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Zheng B, Liu F, Zeng L, Geng L, Ouyang X, Wang K, Huang Q. Overexpression of Pyruvate Kinase Type M2 (PKM2) Promotes Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth and Survival Via Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression Related with Upregulated CCND1 and Downregulated CDKN1A Expression. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:3103-3112. [PMID: 29752805 PMCID: PMC5973491 DOI: 10.12659/msm.907490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many findings have shown that pyruvate kinase type M2 (PKM2) plays crucial roles in regulating the occurrence and development of various human cancers; however, its roles in ovarian cancer oncogenesis remain to be determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression intensity of PKM2 in ovarian cancer tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and was then correlated to patient clinicopathologic characteristics. The roles of PKM2 in ovarian cancer cell proliferation, growth, and survival were examined by CCK-8, colony forming, and flow cytometry assays. The potentially involved molecular were then investigated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS IHC results showed that PKM2 was overexpressed in 100 of 114 (87.7%) serous ovarian cancer tissues as compared with 50 cases of non-cancerous ovarian tissues, and was associated with tumor size ≥7.5 cm and <7.5 cm (p<0.05). Overexpression of PKM2 in SKOV3 and HEY ovarian cancer cells by transfection with PKM2 lentivirus vector led to increased cell proliferation, growth, and survival, which may be related with PKM2 being able to increase cell cycle progress: G1 stage decreased, whereas S stage significantly increased. In contrast, all functions of SKOV3 and HEY cells described above were reversed by knocked down PKM2 expression using siRNA. Further data showed that overexpressed PKM2 led to increased CCND1 and decreased CDKN1A expression, whereas underexpressed PKM2 led to decreased CCND1 and increased CDKN1A expression in ovarian cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS PKM2 may play important roles in ovarian cancer development and may be a treatment target for this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Liu
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Li Zeng
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Li Geng
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojuan Ouyang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Qiaojia Huang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
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52
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Anderson GR, Winter PS, Lin KH, Nussbaum DP, Cakir M, Stein EM, Soderquist RS, Crawford L, Leeds JC, Newcomb R, Stepp P, Yip C, Wardell SE, Tingley JP, Ali M, Xu M, Ryan M, McCall SJ, McRee AJ, Counter CM, Der CJ, Wood KC. A Landscape of Therapeutic Cooperativity in KRAS Mutant Cancers Reveals Principles for Controlling Tumor Evolution. Cell Rep 2018; 20:999-1015. [PMID: 28746882 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Combinatorial inhibition of effector and feedback pathways is a promising treatment strategy for KRAS mutant cancers. However, the particular pathways that should be targeted to optimize therapeutic responses are unclear. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we systematically mapped the pathways whose inhibition cooperates with drugs targeting the KRAS effectors MEK, ERK, and PI3K. By performing 70 screens in models of KRAS mutant colorectal, lung, ovarian, and pancreas cancers, we uncovered universal and tissue-specific sensitizing combinations involving inhibitors of cell cycle, metabolism, growth signaling, chromatin regulation, and transcription. Furthermore, these screens revealed secondary genetic modifiers of sensitivity, yielding a SRC inhibitor-based combination therapy for KRAS/PIK3CA double-mutant colorectal cancers (CRCs) with clinical potential. Surprisingly, acquired resistance to combinations of growth signaling pathway inhibitors develops rapidly following treatment, but by targeting signaling feedback or apoptotic priming, it is possible to construct three-drug combinations that greatly delay its emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace R Anderson
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Peter S Winter
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kevin H Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Merve Cakir
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Stein
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ryan S Soderquist
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lorin Crawford
- Department of Statistics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jim C Leeds
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rachel Newcomb
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Priya Stepp
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Catherine Yip
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Suzanne E Wardell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jennifer P Tingley
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Moiez Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mengmeng Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Meagan Ryan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Autumn J McRee
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Christopher M Counter
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Ning C, Liang M, Liu S, Wang G, Edwards H, Xia Y, Polin L, Dyson G, Taub JW, Mohammad RM, Azmi AS, Zhao L, Ge Y. Targeting ERK enhances the cytotoxic effect of the novel PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitor VS-5584 in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:44295-44311. [PMID: 28574828 PMCID: PMC5546481 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease in urgent need of newer therapeutic modalities. Majority of patients with PDAC have mutations in KRAS, which unfortunately remains an ineffectual target. Our strategy here is to target KRAS downstream effectors PI3K and mTOR. In this study, we investigated the antitumor efficacy of the novel PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitor VS-5584 in PDAC. Our data shows that PI3K/mTOR dual inhibition causes ERK activation in all tested PDAC cell lines. Although the MEK inhibitor GSK1120212 could abrogate VS-5584-induced ERK activation, it did not substantially enhance cell death in all the cell lines tested. However, combination with ERK inhibitor SCH772984 not only mitigated VS-5584-induced ERK activation but also enhanced VS-5584-induced cell death. In a xenograft model of PDAC, we observed 28% and 44% tumor inhibition for individual treatment with VS-5584 and SCH772984, respectively, while the combined treatment showed superior tumor inhibition (80%) compared to vehicle control treatment. Our findings support the clinical development of VS-5584 and ERK inhibitor combination for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwen Ning
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Min Liang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yang Xia
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Gregory Dyson
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ramzi M Mohammad
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lijing Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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54
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Antiangiogenesis and gene aberration-related therapy may improve overall survival in patients with concurrent KRAS and TP53 hotspot mutant cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:33796-33806. [PMID: 28430579 PMCID: PMC5464912 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16840] [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: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Genetic alterations such as activating KRAS and/or inactivating TP53 are thought to be the most common drivers to tumorigenesis. Therefore, we assessed phase I cancer patients with KRAS+/TP53+ mutations. Results Approximately 8% of patients referred to phase I clinical trials harbored concurrent KRAS and TP53 mutations. Patients who received a phase I trial therapy (n = 57) had a median OS of 12 months, compared with 4.6 months in those who were not treated (n = 106; p = 0.003). KRAS G13 and TP53 R273 mutations were associated with poor overall survival (OS), while antiangiogenesis and gene aberration-related therapies were associated with prolonged OS. A prognostic model using neutrophilia, thrombocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, body mass index <30 kg/m2, and the absence of lung metastasis was established and validated. Phase I cancer patients in the low-risk group had a median OS of 16.6 months compared with 5.4 months in the high-risk group (p < 0.001). Untreated patients in the low-risk group had a median OS of 6.7 months compared with 3.6 months in the high-risk group (p = 0.033). Experimental Design We analyzed 163 consecutive patients with advanced KRAS+/TP53+ mutant cancer who were referred to phase I clinical trials, to identify molecular aberrations, clinical characteristics, survivals, and potentially effective treatment regimens. Conclusions This study provided preliminary evidence that besides modulation of the proinflammatory state, antiangiogensis and concomitant gene aberration-related therapies may improve the treatment of KRAS+/TP53+ mutant cancer.
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Abstract
Activating Ras mutations are associated with ∼30% of all human cancers and the four Ras isoforms are highly attractive targets for anticancer drug discovery. However, Ras proteins are challenging targets for conventional drug discovery because they function through intracellular protein-protein interactions and their surfaces lack major pockets for small molecules to bind. Over the past few years, researchers have explored a variety of approaches and modalities, with the aim of specifically targeting oncogenic Ras mutants for anticancer treatment. This perspective will provide an overview of the efforts on developing "macromolecular" inhibitors against Ras proteins, including peptides, macrocycles, antibodies, nonimmunoglobulin proteins, and nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Kuangyu Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Hui Liao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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56
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Cannataro VL, Gaffney SG, Stender C, Zhao ZM, Philips M, Greenstein AE, Townsend JP. Heterogeneity and mutation in KRAS and associated oncogenes: evaluating the potential for the evolution of resistance to targeting of KRAS G12C. Oncogene 2018; 37:2444-2455. [PMID: 29453361 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-017-0105-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Activating mutations in RAS genes are associated with approximately 20% of all human cancers. New targeted therapies show preclinical promise in inhibiting the KRAS G12C variant. However, concerns exist regarding the effectiveness of such therapies in vivo given the possibilities of existing intratumor heterogeneity or de novo mutation leading to treatment resistance. We performed deep sequencing of 27 KRAS G12-positive lung tumors to determine the prevalence of other oncogenic mutations within KRAS or within commonly mutated downstream genes that could confer resistance at the time of treatment. We also passaged patient-derived xenografts to assess the potential for novel KRAS mutation to arise during subsequent tumor evolution. Furthermore, we estimate the de novo mutation rate in KRAS position 12 and in genes downstream of KRAS. Finally, we present an approach for estimation of the selection intensity for these point mutations that explains their high prevalence in tumors. We find no evidence of heterogeneity that may compromise KRAS G12C targeted therapy within sequenced lung tumors or passaged xenografts. We find that mutations that confer resistance are even less likely to occur downstream of KRAS than to occur within KRAS. Our approach predicts that BRAF V600E would provide the highest fitness advantage for de novo-resistant subclones. Overall, our findings suggest that resistance to targeted therapy of KRAS G12C-positive tumors is unlikely to be present at the time of treatment and, among the de novo mutations likely to confer resistance, mutations in BRAF, a gene with targeted inhibitors presently available, result in subclones with the highest fitness advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carly Stender
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zi-Ming Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mark Philips
- Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology, and Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey P Townsend
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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57
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Bennett Saidu NE, Bretagne M, Mansuet AL, Just PA, Leroy K, Cerles O, Chouzenoux S, Nicco C, Damotte D, Alifano M, Borghese B, Goldwasser F, Batteux F, Alexandre J. Dimethyl fumarate is highly cytotoxic in KRAS mutated cancer cells but spares non-tumorigenic cells. Oncotarget 2018; 9:9088-9099. [PMID: 29507676 PMCID: PMC5823659 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutation, one of the most common molecular alterations observed in adult carcinomas, was reported to activate the anti-oxidant program driven by the transcription factor NRF2 (Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2). We previously observed that the antitumoral effect of Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is dependent of NRF2 pathway inhibition. We used in vitro methods to examine the effect of DMF on cell death and the activation of the NRF2/DJ-1 antioxidant pathway. We report here that DMF is preferentially cytotoxic against KRAS mutated cancer cells. This effect was observed in patient-derived cancer cell lines harbouring a G12V KRAS mutation, compared with cell lines without such a mutation. In addition, KRAS*G12V over-expression in the human Caco-2 colon cancer cell line significantly promoted DMF-induced cell death, as well as DMF-induced- reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and -glutathione (GSH) depletion. Moreover, in contrast to malignant cells, our data confirms that the same concentration of DMF has no significant cytotoxic effects on non-tumorigenic human ARPE-19 retinal epithelial, murine 3T3 fibroblasts and primary mice bone marrow cells; but is rather associated with NRF2 activation, decreased ROS and increased GSH levels. Furthermore, DJ-1 down-regulation experiments showed that this protein does not play a protective role against NRF2 in non-tumorigenic cells, as it does in malignant ones. This, interestingly, could be at the root of the differential effect of DMF observed between malignant and non-tumorigenic cells. Our results suggest for the first time that the dependence on NRF2 observed in mutated KRAS malignant cells makes them more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of DMF, which thus opens up new prospects for the therapeutic applications of DMF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie Bretagne
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Karen Leroy
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France.,Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Cerles
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Chouzenoux
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Carole Nicco
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Diane Damotte
- Department of Pathology, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Marco Alifano
- Department of Thoracic surgery, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Borghese
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - François Goldwasser
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Batteux
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France.,Department of Immunology, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Alexandre
- Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Cochin Institute, CARPEM, Paris, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
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58
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Hammerlindl H, Ravindran Menon D, Hammerlindl S, Emran AA, Torrano J, Sproesser K, Thakkar D, Xiao M, Atkinson VG, Gabrielli B, Haass NK, Herlyn M, Krepler C, Schaider H. Acetylsalicylic Acid Governs the Effect of Sorafenib in RAS-Mutant Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 24:1090-1102. [PMID: 29196297 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-2118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Identify and characterize novel combinations of sorafenib with anti-inflammatory painkillers to target difficult-to-treat RAS-mutant cancer.Experimental Design: The cytotoxicity of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in combination with the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib (Nexavar) was assessed in RAS-mutant cell lines in vitro The underlying mechanism for the increased cytotoxicity was investigated using selective inhibitors and shRNA-mediated gene knockdown. In vitro results were confirmed in RAS-mutant xenograft mouse models in vivoResults: The addition of aspirin but not isobutylphenylpropanoic acid (ibruprofen) or celecoxib (Celebrex) significantly increased the in vitro cytotoxicity of sorafenib. Mechanistically, combined exposure resulted in increased BRAF/CRAF dimerization and the simultaneous hyperactivation of the AMPK and ERK pathways. Combining sorafenib with other AMPK activators, such as metformin or A769662, was not sufficient to decrease cell viability due to sole activation of the AMPK pathway. The cytotoxicity of sorafenib and aspirin was blocked by inhibition of the AMPK or ERK pathways through shRNA or via pharmacologic inhibitors of RAF (LY3009120), MEK (trametinib), or AMPK (compound C). The combination was found to be specific for RAS/RAF-mutant cells and had no significant effect in RAS/RAF-wild-type keratinocytes or melanoma cells. In vivo treatment of human xenografts in NSG mice with sorafenib and aspirin significantly reduced tumor volume compared with each single-agent treatment.Conclusions: Combination sorafenib and aspirin exerts cytotoxicity against RAS/RAF-mutant cells by simultaneously affecting two independent pathways and represents a promising novel strategy for the treatment of RAS-mutant cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1090-102. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Hammerlindl
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dinoop Ravindran Menon
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sabrina Hammerlindl
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Abdullah Al Emran
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Joachim Torrano
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Divya Thakkar
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Min Xiao
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Victoria G Atkinson
- Division of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- Mater Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nikolas K Haass
- The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | - Helmut Schaider
- Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. .,The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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59
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Wan X, Liu R, Li Z. The Prognostic Value of HRAS mRNA Expression in Cutaneous Melanoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:5356737. [PMID: 29349077 PMCID: PMC5733767 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5356737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of HRAS mRNA expression in cutaneous melanoma. Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive cancer with an increasing incidence. Few studies have focused on the transcriptional level of RAS isoforms (KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS) in cutaneous melanoma. To gain further insight into RAS isoforms at transcriptional level, we obtained the cutaneous melanoma data from cBioPortal and investigated the RAS mRNA expression levels in different stages of melanoma and evaluated their correlation with clinical characteristics and patients' survival. Furthermore, we retrieved and analyzed the coexpression data and performed pathway enrichment analysis. Totally, 452 cutaneous melanoma cases were included in this study. We found that lower HRAS expression level was associated with longer patient survival. 206 genes that negatively correlated with HRAS expression were positively correlated with KRAS and NRAS expression. In contrast, no gene that positively correlated with HRAS expression was positively correlated with KRAS and NRAS expression. In conclusion, our data showed that transcriptional regulation was different for the three RAS isoforms in cutaneous melanoma. This study highlighted the prognostic value of HRAS mRNA expression and revealed that HRAS greatly differs from KRAS and NRAS at the transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Wan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ruping Liu
- Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Zhongwu Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Activating NRAS mutations occur in approximately 15-20% of melanomas and are the second most common oncogenic driver mutation in this disease, after BRAF mutations. There is an unmet medical need for new targeted therapy opportunities in metastatic patients whose tumors harbor an NRAS mutation. Binimetinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, has shown clinical activity in this group of patients. Areas covered: The purpose of this paper was to review the safety, activity and efficacy of the MEK inhibitor binimetinib for the treatment of NRAS-mutant melanoma, as well as to discuss future therapeutic perspectives such as multiple pathways, targeted therapy, and combinations with immunotherapy. Expert commentary: Only a modest progression-free survival (PFS) benefit was observed in NRAS-mutated patients who received binimetinib compared with dacarbazine in a randomized phase 3 clinical trial, with no improvement in overall survival. Nevertheless, binimetinib represents another promising treatment option for advanced melanoma and the first molecularly targeted therapy for the NRAS-mutant population. Binimetinib may also have a role in treating NRAS-mutated melanoma patients after failure of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Queirolo
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genova , Italy
| | - Francesco Spagnolo
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genova , Italy
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61
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Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are aggressive myeloid malignancies recognized as a distinct category owing to their unique combination of dysplastic and proliferative features. Although current classification schemes still emphasize morphology and exclusionary criteria, disease-defining somatic mutations and/or germline predisposition alleles are increasingly incorporated into diagnostic algorithms. The developing picture suggests that phenotypes are driven mostly by epigenetic mechanisms that reflect a complex interplay between genotype, physiological processes such as ageing and interactions between malignant haematopoietic cells and the stromal microenvironment of the bone marrow. Despite the rapid accumulation of genetic knowledge, therapies have remained nonspecific and largely inefficient. In this Review, we discuss the pathogenesis of MDS/MPN, focusing on the relationship between genotype and phenotype and the molecular underpinnings of epigenetic dysregulation. Starting with the limitations of current therapies, we also explore how the available mechanistic data may be harnessed to inform strategies to develop rational and more effective treatments, and which gaps in our knowledge need to be filled to translate biological understanding into clinical progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W N Deininger
- Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health &Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Eric Solary
- INSERM U1170, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de médecine Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-94805 Villejuif, France
- Department of Hematology, Gustave Roussy, F-94805 Villejuif, France
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62
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Exosomes facilitate therapeutic targeting of oncogenic KRAS in pancreatic cancer. Nature 2017; 546:498-503. [PMID: 28607485 PMCID: PMC5538883 DOI: 10.1038/nature22341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1635] [Impact Index Per Article: 233.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mutant form of the GTPase KRAS is a key driver of pancreatic cancer
but remains a challenging therapeutic target. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles
generated by all cells, are naturally present in the blood. Here we demonstrate
that enhanced retention of exosomes in circulation, compared to liposomes, is
due to CD47 mediated protection of exosomes from phagocytosis by monocytes and
macrophages. Exosomes derived from normal fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells were
engineered to carry siRNA or shRNA specific to oncogenic KRASG12D
(iExosomes), a common mutation in pancreatic cancer. Compared to liposomes,
iExosomes target oncogenic Kras with an enhanced efficacy that is dependent on
CD47, and is facilitated by macropinocytosis. iExosomes treatment suppressed
cancer in multiple mouse models of pancreatic cancer and significantly increased
their overall survival. Our results inform on a novel approach for direct and
specific targeting of oncogenic Kras in tumors using iExosomes.
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63
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Konda JD, Olivero M, Musiani D, Lamba S, Di Renzo MF. Heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27, HSPB1) is synthetic lethal to cells with oncogenic activation of MET, EGFR and BRAF. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:599-611. [PMID: 28182330 PMCID: PMC5467498 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The small heat-shock protein of 27 kDa (HSP27) is highly expressed in many cancers and is associated with aggressive tumour behaviour, metastasis, poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. We aimed at assessing the role of HSP27 in modulating responses to target therapies. We selected several oncogene-addicted cancer cell lines, which undergo either cell cycle blockade or cell death in response to agents that target the specific oncogene. Surprisingly, HSP27 suppression alone resulted in the apoptotic death of MET-addicted EBC-1 lung cancer cells, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-addicted colorectal carcinoma (CRC) DiFi cells and BRAF-addicted CRC COLO205 and OXCO-1 and melanoma COLO741 cells, all of which also undergo death when treated with the specific targeted agent. In other cell lines, such as MET-addicted gastric carcinoma MKN45 and EGFR-addicted CRC SW48 lines, where oncogene inhibition only blocked proliferation, HSP27 knockdown made targeted agents switch from cytostatic to cytotoxic activity. Mechanistically, the more the cells were susceptible to HSP27 suppression, the more they were primed for death, as demonstrated by increased levels of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Priming for death was accompanied by the increase in pro-apoptotic proteins of the BCL2 family and of active caspase-3 and lamin B. Together, these data suggest that oncogene-addicted cells require HSP27 for survival and that HSP27 might interfere with the effectiveness of targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Konda
- Department of OncologyUniversity of TorinoItaly
- Candiolo Cancer InstituteFPO‐IRCCSItaly
| | - Martina Olivero
- Department of OncologyUniversity of TorinoItaly
- Candiolo Cancer InstituteFPO‐IRCCSItaly
| | - Daniele Musiani
- Department of OncologyUniversity of TorinoItaly
- Candiolo Cancer InstituteFPO‐IRCCSItaly
- Present address:
Department of Experimental OncologyEuropean Institute of OncologyMilanItaly
| | | | - Maria F. Di Renzo
- Department of OncologyUniversity of TorinoItaly
- Candiolo Cancer InstituteFPO‐IRCCSItaly
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Bahrami A, Hassanian SM, ShahidSales S, Farjami Z, Hasanzadeh M, Anvari K, Aledavood A, Maftouh M, Ferns GA, Khazaei M, Avan A. Targeting RAS signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:2058-2066. [PMID: 28262927 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is frequently dysregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is involved in the modulation of several downstream effectors, that include: Raf/Mek/Erk, PI3K/Akt, RalGDS/p38MAPK, and Rac/Rho, and thereby influences tumorigenesis, the invasive behaviors of tumor cell, and resistance to therapy. There is growing evidence exploring the use of drugs that target these pathways in the treatment of CRC. Cetuximab has been approved for CRC patients without a KRAS mutation, or for EGFR-expressing metastatic CRC, although some of the patients have a mutation of KRAS and NRAS. This review summarizes the recent knowledge about the therapeutic potential of targeting RAS with particular emphasis on recent preclinical and clinical studies in treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsane Bahrami
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Soodabeh ShahidSales
- Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Farjami
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Hasanzadeh
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Woman Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Kazem Anvari
- Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Aledavood
- Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mina Maftouh
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, UK
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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65
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da Silva-Coelho P, Kroeze LI, Yoshida K, Koorenhof-Scheele TN, Knops R, van de Locht LT, de Graaf AO, Massop M, Sandmann S, Dugas M, Stevens-Kroef MJ, Cermak J, Shiraishi Y, Chiba K, Tanaka H, Miyano S, de Witte T, Blijlevens NMA, Muus P, Huls G, van der Reijden BA, Ogawa S, Jansen JH. Clonal evolution in myelodysplastic syndromes. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15099. [PMID: 28429724 PMCID: PMC5530598 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development is a dynamic process during which the successive accumulation of mutations results in cells with increasingly malignant characteristics. Here, we show the clonal evolution pattern in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients receiving supportive care, with or without lenalidomide (follow-up 2.5–11 years). Whole-exome and targeted deep sequencing at multiple time points during the disease course reveals that both linear and branched evolutionary patterns occur with and without disease-modifying treatment. The application of disease-modifying therapy may create an evolutionary bottleneck after which more complex MDS, but also unrelated clones of haematopoietic cells, may emerge. In addition, subclones that acquired an additional mutation associated with treatment resistance (TP53) or disease progression (NRAS, KRAS) may be detected months before clinical changes become apparent. Monitoring the genetic landscape during the disease may help to guide treatment decisions. Myelodysplastic syndromes are a broad group of haematopoietic malignancies that often progress to acute myeloid leukaemia. Here, the authors show that linear and branched evolution occurs within myelodysplastic syndrome and these patterns can be impacted by treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro da Silva-Coelho
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Haematology, Centro Hospitalar de São João and Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal
| | - Leonie I Kroeze
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kenichi Yoshida
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Theresia N Koorenhof-Scheele
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth Knops
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Louis T van de Locht
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aniek O de Graaf
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Massop
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah Sandmann
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marian J Stevens-Kroef
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaroslav Cermak
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Yuichi Shiraishi
- Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Kenichi Chiba
- Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Hiroko Tanaka
- Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Theo de Witte
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole M A Blijlevens
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Muus
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerwin Huls
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematology, University Medical Centre Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert A van der Reijden
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Seishi Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Joop H Jansen
- Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Binimetinib versus dacarbazine in patients with advanced NRAS-mutant melanoma (NEMO): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2017; 18:435-445. [PMID: 28284557 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(17)30180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are no established therapies specific for NRAS-mutant melanoma despite the emergence of immunotherapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the MEK inhibitor binimetinib versus that of dacarbazine in patients with advanced NRAS-mutant melanoma. METHODS NEMO is an ongoing, randomised, open-label phase 3 study done at 118 hospitals in 26 countries. Patients with advanced, unresectable, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IIIC or stage IV NRAS-mutant melanoma who were previously untreated or had progressed on or after previous immunotherapy were randomised (2:1) to receive either binimetinib 45 mg orally twice daily or dacarbazine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks. Randomisation was stratified by stage, performance status, and previous immunotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival assessed by blinded central review in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses were done in the safety population, consisting of all patients who received at least one study drug dose and one post-baseline safety assessment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01763164 and with EudraCT, number 2012-003593-51. FINDINGS Between Aug 19, 2013, and April 28, 2015, 402 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned, 269 to binimetinib and 133 to dacarbazine. Median follow-up was 1·7 months (IQR 1·4-4·1). Median progression-free survival was 2·8 months (95% CI 2·8-3·6) in the binimetinib group and 1·5 months (1·5-1·7) in the dacarbazine group (hazard ratio 0·62 [95% CI 0·47-0·80]; one-sided p<0·001). Grade 3-4 adverse events seen in at least 5% of patients the safety population in either group were increased creatine phosphokinase (52 [19%] of 269 patients in the binimetinib group vs none of 114 in the dacarbazine group), hypertension (20 [7%] vs two [2%]), anaemia (five [2%] vs six [5%]), and neutropenia (two [1%] vs ten [9%]). Serious adverse events (all grades) occurred in 91 (34%) patients in the binimetinib group and 25 (22%) patients in the dacarbazine group. INTERPRETATION Binimetinib improved progression-free survival compared with dacarbazine and was tolerable. Binimetinib might represent a new treatment option for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma after failure of immunotherapy. FUNDING Array BioPharma and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
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Abstract
The study of oncogenic RAS mutations has led to crucial discoveries regarding cancer molecular biology and behavior and has been integral in shaping the era of targeted cancer therapy. RAS mutations are one of the most common oncogenic drivers in human cancer, and intense efforts to find a clinically effective inhibitor are ongoing. Despite these efforts, targeting RAS mutations has remained elusive, so much so that some have termed oncogenic RAS mutations as "undruggable." In this review, we will summarize current understanding of RAS biology, explore strategies to inhibit RAS oncoproteins and its downstream effectors, and discuss recently described complexities that have shed new light on this pursuit.
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68
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Tomasini P, Walia P, Labbe C, Jao K, Leighl NB. Targeting the KRAS Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Oncologist 2016; 21:1450-1460. [PMID: 27807303 PMCID: PMC5153335 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2015-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, significant progress has been made individualizing therapy based on molecular aberrations (e.g., EGFR, ALK) and pathologic subtype. KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), found in approximately 30% of lung adenocarcinomas, and is thus an appealing target for new therapies. Although no targeted therapy has yet been approved for the treatment of KRAS-mutant NSCLC, there are multiple potential therapeutic approaches. These may include direct inhibition of KRAS protein, inhibition of KRAS regulators, alteration of KRAS membrane localization, and inhibition of effector molecules downstream of mutant KRAS. This article provides an overview of the KRAS pathway in lung cancer and related therapeutic strategies under investigation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The identification of oncogene-addicted cancers and specific inhibitors has revolutionized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment and outcomes. One of the most commonly mutated genes in adenocarcinoma is KRAS, found in approximately 30% of lung adenocarcinomas, and thus it is an appealing target for new therapies. This review provides an overview of the KRAS pathway and related targeted therapies under investigation in NSCLC. Some of these agents may play a key role in KRAS-mutant NSCLC treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Tomasini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Preet Walia
- Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Labbe
- Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Jao
- Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha B Leighl
- Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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69
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Intrinsic K-Ras dynamics: A novel molecular dynamics data analysis method shows causality between residue pair motions. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37012. [PMID: 27845397 PMCID: PMC5109477 DOI: 10.1038/srep37012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
K-Ras is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, but there are still no drugs that directly target it in the clinic. Recent studies utilizing dynamics information show promising results for selectively targeting mutant K-Ras. However, despite extensive characterization, the mechanisms by which K-Ras residue fluctuations transfer allosteric regulatory information remain unknown. Understanding the direction of information flow can provide new mechanistic insights for K-Ras targeting. Here, we present a novel approach –conditional time-delayed correlations (CTC) – using the motions of all residue pairs of a protein to predict directionality in the allosteric regulation of the protein fluctuations. Analyzing nucleotide-dependent intrinsic K-Ras motions with the new approach yields predictions that agree with the literature, showing that GTP-binding stabilizes K-Ras motions and leads to residue correlations with relatively long characteristic decay times. Furthermore, our study is the first to identify driver-follower relationships in correlated motions of K-Ras residue pairs, revealing the direction of information flow during allosteric modulation of its nucleotide-dependent intrinsic activity: active K-Ras Switch-II region motions drive Switch-I region motions, while α-helix-3L7 motions control both. Our results provide novel insights for strategies that directly target mutant K-Ras.
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70
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Molecular Profiling of Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma: Genetic Differences and Potential Novel Therapeutic Targets. Pathol Oncol Res 2016; 23:551-564. [PMID: 27844328 PMCID: PMC5487866 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-016-0144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). We performed a molecular profiling to investigate the pathogenesis of TETs and identify novel targets for therapy. We analyzed 37 thymomas (18 type A, 19 type B3) and 35 thymic carcinomas. The sequencing of 50 genes detected nonsynonymous mutations in 16 carcinomas affecting ALK, ATM, CDKN2A, ERBB4, FGFR3, KIT, NRAS and TP53. Only two B3 thymomas had a mutation in noncoding regions of the SMARCB1 and STK11 gene respectively. Three type A thymomas harbored a nonsynonymous HRAS mutation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected in 38 % of carcinomas a CDKN2A, in 32 % a TP53 and in 8 % an ATM gene deletion, whereas only one B3 thymoma exhibited a CDKNA deletion, and none of the type A thymomas showed a gene loss. Sequencing of the total miRNA pool of 5 type A thymomas and 5 thymic carcinomas identified the C19MC miRNA cluster as highly expressed in type A thymomas, but completely silenced in thymic carcinomas. Furthermore, the miRNA cluster C14MC was downregulated in thymic carcinomas. Among non-clustered miRNAs, the upregulation of miR-21, miR-9-3 and miR-375 and the downregulation of miR-34b, miR-34c, miR-130a and miR-195 in thymic carcinomas were most significant. The expression of ALK, HER2, HER3, MET, phospho-mTOR, p16INK4A, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, PD-L1, PTEN and ROS1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry. PDGFRA was increased in thymic carcinomas and PD-L1 in B3 thymomas and thymic carcinomas. In summary, our results reveal genetic differences between thymomas and thymic carcinomas and suggest potential novel targets for therapy.
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71
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Pang X, Liu M. A combination therapy for KRAS-mutant lung cancer by targeting synthetic lethal partners of mutant KRAS. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2016; 35:92. [PMID: 27793187 PMCID: PMC5086049 DOI: 10.1186/s40880-016-0154-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The KRAS gene is frequently mutated in multiple cancer types, but it fell off the drug discovery radar for many years because of its inherent "undruggable" structure and undefined biological properties. As reported in the paper entitled "Suppression of KRas-mutant cancer through the combined inhibition of KRAS with PLK1 and ROCK" in Nature Communications, we performed a synthetic lethal screening with a combinatorial strategy on a panel of clinical drugs; we found that combined inhibition of polo-like kinase 1 and RhoA/Rho kinase markedly suppressed tumor growth in mice. An increase in the expression of the tumor suppressor P21WAF1/CIP1 contributed to the synergistic mechanism of the combination therapy. These findings open a novel avenue for the treatment of KRAS-mutant lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Pang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China.
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, 2121W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Friedrich T, Leong S, Lieu CH. Beyond RAS and BRAF: a target rich disease that is ripe for picking. J Gastrointest Oncol 2016; 7:705-712. [PMID: 27747084 DOI: 10.21037/jgo.2016.06.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite numerous breakthroughs in the understanding of colorectal cancer and identification of many oncogenic mutations, the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer remains relatively more empiric than targeted. Testing for mutations in rat sarcoma virus (RAS) and rapidly growing fibrosarcoma (RAF) are routinely performed, though identification of these mutations currently offers little more than a negative predictive marker for response to EGFR inhibitor treatment and, in the case of RAF mutation, a poor prognostic indicator. Next-generation sequencing has identified both common and rare mutations in colorectal cancer that offer options for more advanced, targeted therapy. With so much research invested in these targets, the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer stands to become much more personalized in the near future. This review describes several of the more promising targets that are currently being investigated in advanced colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Friedrich
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stephen Leong
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher H Lieu
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Shrestha G, MacNeil SM, McQuerry JA, Jenkins DF, Sharma S, Bild AH. The value of genomics in dissecting the RAS-network and in guiding therapeutics for RAS-driven cancers. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 58:108-17. [PMID: 27338857 PMCID: PMC5951171 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The rise in genomic knowledge over the past decade has revealed the molecular etiology of many diseases, and has identified intricate signaling network activity in human cancers. Genomics provides the opportunity to determine genome structure and capture the activity of thousands of molecular events concurrently, which is important for deciphering highly complex genetic diseases such as cancer. In this review, we focus on genomic efforts directed towards one of cancer's most frequently mutated networks, the RAS pathway. Genomic tools such as gene expression signatures and assessment of mutations across the RAS network enable the capture of RAS signaling complexity. Due to this high level of interaction and cross-talk within the network, efforts to target RAS signaling in the clinic have generally failed, and we currently lack the ability to directly inhibit the RAS protein with high efficacy. We propose that the use of gene expression data can identify effective treatments that broadly inhibit the RAS network as this approach measures pathway activity independent of mutation status or any single mechanism of activation. Here, we review the genomic studies that map the complexity of the RAS network in cancer, and that show how genomic measurements of RAS pathway activation can identify effective RAS inhibition strategies. We also address the challenges and future directions for treating RAS-driven tumors. In summary, genomic assessment of RAS signaling provides a level of complexity necessary to accurately map the network that matches the intricacy of RAS pathway interactions in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gajendra Shrestha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Shelley M MacNeil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jasmine A McQuerry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - David F Jenkins
- Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sunil Sharma
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Center for Investigational Therapeutics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Andrea H Bild
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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De Sanctis G, Spinelli M, Vanoni M, Sacco E. K-Ras Activation Induces Differential Sensitivity to Sulfur Amino Acid Limitation and Deprivation and to Oxidative and Anti-Oxidative Stress in Mouse Fibroblasts. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163790. [PMID: 27685888 PMCID: PMC5042513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cells have an increased demand for amino acids and require transport even of non-essential amino acids to support their increased proliferation rate. Besides their major role as protein synthesis precursors, the two proteinogenic sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, play specific biological functions. In humans, methionine is essential for cell growth and development and may act as a precursor for cysteine synthesis. Cysteine is a precursor for the biosynthesis of glutathione, the major scavenger for reactive oxygen species. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We study the effect of K-ras oncogene activation in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts on transport and metabolism of cysteine and methionine. We show that cysteine limitation and deprivation cause apoptotic cell death (cytotoxic effect) in both normal and K-ras-transformed fibroblasts, due to accumulation of reactive oxygen species and a decrease in reduced glutathione. Anti-oxidants glutathione and MitoTEMPO inhibit apoptosis, but only cysteine-containing glutathione partially rescues the cell growth defect induced by limiting cysteine. Methionine limitation and deprivation has a cytostatic effect on mouse fibroblasts, unaffected by glutathione. K-ras-transformed cells-but not their parental NIH3T3-are extremely sensitive to methionine limitation. This fragility correlates with decreased expression of the Slc6a15 gene-encoding the nutrient transporter SBAT1, known to exhibit a strong preference for methionine-and decreased methionine uptake. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE Overall, limitation of sulfur-containing amino acids results in a more dramatic perturbation of the oxido-reductive balance in K-ras-transformed cells compared to NIH3T3 cells. Growth defects induced by cysteine limitation in mouse fibroblasts are largely-though not exclusively-due to cysteine utilization in the synthesis of glutathione, mouse fibroblasts requiring an exogenous cysteine source for protein synthesis. Therapeutic regimens of cancer involving modulation of methionine metabolism could be more effective in cells with limited methionine transport capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia De Sanctis
- SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Spinelli
- SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Vanoni
- SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Sacco
- SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
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75
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Ott GR, Cheng M, Learn KS, Wagner J, Gingrich DE, Lisko JG, Curry M, Mesaros EF, Ghose AK, Quail MR, Wan W, Lu L, Dobrzanski P, Albom MS, Angeles TS, Wells-Knecht K, Huang Z, Aimone LD, Bruckheimer E, Anderson N, Friedman J, Fernandez SV, Ator MA, Ruggeri BA, Dorsey BD. Discovery of Clinical Candidate CEP-37440, a Selective Inhibitor of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK). J Med Chem 2016; 59:7478-96. [PMID: 27527804 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Analogues structurally related to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor 1 were optimized for metabolic stability. The results from this endeavor not only led to improved metabolic stability, pharmacokinetic parameters, and in vitro activity against clinically derived resistance mutations but also led to the incorporation of activity for focal adhesion kinase (FAK). FAK activation, via amplification and/or overexpression, is characteristic of multiple invasive solid tumors and metastasis. The discovery of the clinical stage, dual FAK/ALK inhibitor 27b, including details surrounding SAR, in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, is reported herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory R Ott
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Mangeng Cheng
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Keith S Learn
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Jason Wagner
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Diane E Gingrich
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Joseph G Lisko
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Matthew Curry
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Eugen F Mesaros
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Arup K Ghose
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Matthew R Quail
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Weihua Wan
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Lihui Lu
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Pawel Dobrzanski
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Mark S Albom
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Thelma S Angeles
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Kevin Wells-Knecht
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Zeqi Huang
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Lisa D Aimone
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Elizabeth Bruckheimer
- Champions Oncology, Inc. , One University Plaza, Suite 307, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, United States
| | - Nathan Anderson
- Champions Oncology, Inc. , One University Plaza, Suite 307, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, United States
| | - Jay Friedman
- Champions Oncology, Inc. , One University Plaza, Suite 307, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, United States
| | - Sandra V Fernandez
- Thomas Jefferson University , 233 South 10th Street, 1002 BLSB, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - Mark A Ator
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Bruce A Ruggeri
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
| | - Bruce D Dorsey
- Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D , 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, United States
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76
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Abstract
Ras proteins are considered as the founding members of a large superfamily of small GTPases that control fundamental cellular functions. Mutationally activated RAS genes were discovered in human cancer cells more than 3 decades ago, but intensive efforts on Ras structure, biochemistry, function and signaling continue even now. Because mutant Ras proteins are inherently difficult to inhibit and have yet been therapeutically conquered, it was designated as “the Everest of oncogenes” in the cancer genome landscape, further promoting a “renaissance” in RAS research. Different paths to directly or indirectly targeting mutant Ras signaling are currently under investigation in the hope of finding an efficacious regimen. Inhibitors directly binding to KRASG12C to block its downstream signaling have been revealed, supporting the notion of Ras' druggability. An alternative indirect approach by targeting synthetic lethal interactors of mutant RAS is underway. We recently employed a synthetic lethal drug screen plus a combinatorial strategy using a panel of clinical agents and discovered that KRAS-mutant cancers were fragile to the combined inhibition of polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK). The combined regimen of BI-2536 (a Plk1 inhibitor) and fasudil (a ROCK inhibitor) promoted a significant inhibition of patient-derived lung cancer xenografts and prolonged the survival of LSL-KRASG12D mice. In this commentary, we will summarize the state-of-the art for the direction of synthetic lethality, and also speculate on the future development of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Pang
- a Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
| | - Mingyao Liu
- a Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China.,b Institute of Biosciences and Technology , Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center , Houston , TX , USA
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77
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Ying H, Dey P, Yao W, Kimmelman AC, Draetta GF, Maitra A, DePinho RA. Genetics and biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Genes Dev 2016; 30:355-85. [PMID: 26883357 PMCID: PMC4762423 DOI: 10.1101/gad.275776.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ying et al. review pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) genetics and biology, particularly altered cancer cell metabolism, the complexity of immune regulation in the tumor microenvironment, and impaired DNA repair processes. With 5-year survival rates remaining constant at 6% and rising incidences associated with an epidemic in obesity and metabolic syndrome, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is on track to become the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. The high mortality rate of PDAC stems primarily from the lack of early diagnosis and ineffective treatment for advanced tumors. During the past decade, the comprehensive atlas of genomic alterations, the prominence of specific pathways, the preclinical validation of such emerging targets, sophisticated preclinical model systems, and the molecular classification of PDAC into specific disease subtypes have all converged to illuminate drug discovery programs with clearer clinical path hypotheses. A deeper understanding of cancer cell biology, particularly altered cancer cell metabolism and impaired DNA repair processes, is providing novel therapeutic strategies that show strong preclinical activity. Elucidation of tumor biology principles, most notably a deeper understanding of the complexity of immune regulation in the tumor microenvironment, has provided an exciting framework to reawaken the immune system to attack PDAC cancer cells. While the long road of translation lies ahead, the path to meaningful clinical progress has never been clearer to improve PDAC patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqiang Ying
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Prasenjit Dey
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Wantong Yao
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Alec C Kimmelman
- Division of Genomic Stability and DNA Repair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Giulio F Draetta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; Institute for Applied Cancer Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA; Sheikh Ahmed Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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78
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Zhang F, Cheong JK. The renewed battle against RAS-mutant cancers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:1845-58. [PMID: 26892781 PMCID: PMC11108322 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2155-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The RAS genes encode for members of a large superfamily of guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins that control diverse intracellular signaling pathways to promote cell proliferation. Somatic mutations in the RAS oncogenes are the most common activating lesions found in human cancers. These mutations invariably result in the gain-of-function of RAS by impairing GTP hydrolysis and are frequently associated with poor responses to standard cancer therapies. In this review, we summarize key findings of past and present landmark studies that have deepened our understanding of the RAS biology in the context of oncogenesis. We also discuss how emerging areas of research could further bolster a renewed global effort to target the largely undruggable oncogenic RAS and/or its activated downstream effector signaling cascades to achieve better treatment outcomes for RAS-mutant cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuquan Zhang
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Jit Kong Cheong
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
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79
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Chabner BA. NCI-60 Cell Line Screening: A Radical Departure in its Time. J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 108:djv388. [PMID: 26755050 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The year 2015 marked the 30th anniversary of National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) initial effort to establish a human cell line panel as the basis for discovering new cancer drugs. At its inception, the NCI-60 panel was a controversial departure, born of frustration with previous efforts that employed murine tumors and grounded in the hope that the biology of human tumors was diverse and somehow quite different than the murine leukemia used for the previous 30 years. And while the NCI-60 has not revolutionized cancer drug discovery in terms of the new drugs that resulted, it represents a turning point in the philosophy and practice of cancer drug research.
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