51
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Dalby KN. Raf protomers: Drug binding preferences in living cells. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1329-1331. [PMID: 37977126 PMCID: PMC10954368 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The precise and selective quantification of drug-target interactions within the context of RAS-RAF heterodimers in live cells offers a powerful tool for drug development and personalized medicine, particularly in cancer research, where the RAS-RAF pathway is pivotal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin N Dalby
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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52
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Vasta JD, Michaud A, Zimprich CA, Beck MT, Swiatnicki MR, Zegzouti H, Thomas MR, Wilkinson J, Crapster JA, Robers MB. Protomer selectivity of type II RAF inhibitors within the RAS/RAF complex. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1354-1365.e6. [PMID: 37643616 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
RAF dimer inhibitors offer therapeutic potential in RAF- and RAS-driven cancers. The utility of such drugs is predicated on their capacity to occupy both RAF protomers in the RAS-RAF signaling complex. Here we describe a method to conditionally quantify drug-target occupancy at selected RAF protomers within an active RAS-RAF complex in cells. RAF target engagement can be measured in the presence or absence of any mutant KRAS allele, enabling the high-affinity state of RAF dimer inhibitors to be quantified in the cellular milieu. The intracellular protomer selectivity of clinical-stage type II RAF inhibitors revealed that ARAF protomer engagement, but not engagement of BRAF or CRAF, is commensurate with inhibition of MAPK signaling in various mutant RAS cell lines. Our results support a fundamental role for ARAF in mutant RAS signaling and reveal poor ARAF protomer vulnerability for a cohort of RAF inhibitors undergoing clinical evaluation.
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53
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Rasmussen DM, Semonis MM, Greene JT, Muretta JM, Thompson AR, Ramos ST, Thomas DD, Pomerantz WC, Freedman TS, Levinson NM. Allosteric coupling asymmetry mediates paradoxical activation of BRAF by type II inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.536450. [PMID: 37131649 PMCID: PMC10153139 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.536450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The type II class of RAF inhibitors currently in clinical trials paradoxically activate BRAF at subsaturating concentrations. Activation is mediated by induction of BRAF dimers, but why activation rather than inhibition occurs remains unclear. Using biophysical methods tracking BRAF dimerization and conformation we built an allosteric model of inhibitor-induced dimerization that resolves the allosteric contributions of inhibitor binding to the two active sites of the dimer, revealing key differences between type I and type II RAF inhibitors. For type II inhibitors the allosteric coupling between inhibitor binding and BRAF dimerization is distributed asymmetrically across the two dimer binding sites, with binding to the first site dominating the allostery. This asymmetry results in efficient and selective induction of dimers with one inhibited and one catalytically active subunit. Our allosteric models quantitatively account for paradoxical activation data measured for 11 RAF inhibitors. Unlike type II inhibitors, type I inhibitors lack allosteric asymmetry and do not activate BRAF homodimers. Finally, NMR data reveal that BRAF homodimers are dynamically asymmetric with only one of the subunits locked in the active αC-in state. This provides a structural mechanism for how binding of only a single αC-in inhibitor molecule can induce potent BRAF dimerization and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien M. Rasmussen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | - Manny M. Semonis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | - Joseph T. Greene
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | - Joseph M. Muretta
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | - Andrew R. Thompson
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | | | - David D. Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | | | - Tanya S. Freedman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
| | - Nicholas M. Levinson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
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54
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Stratigos AJ, Garbe C, Dessinioti C, Lebbe C, van Akkooi A, Bataille V, Bastholt L, Dreno B, Dummer R, Fargnoli MC, Forsea AM, Harwood CA, Hauschild A, Hoeller C, Kandolf-Sekulovic L, Kaufmann R, Kelleners-Smeets NW, Lallas A, Leiter U, Malvehy J, Del Marmol V, Moreno-Ramirez D, Pellacani G, Peris K, Saiag P, Tagliaferri L, Trakatelli M, Ioannides D, Vieira R, Zalaudek I, Arenberger P, Eggermont AMM, Röcken M, Grob JJ, Lorigan P. European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Part 1: Diagnostics and prevention-Update 2023. Eur J Cancer 2023; 193:113251. [PMID: 37717283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.113251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is one of the most common cancers in white populations, accounting for 20% of all cutaneous malignancies. Overall, cSCC mostly has very good prognosis after treatment, with 5-year cure rates greater than 90%. Despite the overall favourable prognosis and the proportionally rare deaths, cSCC is associated with a high total number of deaths due to its high incidence. A collaboration of multidisciplinary experts from the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) and the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), was formed to update recommendations on cSCC, based on current literature and expert consensus. Part 1 of the guidelines addresses the updates on classification, epidemiology, diagnosis, risk stratification, staging and prevention in immunocompetent as well as immunosuppressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Stratigos
- First Department of Dermatology-Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Claus Garbe
- Centre for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Clio Dessinioti
- First Department of Dermatology-Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Celeste Lebbe
- Université Paris Cite, Dermato-Oncology AP-HP Hôpital Saint Louis, Cancer Institute APHP. Nord-Université Paris Cite, INSERM U976, Paris, France
| | - Alexander van Akkooi
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Lars Bastholt
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Brigitte Dreno
- Nantes Université, INSERM, CNRS, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302/EMR6001, Nantes, France
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Skin Cancer Centre at University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Concetta Fargnoli
- Dermatology Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ana Maria Forsea
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Department of Oncologic Dermatology, Elias University Hospital Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Catherine A Harwood
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Axel Hauschild
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital (UKSH), Kiel, Germany
| | - Christoph Hoeller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Roland Kaufmann
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nicole Wj Kelleners-Smeets
- GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Dermatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Aimilios Lallas
- First Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ulrike Leiter
- Centre for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Josep Malvehy
- Dermatology Department of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBER de enfermedades raras, Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona Spain
| | - Veronique Del Marmol
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Moreno-Ramirez
- Department of Medical and Surgical Dermatology Service, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Ketty Peris
- UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche Addominali ed Endocrino Metaboliche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Dermatologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Philippe Saiag
- Department of General and Oncologic Dermatology, Ambroise-Paré hospital, APHP, and EA 4340 'Biomarkers in Cancerology and Hemato-oncology', UVSQ, Université Paris-Saclay, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Myrto Trakatelli
- Department of Dermatology, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University Department of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ricardo Vieira
- Department of Dermatology Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Iris Zalaudek
- Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Petr Arenberger
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander M M Eggermont
- University Medical Center Utrecht and Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich, Technical University Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Röcken
- Centre for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Paul Lorigan
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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55
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Flaherty KT. A twenty year perspective on melanoma therapy. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:563-575. [PMID: 37770281 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma had long been considered to be particularly addressable with immunotherapy, but that reputation was built on modestly effective cytokine-based immunotherapy. CTLA-4 antibody therapy reinforced this legacy, but PD-1 antibodies transformed the melanoma treatment landscape and lead the way for immunotherapy to become standard treatment for more than half of the advanced cancer population. BRAF mutations were discovered in 8% of all cancer and nearly 50% of melanomas. Successful development of BRAF inhibitors and BRAF/MEK combination therapy in melanoma preceded regulatory approval across all cancer types. No cancer type saw outcomes improved by the same margin as melanoma in the decade of the 2010s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith T Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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56
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Wu J, Jonniya NA, Hirakis SP, Olivieri C, Veglia G, Kornev AP, Taylor SS. Protein Kinase Structure and Dynamics: Role of the αC-β4 Loop. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.31.555822. [PMID: 37693538 PMCID: PMC10491255 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.555822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Although the αC-β4 loop is a stable feature of all protein kinases, the importance of this motif as a conserved element of secondary structure, as well as its links to the hydrophobic architecture of the kinase core, has been underappreciated. We first review the motif and then describe how it is linked to the hydrophobic spine architecture of the kinase core, which we first discovered using a computational tool, Local Spatial Pattern (LSP) alignment. Based on NMR predictions that a mutation in this motif abolishes the synergistic high-affinity binding of ATP and a pseudo substrate inhibitor, we used LSP to interrogate the F100A mutant. This comparison highlights the importance of the αC-β4 loop and key residues at the interface between the N- and C-lobes. In addition, we delved more deeply into the structure of the apo C-subunit, which lacks ATP. While apo C-subunit showed no significant changes in backbone dynamics of the αC-β4 loop, we found significant differences in the side chain dynamics of K105. The LSP analysis suggests disruption of communication between the N- and C-lobes in the F100A mutant, which would be consistent with the structural changes predicted by the NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-0654, USA
| | - Nisha A. Jonniya
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-0654, USA
| | - Sophia P. Hirakis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-0654, USA
| | - Cristina Olivieri
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, MN 55455, USA
| | - Gianluigi Veglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alexandr P. Kornev
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-0654, USA
| | - Susan S. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-0654, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-0654, USA
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57
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Mendiratta G, Stites E. Theoretical analysis reveals a role for RAF conformational autoinhibition in paradoxical activation. eLife 2023; 12:e82739. [PMID: 37823369 PMCID: PMC10627510 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
RAF kinase inhibitors can, under certain conditions, increase RAF kinase signaling. This process, which is commonly referred to as 'paradoxical activation' (PA), is incompletely understood. We use mathematical and computational modeling to investigate PA and derive rigorous analytical expressions that illuminate the underlying mechanism of this complex phenomenon. We find that conformational autoinhibition modulation by a RAF inhibitor could be sufficient to create PA. We find that experimental RAF inhibitor drug dose-response data that characterize PA across different types of RAF inhibitors are best explained by a model that includes RAF inhibitor modulation of three properties: conformational autoinhibition, dimer affinity, and drug binding within the dimer (i.e., negative cooperativity). Overall, this work establishes conformational autoinhibition as a robust mechanism for RAF inhibitor-driven PA based solely on equilibrium dynamics of canonical interactions that comprise RAF signaling and inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Mendiratta
- Integrative Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
| | - Edward Stites
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
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58
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Sullivan RJ. To Inhibit or Not to Inhibit MEK With BRAF Inhibitors: Is That the Question? J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:4613-4615. [PMID: 37590898 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
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59
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Chen W, Park JI. Tumor Cell Resistance to the Inhibition of BRAF and MEK1/2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14837. [PMID: 37834284 PMCID: PMC10573597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, with an overall frequency of about 50%. Targeting BRAF and its effector mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) is now a key therapeutic strategy for BRAF-mutant tumors, and therapies based on dual BRAF/MEK inhibition showed significant efficacy in a broad spectrum of BRAF tumors. Nonetheless, BRAF/MEK inhibition therapy is not always effective for BRAF tumor suppression, and significant challenges remain to improve its clinical outcomes. First, certain BRAF tumors have an intrinsic ability to rapidly adapt to the presence of BRAF and MEK1/2 inhibitors by bypassing drug effects via rewired signaling, metabolic, and regulatory networks. Second, almost all tumors initially responsive to BRAF and MEK1/2 inhibitors eventually acquire therapy resistance via an additional genetic or epigenetic alteration(s). Overcoming these challenges requires identifying the molecular mechanism underlying tumor cell resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors and analyzing their specificity in different BRAF tumors. This review aims to update this information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jong-In Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA;
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60
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Chehrazi-Raffle A, Tukachinsky H, Toye E, Sivakumar S, Schrock AB, Bergom HE, Ebrahimi H, Pal S, Dorff T, Agarwal N, Mahal BA, Oxnard GR, Hwang J, Antonarakis ES. Unique Spectrum of Activating BRAF Alterations in Prostate Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3948-3957. [PMID: 37477913 PMCID: PMC10543965 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alterations in BRAF have been reported in 3% to 5% of prostate cancer, although further characterization is lacking. Here, we describe the nature of BRAF alterations in prostate cancer using a large cohort from commercially available tissue and liquid biopsies subjected to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Tissue and liquid biopsies from patients with prostate cancer were profiled using FoundationOne CDx and FoundationOne Liquid CDx CGP assays, respectively. Tissue biopsies from non-prostate cancer types were used for comparison (n = 275,151). Genetic ancestry was predicted using a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based approach. RESULTS Among 15,864 tissue biopsies, BRAF-activating alterations were detected in 520 cases (3.3%). The majority (463 samples, 2.9%) harbored class II alterations, including BRAF rearrangements (243 samples, 1.5%), K601E (101 samples, 0.6%), and G469A (58 samples, 0.4%). BRAF-altered prostate cancers were enriched for CDK12 mutations (OR, 1.87; 9.2% vs. 5.2%; P = 0.018), but depleted in TMPRSS2 fusions (OR, 0.25; 11% vs. 32%; P < 0.0001), PTEN alterations (OR, 0.47; 17% vs. 31%; P < 0.0001), and APC alterations (OR, 0.48; 4.4% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.018) relative to BRAF wild-type (WT) disease. Compared with patients of European ancestry, BRAF alterations were more common in tumors from patients of African ancestry (5.1% vs. 2.9%, P < 0.0001) and Asian ancestry (6.0% vs. 2.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Activating BRAF alterations were detected in approximately 3% of prostate cancers, and most were class II mutations and rearrangements; BRAF V600 mutations were exceedingly rare. These findings suggest that BRAF activation in prostate cancer is unique from other cancers and supports further clinical investigation of therapeutics targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eamon Toye
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Hannah E. Bergom
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Hedyeh Ebrahimi
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Sumanta Pal
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Tanya Dorff
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Neeraj Agarwal
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Brandon A. Mahal
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | | | - Justin Hwang
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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61
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Pan W, Tian Y, Zheng Q, Yang Z, Qiang Y, Zhang Z, Zhang N, Xiong J, Zhu X, Wei L, Li F. Oncogenic BRAF noncanonically promotes tumor metastasis by mediating VASP phosphorylation and filopodia formation. Oncogene 2023; 42:3194-3205. [PMID: 37689827 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02829-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
BRAF is frequently mutated in various cancer types and contributes to tumorigenesis and metastasis. As an important switch in RAS signaling pathway, BRAF typically enables the activation of MEK and ERK, and its mutation significantly promotes metastasis. However, whether BRAF could stimulate metastasis via a distinct manner is still unknown. Herein, we found that a portion of the BRAF protein localized at the plasma membrane and that the BRAFV600E mutation led to abundant formation of filopodia, which is a hallmark of invasive cancer cells. Mechanistically, BRAF physically interacts with the pseudopod formation-related protein Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), and BRAF specifically catalyzes VASP phosphorylation at Ser157. VASP depletion or disruption of Ser157 phosphorylation preferentially reduced the motility, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells harboring oncogenic BRAF or KRAS. Moreover, in clinical cancer tissues, BRAFV600E was positively correlated with the extent of invasion, and tissues with BRAFV600E expression exhibited elevated levels of VASP Ser157 phosphorylation. Our study therefor reveals a noncanonical mechanism by which oncogenic BRAF or KRAS promotes metastasis, suggests that VASP Ser157 phosphorylation might serve as a valuable therapeutic target in BRAF or KRAS mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Pan
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yihao Tian
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zelin Yang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yulong Qiang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zun Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Head & Neck Cancer Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Lei Wei
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan, China.
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62
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Trebino T, Markusic B, Nan H, Banerjee S, Wang Z. Unveiling the Domain-Specific and RAS Isoform-Specific Details of BRAF Regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538112. [PMID: 37163002 PMCID: PMC10168249 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BRAF is a key member in the MAPK signaling pathway essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation or mutation of BRAF is often the underlying cause of various types of cancer. RAS, a small GTPase protein that acts upstream of BRAF, has been identified as a driver of up to one-third of all cancers. When BRAF interacts with RAS via the RAS binding domain (RBD) and membrane recruitment, BRAF undergoes a conformational change from an inactive, autoinhibited monomer to an active dimer and subsequently phosphorylates MEK to propagate the signal. Despite the central role of BRAF in cellular signaling, the exact order and magnitude of its activation steps has yet to be confirmed experimentally. By studying the inter- and intramolecular interactions of BRAF, we unveil the domain-specific and isoform-specific details of BRAF regulation. We employed pulldown assays, open surface plasmon resonance (OpenSPR), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to investigate the roles of the regulatory regions in BRAF activation and autoinhibition. Our results demonstrate that the BRAF specific region (BSR) and cysteine rich domain (CRD) play a crucial role in regulating the activity of BRAF. Moreover, we quantified the autoinhibitory binding affinities between the N-terminal domains and the kinase domain (KD) of BRAF and revealed the individual roles of the BRAF regulatory domains. Additionally, our findings provide evidence that the BSR negatively regulates BRAF activation in a RAS isoform-specific manner. Our findings also indicate that oncogenic BRAF-KDD594G mutant has a lower affinity for the regulatory domains, implicating that pathogenic BRAF acts through decreased propensity for autoinhibition. Collectively, our study provides valuable insights into the activation mechanism of BRAF kinase and may help to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarah Trebino
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Borna Markusic
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Haihan Nan
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Shrhea Banerjee
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
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63
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Zaver SA, Sarkar MK, Egolf S, Zou J, Tiwaa A, Capell BC, Gudjonsson JE, Simpson CL. Targeting SERCA2 in organotypic epidermis reveals MEK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for Darier disease. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e170739. [PMID: 37561594 PMCID: PMC10561730 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutation of the ATP2A2 gene encoding sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2) was linked to Darier disease more than 2 decades ago; however, there remain no targeted therapies for this disorder causing recurrent skin blistering and infections. Since Atp2a2-knockout mice do not phenocopy its pathology, we established a human tissue model of Darier disease to elucidate its pathogenesis and identify potential therapies. Leveraging CRISPR/Cas9, we generated human keratinocytes lacking SERCA2, which replicated features of Darier disease, including weakened intercellular adhesion and defective differentiation in organotypic epidermis. To identify pathogenic drivers downstream of SERCA2 depletion, we performed RNA sequencing and proteomics analysis. SERCA2-deficient keratinocytes lacked desmosomal and cytoskeletal proteins required for epidermal integrity and exhibited excess MAPK signaling, which modulates keratinocyte adhesion and differentiation. Immunostaining patient biopsies substantiated these findings, with lesions showing keratin deficiency, cadherin mislocalization, and ERK hyperphosphorylation. Dampening ERK activity with MEK inhibitors rescued adhesive protein expression and restored keratinocyte sheet integrity despite SERCA2 depletion or chemical inhibition. In sum, coupling multiomic analysis with human organotypic epidermis as a preclinical model, we found that SERCA2 haploinsufficiency disrupts critical adhesive components in keratinocytes via ERK signaling and identified MEK inhibition as a treatment strategy for Darier disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam A. Zaver
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, and
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mrinal K. Sarkar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shaun Egolf
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jonathan Zou
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Afua Tiwaa
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Brian C. Capell
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Cory L. Simpson
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, and
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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64
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Muthyalaiah YS, Arockiasamy S, P A A. Exploring the molecular interactions and binding affinity of resveratrol and calcitriol with RAGE and its intracellular proteins and kinases involved in colorectal cancer. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-24. [PMID: 37732363 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2258993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) burden is progressively increasing in young population due to dietary and lifestyle pattern. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), one of the dietary compounds, form complex aggregates with proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids distorting their structure and function. AGE's pro-tumorigenic role is mediated through the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) triggering an array of signaling pathways. The current study aimed to target AGE-RAGE axis signaling proteins and kinases at multiple levels with calcitriol (CAL) and trans-resveratrol (RES) through in silico analysis using molecular docking (MD), molecular dynamic simulation(MDS), MM-PBSA analysis, and in vitro study. In silico analysis of CAL and RES showed significant binding affinity toward RAGE and its signaling proteins such as NF-kB, PI3K/AKT, ERK1/2, and PKC compared to its reference inhibitors through better hydrogen, hydrophobic, pi-pi stacking interactions. MD and MDS studies have revealed stable and compact protein-ligand complexes. Binding free energies of protein-ligand complex were estimated using MM/PBSA analysis thatprovided an assessment of overall interacting free energies of complexes and revealed the presence of low binding energy within the active site. Furthermore, in the in vitro study, methylglyoxal (MG), an AGE-precursor showed a proliferative effect on HCT116, however, CAL and RES showed an inhibitory effect against MG induced effect with an IC50 value of 51 nM and 110 µM respectively. Thus, the study suggests the possible target binding sites of AGE-RAGE signaling proteins and kinases with CAL and RES, thereby exploiting it for developing CAL with RES as adjuvant therapy along with chemo drug for CRC.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadav Sangeeta Muthyalaiah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Sumathy Arockiasamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Abhinand P A
- Department of Bioinformatics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
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65
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Liu J, Xie H. BRAF Non-V600 Mutations in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4604. [PMID: 37760573 PMCID: PMC10527056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Despite advancements in detection and therapeutic options, patients with metastatic CRC continue to face poor survival rates. The heterogeneity of oncogenic alterations, including BRAF mutations, poses a substantial challenge in identifying optimal treatment approaches. Notably, BRAF non-V600 mutations, encompassing class II and class III mutations, exhibit the distinct patterns of the signaling pathways and responses to targeted therapies compared to BRAF V600 mutations (class I). Nevertheless, the current classification system may underestimate the complexity and heterogeneity of BRAF-mutant CRC. Ongoing clinical trials are actively investigating targeted therapies for BRAF non-V600 mutations, but they are being confronted with patient recruitment obstacles due to the genetic diversity of these alterations. Continued research is needed to refine mutation subtyping, identify effective treatment strategies, and improve outcomes for patients with BRAF non-V600-mutant CRC. Enhancing our understanding and management of this specific subgroup of CRC is crucial for developing personalized treatment approaches and advancing patient care. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in and perspectives on BRAF non-V600 alterations in colorectal cancer, including relevant ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjia Liu
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Hao Xie
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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66
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Szaruga M, Janssen DA, de Miguel C, Hodgson G, Fatalska A, Pitera AP, Andreeva A, Bertolotti A. Activation of the integrated stress response by inhibitors of its kinases. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5535. [PMID: 37684277 PMCID: PMC10491595 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40823-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α to initiate the integrated stress response (ISR) is a vital signalling event. Protein kinases activating the ISR, including PERK and GCN2, have attracted considerable attention for drug development. Here we find that the widely used ATP-competitive inhibitors of PERK, GSK2656157, GSK2606414 and AMG44, inhibit PERK in the nanomolar range, but surprisingly activate the ISR via GCN2 at micromolar concentrations. Similarly, a PKR inhibitor, C16, also activates GCN2. Conversely, GCN2 inhibitor A92 silences its target but induces the ISR via PERK. These findings are pivotal for understanding ISR biology and its therapeutic manipulations because most preclinical studies used these inhibitors at micromolar concentrations. Reconstitution of ISR activation with recombinant proteins demonstrates that PERK and PKR inhibitors directly activate dimeric GCN2, following a Gaussian activation-inhibition curve, with activation driven by allosterically increasing GCN2 affinity for ATP. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors Neratinib and Dovitinib also activate GCN2 by increasing affinity of GCN2 for ATP. Thus, the mechanism uncovered here might be broadly relevant to ATP-competitive inhibitors and perhaps to other kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Szaruga
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Dino A Janssen
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Claudia de Miguel
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - George Hodgson
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Agnieszka Fatalska
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Aleksandra P Pitera
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Antonina Andreeva
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Anne Bertolotti
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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67
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Lauinger M, Christen D, Klar RFU, Roubaty C, Heilig CE, Stumpe M, Knox JJ, Radulovich N, Tamblyn L, Xie IY, Horak P, Forschner A, Bitzer M, Wittel UA, Boerries M, Ball CR, Heining C, Glimm H, Fröhlich M, Hübschmann D, Gallinger S, Fritsch R, Fröhling S, O'Kane GM, Dengjel J, Brummer T. BRAF Δβ3-αC in-frame deletion mutants differ in their dimerization propensity, HSP90 dependence, and druggability. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade7486. [PMID: 37656784 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
In-frame BRAF exon 12 deletions are increasingly identified in various tumor types. The resultant BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins usually lack five amino acids in the β3-αC helix linker and sometimes contain de novo insertions. The dimerization status of BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins, their precise pathomechanism, and their direct druggability by RAF inhibitors (RAFi) has been under debate. Here, we functionally characterize BRAFΔLNVTAP>F and two novel mutants, BRAFdelinsFS and BRAFΔLNVT>F, and compare them with other BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins. We show that BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins not only form stable homodimers and large multiprotein complexes but also require dimerization. Nevertheless, details matter as aromatic amino acids at the deletion junction of some BRAFΔβ3-αC oncoproteins, e.g., BRAFΔLNVTAP>F, increase their stability and dimerization propensity while conferring resistance to monomer-favoring RAFi such as dabrafenib or HSP 90/CDC37 inhibition. In contrast, dimer-favoring inhibitors such as naporafenib inhibit all BRAFΔβ3-αC mutants in cell lines and patient-derived organoids, suggesting that tumors driven by such oncoproteins are vulnerable to these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Lauinger
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, ZBMZ, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Christen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, ZBMZ, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rhena F U Klar
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, ZBMZ, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Freeze-O Organoid Bank, University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation), University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine (IBSM), Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carole Roubaty
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph E Heilig
- Division of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Stumpe
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer J Knox
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nikolina Radulovich
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura Tamblyn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Irene Y Xie
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Horak
- Division of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Forschner
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ partner site Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Bitzer
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ partner site Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Personalized Medicine Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Uwe A Wittel
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine (IBSM), Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claudia R Ball
- Department for Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Translational Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, Faculty of Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Heining
- Department for Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Translational Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
| | - Hanno Glimm
- Department for Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Translational Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden, Germany
- Translational Functional Cancer Genomics, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Fröhlich
- Computational Oncology Group, Molecular Precision Oncology Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Hübschmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Computational Oncology Group, Molecular Precision Oncology Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Pattern Recognition and Digital Medicine Group, Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steven Gallinger
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ralph Fritsch
- Department of Internal Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation), University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Fröhling
- Division of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Grainne M O'Kane
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jörn Dengjel
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, ZBMZ, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Freeze-O Organoid Bank, University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Fay CJ, Jakuboski S, Mclellan B, Allais BS, Semenov Y, Larocca CA, LeBoeuf NR. Diagnosis and Management of Dermatologic Adverse Events from Systemic Melanoma Therapies. Am J Clin Dermatol 2023; 24:765-785. [PMID: 37395930 PMCID: PMC10796164 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00790-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The advent of protein kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy has profoundly improved the management of advanced melanoma. However, with these therapeutic advancements also come drug-related toxicities that have the potential to affect various organ systems. We review dermatologic adverse events from targeted (including BRAF and MEK inhibitor-related) and less commonly used melanoma treatments, with a focus on diagnosis and management. As immunotherapy-related toxicities have been extensively reviewed, herein, we discuss injectable talimogene laherparepvec and touch on recent breakthroughs in the immunotherapy space. Dermatologic adverse events may severely impact quality of life and are associated with response and survival. It is therefore essential that clinicians are aware of their diverse presentations and management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Fay
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Beth Mclellan
- Department of Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Blair S Allais
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yevgeniy Semenov
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cecilia A Larocca
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole R LeBoeuf
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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69
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Matsumoto K, Kakazu N, Imataki O, Kondo A, Kanaji N, Kadowaki N. Hairy cell leukaemia with an IGH-BRAF fusion gene. Br J Haematol 2023; 202:e67-e70. [PMID: 37433466 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Matsumoto
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Naoki Kakazu
- University Health Center, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Osamu Imataki
- Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kondo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kagawa University Hospital, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kanaji
- Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Norimitsu Kadowaki
- Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
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70
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Pagba CV, Gupta AK, Gorfe AA. Small-Molecule Inhibition of KRAS through Conformational Selection. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:31419-31426. [PMID: 37663463 PMCID: PMC10468774 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in KRAS account for about 20% of human cancers. Despite the major progress in recent years toward the development of KRAS inhibitors, including the discovery of covalent inhibitors of the G12C KRAS variant for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, much work remains to be done to discover broad-acting inhibitors to treat many other KRAS-driven cancers. In a previous report, we showed that a 308.4 Da small-molecule ligand [(2R)-2-(N'-(1H-indole-3-carbonyl)hydrazino)-2-phenyl-acetamide] binds to KRAS with low micro-molar affinity [Chem. Biol. Drug Des.2019; 94(2):1441-1456]. Binding of this ligand, which we call ACA22, to the p1 pocket of KRAS and its interactions with residues at beta-strand 1 and the switch loops have been supported by data from nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and microscale thermophoresis experiments. However, the inhibitory potential of the compound was not demonstrated. Here, we show that ACA22 inhibits KRAS-mediated signal transduction in cells expressing wild type (WT) and G12D mutant KRAS and reduces levels of guanosine triphosphate-loaded WT KRAS more effectively than G12D KRAS. We ruled out the direct effect on nucleotide exchange or effector binding as possible mechanisms of inhibition using a variety of biophysical assays. Combining these observations with binding data that show comparable affinities of the compound for the active and inactive forms of the mutant but not the WT, we propose conformational selection as a possible mechanism of action of ACA22.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia V Pagba
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Amit K Gupta
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Alemayehu A Gorfe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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71
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Imoto H, Rauch N, Neve AJ, Khorsand F, Kreileder M, Alexopoulos LG, Rauch J, Okada M, Kholodenko BN, Rukhlenko OS. A Combination of Conformation-Specific RAF Inhibitors Overcome Drug Resistance Brought about by RAF Overexpression. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1212. [PMID: 37627277 PMCID: PMC10452107 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells often adapt to targeted therapies, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive resistance remain only partially understood. Here, we explore a mechanism of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) pathway reactivation through the upregulation of RAF isoform (RAFs) abundance. Using computational modeling and in vitro experiments, we show that the upregulation of RAFs changes the concentration range of paradoxical pathway activation upon treatment with conformation-specific RAF inhibitors. Additionally, our data indicate that the signaling output upon loss or downregulation of one RAF isoform can be compensated by overexpression of other RAF isoforms. We furthermore demonstrate that, while single RAF inhibitors cannot efficiently inhibit ERK reactivation caused by RAF overexpression, a combination of two structurally distinct RAF inhibitors synergizes to robustly suppress pathway reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Imoto
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nora Rauch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ashish J. Neve
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fahimeh Khorsand
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Martina Kreileder
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Leonidas G. Alexopoulos
- Protavio Ltd., Demokritos Science Park, 153 43 Athens, Greece
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 106 82 Athens, Greece
| | - Jens Rauch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mariko Okada
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (WPI-PRIMe), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Boris N. Kholodenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Oleksii S. Rukhlenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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Wilhelm T, Toledo MAS, Simons I, Stuth C, Mohta V, Mülfarth R, Nitsche M, Maschke-Neuß K, Schmitz S, Kaiser A, Panse J, Christen D, Arock M, Zenke M, Huber M. Capitalizing on paradoxical activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway for treatment of Imatinib-resistant mast cell leukemia. Hematol Oncol 2023; 41:520-534. [PMID: 36383121 DOI: 10.1002/hon.3100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Prevention of fatal side effects during cancer therapy of cancer patients with high-dosed pharmacological inhibitors is to date a major challenge. Moreover, the development of drug resistance poses severe problems for the treatment of patients with leukemia or solid tumors. Particularly drug-mediated dimerization of RAF kinases can be the cause of acquired resistance, also called "paradoxical activation." In the present work we re-analyzed the effects of different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on the proliferation, metabolic activity, and survival of the Imatinib-resistant, KIT V560G, D816V-expressing human mast cell (MC) leukemia (MCL) cell line HMC-1.2. We observed that low concentrations of the TKIs Nilotinib and Ponatinib resulted in enhanced proliferation, suggesting paradoxical activation of the MAPK pathway. Indeed, these TKIs caused BRAF-CRAF dimerization, resulting in ERK1/2 activation. The combination of Ponatinib with the MEK inhibitor Trametinib, at nanomolar concentrations, effectively suppressed HMC-1.2 proliferation, metabolic activity, and induced apoptotic cell death. Effectiveness of this drug combination was recapitulated in the human KIT D816V MC line ROSAKIT D816V and in KIT D816V hematopoietic progenitors obtained from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and systemic mastocytosis patient samples. In conclusion, mutated KIT-driven Imatinib resistance and possible TKI-induced paradoxical activation can be efficiently overcome by a low concentration Ponatinib and Trametinib co-treatment, potentially reducing the negative side effects associated with MCL therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wilhelm
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcelo A S Toledo
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Ilka Simons
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Stuth
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Vrinda Mohta
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ronja Mülfarth
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marcus Nitsche
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Karin Maschke-Neuß
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Susanne Schmitz
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne Kaiser
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Jens Panse
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Deborah Christen
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Michel Arock
- Department of Hematological Biology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Pierre et Marie Curie University (UPMC), Paris, France
| | - Martin Zenke
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Huber
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Garbarino O, Valenti GE, Monteleone L, Pietra G, Mingari MC, Benzi A, Bruzzone S, Ravera S, Leardi R, Farinini E, Vernazza S, Grottoli M, Marengo B, Domenicotti C. PLX4032 resistance of patient-derived melanoma cells: crucial role of oxidative metabolism. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1210130. [PMID: 37534247 PMCID: PMC10391174 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1210130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer which shows BRAF mutation in 50% of patients. In this context, the identification of BRAFV600E mutation led to the development of specific inhibitors like PLX4032. Nevertheless, although its initial success, its clinical efficacy is reduced after six-months of therapy leading to cancer relapse due to the onset of drug resistance. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms underlying PLX4032 resistance is fundamental to improve therapy efficacy. In this context, several models of PLX4032 resistance have been developed, but the discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo results often limits their clinical translation. Methods The herein reported model has been realized by treating with PLX4032, for six months, patient-derived BRAF-mutated melanoma cells in order to obtain a reliable model of acquired PLX4032 resistance that could be predictive of patient's treatment responses. Metabolic analyses were performed by evaluating glucose consumption, ATP synthesis, oxygen consumption rate, P/O ratio, ATP/AMP ratio, lactate release, lactate dehydrogenase activity, NAD+/NADH ratio and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in parental and drug resistant melanoma cells. The intracellular oxidative state was analyzed in terms of reactive oxygen species production, glutathione levels and NADPH/NADP+ ratio. In addition, a principal component analysis was conducted in order to identify the variables responsible for the acquisition of targeted therapy resistance. Results Collectively, our results demonstrate, for the first time in patient-derived melanoma cells, that the rewiring of oxidative phosphorylation and the maintenance of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and of high glutathione levels contribute to trigger the onset of PLX4032 resistance. Conclusion Therefore, it is possible to hypothesize that inhibitors of glutathione biosynthesis and/or pyruvate dehydrogenase activity could be used in combination with PLX4032 to overcome drug resistance of BRAF-mutated melanoma patients. However, the identification of new adjuvant targets related to drug-induced metabolic reprogramming could be crucial to counteract the failure of targeted therapy in metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ombretta Garbarino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Elda Valenti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Monteleone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Benzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Biochemistry Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Santina Bruzzone
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Biochemistry Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Ravera
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefania Vernazza
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Melania Grottoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Marengo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cinzia Domenicotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, General Pathology Section, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaishri O Blakeley
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (J.O.B.); and the University of California San Francisco, San Francisco (K.S.)
| | - Kevin Shannon
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (J.O.B.); and the University of California San Francisco, San Francisco (K.S.)
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75
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Żołek T, Mazurek A, Grudzinski IP. In Silico Studies of Novel Vemurafenib Derivatives as BRAF Kinase Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:5273. [PMID: 37446932 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors have improved the treatment of advanced or metastatic melanoma in patients that harbor a BRAFT1799A mutation. Because of new insights into the role of aberrant glycosylation in drug resistance, we designed and studied three novel vemurafenib derivatives possessing pentose-associated aliphatic ligands-methyl-, ethyl-, and isopropyl-ketopentose moieties-as potent BRAFV600E kinase inhibitors. The geometries of these derivatives were optimized using the density functional theory method. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed to find interactions between the ligands and BRAFV600E kinase. Virtual screening was performed to assess the fate of derivatives and their systemic toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. The computational mapping of the studied ligand-BRAFV600E complexes indicated that the central pyrrole and pyridine rings of derivatives were located within the hydrophobic ATP-binding site of the BRAFV600E protein kinase, while the pentose ring and alkyl chains were mainly included in hydrogen bonding interactions. The isopropyl-ketopentose derivative was found to bind the BRAFV600E oncoprotein with more favorable energy interaction than vemurafenib. ADME-TOX in silico studies showed that the derivatives possessed some desirable pharmacokinetic and toxicologic properties. The present results open a new avenue to study the carbohydrate derivatives of vemurafenib as potent BRAFV600E kinase inhibitors to treat melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Żołek
- Department of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02 097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Mazurek
- Department of Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02 097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ireneusz P Grudzinski
- Department of Toxicology and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02 097 Warsaw, Poland
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76
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Van Branteghem C, Augenlicht A, Demetter P, Craciun L, Maenhaut C. Unraveling the Roles of miR-204-5p and HMGA2 in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10764. [PMID: 37445942 PMCID: PMC10341554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignant tumor with an increasing incidence rate. Although differentiated types of thyroid cancer generally present good clinical outcomes, some dedifferentiate into aggressive and lethal forms. However, the molecular mechanisms governing aggressiveness and dedifferentiation are still poorly understood. Aberrant expression of miRNAs is often correlated to tumor development, and miR-204-5p has previously been identified in papillary thyroid carcinoma as downregulated and associated with aggressiveness. This study aimed to explore its role in thyroid tumorigenesis. To address this, gain-of-function experiments were performed by transiently transfecting miR-204-5p in thyroid cancer cell lines. Then, the clinical relevance of our data was evaluated in vivo. We prove that this miRNA inhibits cell invasion by regulating several targets associated with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition, such as SNAI2, TGFBR2, SOX4 and HMGA2. HMGA2 expression is regulated by the MAPK pathway but not by the PI3K, IGF1R or TGFβ pathways, and the inhibition of cell invasion by miR-204-5p involves direct binding and repression of HMGA2. Finally, we confirmed in vivo the relationship between miR-204-5p and HMGA2 in human PTC and a corresponding mouse model. Our data suggest that HMGA2 inhibition offers promising perspectives for thyroid cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Van Branteghem
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.V.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Alice Augenlicht
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.V.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Pieter Demetter
- Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (P.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Ligia Craciun
- Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (P.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Carine Maenhaut
- Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Université libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (C.V.B.); (A.A.)
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77
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Mann B, Zhang X, Bell N, Adefolaju A, Thang M, Dasari R, Kanchi K, Valdivia A, Yang Y, Buckley A, Lettry V, Quinsey C, Rauf Y, Kram D, Cassidy N, Vaziri C, Corcoran DL, Rego S, Jiang Y, Graves LM, Dunn D, Floyd S, Baldwin A, Hingtgen S, Satterlee AB. A living ex vivo platform for functional, personalized brain cancer diagnosis. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101042. [PMID: 37192626 PMCID: PMC10313921 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Functional precision medicine platforms are emerging as promising strategies to improve pre-clinical drug testing and guide clinical decisions. We have developed an organotypic brain slice culture (OBSC)-based platform and multi-parametric algorithm that enable rapid engraftment, treatment, and analysis of uncultured patient brain tumor tissue and patient-derived cell lines. The platform has supported engraftment of every patient tumor tested to this point: high- and low-grade adult and pediatric tumor tissue rapidly establishes on OBSCs among endogenous astrocytes and microglia while maintaining the tumor's original DNA profile. Our algorithm calculates dose-response relationships of both tumor kill and OBSC toxicity, generating summarized drug sensitivity scores on the basis of therapeutic window and allowing us to normalize response profiles across a panel of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and exploratory agents. Summarized patient tumor scores after OBSC treatment show positive associations to clinical outcomes, suggesting that the OBSC platform can provide rapid, accurate, functional testing to ultimately guide patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna Mann
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xiaopei Zhang
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Noah Bell
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Adebimpe Adefolaju
- Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Morrent Thang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rajaneekar Dasari
- Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Krishna Kanchi
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alain Valdivia
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Buckley
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Vivien Lettry
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carolyn Quinsey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yasmeen Rauf
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David Kram
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Noah Cassidy
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cyrus Vaziri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Rego
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuchao Jiang
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Denise Dunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Scott Floyd
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Albert Baldwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Andrew B Satterlee
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Eshelman Institute for Innovation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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78
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Toyooka Y, Aoki K, Usami FM, Oka S, Kato A, Fujimori T. Generation of pulsatile ERK activity in mouse embryonic stem cells is regulated by Raf activity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9465. [PMID: 37301878 PMCID: PMC10257726 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a serine/threonine kinase that is known to regulate cellular events such as cell proliferation and differentiation. The ERK signaling pathway is activated by fibroblast growth factors, and is considered to be indispensable for the differentiation of primitive endoderm cells, not only in mouse preimplantation embryos, but also in embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture. To monitor ERK activity in living undifferentiated and differentiating ESCs, we established EKAREV-NLS-EB5 ESC lines that stably express EKAREV-NLS, a biosensor based on the principle of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Using EKAREV-NLS-EB5, we found that ERK activity exhibited pulsatile dynamics. ESCs were classified into two groups: active cells showing high-frequency ERK pulses, and inactive cells demonstrating no detectable ERK pulses during live imaging. Pharmacological inhibition of major components in the ERK signaling pathway revealed that Raf plays an important role in determining the pattern of ERK pulses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayoi Toyooka
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-Cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-Cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Fumiko Matsukawa Usami
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-Cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Sanae Oka
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-Cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Azusa Kato
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-Cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Fujimori
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-Cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
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79
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Fleischmann J, Schwaighofer S, De Falco L, Enzler F, Feichtner A, Kugler V, Tschaikner P, Huber RG, Stefan E. Tracking and blocking interdependencies of cellular BRAF-MEK oncokinase activities. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad185. [PMID: 37325027 PMCID: PMC10267685 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The selective targeting of mutated kinases in cancer therapies has the potential to improve therapeutic success and thereby the survival of patients. In the case of melanoma, the constitutively active MAPK pathway is targeted by a combinatorial inhibition of BRAF and MEK activities. These MAPK pathway players may display patient-specific differences in the onco-kinase mutation spectrum, which needs to be considered for the design of more efficient personalized therapies. Here, we extend a bioluminescence-based kinase conformation biosensor (KinCon) to allow for live-cell tracking of interconnected kinase activity states. First, we show that common MEK1 patient mutations promote a structural rearrangement of the kinase to an opened and active conformation. This effect was reversible by the binding of MEK inhibitors to mutated MEK1, as shown in biosensor assays and molecular dynamics simulations. Second, we implement a novel application of the KinCon technology for tracking the simultaneous, vertical targeting of the two functionally linked kinases BRAF and MEK1. Thus, we demonstrate that, in the presence of constitutively active BRAF-V600E, specific inhibitors of both kinases are efficient in driving MEK1 into a closed, inactive conformation state. We compare current melanoma treatments and show that combinations of BRAFi and MEKi display a more pronounced structural change of the drug sensor than the respective single agents, thereby identifying synergistic effects among these drug combinations. In summary, we depict the extension of the KinCon biosensor technology to systematically validate, anticipate, and personalize tailored drug arrangements using a multiplexed setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Fleischmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Selina Schwaighofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Louis De Falco
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Florian Enzler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Andreas Feichtner
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Valentina Kugler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Philipp Tschaikner
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
| | - Roland G Huber
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix #07-01, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Eduard Stefan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Innrain 66, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
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80
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Lei Z, Tian Q, Teng Q, Wurpel JND, Zeng L, Pan Y, Chen Z. Understanding and targeting resistance mechanisms in cancer. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e265. [PMID: 37229486 PMCID: PMC10203373 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to cancer therapies has been a commonly observed phenomenon in clinical practice, which is one of the major causes of treatment failure and poor patient survival. The reduced responsiveness of cancer cells is a multifaceted phenomenon that can arise from genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental factors. Various mechanisms have been discovered and extensively studied, including drug inactivation, reduced intracellular drug accumulation by reduced uptake or increased efflux, drug target alteration, activation of compensatory pathways for cell survival, regulation of DNA repair and cell death, tumor plasticity, and the regulation from tumor microenvironments (TMEs). To overcome cancer resistance, a variety of strategies have been proposed, which are designed to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment or reduce drug resistance. These include identifying biomarkers that can predict drug response and resistance, identifying new targets, developing new targeted drugs, combination therapies targeting multiple signaling pathways, and modulating the TME. The present article focuses on the different mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer and the corresponding tackling approaches with recent updates. Perspectives on polytherapy targeting multiple resistance mechanisms, novel nanoparticle delivery systems, and advanced drug design tools for overcoming resistance are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi‐Ning Lei
- PrecisionMedicine CenterScientific Research CenterThe Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of Pharmacy and Health SciencesSt. John's UniversityQueensNew YorkUSA
| | - Qin Tian
- PrecisionMedicine CenterScientific Research CenterThe Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Qiu‐Xu Teng
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of Pharmacy and Health SciencesSt. John's UniversityQueensNew YorkUSA
| | - John N. D. Wurpel
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of Pharmacy and Health SciencesSt. John's UniversityQueensNew YorkUSA
| | - Leli Zeng
- PrecisionMedicine CenterScientific Research CenterThe Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Yihang Pan
- PrecisionMedicine CenterScientific Research CenterThe Seventh Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenP. R. China
| | - Zhe‐Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of Pharmacy and Health SciencesSt. John's UniversityQueensNew YorkUSA
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81
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Ma W, Tian M, Hu L, Ruan X, Zhang W, Zheng X, Gao M. Early Combined SHP2 Targeting Reverses the Therapeutic Resistance of Vemurafenib in Thyroid Cancer. J Cancer 2023; 14:1592-1604. [PMID: 37325052 PMCID: PMC10266257 DOI: 10.7150/jca.83853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The BRAFV600E mutation is the most common oncogenic mutation in thyroid cancer, suggesting an aggressive subtype of thyroid cancer and poor prognosis. Vemurafenib, a selective inhibitor of BRAFV600E, may provide therapeutic benefit in various cancers including thyroid cancer. However, the prevalence of drug resistance remains a challenge because of the feedback activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. In treating thyroid cancer cells with vemurafenib, we have detected reactivation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway as a result of the release of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) from the negative feedback of ERK phosphorylation. SHP2 is an important target protein downstream of the RTK signaling pathway. Decreasing it through SHP2 knockdown or the use of an inhibitor of SHP2 (SHP099) was found to significantly increase the early sensitivity and reverse the late resistance to vemurafenib in BRAFV600E mutant thyroid cancer cells. Overall, our findings suggest that blocking SHP2 reverses the reactivation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway caused by the activation of RTKs and improves the sensitivity of thyroid cancer to vemurafenib, which has potential implications for mechanism-based early combination strategies to treat thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weike Ma
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Mengran Tian
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Linfei Hu
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xianhui Ruan
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Thyroid and Neck Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Tianjin Union Medical Center, No.190 Jieyuan Road, Hongqiao District, Tianjin 300121, China
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82
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Yin G, Huang J, Petela J, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Gong S, Wu J, Liu B, Shi J, Gao Y. Targeting small GTPases: emerging grasps on previously untamable targets, pioneered by KRAS. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:212. [PMID: 37221195 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases including Ras, Rho, Rab, Arf, and Ran are omnipresent molecular switches in regulating key cellular functions. Their dysregulation is a therapeutic target for tumors, neurodegeneration, cardiomyopathies, and infection. However, small GTPases have been historically recognized as "undruggable". Targeting KRAS, one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, has only come into reality in the last decade due to the development of breakthrough strategies such as fragment-based screening, covalent ligands, macromolecule inhibitors, and PROTACs. Two KRASG12C covalent inhibitors have obtained accelerated approval for treating KRASG12C mutant lung cancer, and allele-specific hotspot mutations on G12D/S/R have been demonstrated as viable targets. New methods of targeting KRAS are quickly evolving, including transcription, immunogenic neoepitopes, and combinatory targeting with immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the vast majority of small GTPases and hotspot mutations remain elusive, and clinical resistance to G12C inhibitors poses new challenges. In this article, we summarize diversified biological functions, shared structural properties, and complex regulatory mechanisms of small GTPases and their relationships with human diseases. Furthermore, we review the status of drug discovery for targeting small GTPases and the most recent strategic progress focused on targeting KRAS. The discovery of new regulatory mechanisms and development of targeting approaches will together promote drug discovery for small GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Yin
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Johnny Petela
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yuetong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Siqi Gong
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bei Liu
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, School of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Yijun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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83
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Tkacik E, Li K, Gonzalez-Del Pino G, Ha BH, Vinals J, Park E, Beyett TS, Eck MJ. Structure and RAF family kinase isoform selectivity of type II RAF inhibitors tovorafenib and naporafenib. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104634. [PMID: 36963492 PMCID: PMC10149214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Upon activation by RAS, RAF family kinases initiate signaling through the MAP kinase cascade to control cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Among RAF isoforms (ARAF, BRAF, and CRAF), oncogenic mutations are by far most frequent in BRAF. The BRAFV600E mutation drives more than half of all malignant melanoma and is also found in many other cancers. Selective inhibitors of BRAFV600E (vemurafenib, dabrafenib, encorafenib) are used clinically for these indications, but they are not effective inhibitors in the context of oncogenic RAS, which drives dimerization and activation of RAF, nor for malignancies driven by aberrantly dimerized truncation/fusion variants of BRAF. By contrast, a number of "type II" RAF inhibitors have been developed as potent inhibitors of RAF dimers. Here, we compare potency of type II inhibitors tovorafenib (TAK-580) and naporafenib (LHX254) in biochemical assays against the three RAF isoforms and describe crystal structures of both compounds in complex with BRAF. We find that tovorafenib and naporafenib are most potent against CRAF but markedly less potent against ARAF. Crystal structures of both compounds with BRAFV600E or WT BRAF reveal the details of their molecular interactions, including the expected type II-binding mode, with full occupancy of both subunits of the BRAF dimer. Our findings have important clinical ramifications. Type II RAF inhibitors are generally regarded as pan-RAF inhibitors, but our studies of these two agents, together with recent work with type II inhibitors belvarafenib and naporafenib, indicate that relative sparing of ARAF may be a property of multiple drugs of this class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Tkacik
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kunhua Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gonzalo Gonzalez-Del Pino
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Javier Vinals
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eunyoung Park
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tyler S Beyett
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael J Eck
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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84
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Sarmah D, Meredith WO, Weber IK, Price MR, Birtwistle MR. Predicting anti-cancer drug combination responses with a temporal cell state network model. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011082. [PMID: 37126527 PMCID: PMC10174488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer chemotherapy combines multiple drugs, but predicting the effects of drug combinations on cancer cell proliferation remains challenging, even for simple in vitro systems. We hypothesized that by combining knowledge of single drug dose responses and cell state transition network dynamics, we could predict how a population of cancer cells will respond to drug combinations. We tested this hypothesis here using three targeted inhibitors of different cell cycle states in two different cell lines in vitro. We formulated a Markov model to capture temporal cell state transitions between different cell cycle phases, with single drug data constraining how drug doses affect transition rates. This model was able to predict the landscape of all three different pairwise drug combinations across all dose ranges for both cell lines with no additional data. While further application to different cell lines, more drugs, additional cell state networks, and more complex co-culture or in vivo systems remain, this work demonstrates how currently available or attainable information could be sufficient for prediction of drug combination response for single cell lines in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepraj Sarmah
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wesley O. Meredith
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ian K. Weber
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
- The University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Madison R. Price
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
- College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Marc R. Birtwistle
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, United States of America
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85
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Abstract
Over the past decade, melanoma has led the field in new cancer treatments, with impressive gains in on-treatment survival but more modest improvements in overall survival. Melanoma presents heterogeneity and transcriptional plasticity that recapitulates distinct melanocyte developmental states and phenotypes, allowing it to adapt to and eventually escape even the most advanced treatments. Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of melanoma biology and genetics, the melanoma cell of origin is still fiercely debated because both melanocyte stem cells and mature melanocytes can be transformed. Animal models and high-throughput single-cell sequencing approaches have opened new opportunities to address this question. Here, we discuss the melanocytic journey from the neural crest, where they emerge as melanoblasts, to the fully mature pigmented melanocytes resident in several tissues. We describe a new understanding of melanocyte biology and the different melanocyte subpopulations and microenvironments they inhabit, and how this provides unique insights into melanoma initiation and progression. We highlight recent findings on melanoma heterogeneity and transcriptional plasticity and their implications for exciting new research areas and treatment opportunities. The lessons from melanocyte biology reveal how cells that are present to protect us from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation reach back to their origins to become a potentially deadly cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P Centeno
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Valeria Pavet
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK
| | - Richard Marais
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK.
- Oncodrug Ltd, Alderly Park, Macclesfield, UK.
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86
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Ma J, Hu Z, Yue H, Luo Y, Wang C, Wu X, Gu Y, Wang L. GRM2 Regulates Functional Integration of Adult-Born DGCs by Paradoxically Modulating MEK/ERK1/2 Pathway. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2822-2836. [PMID: 36878727 PMCID: PMC10124958 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1886-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (GRM2) is highly expressed in hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs), regulating synaptic transmission and hippocampal functions. Newborn DGCs are continuously generated throughout life and express GRM2 when they are mature. However, it remained unclear whether and how GRM2 regulates the development and integration of these newborn neurons. We discovered that the expression of GRM2 in adult-born DGCs increased with neuronal development in mice of both sexes. Lack of GRM2 caused developmental defects of DGCs and impaired hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions. Intriguingly, our data showed that knockdown of Grm2 resulted in decreased b/c-Raf kinases and paradoxically led to an excessive activation of MEK/ERK1/2 pathway. Inhibition of MEK ameliorated the developmental defects caused by Grm2 knockdown. Together, our results indicate that GRM2 is necessary for the development and functional integration of newborn DGCs in the adult hippocampus through regulating the phosphorylation and activation state of MEK/ERK1/2 pathway.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (GRM2) is highly expressed in mature dentate granule cells (DGCs) in the hippocampus. It remains unclear whether GRM2 is required for the development and integration of adult-born DGCs. We provided in vivo and in vitro evidence to show that GRM2 regulates the development of adult-born DGCs and their integration into existing hippocampal circuits. Lack of GRM2 in a cohort of newborn DGCs impaired object-to-location memory in mice. Moreover, we revealed that GRM2 knockdown paradoxically upregulated MEK/ERK1/2 pathway by suppressing b/c-Raf in developing neurons, which is likely a common mechanism underlying the regulation of the development of neurons expressing GRM2. Thus, Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway could be a potential target for brain diseases related to GRM2 abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Ma
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310027 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhechun Hu
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimin Yue
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310027 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujian Luo
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310027 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Gu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lang Wang
- Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310027 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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87
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Iglesias-Martinez LF, Rauch N, Wynne K, McCann B, Kolch W, Rauch J. Interactome dynamics of RAF1-BRAF kinase monomers and dimers. Sci Data 2023; 10:203. [PMID: 37045861 PMCID: PMC10097620 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
RAF kinases play major roles in cancer. BRAFV600E mutants drive ~6% of human cancers. Potent kinase inhibitors exist but show variable effects in different cancer types, sometimes even inducing paradoxical RAF kinase activation. Both paradoxical activation and drug resistance are frequently due to enhanced dimerization between RAF1 and BRAF, which maintains or restores the activity of the downstream MEK-ERK pathway. Here, using quantitative proteomics we mapped the interactomes of RAF1 monomers, RAF1-BRAF and RAF1-BRAFV600E dimers identifying and quantifying >1,000 proteins. In addition, we examined the effects of vemurafenib and sorafenib, two different types of clinically used RAF inhibitors. Using regression analysis to compare different conditions we found a large overlapping core interactome but also distinct condition specific differences. Given that RAF proteins have kinase independent functions such dynamic interactome changes could contribute to their functional diversification. Analysing this dataset may provide a deeper understanding of RAF signalling and mechanisms of resistance to RAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nora Rauch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kieran Wynne
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan McCann
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Voscuris Ltd., Jefferson House 42 Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6HL, United Kingdom
| | - Walter Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Jens Rauch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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88
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Carlson KR, Georgiadis MM, Tameire F, Staschke KA, Wek RC. Activation of Gcn2 by small molecules designed to be inhibitors. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104595. [PMID: 36898579 PMCID: PMC10124904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) is an important mechanism by which cells confer protection against environmental stresses. Central to the ISR is a collection of related protein kinases that monitor stress conditions, such as Gcn2 (EIF2AK4) that recognizes nutrient limitations, inducing phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2). Gcn2 phosphorylation of eIF2 lowers bulk protein synthesis, conserving energy and nutrients, coincident with preferential translation of stress-adaptive gene transcripts, such as that encoding the Atf4 transcriptional regulator. While Gcn2 is central for cell protection to nutrient stress and its depletion in humans leads to pulmonary disorders, Gcn2 can also contribute to the progression of cancers and facilitate neurological disorders during chronic stress. Consequently, specific ATP-competitive inhibitors of Gcn2 protein kinase have been developed. In this study, we report that one such Gcn2 inhibitor, Gcn2iB, can activate Gcn2, and we probe the mechanism by which this activation occurs. Low concentrations of Gcn2iB increase Gcn2 phosphorylation of eIF2 and enhance Atf4 expression and activity. Of importance, Gcn2iB can activate Gcn2 mutants devoid of functional regulatory domains or with certain kinase domain substitutions derived from Gcn2-deficient human patients. Other ATP-competitive inhibitors can also activate Gcn2, although there are differences in their mechanisms of activation. These results provide a cautionary note about the pharmacodynamics of eIF2 kinase inhibitors in therapeutic applications. Compounds designed to be kinase inhibitors that instead directly activate Gcn2, even loss of function variants, may provide tools to alleviate deficiencies in Gcn2 and other regulators of the ISR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R Carlson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Millie M Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Kirk A Staschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
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89
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Groenland SL, Janssen JM, Nijenhuis CM, de Vries N, Rosing H, Wilgenhof S, van Thienen JV, Haanen JBAG, Blank CU, Beijnen JH, Huitema ADR, Steeghs N. Exposure-response analyses of BRAF- and MEK-inhibitors dabrafenib plus trametinib in melanoma patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2023; 91:447-456. [PMID: 36947208 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-023-04517-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dabrafenib and trametinib are currently administered at fixed doses, at which interpatient variability in exposure is high. The aim of this study was to investigate whether drug exposure is related to efficacy and toxicity in a real-life cohort of melanoma patients treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib. PATIENTS AND METHODS An observational study was performed in which pharmacokinetic samples were collected as routine care. Using estimated dabrafenib Area Under the concentration-time Curve and trametinib trough concentrations (Cmin), univariable and multivariable exposure-response analyses were performed. RESULTS In total, 140 patients were included. Dabrafenib exposure was not related to either progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Trametinib exposure was related to survival, with Cmin ≥ 15.6 ng/mL being identified as the optimal threshold. Median OS was significantly longer in patients with trametinib Cmin ≥ 15.6 ng/mL (22.8 vs. 12.6 months, P = 0.003), with a multivariable hazard ratio of 0.55 (95% CI 0.36-0.85, P = 0.007). Median PFS in patients with trametinib Cmin levels ≥ 15.6 ng/mL (37%) was 10.9 months, compared with 6.0 months for those with Cmin below this threshold (P = 0.06). Multivariable analysis resulted in a hazard ratio of 0.70 (95% CI 0.47-1.05, P = 0.082). Exposure to dabrafenib and trametinib was not related to clinically relevant toxicities. CONCLUSIONS Overall survival of metastasized melanoma patients with trametinib Cmin levels ≥ 15.6 ng/mL is ten months longer compared to patients with Cmin below this threshold. This would theoretically provide a rationale for therapeutic drug monitoring of trametinib. Although a high proportion of patients are underexposed, there is very little scope for dose increments due to the risk of serious toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie L Groenland
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - J M Janssen
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C M Nijenhuis
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - N de Vries
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Rosing
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Wilgenhof
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J V van Thienen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J B A G Haanen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C U Blank
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J H Beijnen
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A D R Huitema
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacology, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - N Steeghs
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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90
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Arora R, Linders JTM, Aci-Sèche S, Verheyen T, Van Heerde E, Brehmer D, Chaikuad A, Knapp S, Bonnet P. Design, synthesis and characterisation of a novel type II B-RAF paradox breaker inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115231. [PMID: 36878151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The mutation V600E in B-Raf leads to mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation, uncontrolled cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis. ATP competitive type I B-Raf inhibitors, such as vemurafenib (1) and PLX4720 (4) efficiently block the MAPK pathways in B-Raf mutant cells, however these inhibitors induce conformational changes in the wild type B-Raf (wtB-Raf) kinase domain leading to heterodimerization with C-Raf, causing paradoxical hyperactivation of the MAPK pathway. This unwanted activation may be avoided by another class of inhibitors (type II) which bind the kinase in the DFG-out conformation, such as AZ628 (3) preventing heterodimerization. Here we present a new B-Raf kinase domain inhibitor, based on a phenyl(1H-pyrrolo [2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)methanone template, that represents a hybrid between 4 and 3. This novel inhibitor borrows the hinge binding region from 4 and the back pocket binding moiety from 3. We determined its binding mode, performed activity/selectivity studies, and molecular dynamics simulations in order to study the conformational effects induced by this inhibitor on wt and V600E mutant B-Raf kinase. We discovered that the inhibitor was active and selective for B-Raf, binds in a DFG-out/αC-helix-in conformation, and did not induce the aforementioned paradoxical hyperactivation in the MAPK pathway. We propose that this merging approach can be used to design a novel class of B-Raf inhibitors for translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Arora
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS-Université d'Orléans 7311, Université d'Orléans BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Joannes T M Linders
- Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, 2340, Belgium
| | - Samia Aci-Sèche
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS-Université d'Orléans 7311, Université d'Orléans BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Thomas Verheyen
- Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, 2340, Belgium
| | - Erika Van Heerde
- Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, 2340, Belgium
| | - Dirk Brehmer
- Janssen Research and Development, a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, 2340, Belgium
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Science (BMLS), Max von Lauestrasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe-University, Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Max-von Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Science (BMLS), Max von Lauestrasse 15, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe-University, Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Max-von Laue Str. 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pascal Bonnet
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS-Université d'Orléans 7311, Université d'Orléans BP 6759, 45067, Orléans Cedex 2, France.
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91
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Zaver SA, Sarkar MK, Egolf S, Zou J, Tiwaa A, Capell BC, Gudjonsson JE, Simpson CL. Targeting SERCA2 in organotypic epidermis reveals MEK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for Darier disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531620. [PMID: 36945477 PMCID: PMC10028894 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Mutation of the ATP2A2 gene encoding sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2) was linked to Darier disease more than two decades ago; however, there remain no targeted therapies for this disorder causing recurrent skin blistering and infections. Since Atp2a2 knockout mice do not phenocopy its pathology, we established a human tissue model of Darier disease to elucidate its pathogenesis and identify potential therapies. Leveraging CRISPR/Cas9, we generated human keratinocytes lacking SERCA2, which replicated features of Darier disease, including weakened intercellular adhesion and defective differentiation in organotypic epidermis. To identify pathogenic drivers downstream of SERCA2 depletion, we performed RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis. SERCA2-deficient keratinocytes lacked desmosomal and cytoskeletal proteins required for epidermal integrity and exhibited excess MAP kinase signaling, which modulates keratinocyte adhesion and differentiation. Immunostaining patient biopsies substantiated these findings with lesions showing keratin deficiency, cadherin mis-localization, and ERK hyper-phosphorylation. Dampening ERK activity with MEK inhibitors rescued adhesive protein expression and restored keratinocyte sheet integrity despite SERCA2 depletion or chemical inhibition. In sum, coupling multi-omic analysis with human organotypic epidermis as a pre-clinical model, we found that SERCA2 haploinsufficiency disrupts critical adhesive components in keratinocytes via ERK signaling and identified MEK inhibition as a treatment strategy for Darier disease.
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92
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Wang P, Jia X, Lu B, Huang H, Liu J, Liu X, Wu Q, Hu Y, Li P, Wei H, Liu T, Zhao D, Zhang L, Tian X, Jiang Y, Qiao Y, Nie W, Ma X, Bai R, Peng C, Dong Z, Liu K. Erianin suppresses constitutive activation of MAPK signaling pathway by inhibition of CRAF and MEK1/2. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:96. [PMID: 36872366 PMCID: PMC9986241 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Constitutive activation of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway (MAPK pathway) frequently occurs in many cancers harboring RAS or RAF oncogenic mutations. Because of the paradoxical activation induced by a single use of BRAF or MEK inhibitors, dual-target RAF and MEK treatment is thought to be a promising strategy. In this work, we evaluated erianin is a novel inhibitor of CRAF and MEK1/2 kinases, thus suppressing constitutive activation of the MAPK signaling pathway induced by BRAF V600E or RAS mutations. KinaseProfiler enzyme profiling, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), cellular thermal shift assay, computational docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to screen and identify erianin binding to CRAF and MEK1/2. Kinase assay, luminescent ADP detection assay, and enzyme kinetics assay were investigated to identify the efficiency of erianin in CRAF and MEK1/2 kinase activity. Notably, erianin suppressed BRAF V600E or RAS mutant melanoma and colorectal cancer cell by inhibiting MEK1/2 and CRAF but not BRAF kinase activity. Moreover, erianin attenuated melanoma and colorectal cancer in vivo. Overall, we provide a promising leading compound for BRAF V600E or RAS mutant melanoma and colorectal cancer through dual targeting of CRAF and MEK1/2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penglei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xuechao Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Han Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jialin Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yamei Hu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pan Li
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huifang Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dengyun Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingwei Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueli Tian
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanan Jiang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenna Nie
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinli Ma
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruihua Bai
- The Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cong Peng
- The Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medicine Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, AMS, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, 450000, Zhengzhou, China. .,Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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93
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Chu YH. This is Your Thyroid on Drugs: Targetable Mutations and Fusions in Thyroid Carcinoma. Surg Pathol Clin 2023; 16:57-73. [PMID: 36739167 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review aims to provide an overview of the molecular pathogenesis thyroid carcinomas, emphasizing genetic alterations that are therapeutically actionable. The main pathways in thyroid carcinogenesis are the MAPK and PI3K pathways. Point mutations and gene rearrangements affecting the pathway effectors and receptor tyrosine kinases are well-known drivers of thyroid cancer. Research over the past few decades has successfully introduced highly effective treatments for unresectable thyroid cancer, evolving from multi-kinase inhibitors to structurally selective agents, with constantly improving toxicity profiles and coverage of resistance mechanisms. The pros and cons of major laboratory techniques for therapeutic target identification are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsia Chu
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, No. 5, Fuxing Street, Guishan District, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
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94
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Ohta S, Misawa A, Kyi-Tha-Thu C, Matsumoto N, Hirose Y, Kawakami Y. Melanoma antigens recognized by T cells and their use for immunotherapy. Exp Dermatol 2023; 32:297-305. [PMID: 36607252 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma has been a prototype for cancer immunology research, and the mechanisms of anti-tumor T-cell responses have been extensively investigated in patients treated with various immunotherapies. Individual differences in cancer-immune status are defined mainly by cancer cell characteristics such as DNA mutations generating immunogenic neo-antigens, and oncogene activation causing immunosuppression, but also by patients' genetic backgrounds such as HLA types and genetic polymorphisms of immune related molecules, and environmental and lifestyle factors such as UV rays, smoking, gut microbiota and concomitant medications; these factors have an influence on the efficacy of immunotherapy. Recent comparative studies on responders and non-responders in immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy using various new technologies including multi-omics analyses on genomic DNA, mRNA, metabolites and microbiota and single cell analyses of various immune cells have led to the advance of human tumor immunology and the development of new immunotherapy. Based on the new findings from these investigations, personalized cancer immunotherapies along with appropriate biomarkers and therapeutic targets are being developed for patients with melanoma. Here, we will discuss one of the essential subjects in tumor immunology: identification of immunogenic tumor antigens and their effective use in various immunotherapies including cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Ohta
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Misawa
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chaw Kyi-Tha-Thu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naomi Matsumoto
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshie Hirose
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawakami
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
- Division of Cellular Signaling, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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95
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Li YZ, Kong SN, Liu YP, Yang Y, Zhang HM. Can Liquid Biopsy Based on ctDNA/cfDNA Replace Tissue Biopsy for the Precision Treatment of EGFR-Mutated NSCLC? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041438. [PMID: 36835972 PMCID: PMC9966257 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
More and more clinical trials have explored the role of liquid biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC. In certain circumstances, liquid biopsy has unique advantages and offers a new way to detect therapeutic targets, analyze drug resistance mechanisms in advanced patients, and monitor MRD in patients with operable NSCLC. Although its potential cannot be ignored, more evidence is needed to support the transition from the research stage to clinical application. We reviewed the latest progress in research on the efficacy and resistance mechanisms of targeted therapy for advanced NSCLC patients with plasma ctDNA EGFR mutation and the evaluation of MRD based on ctDNA detection in perioperative and follow-up monitoring.
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96
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Xie J, Liu J, Zhao M, Li X, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Cao H, Ji M, Chen M, Hou P. Disulfiram/Cu Kills and Sensitizes BRAF-Mutant Thyroid Cancer Cells to BRAF Kinase Inhibitor by ROS-Dependently Relieving Feedback Activation of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043418. [PMID: 36834830 PMCID: PMC9968072 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAFV600E, the most common genetic alteration, has become a major therapeutic target in thyroid cancer. Vemurafenib (PLX4032), a specific inhibitor of BRAFV600E kinase, exhibits antitumor activity in patients with BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancer. However, the clinical benefit of PLX4032 is often limited by short-term response and acquired resistance via heterogeneous feedback mechanisms. Disulfiram (DSF), an alcohol-aversion drug, shows potent antitumor efficacy in a copper (Cu)-dependent way. However, its antitumor activity in thyroid cancer and its effect on cellular response to BRAF kinase inhibitors remain unclear. Antitumor effects of DSF/Cu on BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancer cells and its effect on the response of these cells to BRAF kinase inhibitor PLX4032 were systematically assessed by a series of in vitro and in vivo functional experiments. The molecular mechanism underlying the sensitizing effect of DSF/Cu on PLX4032 was explored by Western blot and flow cytometry assays. DSF/Cu exhibited stronger inhibitory effects on the proliferation and colony formation of BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancer cells than DSF treatment alone. Further studies revealed that DSF/Cu killed thyroid cancer cells by ROS-dependent suppression of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Our data also showed that DSF/Cu strikingly increased the response of BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancer cells to PLX4032. Mechanistically, DSF/Cu sensitizes BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer cells to PLX4032 by inhibiting HER3 and AKT in an ROS-dependent way and subsequently relieving feedback activation of MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. This study not only implies potential clinical use of DSF/Cu in cancer therapy but also provides a new therapeutic strategy for BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Xie
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Man Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Xinru Li
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yubo Wang
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yuelei Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Hongxin Cao
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Meiju Ji
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Mingwei Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Peng Hou
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Correspondence:
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97
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Lambo DJ, Lebedenko CG, McCallum PA, Banerjee IA. Molecular dynamics, MMGBSA, and docking studies of natural products conjugated to tumor-targeted peptide for targeting BRAF V600E and MERTK receptors. Mol Divers 2023; 27:389-423. [PMID: 35505173 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10430-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that MERTK and BRAF V600E receptors have been found to be over-expressed in several types of cancers including melanoma, making these receptors targets for drug design. In this study, we have designed novel peptide conjugates with the natural products vanillic acid, thiazole-2-carboxylic acid, cinnamic acid, theanine, and protocatechuic acid. Each of these compounds was conjugated with the tumor targeting peptide sequence TAASGVRSMH, known to bind to NG2 and target tumor neovasculature. We examined their binding affinities and stability with MERTK and BRAF V600E receptors using molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. Compared to the neat compounds, the peptide conjugates displayed higher binding affinity toward both receptors. In the case of MERTK, the most stable complexes were formed with di-theaninate-peptide, vanillate-peptide, and thiazole-2-amido peptide conjugates and binding occurred in the hinge region. Additionally, it was discovered that the peptide alone also had high binding ability and stability with the MERTK receptor. In the case of BRAF V600E, the peptide conjugates of protocatechuate, vanillate and thiazole-2-amido peptide conjugates showed the formation of the most stable complexes and binding occurred in the ATP binding cleft. Further analysis revealed that the number of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions played a critical role in enhanced stability of the complexes. Docking studies also revealed that binding affinities for NG2 were similar to MERTK and higher for BRAF V600E. MMGBSA studies of the trajectories revealed that the protocatechuate-peptide conjugate showed the highest binding energy with BRAF V600E while the peptide-TAASGVRSMH showed the highest binding energy with MERTK. ADME studies revealed that each of the compounds showed medium to high permeability toward MDCK cells and were not hERG blockers. Furthermore, the conjugates were not CYP inhibitors or substrates, but they were found to be Pgp substrates. Our results indicated that the protocatechuate-TAASGVRSMH, thiazole-2-amido-TAASGVRSMH, and vanillate-TAASGVRSMH conjugates may be furthered developed for in vitro and in vivo studies as novel tumor targeting compounds for tumor cells over-expressing BRAF V600E, while di-theaninate-amido-TAASGVRSMH and thiazole-2-amido-TAASGVRSMH conjugates may be developed for targeting MERTK receptors. These studies provide insight into the molecular interactions of natural product-peptide conjugates and their potential for binding to and targeting MERTK and BRAF V600E receptors in developing new therapeutics for targeting cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J Lambo
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Charlotta G Lebedenko
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Paige A McCallum
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Ipsita A Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA.
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98
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Fröhlich F, Gerosa L, Muhlich J, Sorger PK. Mechanistic model of MAPK signaling reveals how allostery and rewiring contribute to drug resistance. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e10988. [PMID: 36700386 PMCID: PMC9912026 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202210988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF is prototypical of oncogenes that can be targeted therapeutically and the treatment of BRAFV600E melanomas with RAF and MEK inhibitors results in rapid tumor regression. However, drug-induced rewiring generates a drug adapted state thought to be involved in acquired resistance and disease recurrence. In this article, we study mechanisms of adaptive rewiring in BRAFV600E melanoma cells using an energy-based implementation of ordinary differential equation (ODE) modeling in combination with proteomic, transcriptomic and imaging data. We develop a method for causal tracing of ODE models and identify two parallel MAPK reaction channels that are differentially sensitive to RAF and MEK inhibitors due to differences in protein oligomerization and drug binding. We describe how these channels, and timescale separation between immediate-early signaling and transcriptional feedback, create a state in which the RAS-regulated MAPK channel can be activated by growth factors under conditions in which the BRAFV600E -driven channel is fully inhibited. Further development of the approaches in this article is expected to yield a unified model of adaptive drug resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Fröhlich
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems BiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Luca Gerosa
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems BiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Present address:
Genentech, Inc.South San FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Jeremy Muhlich
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems BiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems BiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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99
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Schubert L, Mariko ML, Clerc J, Huillard O, Groussin L. MAPK Pathway Inhibitors in Thyroid Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Data. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030710. [PMID: 36765665 PMCID: PMC9913385 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, with a good prognosis in most cases. However, some cancers of follicular origin are metastatic or recurrent and eventually become radioiodine refractory thyroid cancers (RAIR-TC). These more aggressive cancers are a clinical concern for which the therapeutic arsenal remains limited. Molecular biology of these tumors has highlighted a hyper-activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) pathway (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK), mostly secondary to the BRAFV600E hotspot mutation occurring in about 60% of papillary cancers and 45% of anaplastic cancers. Therapies targeting the different protagonists of this signaling pathway have been tested in preclinical and clinical models: first and second generation RAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors. In clinical practice, dual therapies with a BRAF inhibitor and a MEK inhibitor are being recommended in anaplastic cancers with the BRAFV600E mutation. Concerning RAIR-TC, these inhibitors can be used as anti-proliferative drugs, but their efficacy is inconsistent due to primary or secondary resistance. A specific therapeutic approach in thyroid cancers consists of performing a short-term treatment with these MAPK pathway inhibitors to evaluate their capacity to redifferentiate a refractory tumor, with the aim of retreating the patients by radioactive iodine therapy in case of re-expression of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). In this work, we report data from recent preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy of MAPK pathway inhibitors and their resistance mechanisms. We will also report the different preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated the redifferentiation with these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Schubert
- Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Mohamed Lamine Mariko
- Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Clerc
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Huillard
- Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Department of Medical Oncology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Lionel Groussin
- Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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Zhang MJ, Liang MY, Yang SC, Ma XB, Wan SC, Yang QC, Wang S, Xu Z, Sun ZJ. Bioengineering of BRAF and COX2 inhibitor nanogels to boost the immunotherapy of melanoma via pyroptosis. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:932-935. [PMID: 36597866 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc05498a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Glutathione-responsive nanogels (CDNPs) crosslinked via crosslinker DBHD with the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib and the COX2 inhibitor celecoxib were fabricated. The CDNPs can effectively induce tumor cell pyroptosis to activate robust antitumor immunity. Additionally, CDNPs combined with αPD-1 antibody greatly inhibited tumor growth in a melanoma mouse model with a prolonged survival time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jie Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
| | - Meng-Yun Liang
- School of Materials and Energy & Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Shao-Chen Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
| | - Xian-Bin Ma
- School of Materials and Energy & Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Shu-Cheng Wan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
| | - Qi-Chao Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
| | - Shuo Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
| | - Zhigang Xu
- School of Materials and Energy & Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Micro-Nano Biomedical Materials and Devices, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
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