51
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Targeting sphingolipid metabolism as an approach for combination therapies in haematological malignancies. Cell Death Discov 2018; 4:72. [PMID: 30062053 PMCID: PMC6060109 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-018-0075-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional chemotherapy-based drug combinations have, until recently, been the backbone of most therapeutic strategies for cancer. In a time of emerging rationale drug development, targeted therapies are beginning to be added to traditional chemotherapeutics to synergistically enhance clinical responses. Of note, the importance of pro-apoptotic ceramide in mediating the anti-cancer effects of these therapies is becoming more apparent. Furthermore, reduced cellular ceramide in favour of pro-survival sphingolipids correlates with tumorigenesis and most importantly, drug resistance. Thus, agents that manipulate sphingolipid metabolism have been explored as potential anti-cancer agents and have recently demonstrated exciting potential to augment the efficacy of anti-cancer therapeutics. This review examines the biology underpinning these observations and the potential use of sphingolipid manipulating agents in the context of existing and emerging therapies for haematological malignancies. • Efficacy of many chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies is dictated by cellular ceramide levels. • Oncogene activation skews sphingolipid metabolism to favour the production of pro-survival sphingolipids. • Inhibitors of enzymes involved in ceramide metabolism exhibit promise in the relapsed-refractory setting. • Anti-cancer activity of sphingosine kinase inhibitors provides several options for new drug combinations. Open Questions • What other clinically utilised drugs rely on increases in ceramide levels for their efficacy and can they be effectively partnered with other ceramide inducing agents? • How does ceramide modulate the Bcl-2 family proteins, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2? • Are sphingolipid enzyme inhibitors best suited in the frontline or relapsed-refractory setting?
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52
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Voelkel-Johnson C, Norris JS, White-Gilbertson S. Interdiction of Sphingolipid Metabolism Revisited: Focus on Prostate Cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2018; 140:265-293. [PMID: 30060812 PMCID: PMC6460930 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolism is known to play a role in cell death, survival, and therapy resistance in cancer. Sphingolipids, particularly dihydroceramide and ceramide, are associated with antiproliferative or cell death responses, respectively, and are central to effective cancer therapy. Within the last decade, strides have been made in elucidating many intricacies of sphingolipid metabolism. New information has emerged on the mechanisms by which sphingolipid metabolism is dysregulated during malignancy and how cancer cells survive and/or escape therapeutic interventions. This chapter focuses on three main themes: (1) sphingolipid enzymes that are dysregulated in cancer, particularly in prostate cancer; (2) inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism that antagonize prosurvival responses; and (3) sphingolipid-driven escape mechanisms that allow cancer cells to evade therapies. We explore clinical and preclinical approaches to interdict sphingolipid metabolism and provide a rationale for combining strategies to drive the generation of antiproliferative ceramides with prevention of ceramide clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - James S. Norris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Shai White-Gilbertson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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53
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Abstract
Sphingosine kinases (SK1 and SK2) are key, druggable targets within the sphingolipid metabolism pathway that promote tumor growth and pathologic inflammation. A variety of isozyme-selective and dual inhibitors of SK1 and SK2 have been described in the literature, and at least one compound has reached clinical testing in cancer patients. In this chapter, we will review the rationale for targeting SKs and summarize the preclinical and emerging clinical data for ABC294640 as the first-in-class selective inhibitor of SK2.
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54
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Sundaramoorthy P, Gasparetto C, Kang Y. The combination of a sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitor (ABC294640) and a Bcl-2 inhibitor (ABT-199) displays synergistic anti-myeloma effects in myeloma cells without a t(11;14) translocation. Cancer Med 2018; 7:3257-3268. [PMID: 29761903 PMCID: PMC6051232 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease in need of the development of novel therapeutic agents and drug combinations. ABT‐199 is a specific Bcl‐2 inhibitor in clinical trials for MM; however, its activity as a single agent was limited to myeloma patients with the t(11;14) translocation who acquire resistance due to co‐expression of Mcl‐1 and Bcl‐xL. These limitations preclude its use in a broader patient population. We have recently found that a sphingosine kinase 2‐specific inhibitor (ABC294640) induces apoptosis in primary human CD138+ cells and MM cell lines. ABC294640 is currently in phase I/II clinical trials for myeloma (clinicaltrials.gov: #NCT01410981). Interestingly, ABC294640 down‐regulates c‐Myc and Mcl‐1, but does not have any effects on Bcl‐2. We first evaluated the combinatorial anti‐myeloma effect of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 in vitro in 7 MM cell lines, all of which harbor no t(11;14) translocation. Combination index calculation demonstrated a synergistic anti‐myeloma effect of the combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199. This synergistic anti‐myeloma effect was maintained even in the presence of bone marrow (BM) stromal cells. The combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 led to enhanced cleavage of PARP and caspase‐3/9 and increased Annexin‐V expression, consistent with the induction of apoptosis by the combination treatment. In addition, the combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 resulted in the down‐regulation of the anti‐apoptotic proteins Mcl‐1, Bcl‐2, and Bcl‐xL and the cleavage of Bax and Bid. The combination induced both the mitochondrial mediated‐ and caspase‐mediated apoptosis pathways. Finally, the combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 resulted in augmented anti‐myeloma effect in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. These findings demonstrate that the co‐administration of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 exhibits synergistic anti‐myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo, providing justification for a clinical study of this novel combination in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasupathi Sundaramoorthy
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cristina Gasparetto
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yubin Kang
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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55
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Panneer Selvam S, Roth BM, Nganga R, Kim J, Cooley MA, Helke K, Smith CD, Ogretmen B. Balance between senescence and apoptosis is regulated by telomere damage-induced association between p16 and caspase-3. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9784-9800. [PMID: 29748384 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activation protects cells from telomere damage by delaying senescence and inducing cell immortalization, whereas telomerase inhibition mediates rapid senescence or apoptosis. However, the cellular mechanisms that determine telomere damage-dependent senescence versus apoptosis induction are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that telomerase instability mediated by silencing of sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), which binds and stabilizes telomerase, induces telomere damage-dependent caspase-3 activation and apoptosis, but not senescence, in p16-deficient lung cancer cells or tumors. These outcomes were prevented by knockdown of a tumor-suppressor protein, transcription factor 21 (TCF21), or by ectopic expression of WT human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) but not mutant hTERT with altered S1P binding. Interestingly, SphK2-deficient mice exhibited accelerated aging and telomerase instability that increased telomere damage and senescence via p16 activation especially in testes tissues, but not in apoptosis. Moreover, p16 silencing in SphK2-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts activated caspase-3 and apoptosis without inducing senescence. Furthermore, ectopic WT p16 expression in p16-deficient A549 lung cancer cells prevented TCF21 and caspase-3 activation and resulted in senescence in response to SphK2/S1P inhibition and telomere damage. Mechanistically, a p16 mutant with impaired caspase-3 association did not prevent telomere damage-induced apoptosis, indicating that an association between p16 and caspase-3 proteins forces senescence induction by inhibiting caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. These results suggest that p16 plays a direct role in telomere damage-dependent senescence by limiting apoptosis via binding to caspase-3, revealing a direct link between telomere damage-dependent senescence and apoptosis with regards to aging and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Braden M Roth
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.,Hollings Cancer Center, and
| | - Rose Nganga
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.,Hollings Cancer Center, and
| | - Jisun Kim
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.,Hollings Cancer Center, and
| | | | - Kristi Helke
- Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 30912 and
| | - Charles D Smith
- the Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, .,Hollings Cancer Center, and
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56
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Wallington-Beddoe CT, Bennett MK, Vandyke K, Davies L, Zebol JR, Moretti PAB, Pitman MR, Hewett DR, Zannettino ACW, Pitson SM. Sphingosine kinase 2 inhibition synergises with bortezomib to target myeloma by enhancing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Oncotarget 2018; 8:43602-43616. [PMID: 28467788 PMCID: PMC5546428 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has proven to be invaluable in the treatment of myeloma. By exploiting the inherent high immunoglobulin protein production of malignant plasma cells, bortezomib induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), resulting in myeloma cell death. In most cases, however, the disease remains incurable highlighting the need for new therapeutic targets. Sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2) has been proposed as one such therapeutic target for myeloma. Our observations that bortezomib and SK2 inhibitors independently elicited induction of ER stress and the UPR prompted us to examine potential synergy between these agents in myeloma. Targeting SK2 synergistically contributed to ER stress and UPR activation induced by bortezomib, as evidenced by activation of the IRE1 pathway and stress kinases JNK and p38MAPK, thereby resulting in potent synergistic myeloma apoptosis in vitro. The combination of bortezomib and SK2 inhibition also exhibited strong in vivo synergy and favourable effects on bone disease. Therefore, our studies suggest that perturbations of sphingolipid signalling can synergistically enhance the effects seen with proteasome inhibition, highlighting the potential for the combination of these two modes of increasing ER stress to be formally evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of myeloma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig T Wallington-Beddoe
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Melissa K Bennett
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kate Vandyke
- SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Lorena Davies
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Julia R Zebol
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Paul A B Moretti
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Melissa R Pitman
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Duncan R Hewett
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Andrew C W Zannettino
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Australia
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57
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Neubauer HA, Pham DH, Zebol JR, Moretti PAB, Peterson AL, Leclercq TM, Chan H, Powell JA, Pitman MR, Samuel MS, Bonder CS, Creek DJ, Gliddon BL, Pitson SM. An oncogenic role for sphingosine kinase 2. Oncotarget 2018; 7:64886-64899. [PMID: 27588496 PMCID: PMC5323123 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While both human sphingosine kinases (SK1 and SK2) catalyze the generation of the pleiotropic signaling lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate, these enzymes appear to be functionally distinct. SK1 has well described roles in promoting cell survival, proliferation and neoplastic transformation. The roles of SK2, and its contribution to cancer, however, are much less clear. Some studies have suggested an anti-proliferative/pro-apoptotic function for SK2, while others indicate it has a pro-survival role and its inhibition can have anti-cancer effects. Our analysis of gene expression data revealed that SK2 is upregulated in many human cancers, but only to a small extent (up to 2.5-fold over normal tissue). Based on these findings, we examined the effect of different levels of cellular SK2 and showed that high-level overexpression reduced cell proliferation and survival, and increased cellular ceramide levels. In contrast, however, low-level SK2 overexpression promoted cell survival and proliferation, and induced neoplastic transformation in vivo. These findings coincided with decreased nuclear localization and increased plasma membrane localization of SK2, as well as increases in extracellular S1P formation. Hence, we have shown for the first time that SK2 can have a direct role in promoting oncogenesis, supporting the use of SK2-specific inhibitors as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi A Neubauer
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Duyen H Pham
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Julia R Zebol
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Paul A B Moretti
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda L Peterson
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tamara M Leclercq
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Huasheng Chan
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jason A Powell
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Melissa R Pitman
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael S Samuel
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Claudine S Bonder
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Briony L Gliddon
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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58
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Abramson HN. Kinase inhibitors as potential agents in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:81926-81968. [PMID: 27655636 PMCID: PMC5348443 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of therapeutic options available for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) - from immunomodulating agents to proteasome inhibitors to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and, most recently, monoclonal antibodies. Used in conjunction with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, these modalities have nearly doubled the disease's five-year survival rate over the last three decades to about 50%. In spite of these advances, MM still is considered incurable as resistance and relapse are common. While small molecule protein kinase inhibitors have made inroads in the therapy of a number of cancers, to date their application to MM has been less than successful. Focusing on MM, this review examines the roles played by a number of kinases in driving the malignant state and the rationale for target development in the design of a number of kinase inhibitors that have demonstrated anti-myeloma activity in both in vitro and in vivo xenograph models, as well as those that have entered clinical trials. Among the targets and their inhibitors examined are receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, cell cycle control kinases, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway kinases, protein kinase C, mitogen-activated protein kinase, glycogen synthase kinase, casein kinase, integrin-linked kinase, sphingosine kinase, and kinases involved in the unfolded protein response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanley N Abramson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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59
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Suppression of c-Myc and RRM2 expression in pancreatic cancer cells by the sphingosine kinase-2 inhibitor ABC294640. Oncotarget 2018; 7:60181-60192. [PMID: 27517489 PMCID: PMC5312377 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains extremely difficult to treat, with the average lifespan following diagnosis being only 3-6 months, resulting in a death to incidence ratio of 0.94. A major reason for this high mortality rate is resistance to the main chemotherapeutic agent used to treat this disease, gemcitabine. Alterations in nucleoside and gemcitabine metabolism, specifically over-expression of ribonucleotide reductase, have been implicated as a major mechanism of resistance to this drug. Here, we show that inhibition of sphingosine kinase-2 by the specific inhibitor ABC294640 is synergistically cytotoxic with gemcitabine toward three human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Treatment with ABC294640 results in decreased expression of both RRM2 and MYC in all three cell lines. Additionally, expression of c-Myc protein and phosphorylation of Rb at S780 both decrease in a dose-dependent manner in response to ABC294640, while acetylation of H3-K9 and p21 levels increase. Pretreatment with the protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor okadaic acid or the ceramide synthase inhibitor fumonisin B1 fails to prevent the effects of ABC294640 on Rb phosphorylation. These data indicate a role for sphingosine kinase-2 in E2F and c-Myc mediated transcription through alteration of histone acetylation and p21 expression. These effects of ABC294640 suggest that it may be an effective agent for pancreatic cancer, particularly in combination with gemcitabine.
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60
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Xie V, Tong D, Wallington-Beddoe CT, Bradstock KF, Bendall LJ. Sphingosine kinase 2 supports the development of BCR/ABL-independent acute lymphoblastic leukemia in mice. Biomark Res 2018; 6:6. [PMID: 29441205 PMCID: PMC5800079 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-018-0120-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sphingosine kinase (SphK) 2 has been implicated in the development of a range of cancers and inhibitors of this enzyme are currently in clinical trial. We have previously demonstrated a role for SphK2 in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods In this and our previous study we use mouse models: in the previous study the disease was driven by the proto-oncogene BCR/ABL1, while in this study cancer risk was elevated by deletion of the tumor suppressor ARF. Results Mice lacking ARF and SphK2 had a significantly reduced incidence of ALL compared mice with wild type SphK2. Conclusions These results show that the role of SphK2 in ALL development is not limited to BCR/ABL1 driven disease extending the potential use of inhibitors of this enzyme to ALL patients whose disease have driver mutations other than BCR/ABL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Xie
- 1Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daochen Tong
- 1Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Craig T Wallington-Beddoe
- 1Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,3Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia.,4College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.,5School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ken F Bradstock
- 2Haematology Department, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW Australia
| | - Linda J Bendall
- 1Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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61
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Addiction to Runx1 is partially attenuated by loss of p53 in the Eµ-Myc lymphoma model. Oncotarget 2018; 7:22973-87. [PMID: 27056890 PMCID: PMC5029604 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Runx genes function as dominant oncogenes that collaborate potently with Myc or loss of p53 to induce lymphoma when over-expressed. Here we examined the requirement for basal Runx1 activity for tumor maintenance in the Eμ-Myc model of Burkitt's lymphoma. While normal Runx1fl/fl lymphoid cells permit mono-allelic deletion, primary Eμ-Myc lymphomas showed selection for retention of both alleles and attempts to enforce deletion in vivo led to compensatory expansion of p53null blasts retaining Runx1. Surprisingly, Runx1 could be excised completely from established Eμ-Myc lymphoma cell lines in vitro without obvious effects on cell phenotype. Established lines lacked functional p53, and were sensitive to death induced by introduction of a temperature-sensitive p53 (Val135) allele. Transcriptome analysis of Runx1-deleted cells revealed a gene signature associated with lymphoid proliferation, survival and differentiation, and included strong de-repression of recombination-activating (Rag) genes, an observation that was mirrored in a panel of human acute leukemias where RUNX1 and RAG1,2 mRNA expression were negatively correlated. Notably, despite their continued growth and tumorigenic potential, Runx1null lymphoma cells displayed impaired proliferation and markedly increased sensitivity to DNA damage and dexamethasone-induced apoptosis, validating Runx1 function as a potential therapeutic target in Myc-driven lymphomas regardless of their p53 status.
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62
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Wang T, Zheng L, Wang Q, Hu YW. Emerging roles and mechanisms of FOXC2 in cancer. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 479:84-93. [PMID: 29341903 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2), a transcription factor of the forkhead/winged-helix family, is required for embryonic and prenatal development. FOXC2 acts as a crucial modulator during both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis via multiple angiogenic and lymphangiogenic pathways, respectively. Although recent studies have shed light on the emerging role of FOXC2 in cancer, very little is known about the precise underlying mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current understanding of FOXC2 and provide potential mechanistic explanations of the relationship between FOXC2 and cancer, as well as discuss the prospect for future research in the promising prognostic value of FOXC2 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Yan-Wei Hu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China.
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63
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Qiu W, Yang Z, Fan Y, Zheng Q. MicroRNA-613 inhibits cell growth, migration and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma by regulating SphK2. Oncotarget 2018; 7:39907-39915. [PMID: 27223438 PMCID: PMC5129980 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important gene regulators and are recognized as key players in carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the biological function and mechanism of miR-613 in the regulation of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) development. We found that miR-613 was downregulated in PTC cell lines and tissues, and overexpression of miR-613 significantly suppressed PTC cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. We identified the gene for sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) as a direct target of miR-613. Overexpression of miR-613 significantly repressed SphK2 expression by directly targeting its 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) and restoration of SphK2 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-613 on PTC cell growth and invasion. Taken together, our results indicated that miR-613 functions as a tumor suppressor in PTC and its suppressive effect is mediated by repressing SphK2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangwang Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Zhili Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Youben Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
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64
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Xiao G, Wang Q, Li B, Wu X, Liao H, Ren Y, Ai N. MicroRNA-338-3p Suppresses Proliferation of Human Liver Cancer Cells by Targeting SphK2. Oncol Res 2018; 26:1183-1189. [PMID: 29321083 PMCID: PMC7844730 DOI: 10.3727/096504018x15151495109394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed abnormal expression of miRNAs in various tumors. Although microRNA-338-3p (miR-338-3p) plays an important role in many types of tumors, its influence on liver cancer (LC) is unknown. In this study, we found that expression of miR-338-3p was decreased in LC cells and tissues. Colony formation and cell proliferation were suppressed by enhanced expression of miR-338-3p in LC cells. Moreover, miR-338-3p targeted sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2). Silencing of SphK2 had an identical influence as overexpression of miR-338-3p in LC cells. Overexpression of SphK2 without the 3′-untranslated region remarkably enhanced the growth suppression triggered by miR-338-3p in LC cells. These findings indicate that miR-338-3p influences the development of LC by targeting SphK2, suggesting that miR-338-3p can be targeted as an innovative therapeutic strategy for LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geqiong Xiao
- Department of Oncology, ShaoXing Municipal Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Oncology, ShaoXing Municipal Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The 4th Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shi Jiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 4th Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shi Jiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Hui Liao
- Department of Oncology, ShaoXing Municipal Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yili Ren
- Department of Oncology, ShaoXing Municipal Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Ning Ai
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The 4th Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shi Jiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
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Abstract
Sphingolipids, including the two central bioactive lipids ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), have opposing roles in regulating cancer cell death and survival, respectively, and there have been exciting developments in understanding how sphingolipid metabolism and signalling regulate these processes in response to anticancer therapy. Recent studies have provided mechanistic details of the roles of sphingolipids and their downstream targets in the regulation of tumour growth and response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy using innovative molecular, genetic and pharmacological tools to target sphingolipid signalling nodes in cancer cells. For example, structure-function-based studies have provided innovative opportunities to develop mechanism-based anticancer therapeutic strategies to restore anti-proliferative ceramide signalling and/or inhibit pro-survival S1P-S1P receptor (S1PR) signalling. This Review summarizes how ceramide-induced cellular stress mediates cancer cell death through various mechanisms involving the induction of apoptosis, necroptosis and/or mitophagy. Moreover, the metabolism of ceramide for S1P biosynthesis, which is mediated by sphingosine kinase 1 and 2, and its role in influencing cancer cell growth, drug resistance and tumour metastasis through S1PR-dependent or receptor-independent signalling are highlighted. Finally, studies targeting enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism and/or signalling and their clinical implications for improving cancer therapeutics are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 957, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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McNaughton M, Pitman M, Pitson SM, Pyne NJ, Pyne S. Proteasomal degradation of sphingosine kinase 1 and inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase by the sphingosine kinase inhibitors, SKi or ABC294640, induces growth arrest in androgen-independent LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Oncotarget 2017; 7:16663-75. [PMID: 26934645 PMCID: PMC4941342 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine kinases (two isoforms termed SK1 and SK2) catalyse the formation of the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate. We demonstrate here that the SK2 inhibitor, ABC294640 (3-(4-chlorophenyl)-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)amide) or the SK1/SK2 inhibitor, SKi (2-(p-hydroxyanilino)-4-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazole)) induce the proteasomal degradation of SK1a (Mr = 42 kDa) and inhibit DNA synthesis in androgen-independent LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. These effects are recapitulated by the dihydroceramide desaturase (Des1) inhibitor, fenretinide. Moreover, SKi or ABC294640 reduce Des1 activity in Jurkat cells and ABC294640 induces the proteasomal degradation of Des1 (Mr = 38 kDa) in LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, SKi or ABC294640 or fenretinide increase the expression of the senescence markers, p53 and p21 in LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. The siRNA knockdown of SK1 or SK2 failed to increase p53 and p21 expression, but the former did reduce DNA synthesis in LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cells. Moreover, N-acetylcysteine (reactive oxygen species scavenger) blocked the SK inhibitor-induced increase in p21 and p53 expression but had no effect on the proteasomal degradation of SK1a. In addition, siRNA knockdown of Des1 increased p53 expression while a combination of Des1/SK1 siRNA increased the expression of p21. Therefore, Des1 and SK1 participate in regulating LNCaP-AI prostate cancer cell growth and this involves p53/p21-dependent and -independent pathways. Therefore, we propose targeting androgen-independent prostate cancer cells with compounds that affect Des1/SK1 to modulate both de novo and sphingolipid rheostat pathways in order to induce growth arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa McNaughton
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Melissa Pitman
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
| | - Nigel J Pyne
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Susan Pyne
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
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67
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Karpel-Massler G, Banu MA, Shu C, Halatsch ME, Westhoff MA, Bruce JN, Canoll P, Siegelin MD. Inhibition of deubiquitinases primes glioblastoma cells to apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 7:12791-805. [PMID: 26872380 PMCID: PMC4914322 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It remains a challenge in oncology to identify novel drug regimens to efficiently tackle glioblastoma, the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Here, we target deubiquitinases for glioblastoma therapy by utilizing the small-molecule inhibitor WP1130 which has been characterized as a deubiquitinase inhibitor that interferes with the function of Usp9X. Expression analysis data confirm that Usp9X expression is increased in glioblastoma compared to normal brain tissue indicating its potential as a therapeutic. Consistently, increasing concentrations of WP1130 decrease the cellular viability of established, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and stem cell-like glioblastoma cells. Specific down-regulation of Usp9X reduces viability in glioblastoma cells mimicking the effects of WP1130. Mechanistically, WP1130 elicits apoptosis and increases activation of caspases. Moreover, WP1130 and siRNAs targeting Usp9X reduce the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members and Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins, XIAP and Survivin. Pharmacological and genetic interference with Usp9X efficiently sensitized glioblastoma cells to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic stimuli. In addition, single treatment with WP1130 elicited anti-glioma activity in an orthotopic proneural murine model of glioblastoma. Finally, the combination treatment of WP1130 and ABT263 inhibited tumor growth more efficiently than each reagent by its own in vivo without detectable side effects or organ toxicity. Taken together, these results suggest that targeting deubiquitinases for glioma therapy is feasible and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Karpel-Massler
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matei A Banu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chang Shu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Mike-Andrew Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jeffrey N Bruce
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Markus D Siegelin
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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RNAi screen reveals a role of SPHK2 in dengue virus-mediated apoptosis in hepatic cell lines. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188121. [PMID: 29145490 PMCID: PMC5690425 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic dysfunction is a feature of dengue virus (DENV) infection. Hepatic biopsy specimens obtained from fatal cases of DENV infection show apoptosis, which relates to the pathogenesis of DENV infection. However, how DENV induced liver injury is not fully understood. In this study, we aim to identify the factors that influence cell death by employing an apoptosis-related siRNA library screening. Our results show the effect of 558 gene silencing on caspase 3-mediated apoptosis in DENV-infected Huh7 cells. The majority of genes that contributed to apoptosis were the apoptosis-related kinase enzymes. Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 12 (TNFSF12), and sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2), were selected as the candidate genes to further validate their influences on DENV-induced apoptosis. Transfection of siRNA targeting SPHK2 but not TNFSF12 genes reduced apoptosis determined by Annexin V/PI staining. Knockdown of SPHK2 did not reduce caspase 8 activity; however, did significantly reduce caspase 9 activity, suggesting its involvement of SPHK2 in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Treatment of ABC294649, an inhibitor of SPHK2, reduced the caspase 3 activity, suggesting the involvement of its kinase activity in apoptosis. Knockdown of SPHK2 significantly reduced caspase 3 activity not only in DENV-infected Huh7 cells but also in DENV-infected HepG2 cells. Our results were consistent across all of the four serotypes of DENV infection, which supports the pro-apoptotic role of SPHK2 in DENV-infected liver cells.
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69
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The Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate and Ceramide-1-Phosphate in Inflammation and Cancer. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:4806541. [PMID: 29269995 PMCID: PMC5705877 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4806541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is part of our body's response to tissue injury and pathogens. It helps to recruit various immune cells to the site of inflammation and activates the production of mediators to mobilize systemic protective processes. However, chronic inflammation can increase the risk of diseases like cancer. Apart from cytokines and chemokines, lipid mediators, particularly sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), contribute to inflammation and cancer. S1P is an important player in inflammation-associated colon cancer progression. On the other hand, C1P has been recognized to be involved in cancer cell growth, migration, survival, and inflammation. However, whether C1P is involved in inflammation-associated cancer is not yet established. In contrast, few studies have also suggested that S1P and C1P are involved in anti-inflammatory pathways regulated in certain cell types. Ceramide is the substrate for ceramide kinase (CERK) to yield C1P, and sphingosine is phosphorylated to S1P by sphingosine kinases (SphKs). Biological functions of sphingolipid metabolites have been studied extensively. Ceramide is associated with cell growth inhibition and enhancement of apoptosis while S1P and C1P are associated with enhancement of cell growth and survival. Altogether, S1P and C1P are important regulators of ceramide level and cell fate. This review focuses on S1P and C1P involvement in inflammation and cancer with emphasis on recent progress in the field.
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70
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Hasanifard L, Samadi N, Rashtchizadeh N, Dastmalchi S, Karimi P. Sphingosine kinase-2 Inhibitor ABC294640 Enhances Doxorubicin-Induced
Apoptosis of NSCLC Cells via Altering Survivin Expression. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2017; 68:45-53. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-117181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background There is an urgent need to improve efficacy of
chemotherapeutics to overcome resistance in cancer treatment. Sphingosine
kinase-2 (SphK2) a key regulator of sphingolipid signaling has been
rationalized as an important therapeutic target. We evaluated the role of
SphK2 in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells via altering
c-FLIPS, MCL-1 and survivin expressions in order to overcome
chemoresistance.
Methods Proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and
DAPI staining, respectively. Cell population in each phase of cell cycle was
determined by flow cytometric assay. Gene and protein expression levels were
examined by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively.
Results Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a SphK2 stimulator,
decreased cell death induced by IC50 of DOX (1.1 µM) to around
70% (p<0.01). Cell cycle analysis revealed a significant accumulation of
the cells in S phase with a marked decrease in sub G1 phase when we
incubated the cells with combined treatment of PMA and DOX (p<0.05).
Adding ABC294640 (40 µM), a SphK2 inhibitor, significantly abolished PMA
effect on cell survival (p<0.01). Survivin expression was significantly
diminished by applying ABC294640 either alone or in DOX treated cells
followed by increase in cell death (p<0.05), however, there was no
significant change in MCL-1 expression by ABC294640 either alone or in DOX
treated cells (p=0.16) and (p=0.06), respectively.
Conclusion Identifying cancer patients with high SphK2 expression and
then inhibiting of SphK2 activity can be considered as an important strategy
to increase the efficacy of DOX in the induction of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Hasanifard
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,
Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of
Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nasser Samadi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,
Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of
Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nadereh Rashtchizadeh
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,
Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of
Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Siavoush Dastmalchi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,
Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Tabriz
University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pouran Karimi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,
Tabriz, Iran
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71
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Camp ER, Patterson LD, Kester M, Voelkel-Johnson C. Therapeutic implications of bioactive sphingolipids: A focus on colorectal cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2017; 18:640-650. [PMID: 28686076 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2017.1345396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC), especially a subset known as locally advanced rectal cancer, is challenged by progression and recurrence. Sphingolipids, a lipid subtype with vital roles in cellular function, play an important role in CRC and impact on therapeutic outcomes. In this review we discuss how dietary sphingolipids or the gut microbiome via alterations in sphingolipids influence CRC carcinogenesis. In addition, we discuss the expression of sphingolipid enzymes in the gastro-intestinal tract, their alterations in CRC, and the implications for therapy responsiveness. Lastly, we highlight some novel therapeutics that target sphingolipid signaling and have potential applications in the treatment of CRC. Understanding how sphingolipid metabolism impacts cell death susceptibility and drug resistance will be critical toward improving therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ramsay Camp
- a Department of Surgery Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston SC , USA
| | - Logan D Patterson
- b Department of Pharmacology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville VA , USA
| | - Mark Kester
- b Department of Pharmacology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville VA , USA
| | - Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- c Department of Microbiology & Immunology , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston SC , USA
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Sphingosine kinase 2 activates autophagy and protects neurons against ischemic injury through interaction with Bcl-2 via its putative BH3 domain. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2912. [PMID: 28682313 PMCID: PMC5550846 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Our previous findings suggest that sphingosine kinase 2 (SPK2) mediates ischemic tolerance and autophagy in cerebral preconditioning. The aim of this study was to determine by which mechanism SPK2 activates autophagy in neural cells. In both primary murine cortical neurons and HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells, overexpression of SPK2 increased LC3II and enhanced the autophagy flux. SPK2 overexpression protected cortical neurons against oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) injury, as evidenced by improvement of neuronal morphology, increased cell viability and reduced lactate dehydrogenase release. The inhibition of autophagy effectively suppressed the neuroprotective effect of SPK2. SPK2 overexpression reduced the co-immunoprecipitation of Beclin-1 and Bcl-2, while Beclin-1 knockdown inhibited SPK2-induced autophagy. Both co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down analysis suggest that SPK2 directly interacts with Bcl-2. SPK2 might interact to Bcl-2 in the cytoplasm. Notably, an SPK2 mutant with L219A substitution in its putative BH3 domain was not able to activate autophagy. A Tat peptide fused to an 18-amino acid peptide encompassing the native, but not the L219A mutated BH3 domain of SPK2 activated autophagy in neural cells. The Tat-SPK2 peptide also protected neurons against OGD injury through autophagy activation. These results suggest that SPK2 interacts with Bcl-2 via its BH3 domain, thereby dissociating it from Beclin-1 and activating autophagy. The observation that Tat-SPK2 peptide designed from the BH3 domain of SPK2 activates autophagy and protects neural cells against OGD injury suggest that this structure may provide the basis for a novel class of therapeutic agents against ischemic stroke.
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73
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Pyne NJ, Pyne S. Sphingosine kinase 2 and multiple myeloma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:43596-43597. [PMID: 28455955 PMCID: PMC5546425 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nigel J Pyne
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Susan Pyne
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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Britten CD, Garrett-Mayer E, Chin SH, Shirai K, Ogretmen B, Bentz TA, Brisendine A, Anderton K, Cusack SL, Maines LW, Zhuang Y, Smith CD, Thomas MB. A Phase I Study of ABC294640, a First-in-Class Sphingosine Kinase-2 Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:4642-4650. [PMID: 28420720 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-2363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Sphingosine kinases (SK1 and SK2) regulate tumor growth by generating the mitogenic and proinflammatory lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). This phase I study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of ABC294640, a first-in-class orally available inhibitor of SK2.Experimental Design: Escalating doses of ABC294640 were administered orally to patients with advanced solid tumors in sequential cohorts at the following dose levels: 250 mg qd, 250 mg bid, 500 mg bid, and 750 mg bid, continuously in cycles of 28 days. Serial blood samples were obtained to measure ABC294640 concentrations and sphingolipid profiles.Results: Twenty-two patients were enrolled, and 21 received ABC294640. The most common drug-related toxicities were nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Among the 4 patients at 750 mg bid, one had dose-limiting grade 3 nausea and vomiting, and 2 were unable to complete cycle 1 due to diverse drug-related toxicities. The 500 mg bid dose level was established as the recommended phase II dose. ABC294640 administration resulted in decreases in S1P levels over the first 12 hours, with return to baseline at 24 hours. The best response was a partial response in a patient with cholangiocarcinoma at 250 mg qd, and stable disease was observed in 6 patients with various solid tumors across dose levels.Conclusions: At 500 mg bid, ABC294640 is well tolerated and achieves biologically relevant plasma concentrations. Changes in plasma sphingolipid levels may provide a useful pharmacodynamic biomarker for ABC294640. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4642-50. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn D Britten
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Population Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Steven H Chin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Keisuke Shirai
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Tricia A Bentz
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Alan Brisendine
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Kate Anderton
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Susan L Cusack
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Lynn W Maines
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Yan Zhuang
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles D Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
| | - Melanie B Thomas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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75
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Zhang G, Zheng H, Zhang G, Cheng R, Lu C, Guo Y, Zhao G. MicroRNA-338-3p suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of non-small-cell lung cancer by targeting sphingosine kinase 2. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:46. [PMID: 28428733 PMCID: PMC5392967 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0415-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and 80% patients of lung cancer are non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. MicroRNAs are important gene regulators with critical roles in diverse biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Studies indicate that sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) promotes tumor progression in NSCLC, but how this occurs is unclear. Thus, we explored the effect of miR-338-3p targeting SphK2 on proliferation and apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Methods Expression of miR-338-3p and SphK2 in NSCLC A549 and H1299 cell lines was measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were used to assess the effect of miR-338-3p on NSCLC cell line proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to study the effect of miR-338-3p on NSCLC apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assay and Western blot were used to confirm targeting of SphK2 by miR-338-3p. Finally, in vivo tumorigenesis studies were used to demonstrate subcutaneous tumor growth. Results miR-338-3p expression in 34 NSCLC clinical samples was downregulated and this was correlated with TNM stage. miR-338-3p significantly suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis of NSCLC A549 and H1299 cells in vitro. SphK2 was a direct target of miR-338-3p. Overexpression of miR-338-3p significantly inhibited SphK2 expression and reduced luciferase reporter activity containing the SphK2 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) through the first binding site. SphK2 lacking 3′-UTR restored the effects of miR-338-3p on cell proliferation inhibition. miR-338-3p significantly inhibited tumorigenicity of NSCLC A549 and H1299 cells in a nude mouse xenograft model. Conclusions Collectively, miR-338-3p inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells by targeting and down-regulating SphK2, and miR-338-3p could inhibit NSCLC cells A549 and H1299 growth in vivo, suggesting a potential mechanism of NSCLC progression. Therapeutically, miR-338-3p may serve as a potential target in the treatment of human lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Henan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450008 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Kexue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Guojun Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Ruirui Cheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Chunya Lu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Yijie Guo
- Zhengzhou Foreign Language School, High School (16) Class, Fengyang Road, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People's Republic of China
| | - Guoqiang Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Kexue Road, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan People's Republic of China
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76
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Targeting MYC Dependence by Metabolic Inhibitors in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8040114. [PMID: 28362357 PMCID: PMC5406861 DOI: 10.3390/genes8040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a critical growth regulatory gene that is commonly overexpressed in a wide range of cancers. Therapeutic targeting of MYC transcriptional activity has long been a goal, but it has been difficult to achieve with drugs that directly block its DNA-binding ability. Additional approaches that exploit oncogene addiction are promising strategies against MYC-driven cancers. Also, drugs that target metabolic regulatory pathways and enzymes have potential for indirectly reducing MYC levels. Glucose metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation, which can be targeted by multiple agents, promote cell growth and MYC expression. Likewise, modulation of the signaling pathways and protein synthesis regulated by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) can also be an effective route for suppressing MYC translation. Furthermore, recent data suggest that metabolism of nucleotides, fatty acids and glutamine are exploited to alter MYC levels. Combination therapies offer potential new approaches to overcome metabolic plasticity caused by single agents. Although potential toxicities must be carefully controlled, new inhibitors currently being tested in clinical trials offer significant promise. Therefore, as both a downstream target of metabolism and an upstream regulator, MYC is a prominent central regulator of cancer metabolism. Exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities of MYC-driven cancers is an emerging research area with translational potential.
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Pitman MR, Costabile M, Pitson SM. Recent advances in the development of sphingosine kinase inhibitors. Cell Signal 2016; 28:1349-1363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Therapeutic potential of targeting sphingosine kinases and sphingosine 1-phosphate in hematological malignancies. Leukemia 2016; 30:2142-2151. [PMID: 27461062 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids, such as ceramide, sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are bioactive molecules that have important functions in a variety of cellular processes, which include proliferation, survival, differentiation and cellular responses to stress. Sphingolipids have a major impact on the determination of cell fate by contributing to either cell survival or death. Although ceramide and sphingosine are usually considered to induce cell death, S1P promotes survival of cells. Sphingosine kinases (SPHKs) are the enzymes that catalyze the conversion of sphingosine to S1P. There are two isoforms, SPHK1 and SPHK2, which are encoded by different genes. SPHK1 has recently been implicated in contributing to cell transformation, tumor angiogenesis and metastatic spread, as well as cancer cell multidrug-resistance. More recent findings suggest that SPHK2 also has a role in cancer progression. This review is an overview of our understanding of the role of SPHKs and S1P in hematopoietic malignancies and provides information on the current status of SPHK inhibitors with respect to their therapeutic potential in the treatment of hematological cancers.
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79
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Nema R, Vishwakarma S, Agarwal R, Panday RK, Kumar A. Emerging role of sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:3269-80. [PMID: 27330306 PMCID: PMC4898435 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s99989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most frequent cancer type, with an annual incidence of approximately half a million people worldwide. It has a high recurrence rate and an extremely low survival rate. This is due to limited availability of effective therapies to reduce the rate of recurrence, resulting in high morbidity and mortality of patients with advanced stages of the disease. HNSCC often develops resistance to chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy. Thus, to overcome the problem of drug resistance, there is a need to explore novel drug targets. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid involved in inflammation, tumor progression, and angiogenesis. S1P is synthesized intracellularly by two sphingosine kinases (SphKs). It can be exported to the extracellular space, where it can activate a family of G-protein-coupled receptors. Alternatively, S1P can act as an intracellular second messenger. SphK1 regulates tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance in HNSCC. SphK1 expression is highly elevated in advanced stage HNSCC tumors and correlates with poor survival. In this article, we review current knowledge regarding the role of S1P receptors and enzymes of S1P metabolism in HNSCC carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we summarize the current perspectives on therapeutic approaches for targeting S1P pathway for treating HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Nema
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, India
| | - Supriya Vishwakarma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, India
| | - Rahul Agarwal
- Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Indrapuri, Bhopal, India
| | | | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, India
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80
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Ding X, Chaiteerakij R, Moser CD, Shaleh H, Boakye J, Chen G, Ndzengue A, Li Y, Zhou Y, Huang S, Sinicrope FA, Zou X, Thomas MB, Smith CD, Roberts LR. Antitumor effect of the novel sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitor ABC294640 is enhanced by inhibition of autophagy and by sorafenib in human cholangiocarcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:20080-92. [PMID: 26956050 PMCID: PMC4991440 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase 2 (Sphk2) has an oncogenic role in cancer. A recently developed first-in-class Sphk2 specific inhibitor ABC294640 displays antitumor activity in many cancer models. However, the role of Sphk2 and the antitumor activity of its inhibitor ABC294640 are not known in cholangiocarcinoma. We investigated the potential of targeting Sphk2 for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. We found that Sphk2 is overexpressed in five established human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (WITT, HuCCT1, EGI-1, OZ and HuH28) and a new patient-derived cholangiocarcinoma cell line (LIV27) compared to H69 normal cholangiocytes. Inhibition of Sphk2 by ABC294640 inhibited proliferation and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that ABC294640 inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation, one of the key signaling pathways regulating cholangiocarcinoma cell proliferation and survival. ABC294640 also induced autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy by bafilomycin A1 or chloroquine potentiated ABC294640-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. In addition, ABC294640 in combination with sorafenib synergistically inhibited cell proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma cells. Strong decreases in STAT3 phosphorylation were observed in WITT and HuCCT1 cells exposed to the ABC294640 and sorafenib combination. These findings provide novel evidence that Sphk2 may be a rational therapeutic target in cholangiocarcinoma. Combinations of ABC294640 with sorafenib and/or autophagy inhibitors may provide novel strategies for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwei Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Roongruedee Chaiteerakij
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Catherine D. Moser
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hassan Shaleh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey Boakye
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Gang Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Albert Ndzengue
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yanling Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shengbing Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Frank A. Sinicrope
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Melanie B. Thomas
- Hollings Cancer Center, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
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81
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Pyne NJ, McNaughton M, Boomkamp S, MacRitchie N, Evangelisti C, Martelli AM, Jiang HR, Ubhi S, Pyne S. Role of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors, sphingosine kinases and sphingosine in cancer and inflammation. Adv Biol Regul 2016; 60:151-159. [PMID: 26429117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase (there are two isoforms, SK1 and SK2) catalyses the formation of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid that can be released from cells to activate a family of G protein-coupled receptors, termed S1P1-5. In addition, S1P can bind to intracellular target proteins, such as HDAC1/2, to induce cell responses. There is increasing evidence of a role for S1P receptors (e.g. S1P4) and SK1 in cancer, where high expression of these proteins in ER negative breast cancer patient tumours is linked with poor prognosis. Indeed, evidence will be presented here to demonstrate that S1P4 is functionally linked with SK1 and the oncogene HER2 (ErbB2) to regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and growth of breast cancer cells. Although much emphasis is placed on SK1 in terms of involvement in oncogenesis, evidence will also be presented for a role of SK2 in both T-cell and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In patient T-ALL lymphoblasts and T-ALL cell lines, we have demonstrated that SK2 inhibitors promote T-ALL cell death via autophagy and induce suppression of c-myc and PI3K/AKT pathways. We will also present evidence demonstrating that certain SK inhibitors promote oxidative stress and protein turnover via proteasomal degradative pathways linked with induction of p53-and p21-induced growth arrest. In addition, the SK1 inhibitor, PF-543 exacerbates disease progression in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model indicating that SK1 functions in an anti-inflammatory manner. Indeed, sphingosine, which accumulates upon inhibition of SK1 activity, and sphingosine-like compounds promote activation of the inflammasome, which is linked with multiple sclerosis, to stimulate formation of the pro-inflammatory mediator, IL-1β. Such compounds could be exploited to produce antagonists that diminish exaggerated inflammation in disease. The therapeutic potential of modifying the SK-S1P receptor pathway in cancer and inflammation will therefore, be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel J Pyne
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK.
| | - Melissa McNaughton
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Stephanie Boomkamp
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Neil MacRitchie
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Cecilia Evangelisti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Hui-Rong Jiang
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Satvir Ubhi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
| | - Susan Pyne
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, Scotland, UK
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82
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Venant H, Rahmaniyan M, Jones EE, Lu P, Lilly MB, Garrett-Mayer E, Drake RR, Kraveka JM, Smith CD, Voelkel-Johnson C. The Sphingosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor ABC294640 Reduces the Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells and Results in Accumulation of Dihydroceramides In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2744-52. [PMID: 26494858 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the development of novel therapies against castration-resistant prostate cancer, the advanced form of the disease remains a major treatment challenge. Aberrant sphingolipid signaling through sphingosine kinases and their product, sphingosine-1-phosphate, can promote proliferation, drug resistance, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitor ABC294640 is undergoing clinical testing in cancer patients, and in this study we investigated the effects this first-in-class inhibitor in castration-resistant prostate cancer. In vitro, ABC294640 decreased prostate cancer cell viability as well as the expression of c-Myc and the androgen receptor, while lysosomal acidification increased. ABC294640 also induced a greater than 3-fold increase in dihydroceramides that inversely correlated with inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase (DEGS) activity. Expression of sphingosine kinase 2 was dispensable for the ABC294640-mediated increase in dihydroceramides. In vivo, ABC294640 diminished the growth rate of TRAMP-C2 xenografts in syngeneic hosts and elevated dihydroceramides within tumors as visualized by MALDI imaging mass spectroscopy. The plasma of ABC294640-treated mice contained significantly higher levels of C16- and C24:1-ceramides (but not dihydro-C16-ceramide) compared with vehicle-treated mice. In summary, our results suggest that ABC294640 may reduce the proliferative capacity of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells through inhibition of both sphingosine kinase 2 and dihydroceramide desaturase, thereby providing a foundation for future exploration of this small-molecule inhibitor for the treatment of advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Venant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Mehrdad Rahmaniyan
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - E Ellen Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Ping Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Michael B Lilly
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Richard R Drake
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Jacqueline M Kraveka
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | | | - Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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83
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Schrecengost RS, Keller SN, Schiewer MJ, Knudsen KE, Smith CD. Downregulation of Critical Oncogenes by the Selective SK2 Inhibitor ABC294640 Hinders Prostate Cancer Progression. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:1591-601. [PMID: 26271487 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The bioactive sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) drives several hallmark processes of cancer, making the enzymes that synthesize S1P, that is, sphingosine kinase 1 and 2 (SK1 and SK2), important molecular targets for cancer drug development. ABC294640 is a first-in-class SK2 small-molecule inhibitor that effectively inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Given that AR and Myc are two of the most widely implicated oncogenes in prostate cancer, and that sphingolipids affect signaling by both proteins, the therapeutic potential for using ABC294640 in the treatment of prostate cancer was evaluated. This study demonstrates that ABC294640 abrogates signaling pathways requisite for prostate cancer growth and proliferation. Key findings validate that ABC294640 treatment of early-stage and advanced prostate cancer models downregulate Myc and AR expression and activity. This corresponds with significant inhibition of growth, proliferation, and cell-cycle progression. Finally, oral administration of ABC294640 was found to dramatically impede xenograft tumor growth. Together, these pre-clinical findings support the hypotheses that SK2 activity is required for prostate cancer function and that ABC294640 represents a new pharmacological agent for treatment of early stage and aggressive prostate cancer. IMPLICATIONS Sphingosine kinase inhibition disrupts multiple oncogenic signaling pathways that are deregulated in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Staci N Keller
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthew J Schiewer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Karen E Knudsen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Department of Urology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Department of Radiation Oncology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles D Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
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84
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Newton J, Lima S, Maceyka M, Spiegel S. Revisiting the sphingolipid rheostat: Evolving concepts in cancer therapy. Exp Cell Res 2015; 333:195-200. [PMID: 25770011 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Newton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Santiago Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Michael Maceyka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
| | - Sarah Spiegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA.
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85
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Fügi MA, Kaiser M, Tanner M, Schneiter R, Mäser P, Guan XL. Match-making for posaconazole through systems thinking. Trends Parasitol 2014; 31:46-51. [PMID: 25486978 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Currently available drugs for Chagas' disease are limited by toxicity and low efficacy in the chronic stage. Posaconazole, the most advanced new anti-chagasic drug candidate, did not fully confirm its initial potential in a Phase II clinical trial for chronic Chagas' disease. Given that posaconazole is highly active against Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro, and was very well tolerated in clinical trials, it should not be abandoned. Rather, a combination therapy may provide a highly promising outlook. Systems-scale approaches facilitate the hunt for a combination partner for posaconazole, which acts by blocking sterol biosynthesis. Mounting evidence suggests the functional interactions between sterols and sphingolipids in vivo. Here, we propose combining sterol and sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitors to advance drug development in Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias A Fügi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Tanner
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xue Li Guan
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4000 Basel, Switzerland.
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86
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Desbats MA, Giacomini I, Prayer-Galetti T, Montopoli M. Iron granules in plasma cells. J Clin Pathol 1982; 10:281. [PMID: 32211323 PMCID: PMC7068907 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy is the first cause of cancer-associated death. Thus, new strategies to deal with the evasion of drug response and to improve clinical outcomes are needed. Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with uncontrolled cell growth result in metabolism reprogramming. Cancer cells enhance anabolic pathways and acquire the ability to use different carbon sources besides glucose. An oxygen and nutrient-poor tumor microenvironment determines metabolic interactions among normal cells, cancer cells and the immune system giving rise to metabolically heterogeneous tumors which will partially respond to metabolic therapy. Here we go into the best-known cancer metabolic profiles and discuss several studies that reported tumors sensitization to chemotherapy by modulating metabolic pathways. Uncovering metabolic dependencies across different chemotherapy treatments could help to rationalize the use of metabolic modulators to overcome therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Andrea Desbats
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Isabella Giacomini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Monica Montopoli
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Monica Montopoli
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