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Abstract
Over the last decade, advancements in massively-parallel DNA sequencing and computational biology have allowed for unprecedented insights into the fundamental mutational processes that underlie virtually every major cancer type. Two major cancer genomics consortia-The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC)-have produced rich databases of mutational, pathological, and clinical data that can be mined through web-based portals, allowing for correlative studies and testing of novel hypotheses on well-powered patient cohorts.In this chapter, we will review the impact of these technological developments on the understanding of molecular subtypes that promote prostate cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and clinical aggression. In particular, we will focus on molecular subtypes that define clinically-relevant patient cohorts and assess how a better understanding of how these subtypes-in both somatic and germline genomes-may influence the clinical course for individual men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
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52
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Currie SL, Warner SL, Vankayalapati H, Liu XH, Sharma S, Bearss DJ, Graves BJ. Development of High-Throughput Screening Assays for Inhibitors of ETS Transcription Factors. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2019; 24:77-85. [PMID: 30204534 PMCID: PMC7416497 DOI: 10.1177/2472555218798571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
ETS transcription factors from the ERG and ETV1/4/5 subfamilies are overexpressed in the majority of prostate cancer patients and contribute to disease progression. Here, we have developed two in vitro assays for the interaction of ETS transcription factors with DNA that are amenable to high-throughput screening. Using ETS1 as a model, we applied these assays to screen 110 compounds derived from a high-throughput virtual screen. We found that the use of lower-affinity DNA binding sequences, similar to those that ERG and ETV1 bind to in prostate cells, allowed for higher inhibition from many of these test compounds. Further pilot experiments demonstrated that the in vitro assays are robust for ERG, ETV1, and ETV5, three of the ETS transcription factors that are overexpressed in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon L. Currie
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
| | - Stephen L. Warner
- Center for Investigational Therapeutics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
- Current Address: Tolero Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lehi, UT, 84043-5563, USA
| | - Hariprasad Vankayalapati
- Center for Investigational Therapeutics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
| | - Xiao-Hui Liu
- Center for Investigational Therapeutics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
| | - Sunil Sharma
- Center for Investigational Therapeutics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - David J. Bearss
- Center for Investigational Therapeutics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
- Current Address: Tolero Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lehi, UT, 84043-5563, USA
| | - Barbara J. Graves
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5550, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815-6789, USA
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53
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Chakravarthi BVSK, Chandrashekar DS, Hodigere Balasubramanya SA, Robinson AD, Carskadon S, Rao U, Gordetsky J, Manne U, Netto GJ, Sudarshan S, Palanisamy N, Varambally S. Wnt receptor Frizzled 8 is a target of ERG in prostate cancer. Prostate 2018; 78:1311-1320. [PMID: 30051493 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among men. Many molecular changes have been detailed during PCa progression. The gene encoding the transcription factor ERG shows recurrent rearrangement, resulting in the overexpression of ERG in the majority of prostate cancers. Overexpression of ERG plays a critical role in prostate oncogenesis and development of metastatic disease. Among the downstream effectors of ERG, Frizzled family member FZD4 has been shown to be a target of ERG. Frizzled-8 (FZD8) has been shown to be involved in PCa bone metastasis. In the present study, we show that the expression of FZD8 is directly correlated with ERG expression in PCa. Furthermore, we show that ERG directly targets and activates FZD8 by binding to its promoter. This activation is specific to ETS transcription factor ERG and not ETV1. We propose that ERG overexpression in PCa leads to induction of Frizzled family member FZD8, which is known to activate the Wnt pathway. Taken together, these findings uncover a novel mechanism for PCa metastasis, and indicate that FZD8 may represent a potential therapeutic target for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balabhadrapatruni V S K Chakravarthi
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Darshan S Chandrashekar
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sai Akshaya Hodigere Balasubramanya
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Alyncia D Robinson
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Shannon Carskadon
- Vattikuti Urology Institute, Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Uttam Rao
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jennifer Gordetsky
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - George J Netto
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sunil Sudarshan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Department of Urology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Nallasivam Palanisamy
- Vattikuti Urology Institute, Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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54
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Brandi F, Grupp K, Hube-Magg C, Kluth M, Lang D, Minner S, Möller-Koop C, Graefen M, Heinzer H, Tsourlakis MC, Wittmer C, Jacobsen F, Huland H, Steurer S, Lebok P, Hinsch A, Wilczak W, Schlomm T, Simon R. High concordance of TMPRSS-ERG fusion between primary prostate cancer and its lymph node metastases. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:6238-6244. [PMID: 30333886 PMCID: PMC6176457 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 50% of prostate cancer types harbor the transmembrane protease, serine 2: Erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) fusion, resulting in oncogenic expression of the ERG transcription factor. ERG represents an attractive target for potential future anticancer therapy in advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. To better understand whether the analysis of the primary cancer is sufficient to estimate the ERG expression status of the lymph node metastases, the present study examined patterns of immunohistochemical ERG expression in a tissue microarray created from multiple primary and metastatic sites of 77 prostate cancer tissues. Among the identified tumor types, 80% were either entirely ERG-positive (38%) or ERG-negative (42%) across all (at least 9) analyzed different tumor sites. The results were heterogeneous in 20% of the tumor types and typically resulted from small ERG-negative areas within otherwise ERG-positive tumor types. Comparison of the ERG expression status in 51 primary cancer types with at least three interpretable lymph node metastases revealed an entirely identical ERG status in all tumor sites in 75% of the cases, including 16 ERG-positive and 22 ERG-negative cancer types. The remaining 13 cancer types exhibited ERG heterogeneity within the primary tumor, while all metastases had an identical (12 positive and 1 negative) ERG status. The results of the present study revealed a high degree of concordance of the ERG expression status between primary prostate cancer types and their lymph node metastases. Therefore, potential anti-ERG therapy may also be effective against lymph node metastases in the majority of cases of ERG-positive metastatic prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Brandi
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Katharina Grupp
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Claudia Hube-Magg
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Martina Kluth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Dagmar Lang
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Sarah Minner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Christina Möller-Koop
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Markus Graefen
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Hans Heinzer
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | | | - Corinna Wittmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Frank Jacobsen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Hartwig Huland
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Patrick Lebok
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Andrea Hinsch
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Waldemar Wilczak
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schlomm
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany.,Department of Urology, Section for Translational Prostate Cancer Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg D-20246, Germany
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55
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Systematic analysis reveals molecular characteristics of ERG-negative prostate cancer. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12868. [PMID: 30150711 PMCID: PMC6110738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30325-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion is the most prevalent early driver gene activation in prostate cancers of European ancestry, while the fusion frequency is much lower in Africans and Asians. The genomic characteristics and mechanisms for patients lacking ERG fusion are still unclear. In this study, we systematically compared the characteristics of gene fusions, somatic mutations, copy number alterations and gene expression signatures between 201 ERG fusion positive and 296 ERG fusion negative prostate cancer samples. Both common and group-specific genomic alterations were observed, suggesting shared and different mechanisms of carcinogenesis in prostate cancer samples with or without ERG fusion. The genomic alteration patterns detected in ERG-negative group showed similarities with 77.5% of tumor samples of African American patients. These results emphasize that genomic and gene expression features of the ERG-negative group may provide a reference for populations with lower ERG fusion frequency. While the overall expression patterns were comparable between ERG-negative and ERG-positive tumors, we found that genomic alterations could affect the same pathway through distinct genes in the same pathway in both groups of tumor types. Altogether, the genomic and molecular characteristics revealed in our study may provide new opportunities for molecular stratification of ERG-negative prostate cancers.
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56
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Frank S, Nelson P, Vasioukhin V. Recent advances in prostate cancer research: large-scale genomic analyses reveal novel driver mutations and DNA repair defects. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30135717 PMCID: PMC6073096 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14499.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a disease of mutated and misregulated genes. However, primary prostate tumors have relatively few mutations, and only three genes (
ERG,
PTEN, and
SPOP) are recurrently mutated in more than 10% of primary tumors. On the other hand, metastatic castration-resistant tumors have more mutations, but, with the exception of the androgen receptor gene (
AR), no single gene is altered in more than half of tumors. Structural genomic rearrangements are common, including
ERG fusions, copy gains involving the
MYC locus, and copy losses containing
PTEN. Overall, instead of being associated with a single dominant driver event, prostate tumors display various combinations of modifications in oncogenes and tumor suppressors. This review takes a broad look at the recent advances in PCa research, including understanding the genetic alterations that drive the disease and how specific mutations can sensitize tumors to potential therapies. We begin with an overview of the genomic landscape of primary and metastatic PCa, enabled by recent large-scale sequencing efforts. Advances in three-dimensional cell culture techniques and mouse models for PCa are also discussed, and particular emphasis is placed on the benefits of patient-derived xenograft models. We also review research into understanding how ETS fusions (in particular,
TMPRSS2-ERG) and
SPOP mutations contribute to tumor initiation. Next, we examine the recent findings on the prevalence of germline DNA repair mutations in about 12% of patients with metastatic disease and their potential benefit from the use of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and immune modulation. Lastly, we discuss the recent increased prevalence of AR-negative tumors (neuroendocrine and double-negative) and the current state of immunotherapy in PCa. AR remains the primary clinical target for PCa therapies; however, it does not act alone, and better understanding of supporting mutations may help guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Frank
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Peter Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Valeri Vasioukhin
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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57
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Nevedomskaya E, Baumgart SJ, Haendler B. Recent Advances in Prostate Cancer Treatment and Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051359. [PMID: 29734647 PMCID: PMC5983695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel drugs, drug sequences and combinations have improved the outcome of prostate cancer in recent years. The latest approvals include abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide and apalutamide which target androgen receptor (AR) signaling, radium-223 dichloride for reduction of bone metastases, sipuleucel-T immunotherapy and taxane-based chemotherapy. Adding abiraterone acetate to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in order to achieve complete androgen blockade has proven highly beneficial for treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Also, ADT together with docetaxel treatment showed significant benefit in mHSPC. Ongoing clinical trials for different subgroups of prostate cancer patients include the evaluation of the second-generation AR antagonists enzalutamide, apalutamide and darolutamide, of inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, of inhibitors of DNA damage response, of targeted alpha therapy and of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting approaches. Advanced clinical studies with immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited benefits in prostate cancer and more trials are needed to demonstrate efficacy. The identification of improved, personalized treatments will be much supported by the major progress recently made in the molecular characterization of early- and late-stage prostate cancer using “omics” technologies. This has already led to novel classifications of prostate tumors based on gene expression profiles and mutation status, and should greatly help in the choice of novel targeted therapies best tailored to the needs of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Nevedomskaya
- Therapeutic Research Groups, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Simon J Baumgart
- Therapeutic Research Groups, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Bernard Haendler
- Therapeutic Research Groups, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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58
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Copeland BT, Pal SK, Bolton EC, Jones JO. The androgen receptor malignancy shift in prostate cancer. Prostate 2018; 78:521-531. [PMID: 29473182 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) are necessary for the development, function, and homeostatic growth regulation of the prostate gland. However, once prostate cells are transformed, the AR is necessary for the proliferation and survival of the malignant cells. This change in AR function appears to occur in nearly every prostate cancer. We have termed this the AR malignancy shift. METHODS In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the AR malignancy shift, including the DNA-binding patterns that define the shift, the transcriptome changes associated with the shift, the putative drivers of the shift, and its clinical implications. RESULTS In benign prostate epithelial cells, the AR primarily binds consensus AR binding sites. In carcinoma cells, the AR cistrome is dramatically altered, as the AR associates with FOXA1 and HOXB13 motifs, among others. This shift leads to the transcription of genes associated with a malignant phenotype. In model systems, some mutations commonly found in localized prostate cancer can alter the AR cistrome, consistent with the AR malignancy shift. Current evidence suggests that the AR malignancy shift is necessary but not sufficient for transformation of prostate epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Reinterpretation of prostate cancer genomic classification systems in light of the AR malignancy shift may improve our ability to predict clinical outcomes and treat patients appropriately. Identifying and targeting the molecular factors that contribute to the AR malignancy shift is not trivial but by doing so, we may be able to develop new strategies for the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben T Copeland
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Sumanta K Pal
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Eric C Bolton
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Jeremy O Jones
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, California
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59
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Calcium and Nuclear Signaling in Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041237. [PMID: 29671777 PMCID: PMC5979488 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, there have been a number of developments in the fields of calcium and nuclear signaling that point to new avenues for a more effective diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. An example is the discovery of new classes of molecules involved in calcium-regulated nuclear import and nuclear calcium signaling, from the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and myosin families. This review surveys the new state of the calcium and nuclear signaling fields with the aim of identifying the unifying themes that hold out promise in the context of the problems presented by prostate cancer. Genomic perturbations, kinase cascades, developmental pathways, and channels and transporters are covered, with an emphasis on nuclear transport and functions. Special attention is paid to the molecular mechanisms behind prostate cancer progression to the malignant forms and the unfavorable response to anti-androgen treatment. The survey leads to some new hypotheses that connect heretofore disparate results and may present a translational interest.
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60
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Butler MS, Roshan-Moniri M, Hsing M, Lau D, Kim A, Yen P, Mroczek M, Nouri M, Lien S, Axerio-Cilies P, Dalal K, Yau C, Ghaidi F, Guo Y, Yamazaki T, Lawn S, Gleave ME, Gregory-Evans CY, McIntosh LP, Cox ME, Rennie PS, Cherkasov A. Discovery and characterization of small molecules targeting the DNA-binding ETS domain of ERG in prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:42438-42454. [PMID: 28465491 PMCID: PMC5522078 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic alterations involving translocations of the ETS-related gene ERG occur in approximately half of prostate cancer cases. These alterations result in aberrant, androgen-regulated production of ERG protein variants that directly contribute to disease development and progression. This study describes the discovery and characterization of a new class of small molecule ERG antagonists identified through rational in silico methods. These antagonists are designed to sterically block DNA binding by the ETS domain of ERG and thereby disrupt transcriptional activity. We confirmed the direct binding of a lead compound, VPC-18005, with the ERG-ETS domain using biophysical approaches. We then demonstrated VPC-18005 reduced migration and invasion rates of ERG expressing prostate cancer cells, and reduced metastasis in a zebrafish xenograft model. These results demonstrate proof-of-principal that small molecule targeting of the ERG-ETS domain can suppress transcriptional activity and reverse transformed characteristics of prostate cancers aberrantly expressing ERG. Clinical advancement of the developed small molecule inhibitors may provide new therapeutic agents for use as alternatives to, or in combination with, current therapies for men with ERG-expressing metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam S Butler
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Mani Roshan-Moniri
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Michael Hsing
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Desmond Lau
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ari Kim
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Paul Yen
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Marta Mroczek
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Mannan Nouri
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Scott Lien
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Peter Axerio-Cilies
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Kush Dalal
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Clement Yau
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Fariba Ghaidi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Yubin Guo
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Takeshi Yamazaki
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Sam Lawn
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Martin E Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Cheryl Y Gregory-Evans
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3N9, Canada
| | - Lawrence P McIntosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Michael E Cox
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Paul S Rennie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
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61
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Inamoto I, Shin JA. Peptide therapeutics that directly target transcription factors. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Inamoto
- Department of Chemistry; University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road; Mississauga Ontario L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Jumi A. Shin
- Department of Chemistry; University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road; Mississauga Ontario L5L 1C6 Canada
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62
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Schram AM, Chang MT, Jonsson P, Drilon A. Fusions in solid tumours: diagnostic strategies, targeted therapy, and acquired resistance. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2017; 14:735-748. [PMID: 28857077 PMCID: PMC10452928 DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2017.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Structural gene rearrangements resulting in gene fusions are frequent events in solid tumours. The identification of certain activating fusions can aid in the diagnosis and effective treatment of patients with tumours harbouring these alterations. Advances in the techniques used to identify fusions have enabled physicians to detect these alterations in the clinic. Targeted therapies directed at constitutively activated oncogenic tyrosine kinases have proven remarkably effective against cancers with fusions involving ALK, ROS1, or PDGFB, and the efficacy of this approach continues to be explored in malignancies with RET, NTRK1/2/3, FGFR1/2/3, and BRAF/CRAF fusions. Nevertheless, prolonged treatment with such tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leads to the development of acquired resistance to therapy. This resistance can be mediated by mutations that alter drug binding, or by the activation of bypass pathways. Second-generation and third-generation TKIs have been developed to overcome resistance, and have variable levels of activity against tumours harbouring individual mutations that confer resistance to first-generation TKIs. The rational sequential administration of different inhibitors is emerging as a new treatment paradigm for patients with tumours that retain continued dependency on the downstream kinase of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Schram
- Department of Medicine 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Matthew T Chang
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Philip Jonsson
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Drilon
- Department of Medicine 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
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Jia R, Chai P, Zhang H, Fan X. Novel insights into chromosomal conformations in cancer. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:173. [PMID: 29149895 PMCID: PMC5693495 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploring gene function is critical for understanding the complexity of life. DNA sequences and the three-dimensional organization of chromatin (chromosomal interactions) are considered enigmatic factors underlying gene function, and interactions between two distant fragments can regulate transactivation activity via mediator proteins. Thus, a series of chromosome conformation capture techniques have been developed, including chromosome conformation capture (3C), circular chromosome conformation capture (4C), chromosome conformation capture carbon copy (5C), and high-resolution chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C). The application of these techniques has expanded to various fields, but cancer remains one of the major topics. Interactions mediated by proteins or long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are typically found using 4C-sequencing and chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET). Currently, Hi-C is used to identify chromatin loops between cancer risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and their target genes. Chromosomal conformations are responsible for altered gene regulation through several typical mechanisms and contribute to the biological behavior and malignancy of different tumors, particularly prostate cancer, breast cancer and hematologic neoplasms. Moreover, different subtypes may exhibit different 3D-chromosomal conformations. Thus, C-tech can be used to help diagnose cancer subtypes and alleviate cancer progression by destroying specific chromosomal conformations. Here, we review the fundamentals and improvements in chromosome conformation capture techniques and their clinical applications in cancer to provide insight for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Mohamed AA, Tan SH, Xavier CP, Katta S, Huang W, Ravindranath L, Jamal M, Li H, Srivastava M, Srivatsan ES, Sreenath TL, McLeod DG, Srinivasan A, Petrovics G, Dobi A, Srivastava S. Synergistic Activity with NOTCH Inhibition and Androgen Ablation in ERG-Positive Prostate Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1308-1317. [PMID: 28607007 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The oncogenic activation of the ETS-related gene (ERG) due to gene fusions is present in over half of prostate cancers in Western countries. Because of its high incidence and oncogenic role, ERG and components of ERG network have emerged as potential drug targets for prostate cancer. Utilizing gene expression datasets, from matched normal and prostate tumor epithelial cells, an association of NOTCH transcription factors with ERG expression status was identified, confirming that NOTCH factors are direct transcriptional targets of ERG. Inhibition of ERG in TMPRSS2-ERG-positive VCaP cells led to decreased levels of NOTCH1 and 2 proteins and downstream transcriptional targets and partially recapitulated the phenotypes associated with ERG inhibition. Regulation of NOTCH1 and 2 genes by ERG were also noted with ectopic ERG expression in LNCaP (ERG-negative prostate cancer) and RWPE-1 (benign prostate-derived immortalized) cells. Furthermore, inhibition of NOTCH by the small-molecule γ-secretase inhibitor 1, GSI-1, conferred an increased sensitivity to androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors (bicalutamide and enzalutamide) or the androgen biosynthesis inhibitor (abiraterone) in VCaP cells. Combined treatment with bicalutamide and GSI-1 showed strongest inhibition of AR, ERG, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, and PSA protein levels along with decreased cell growth, cell survival, and enhanced apoptosis. Intriguingly, this effect was not observed in ERG-negative prostate cancer cells or immortalized benign/normal prostate epithelial cells. These data underscore the synergy of AR and NOTCH inhibitors in reducing the growth of ERG-positive prostate cancer cells.Implications: Combinational targeting of NOTCH and AR signaling has therapeutic potential in advanced ERG-driven prostate cancers. Mol Cancer Res; 15(10); 1308-17. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Mohamed
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shyh-Han Tan
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Charles P Xavier
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shilpa Katta
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wei Huang
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lakshmi Ravindranath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Muhammad Jamal
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hua Li
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Meera Srivastava
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eri S Srivatsan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, VAGLAHS/David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Taduru L Sreenath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David G McLeod
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alagarsamy Srinivasan
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gyorgy Petrovics
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Albert Dobi
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Shiv Srivastava
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
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65
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Prostate cancer: Peptidomimetics have potential. Nat Rev Urol 2017; 14:328. [PMID: 28401956 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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