51
|
Procaccio L, Schirripa M, Fassan M, Vecchione L, Bergamo F, Prete AA, Intini R, Manai C, Dadduzio V, Boscolo A, Zagonel V, Lonardi S. Immunotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:4346576. [PMID: 28758114 PMCID: PMC5512095 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4346576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers represent a major public health problem worldwide. Immunotherapeutic strategies are currently under investigation in this setting and preliminary results of ongoing trials adopting checkpoint inhibitors are striking. Indeed, although a poor immunogenicity for GI has been reported, a strong biological rationale supports the development of immunotherapy in this field. The clinical and translational research on immunotherapy for the treatment of GI cancers started firstly with the identification of immune-related mechanisms possibly relevant to GI tumours and secondly with the development of immunotherapy-based agents in clinical trials. In the present review a general overview is firstly provided followed by a focus on major findings on gastric, colorectal, and hepatocellular carcinomas. Finally, pathological and molecular perspectives are provided since many efforts are ongoing in order to identify possible predictive biomarkers and to improve patients' selection. Many issues are still unsolved in this field; however, we strongly believe that immunotherapy might positively affect the natural history of a subgroup of GI cancer patients improving outcome and the overall quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Procaccio
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marta Schirripa
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Loredana Vecchione
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Cancer Genomics Center Netherlands, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Anna Prete
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossana Intini
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Manai
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Dadduzio
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Boscolo
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Vittorina Zagonel
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Lonardi
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Melstrom LG, Salazar MD, Diamond DJ. The pancreatic cancer microenvironment: A true double agent. J Surg Oncol 2017; 116:7-15. [PMID: 28605029 DOI: 10.1002/jso.24643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer is a complex balance of pro- and anti-tumor components. The dense desmoplasia consists of immune cells, extracellular matrix, growth factors, cytokines, and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) or pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). There are a multitude of targets including hyaluronan, angiogenesis, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), CD40, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR-4), immunotherapy, and Vitamin D. The developing clinical therapeutics will be reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laleh G Melstrom
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Marcela D Salazar
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| | - Don J Diamond
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Van Audenaerde JRM, De Waele J, Marcq E, Van Loenhout J, Lion E, Van den Bergh JMJ, Jesenofsky R, Masamune A, Roeyen G, Pauwels P, Lardon F, Peeters M, Smits ELJ. Interleukin-15 stimulates natural killer cell-mediated killing of both human pancreatic cancer and stellate cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:56968-56979. [PMID: 28915646 PMCID: PMC5593617 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries with a 5-year survival rate below 5%. One of the hallmarks of this cancer is the strong desmoplastic reaction within the tumor microenvironment (TME), orchestrated by activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). This results in a functional and mechanical shield which causes resistance to conventional therapies. Aiming to overcome this resistance by tackling the stromal shield, we assessed for the first time the capacity of IL-15 stimulated natural killer (NK) cells to kill PSC and pancreatic cancer cells (PCC). The potency of IL-15 to promote NK cell-mediated killing was evaluated phenotypically and functionally. In addition, NK cell and immune checkpoint ligands on PSC were charted. We demonstrate that IL-15 activated NK cells kill both PCC and PSC lines (range 9-35% and 20-50%, respectively) in a contact-dependent manner and significantly higher as compared to resting NK cells. Improved killing of these pancreatic cell lines is, at least partly, dependent on IL-15 induced upregulation of TIM-3 and NKG2D. Furthermore, we confirm significant killing of primary PSC by IL-15 activated NK cells in an ex vivo autologous system. Screening for potential targets for immunotherapeutic strategies, we demonstrate surface expression of both inhibitory (PD-L1, PD-L2) and activating (MICA/B, ULBPs and Galectin-9) ligands on primary PSC. These data underscore the therapeutic potential of IL-15 to promote NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity as a treatment of pancreatic cancer and provide promising future targets to tackle remaining PSC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas R M Van Audenaerde
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jorrit De Waele
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Marcq
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jinthe Van Loenhout
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan M J Van den Bergh
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ralf Jesenofsky
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Geert Roeyen
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Endocrine and Transplantation Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, Multidisciplinary Oncological Centre Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien L J Smits
- Center for Oncological Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Mody HR, Hung SW, Pathak RK, Griffin J, Cruz-Monserrate Z, Govindarajan R. miR-202 Diminishes TGFβ Receptors and Attenuates TGFβ1-Induced EMT in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1029-1039. [PMID: 28373289 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-16-0327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in our laboratory identified that 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a carbocyclic adenosine analog and histone methyl transferase inhibitor, suppresses TGFβ-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) characteristics. In addition, DZNep epigenetically reprograms miRNAs to regulate endogenous TGFβ1 levels via miR-663/4787-mediated RNA interference (Mol Cancer Res. 2016 Sep 13. pii: molcanres.0083.2016) (1). Although DZNep also attenuates exogenous TGFβ-induced EMT response, the mechanism of this inhibition was unclear. Here, DZNep induced miR-202-5p to target both TGFβ receptors, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2, for RNA interference and thereby contributes to the suppression of exogenous TGFβ-induced EMT in pancreatic cancer cells. Lentiviral overexpression of miR-202 significantly reduced the protein levels of both TGFβ receptors and suppressed TGFβ signaling and EMT phenotypic characteristics of cultured parenchymal pancreatic cancer cells. Consistently, transfection of anti-miRNAs against miR-202-5p resulted in increased TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 protein expressions and induced EMT characteristics in these cells. In stellate pancreatic cells, miR-202 overexpression slowed growth as well as reduced stromal extracellular membrane matrix protein expression. In orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse models, both immunodeficient and immunocompetent, miR-202 reduced tumor burden and metastasis. Together, these findings demonstrate an alternative mechanism of DZNep in suppressing TGFβ signaling at the receptor level and uncover the EMT-suppressing role of miR-202 in pancreatic cancer.Implications: These findings support the possibility of combining small molecule-based (e.g., DZNep analogs) or large molecule-based (e.g., miRNAs) epigenetic modifiers with conventional nucleoside analogs (e.g., gemcitabine, capecitabine) to improve the antimetastatic potential of current pancreatic cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 15(8); 1029-39. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hardik R Mody
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Sau Wai Hung
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Rakesh K Pathak
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jazmine Griffin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate
- The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Rajgopal Govindarajan
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. .,Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells in pancreatic cancer: New insights into stromal biology. Cancer Lett 2017; 392:83-93. [PMID: 28189533 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has confirmed the pivotal role of stromal components in the regulation of carcinogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in PC. Interaction between neoplastic cells and stromal cells builds a specific microenvironment, which further modulates the malignant properties of cancer cells. Instead of being a "passive bystander", stroma may play a role as a "partner in crime" in PC. However, the role of stromal components in PC is complex and requires further investigation. In this article, we review recent advances regarding the regulatory roles and mechanisms of stroma biology, especially the cellular components such as pancreatic stellate cells, macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes, epithelial cells, pericytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes, in PC. Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells is thoroughly investigated. We also review the prognostic value and molecular therapeutic targets of stroma in PC. This review may help us further understand the molecular mechanisms of stromal biology and its role in PC development and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, targeting stroma components may provide new therapeutic strategies for this stubborn disease.
Collapse
|
56
|
Yeo D, Phillips P, Baldwin GS, He H, Nikfarjam M. Inhibition of group 1 p21-activated kinases suppresses pancreatic stellate cell activation and increases survival of mice with pancreatic cancer. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:2101-2111. [PMID: 28109008 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal of all solid tumors. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are primarily responsible for the fibrosis that constitutes the stroma and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) may have a role in signalling pathways involving PSCs. This study aimed to examine the role of PAK1 in PSCs and in the interaction of PSCs with pancreatic cancer cells. Human PSCs were isolated using the modified outgrowth method. The effect of inhibiting PAK1 with group 1 PAK inhibitor, FRAX597, on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro was measured by thymidine incorporation and annexin V assays, respectively. The effect of depleting host PAK1 on the survival of mice with pancreatic Pan02 cell tumors was evaluated using PAK1 knockout (KO) mice. PAK1 was expressed in isolated PSCs. FRAX597 reduced the activation of PSCs, inhibited PSC proliferation, and increased PSC apoptosis at least in partial by inhibiting PAK1 activity. The decreased expression and activity of PAK1 in PAK1 KO mice tumors was associated with an increased mouse survival. These results implicate PAK1 as a regulator of PSC activation, proliferation and apoptosis. Targeting stromal PAK1 could increase therapeutic response and survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dannel Yeo
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phoebe Phillips
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Behrens
- EPO - Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology GmbH - GmbH, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Charité, University Medicine, Berlin; Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Iduna Fichtner
- EPO - Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology GmbH - GmbH, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Martin JD, Fukumura D, Duda DG, Boucher Y, Jain RK. Reengineering the Tumor Microenvironment to Alleviate Hypoxia and Overcome Cancer Heterogeneity. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2016; 6:a027094. [PMID: 27663981 PMCID: PMC5131751 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a027094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors consist of cancer cells and stromal cells, including resident and transiting immune cells-all ensconced in an extracellular matrix (ECM)-nourished by blood vessels and drained by lymphatic vessels. The microenvironment constituents are abnormal and heterogeneous in morphology, phenotype, and physiology. Such irregularities include an inefficient tumor vascular network comprised of leaky and compressed vessels, which impair blood flow and oxygen delivery. Low oxygenation in certain tumor regions-or focal hypoxia-is a mediator of cancer progression, metastasis, immunosuppression, and treatment resistance. Thus, repairing an abnormal and heterogeneous microenvironment-and hypoxia in particular-can significantly improve treatments of solid tumors. Here, we summarize two strategies to reengineer the tumor microenvironment (TME)-vessel normalization and decompression-that can alleviate hypoxia. In addition, we discuss how these two strategies alone and in combination with each other-or other therapeutic strategies-may overcome the challenges posed by cancer heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Martin
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Dai Fukumura
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Dan G Duda
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Yves Boucher
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Jagadeeshan S, Venkatraman G, Rayala SK. Targeting p21 activated kinase 1 (Pak1) to PAKup Pancreatic Cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 20:1283-1285. [PMID: 27654702 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2016.1239719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sankar Jagadeeshan
- a Department of Biotechnology , IIT Madras , Chennai , India.,b Department of Genetics , University of Madras , Chennai , India
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- c Department of Human Genetics , Sri Ramachandra University , Chennai , India
| | - Suresh K Rayala
- a Department of Biotechnology , IIT Madras , Chennai , India
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
Tjomsland V, Sandnes D, Pomianowska E, Cizmovic ST, Aasrum M, Brusevold IJ, Christoffersen T, Gladhaug IP. The TGFβ-SMAD3 pathway inhibits IL-1α induced interactions between human pancreatic stellate cells and pancreatic carcinoma cells and restricts cancer cell migration. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2016; 35:122. [PMID: 27473228 PMCID: PMC4966589 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0400-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most abundant cells in the extensive desmoplastic stroma of pancreatic adenocarcinomas are the pancreatic stellate cells, which interact with the carcinoma cells and strongly influence the progression of the cancer. Tumor stroma interactions induced by IL-1α/IL-1R1 signaling have been shown to be involved in pancreatic cancer cell migration. TGFβ and its receptors are overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. We aimed at exploring TGFβ and IL-1α signaling and cross-talk in the stellate cell cancer cell interactions regulating pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell migration. METHODS Human pancreatic stellate cells were isolated from surgically resected pancreatic adenocarcinomas and cultured in the presence of TGFβ or pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. The effects of TGFβ were blocked by inhibitors or amplified by silencing the endogenous inhibitor of SMAD signaling, SMAD7. Pancreatic stellate cell responses to IL-1α or to IL-1α-expressing pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (BxPC-3) were characterized by their ability to stimulate migration of cancer cells in a 2D migration model. RESULTS In pancreatic stellate cells, IL-1R1 expression was found to be down-regulated by TGFβ and blocking of TGFβ signaling re-established the expression. Endogenous inhibition of TGFβ signaling by SMAD7 was found to correlate with the levels of IL-1R1, indicating a regulatory role of SMAD7 in IL-1R1 expression. Pancreatic stellate cells cultured in the presence of IL-1α or in co-cultures with BxPC-3 cells enhanced the migration of cancer cells. This effect was blocked after treatment of the pancreatic stellate cells with TGFβ. Silencing of stellate cell expression of SMAD7 was found to suppress the levels of IL-1R1 and reduce the stimulatory effects of IL-1α, thus inhibiting the capacity of pancreatic stellate cells to induce cancer cell migration. CONCLUSIONS TGFβ signaling suppressed IL-1α mediated pancreatic stellate cell induced carcinoma cell migration. Depletion of SMAD7 upregulated the effects of TGFβ and reduced the expression of IL-1R1, leading to inhibition of IL-1α induced stellate cell enhancement of carcinoma cell migration. SMAD7 might represent a target for inhibition of IL-1α induced tumor stroma interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vegard Tjomsland
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Dagny Sandnes
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ewa Pomianowska
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Monica Aasrum
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingvild Johnsen Brusevold
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Behavioral Science, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thoralf Christoffersen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ivar P Gladhaug
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
61
|
Strauss J, Alewine C, Figg WD, Duffy A. Targeting the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer: overcoming treatment barriers and improving local immune responses. Clin Transl Oncol 2016; 18:653-9. [PMID: 26661112 PMCID: PMC6363002 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-015-1459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Historically, patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer have faced a grim prognosis. The survival benefit seen with systemic chemotherapies and even combinations thereof have been disappointing. However, growing data suggest that the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer may be contributing to this poor prognosis. This microenvironment has a dense fibrotic stroma, and is hypoxic and highly immunosuppressive, all of which pose barriers to treatment. Newer strategies looking to disrupt the fibrotic stroma, target hypoxic areas, and improve local immune responses in the tumor microenvironment are currently undergoing clinical evaluation and seem to offer great promise. In addition to these therapies, preclinical work evaluating novel cytotoxic agents including nanoparticles has also been encouraging. While much research still needs to be done, these strategies offer new hope for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Strauss
- NCI/NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 10/Room 12 N-226, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - C. Alewine
- NCI/NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 37, Room 5116B, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - W. D. Figg
- NCI/NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 10/Room 5A-01, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - A. Duffy
- NCI/NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 10/Room 12 N-226, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Zhao L, Cai B, Lu Z, Tian L, Guo S, Wu P, Qian D, Xu Q, Jiang K, Miao Y. Modified methods for isolation of pancreatic stellate cells from human and rodent pancreas. J Biomed Res 2016; 30:510-516. [PMID: 27924070 PMCID: PMC5138584 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.30.20160033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary cultures of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) remain an important basis for in vitro study. However, effective methods for isolating abundant PSCs are currently lacking. We report on a novel approach to isolating PSCs from normal rat pancreases and human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissue. After anaesthesia and laparotomy of the rat, a blunt cannula was inserted into the pancreatic duct through the anti-mesentery side of the duodenum, and the pancreas was slowly infused with an enzyme solution until all lobules were fully dispersed. The pancreas was then pre-incubated, finely minced and incubated to procure a cell suspension. PSCs were obtained after the cell suspension was filtered, washed and subject to gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz solution. Fresh human PDAC tissue was finely minced into 1×1×1 mm3 cubes with sharp blades. Tissue blocks were placed at the bottom of a culture plate with fresh plasma (EDTA-anti-coagulated plasma from the same patient, mixed with CaCl2) sprinkled around the sample. After culture for 5–10 days under appropriate conditions, activated PSCs were harvested. An intraductal perfusion of an enzyme solution simplified the procedure of isolation of rat PSCs, as compared with the multiple injections technique, and a modified outgrowth method significantly shortened the outgrowth time of the activated cells. Our modification in PSC isolation methods significantly increased the isolation efficiency and shortened the culture period, thus facilitating future PSC-related research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liangtao Zhao
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Baobao Cai
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Pancreas Center.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Zipeng Lu
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Pancreas Center.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Lei Tian
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Pancreas Center.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Song Guo
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Pengfei Wu
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Pancreas Center.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Dong Qian
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Qingcheng Xu
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Kuirong Jiang
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Pancreas Center.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yi Miao
- Pancreas Institute of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Pancreas Center.,Lab for Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China;
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Al-Assar O, Bittner MI, Lunardi S, Stratford MR, McKenna WG, Brunner TB. The radiosensitizing effects of Nelfinavir on pancreatic cancer with and without pancreatic stellate cells. Radiother Oncol 2016; 119:300-5. [PMID: 27247056 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We have previously shown in a phase I trial that nelfinavir (NFV) is safe with chemoradiation in PDAC with good signs for efficacy. Reverse translationally, we aimed to test the influence of PSCs on nelfinavir mediated radiosensitization to PDAC preclinically, because PDAC is very rich in desmoplasia and PSCs are known to mediate radioresistance. METHODS In a direct co-culture model of several PDAC cell lines with PSC we performed clonogenic assays +/- nelfinavir. This was repeated exposing cells to hypoxic conditions. In xenograft PDAC tumors we tested radiation +/- nelfinavir +/- PSC. RESULTS NFV sensitized both, PDAC only and PDAC cocultured with PSC (PDAC: Panc-1, MiaPaCa-2, PSN-1). In Panc-1 and PSN-1 this effect was larger +PSC compared to -PSC. Human pancreatic stellate cells (hPSC) were also sensitized by NFV which reduced p-FAK levels in hPSC, an effect that we previously found to sensitize specifically PDAC/PSC coculture. Contrarily, LY294002 reduced p-Akt in PSC (hPSC and LTC-14) but had no impact on PSC radiation survival. In vitro, nelfinavir sensitized Panc-1 and PSN-1 under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In PSN-1 xenografts, +PSC led to faster tumor regrowth after radiation vs -PSC. The regrowth delay effect of nelfinavir after radiation was dramatically larger +PSC vs -PSC (time to reach 250mm(3) 183% vs 22%). CONCLUSION NFV mediated radiosensitization in PDAC with stroma is partly mediated by p-FAK inhibition (Chen et al., 2013). In vitro, NFV sensitizes both normoxic and hypoxic PDAC +/- PSC to a roughly similar extent. The dramatic increased effect of xenograft regrowth inhibition by nelfinavir in tumors with PSC is attributed to vascular normalization (Brunner et al., 2014) rather than direct modification of hypoxia as shown by the tumor regrowth after gemcitabine with NFV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osama Al-Assar
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin-Immanuel Bittner
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany; Dept. of Radiation Oncology Freiburg, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany
| | - Serena Lunardi
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael R Stratford
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany
| | - W Gillies McKenna
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas B Brunner
- CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany; Dept. of Radiation Oncology Freiburg, Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Partner Site Freiburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Jagadeeshan S, Subramanian A, Tentu S, Beesetti S, Singhal M, Raghavan S, Surabhi RP, Mavuluri J, Bhoopalan H, Biswal J, Pitani RS, Chidambaram S, Sundaram S, Malathi R, Jeyaraman J, Nair AS, Venkatraman G, Rayala SK. P21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) signaling influences therapeutic outcome in pancreatic cancer. Ann Oncol 2016; 27:1546-56. [PMID: 27117533 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdw184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic resistance to gemcitabine in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is attributed to various cellular mechanisms and signaling molecules that influence as a single factor or in combination. DESIGN In this study, utilizing in vitro p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) overexpression and knockdown cell line models along with in vivo athymic mouse tumor xenograft models and clinical samples, we demonstrate that Pak1 is a crucial signaling kinase in gemcitabine resistance. RESULTS Pak1 kindles resistance via modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and activation of pancreatic stellate cells. Our results from gemcitabine-resistant and -sensitive cell line models showed that elevated Pak1 kinase activity is required to confer gemcitabine resistance. This was substantiated by elevated levels of phosphorylated Pak1 and ribonucleotide reductase M1 levels in the majority of human PDAC tumors when compared with normal. Delineation of the signaling pathway revealed that Pak1 confers resistance to gemcitabine by preventing DNA damage, inhibiting apoptosis and regulating survival signals via NF-κB. Furthermore, we found that Pak1 is an upstream interacting substrate of transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1-a molecule implicated in gemcitabine resistance. Molecular mechanistic studies revealed that gemcitabine docks with the active site of Pak1; furthermore, gemcitabine treatment induces Pak1 kinase activity both in vivo and in cell-free system. Finally, results from athymic mouse tumor models illustrated that Pak1 inhibition by IPA-3 enhances the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine and brings about pancreatic tumor regression. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study illustrating the mechanistic role of Pak1 in causing gemcitabine resistance via multiple signaling crosstalks, and hence Pak1-specific inhibitors will prove to be a better adjuvant with existing chemotherapy modality for PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Jagadeeshan
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai Department of Genetics, University of Madras, Chennai
| | - A Subramanian
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| | - S Tentu
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| | - S Beesetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| | - M Singhal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| | - S Raghavan
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| | | | - J Mavuluri
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| | | | - J Biswal
- Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi
| | | | | | - S Sundaram
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai
| | - R Malathi
- Department of Genetics, University of Madras, Chennai
| | - J Jeyaraman
- Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi
| | - A S Nair
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | | | - S K Rayala
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Principe DR, DeCant B, Mascariñas E, Wayne EA, Diaz AM, Akagi N, Hwang R, Pasche B, Dawson DW, Fang D, Bentrem DJ, Munshi HG, Jung B, Grippo PJ. TGFβ Signaling in the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment Promotes Fibrosis and Immune Evasion to Facilitate Tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 2016; 76:2525-39. [PMID: 26980767 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In early pancreatic carcinogenesis, TGFβ acts as a tumor suppressor due to its growth-inhibitory effects in epithelial cells. However, in advanced disease, TGFβ appears to promote tumor progression. Therefore, to better understand the contributions of TGFβ signaling to pancreatic carcinogenesis, we generated mouse models of pancreatic cancer with either epithelial or systemic TGFBR deficiency. We found that epithelial suppression of TGFβ signals facilitated pancreatic tumorigenesis, whereas global loss of TGFβ signaling protected against tumor development via inhibition of tumor-associated fibrosis, stromal TGFβ1 production, and the resultant restoration of antitumor immune function. Similarly, TGFBR-deficient T cells resisted TGFβ-induced inactivation ex vivo, and adoptive transfer of TGFBR-deficient CD8(+) T cells led to enhanced infiltration and granzyme B-mediated destruction of developing tumors. These findings paralleled our observations in human patients, where TGFβ expression correlated with increased fibrosis and associated negatively with expression of granzyme B. Collectively, our findings suggest that, despite opposing the proliferation of some epithelial cells, TGFβ may promote pancreatic cancer development by affecting stromal and hematopoietic cell function. Therefore, the use of TGFBR inhibition to target components of the tumor microenvironment warrants consideration as a potential therapy for pancreatic cancer, particularly in patients who have already lost tumor-suppressive TGFβ signals in the epithelium. Cancer Res; 76(9); 2525-39. ©2016 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Principe
- University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Brian DeCant
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emman Mascariñas
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Elizabeth A Wayne
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Andrew M Diaz
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Naomi Akagi
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rosa Hwang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Boris Pasche
- Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - David W Dawson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - David J Bentrem
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Barbara Jung
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Paul J Grippo
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| |
Collapse
|
66
|
Spadavecchia J, Movia D, Moore C, Maguire CM, Moustaoui H, Casale S, Volkov Y, Prina-Mello A. Targeted polyethylene glycol gold nanoparticles for the treatment of pancreatic cancer: from synthesis to proof-of-concept in vitro studies. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:791-822. [PMID: 27013874 PMCID: PMC4777276 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s97476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to optimize and characterize a drug delivery carrier for doxorubicin, intended to be intravenously administered, capable of improving the therapeutic index of the chemotherapeutic agent itself, and aimed at the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In light of this goal, we report a robust one-step method for the synthesis of dicarboxylic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG)-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and doxorubicin-loaded PEG-AuNPs, and their further antibody targeting (anti-Kv11.1 polyclonal antibody [pAb]). In in vitro proof-of-concept studies, we evaluated the influence of the nanocarrier and of the active targeting functionality on the anti-tumor efficacy of doxorubicin, with respect to its half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) and drug-triggered changes in the cell cycle. Our results demonstrated that the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin was positively influenced not only by the active targeting exploited through anti-Kv11.1-pAb but also by the drug coupling with a nanometer-sized delivery system, which indeed resulted in a 30-fold decrease of doxorubicin EC50, cell cycle blockage, and drug localization in the cell nuclei. The cell internalization pathway was strongly influenced by the active targeting of the Kv11.1 subunit of the human Ether-à-go-go related gene 1 (hERG1) channel aberrantly expressed on the membrane of pancreatic cancer cells. Targeted PEG-AuNPs were translocated into the lysosomes and were associated to an increased lysosomal function in PANC-1 cells. Additionally, doxorubicin release into an aqueous environment was almost negligible after 7 days, suggesting that drug release from PEG-AuNPs was triggered by enzymatic activity. Although preliminary, data gathered from this study have considerable potential in the application of safe-by-design nano-enabled drug-delivery systems (ie, nanomedicines) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, a disease with a poor prognosis and one of the main current burdens of today's health care bill of industrialized countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jolanda Spadavecchia
- Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI, Paris
- Centre National de la recherche française, UMR 7244, CSPBAT, Laboratory of Chemistry, Structures, and Properties of Biomaterials and Therapeutic Agents, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France
| | - Dania Movia
- AMBER Centre, CRANN Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caroline Moore
- AMBER Centre, CRANN Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciaran Manus Maguire
- AMBER Centre, CRANN Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hanane Moustaoui
- Centre National de la recherche française, UMR 7244, CSPBAT, Laboratory of Chemistry, Structures, and Properties of Biomaterials and Therapeutic Agents, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France
| | - Sandra Casale
- Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris VI, Paris
| | - Yuri Volkov
- AMBER Centre, CRANN Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adriele Prina-Mello
- AMBER Centre, CRANN Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Haqq J, Howells LM, Garcea G, Dennison AR. Targeting pancreatic cancer using a combination of gemcitabine with the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid emulsion, Lipidem™. Mol Nutr Food Res 2015; 60:1437-47. [PMID: 26603273 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201500755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Pancreatic cancer remains a disease of poor prognosis, with alternate strategies being sought to improve therapeutic efficacy. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown clinical benefit, and mechanisms of action are under investigation. METHODS AND RESULTS Proliferation assays, flow cytometry, invasion assays, ELISA and western blotting were used to investigate efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids alone and in combination with gemcitabine. The docosahexanoic acid (DHA)/eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) combination, Lipidem™, in combination with gemcitabine inhibited growth in pancreatic cancer and pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) lines, with PSCs exhibiting greatest sensitivity to this combination. Invasion of pancreatic cancer cells and PSCs in a 3D spheroid model, was inhibited by combination of gemcitabine with Lipidem™. PSCs were required for cancer cell invasion in an organotypic co-culture model, with invasive capacity reduced by Lipidem™ alone. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a key cytokine in pro-proliferative and invasion signalling, and thus a critical regulator of interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and adjacent stroma. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) secretion was completely inhibited by the combination of Lipidem™ with gemcitabine in cancer cells and PSCs. CONCLUSION Lipidem™ in combination with gemcitabine, has anti-proliferative and anti-invasive efficacy in vitro, with pancreatic stellate cells exhibiting the greatest sensitivity to this combination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Haqq
- Department of Cancer Studies, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, , University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, United Kingdom.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 4PW, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne M Howells
- Department of Cancer Studies, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, , University of Leicester, Leicester, LE2 7LX, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Garcea
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 4PW, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley R Dennison
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 4PW, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Witteck L, Jaster R. Trametinib and dactolisib but not regorafenib exert antiproliferative effects on rat pancreatic stellate cells. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2015; 14:642-50. [PMID: 26663013 DOI: 10.1016/s1499-3872(15)60032-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modulation of the stroma response is considered a promising approach for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three clinically available small molecule kinase inhibitors, regorafenib, trametinib and dactolisib, on effector functions of activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which play a key role in pancreatic fibrosis. METHODS Cultured rat PSCs were exposed to small molecule kinase inhibitors. Proliferation and cell death were assessed by measuring the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and cytotoxicity, respectively. Levels of mRNA were determined by real-time PCR, while protein expression and phosphorylation were analyzed by immunoblotting. Interleukin-6 levels in culture supernatants were quantified by ELISA. Zymography assays were performed to monitor collagenase activity in culture supernatants. RESULTS The MEK inhibitor trametinib and the dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mTOR inhibitor dactolisib, but not the multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib, efficiently inhibited PSC proliferation. Trametinib as well as regorafenib suppressed the expression of two autocrine mediators of PSC activation, interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-beta1. Dactolisib-treated cells expressed less alpha1 type I collagen and lower levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, a marker of the myofibroblastic PSC phenotype. Simultaneous application of dactolisib and trametinib displayed additive inhibitory effects on cell growth without statistically significant cytotoxicity. Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 was not affected by any of the drugs. CONCLUSION We suggest the combination of two drugs, that specifically target two key signaling pathways in PSC, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK (trametinib) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mTOR (dactolisib), as a concept to modulate the activation state of the cells in the context of fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Witteck
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, E.-Heydemann-Str. 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
69
|
Bhaw-Luximon A, Jhurry D. New avenues for improving pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatment: Selective stroma depletion combined with nano drug delivery. Cancer Lett 2015; 369:266-73. [PMID: 26415628 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The effectiveness of chemotherapy in PDAC is hampered by the dynamic interaction between stroma and cancer cell. The two opposing schools of thought - non-depletion of the stroma vs its depletion - to better drug efficacy are here discussed. Disrupting stroma-cancer cell interaction to reduce tumor progression and promote apoptosis is identified as the new direction of treatment for PDAC. Clinical data have shown that elimination of fibrosis and blockade of the Hedgehog pathway in stroma effectively promote drug delivery to tumor site and apoptosis. Reduced stiffness of ECM, lower fibrosis, higher permeability and higher blood flow after stroma depletion increase drug delivery. Combination strategies involving selective stroma depletion coupled with chemotherapy is currently proving to be the most efficient at clinical level. Striking the right balance between fibrosis depletion and angiogenesis promotion resulting in enhanced drug delivery and apoptosis is a major challenge. The use of nano drug delivery devices coupled with stroma depletion is emerging as the next phase treatment for PDAC. The breakthrough to combat PDAC will likely be a combination of early diagnosis and the emerging chemotherapy strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Archana Bhaw-Luximon
- ANDI Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius, MSIRI Building, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Dhanjay Jhurry
- ANDI Centre of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius, MSIRI Building, Réduit, Mauritius.
| |
Collapse
|
70
|
Paulo JA, Gaun A, Gygi SP. Global Analysis of Protein Expression and Phosphorylation Levels in Nicotine-Treated Pancreatic Stellate Cells. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:4246-56. [PMID: 26265067 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Smoking is a risk factor in pancreatic disease; however, the biochemical mechanisms correlating smoking with pancreatic dysfunction remain poorly understood. Strategies using multiplexed isobaric tag-based mass spectrometry facilitate the study of drug-induced perturbations on biological systems. Here, we present the first large-scale analysis of the proteomic and phosphoproteomic alterations in pancreatic stellate cells following treatment with two nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligands: nicotine and α-bungarotoxin. We treated cells with nicotine or α-bungarotoxin for 12 h in triplicate and compared alterations in protein expression and phosphorylation levels to mock-treated cells using a tandem mass tag (TMT9plex)-based approach. Over 8100 proteins were quantified across all nine samples, of which 46 were altered in abundance upon treatment with nicotine. Proteins with increased abundance included those associated with neurons, defense mechanisms, indicators of pancreatic disease, and lysosomal proteins. In addition, we measured differences for ∼16 000 phosphorylation sites across all nine samples using a titanium dioxide-based strategy, of which 132 sites were altered with nicotine and 451 with α-bungarotoxin treatment. Many altered phosphorylation sites were involved in nuclear function and transcriptional events. This study supports the development of future targeted investigations to establish a better understanding for the role of nicotine and associated receptors in pancreatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Aleksandr Gaun
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| |
Collapse
|
71
|
Wang J, Reiss KA, Khatri R, Jaffee E, Laheru D. Immune Therapy in GI Malignancies: A Review. J Clin Oncol 2015; 33:1745-53. [PMID: 25918295 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.60.7879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The balance between tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing immune responses and the difference between them ultimately determine whether a cancer escapes immune recognition mechanisms. Defining the complex relationships between the tumor itself, the tumor environment, and the immune system has been critical in facilitating the development of successful immunotherapies. This review explores the role of oncogenes in inducing cancer-associated inflammation, the local and systemic factors that lead to immune suppression, and immunotherapy approaches to overcome immune privilege.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judy Wang
- All authors: Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kim A Reiss
- All authors: Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Rina Khatri
- All authors: Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elizabeth Jaffee
- All authors: Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Dan Laheru
- All authors: Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
72
|
Liu Y, Du L. Role of pancreatic stellate cells and periostin in pancreatic cancer progression. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:3171-7. [PMID: 25840689 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3386-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive and one of the five most lethal malignancies characterized by prominent desmoplastic reaction. Accumulating evidences indicate that tumor desmoplasia plays a pivotal role in PDAC progression, and it has been largely ignored until recent times. It has now been unequivocally shown that pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the principal effector cells responsible for stroma production. Periostin, also known as osteoblast-specific factor 2, is a secretory protein and originally identified as an osteoblast-specific factor that expressed in periosteum. Periostin is exclusively produced by activated PSCs, and periostin overexpression presents in various malignant tumors and closely relates with disease progression. In addition, periostin has been suggested to stimulate pancreatic cancer cells proliferation and enhance their resistance to serum starvation and hypoxia. Therefore, the interplay between cancer cells and stromal cells plays a vital role in PDAC development. However, the function of periostin in pancreatic cancer development is controversial. This review summarizes existing knowledge about the role of PSCs in cancer stroma production, the interaction between PSCs and pancreatic cancer cells, tumor angiogenesis, and hypoxic microenvironment, with particular focus on the expression and function as well as signaling pathways of periostin in PDAC cells and PSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
| | | |
Collapse
|
73
|
Ansari D, Gustafsson A, Andersson R. Update on the management of pancreatic cancer: Surgery is not enough. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:3157-3165. [PMID: 25805920 PMCID: PMC4363743 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i11.3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents the fourth cause of death in cancer and has a 5-year survival of < 5%. Only about 15% of the patients present with a resectable PDAC with potential to undergo “curative” surgery. After surgery, local and systemic recurrence, is though very common. The median survival of resected patients with adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is only 20-23 mo. This underscores the significant need to improve PDAC management strategies. Increased survival rate is dependent on new breakthroughs in our understanding of not at least tumor biology. The aim of this review is to update and comment on recent knowledge concerning PDAC biology and new diagnostics and treatment modalities. One fundamental approach to improve survival rates is by earlier and improved diagnosis of the disease. In recent years, novel blood-based biomarkers have emerged based on genetic, epigenetic and protein changes in PDAC with very promising results. For biomarkers to enter clinical practice they need to have been developed using adequate control groups and provide high sensitivity and specificity and by this identify patients at risk already in a pre-symptomatic stage. Another way to improve outcomes, is by employing neoadjuvant treatments thereby increasing the number of resectable cases. Novel systemic treatment regimes like FOLFIRINOX and nab-paclitaxel have demonstrated improvements in prolonging survival in advanced cases, but long-term survival is still scarce. The future improved understanding of PDAC biology will inevitably render new treatment options directed against both the cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/blood
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/blood
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/surgery
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/therapy
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
- Early Detection of Cancer
- Humans
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Neoadjuvant Therapy/adverse effects
- Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- Neoplasm, Residual
- Pancreatectomy/adverse effects
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/blood
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/mortality
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy
- Patient Selection
- Precision Medicine
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Risk Factors
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
Collapse
|
74
|
Falasca M, Maffucci T. Targeting p110gamma in gastrointestinal cancers: attack on multiple fronts. Front Physiol 2014; 5:391. [PMID: 25360116 PMCID: PMC4197894 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate several cellular functions that are critical for cancer progression and development, including cell survival, proliferation and migration. Three classes of PI3Ks exist with the class I PI3K encompassing four isoforms of the catalytic subunit known as p110α, p110β, p110γ, and p110δ. Although for many years attention has been mainly focused on p110α recent evidence supports the conclusion that p110β, p110γ, and p110δ can also have a role in cancer. Amongst these, accumulating evidence now indicates that p110γ is involved in several cellular processes associated with cancer and indeed this specific isoform has emerged as a novel important player in cancer progression. Studies from our laboratory have identified a specific overexpression of p110γ in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues compared to their normal counterparts. Our data have further established that selective inhibition of p110γ is able to block PDAC and HCC cell proliferation, strongly suggesting that pharmacological inhibition of this enzyme can directly affect growth of these tumors. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that p110γ plays also a key role in the interactions between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment and in particular in tumor-associated immune response. It has also been reported that p110γ can regulate invasion of myeloid cells into tumors and tumor angiogenesis. Finally p110γ has also been directly involved in regulation of cancer cell migration. Taken together these data indicate that p110γ plays multiple roles in regulation of several processes that are critical for tumor progression and metastasis. This review will discuss the role of p110γ in gastrointestinal tumor development and progression and how targeting this enzyme might represent a way to target very aggressive tumors such as pancreatic and liver cancer on multiple fronts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Falasca
- Inositide Signalling Group, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Tania Maffucci
- Inositide Signalling Group, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| |
Collapse
|