problematic and limits the development of a sufficient evidence base to support informed decision-making by clinicians and patients. Emerging molecular evidence is providing a greater understanding of the biology of these lesions, but this may or may not be reflected in their clinical behaviour. Herein we discuss some breast lesions that are associated with uncertainty regarding classification and behaviour, and hence management. These include biologically invasive malignant lesions associated with uncertain metastatic potential, such as low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma, low-grade fibromatosis-like spindle cell carcinoma and encapsulated papillary carcinoma. Other lesions of uncertain malignant nature remain, such as mammary cylindroma, atypical microglandular adenosis, mammary pleomorphic adenoma and infiltrating epitheliosis. The concept of categories of (1) breast lesions of uncertain malignant nature and (2) breast lesions of limited metastatic potential are proposed with details of which histological entities could be included in each category, and their management implications are discussed.
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    Single-cell screening and quantification of transcripts in cancer tissues by second-harmonic generation microscopy
    (Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), 2015-09) Liu, Jing; Damayanti, Nur P.; Cho, Il-Hoon; Polar, Yesim; Badve, Sunil; Irudayaraj, Joseph M. K.; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IU School of Medicine
    Fluorescence-based single molecule techniques to interrogate gene expression in tissues present a very low signal-to-noise ratio due to the strong autofluorescence and other background signals from tissue sections. This report presents a background-free method using second-harmonic generation (SHG) nanocrystals as probes to quantify the messenger RNA (mRNA) of human epidermal growth receptor 2 (Her2) at single molecule resolution in specific phenotypes at single-cell resolution directly in tissues. Coherent SHG emission from individual barium titanium oxide (BTO) nanoprobes was demonstrated, allowing for a stable signal beyond the autofluorescence window. Her2 surface marker and Her2 mRNA were specifically labeled with BTO probes, and Her2 mRNA was quantified at single copy sensitivity in Her2 expressing phenotypes directly in cancer tissues. Our approach provides the first proof of concept of a cross-platform strategy to probe tissues at single-cell resolution in situ.