EXOC4 (Exocyst Complex Component 4)

The detection of BRAF fusions and their many partners was enabled by the Afirma XA exome-enriched RNASeq panel. Although BRAF fusions occurred in only 0.2% of thyroid nodules, they were GSC-Suspicious and lacked typical BRAF/RAS mutations. Interestingly, expression signatures associated with malignancy varied by fusion partner.

The FAK inhibitor VS-4718 reversed the metastasis mediated by EXOC4 overexpression and suppressed the tumor growth of patient-derived xenografts derived from DGC with high EXOC4 expression. The EXOC4-FAK axis could be a potential therapeutic target for patients with DGC with high expression of EXOC4. The EXOC4-FAK axis promoted DGC metastasis and could be a potential therapeutic target for patients with DGC.

Our results support that neutrophil attack towards antibody-opsonized cancer cells by trogocytosis induces an active repair process by the exocyst complex in vitro. Our findings provide insight to the possible contribution of neutrophils in current antibody therapies and the tolerance mechanism of tumor cells and support further studies for potential use of the exocyst components as clinical biomarkers.

We find new BRAF fusions in our 20% glioma patients. In addition, analysis of rare BRAF fusion may help guide diagnosis and develop potential targeted therapies of older PA.