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Pedri D, Karras P, Landeloos E, Marine JC, Rambow F. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition events in melanoma. FEBS J 2021; 289:1352-1368. [PMID: 33999497 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process through which epithelial tumor cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypic properties, contributes to both metastatic dissemination and therapy resistance in cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that nonepithelial tumors, including melanoma, can also gain mesenchymal-like properties that increase their metastatic propensity and decrease their sensitivity to therapy. In this review, we discuss recent findings, illustrating the striking similarities-but also knowledge gaps-between the biology of mesenchymal-like state(s) in melanoma and mesenchymal state(s) from epithelial cancers. Based on this comparative analysis, we suggest hypothesis-driven experimental approaches to further deepen our understanding of the EMT-like process in melanoma and how such investigations may pave the way towards the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers for prognosis and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Pedri
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ewout Landeloos
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
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102
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Stamatakos S, Beretta GL, Vergani E, Dugo M, Corno C, Corna E, Tinelli S, Frigerio S, Ciusani E, Rodolfo M, Perego P, Gatti L. Deregulated FASN Expression in BRAF Inhibitor-Resistant Melanoma Cells Unveils New Targets for Drug Combinations. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092284. [PMID: 34068792 PMCID: PMC8126202 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic changes promoting cell survival are involved in metastatic melanoma progression and in the development of drug resistance. In BRAF-inhibitor resistant melanoma cells, we explored the role of FASN, an enzyme involved in lipogenesis overexpressed in metastatic melanoma. Resistant melanoma cells displaying enhanced migratory and pro-invasive abilities increased sensitivity to the BRAF inhibitor PLX4032 upon the molecular targeting of FASN and upon treatment with the FASN inhibitor orlistat. This behavior was associated with a marked apoptosis and caspase 3/7 activation observed for the drug combination. The expression of FASN was found to be inversely associated with drug resistance in BRAF-mutant cell lines, both in a set of six resistant/sensitive matched lines and in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia. A favorable drug interaction in resistant cells was also observed with U18666 A inhibiting DHCR24, which increased upon FASN targeting. The simultaneous combination of the two inhibitors showed a synergistic interaction with PLX4032 in resistant cells. In conclusion, FASN plays a role in BRAF-mutated melanoma progression, thereby creating novel therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Stamatakos
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Giovanni Luca Beretta
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Vergani
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.V.); (S.F.)
| | - Matteo Dugo
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Cristina Corno
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Corna
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Stella Tinelli
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Simona Frigerio
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.V.); (S.F.)
| | - Emilio Ciusani
- Department of Diagnostic and Technology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Monica Rodolfo
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.V.); (S.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Paola Perego
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (S.S.); (G.L.B.); (M.D.); (C.C.); (E.C.); (S.T.); (P.P.)
| | - Laura Gatti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan, Italy;
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103
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Ostojić J, Yoon YS, Sonntag T, Nguyen B, Vaughan JM, Shokhirev M, Montminy M. Transcriptional co-activator regulates melanocyte differentiation and oncogenesis by integrating cAMP and MAPK/ERK pathways. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109136. [PMID: 34010639 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The cyclic AMP pathway promotes melanocyte differentiation by activating CREB and the cAMP-regulated transcription co-activators 1-3 (CRTC1-3). Differentiation is dysregulated in melanomas, although the contributions of CRTC proteins is unclear. We report a selective differentiation impairment in CRTC3 KO melanocytes and melanoma cells, due to downregulation of oculo-cutaneous albinism II (OCA2) and block of melanosome maturation. CRTC3 stimulates OCA2 expression by binding to CREB on a conserved enhancer, a regulatory site for pigmentation and melanoma risk. CRTC3 is uniquely activated by ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation at Ser391 and by low levels of cAMP. Phosphorylation at Ser391 is constitutively elevated in human melanoma cells with hyperactivated ERK1/2 signaling; knockout of CRTC3 in this setting impairs anchorage-independent growth, migration, and invasiveness, whereas CRTC3 overexpression supports cell survival in response to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor vemurafenib. As melanomas expressing gain-of-function mutations in CRTC3 are associated with reduced survival, our results suggest that CRTC3 inhibition may provide therapeutic benefit in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Ostojić
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Young-Sil Yoon
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tim Sonntag
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Billy Nguyen
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Joan M Vaughan
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Maxim Shokhirev
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Marc Montminy
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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104
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Advances in Targeting Cutaneous Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092090. [PMID: 33925915 PMCID: PMC8123429 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cutaneous Melanoma (CM), arising from pigment-producing melanocytes in the skin, is an aggressive cancer with high metastatic potential. While cutaneous melanoma represents only a fraction of all skin cancers (<5%), it accounts for most skin-cancer-related deaths worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibition has been the first therapeutic approach to significantly benefit patient survival after treatment. Nevertheless, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the intrinsic and acquired treatment resistance of melanoma remain crucial challenges. Combining local and systemic treatment offers the potential to augment therapeutic response and overcome resistance, although, complex drug combinations can harbor an increased risk of immune-related adverse events. The aim of this review is to give current insight into studies combining systemic and local therapeutic approaches to overcome drug resistance, prime melanoma cells for therapy, and improve overall treatment response in CM patients. Abstract To date, the skin remains the most common cancer site among Caucasians in the western world. The complex, layered structure of human skin harbors a heterogenous population of specialized cells. Each cell type residing in the skin potentially gives rise to a variety of cancers, including non-melanoma skin cancer, sarcoma, and cutaneous melanoma. Cutaneous melanoma is known to exacerbate and metastasize if not detected at an early stage, with mutant melanomas tending to acquire treatment resistance over time. The intricacy of melanoma thus necessitates diverse and patient-centered targeted treatment options. In addition to classical treatment through surgical intervention and radio- or chemotherapy, several systemic and intratumoral immunomodulators, pharmacological agents (e.g., targeted therapies), and oncolytic viruses are trialed or have been recently approved. Moreover, utilizing combinations of immune checkpoint blockade with targeted, oncolytic, or anti-angiogenic approaches for patients with advanced disease progression are promising approaches currently under pre-clinical and clinical investigation. In this review, we summarize the current ‘state-of-the-art’ as well as discuss emerging agents and regimens in cutaneous melanoma treatment.
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105
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Tudor DV, Bâldea I, Olteanu DE, Fischer-Fodor E, Piroska V, Lupu M, Călinici T, Decea RM, Filip GA. Celecoxib as a Valuable Adjuvant in Cutaneous Melanoma Treated with Trametinib. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4387. [PMID: 33922284 PMCID: PMC8122835 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma patients stop responding to targeted therapies mainly due to mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway re-activation, phosphoinositide 3 kinase/the mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) pathway activation or stromal cell influence. The future of melanoma treatment lies in combinational approaches. To address this, our in vitro study evaluated if lower concentrations of Celecoxib (IC50 in nM range) could still preserve the chemopreventive effect on melanoma cells treated with trametinib. MATERIALS AND METHODS All experiments were conducted on SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cells and BJ human fibroblasts, used as co-culture. Co-culture cells were subjected to a celecoxib and trametinib drug combination for 72 h. We focused on the evaluation of cell death mechanisms, melanogenesis, angiogenesis, inflammation and resistance pathways. RESULTS Low-dose celecoxib significantly enhanced the melanoma response to trametinib. The therapeutic combination reduced nuclear transcription factor (NF)-kB (p < 0.0001) and caspase-8/caspase-3 activation (p < 0.0001), inhibited microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase (p < 0.05) expression and strongly down-regulated the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway more significantly than the control or trametinib group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Low concentrations of celecoxib (IC50 in nM range) sufficed to exert antineoplastic capabilities and enhanced the therapeutic response of metastatic melanoma treated with trametinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Valentina Tudor
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.V.T.); (I.B.); (M.L.); (R.M.D.); (G.A.F.)
| | - Ioana Bâldea
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.V.T.); (I.B.); (M.L.); (R.M.D.); (G.A.F.)
| | - Diana Elena Olteanu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.V.T.); (I.B.); (M.L.); (R.M.D.); (G.A.F.)
| | - Eva Fischer-Fodor
- “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță” Oncology Institute, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.F.-F.); (V.P.)
| | - Virag Piroska
- “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuță” Oncology Institute, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.F.-F.); (V.P.)
| | - Mihai Lupu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.V.T.); (I.B.); (M.L.); (R.M.D.); (G.A.F.)
| | - Tudor Călinici
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Roxana Maria Decea
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.V.T.); (I.B.); (M.L.); (R.M.D.); (G.A.F.)
| | - Gabriela Adriana Filip
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.V.T.); (I.B.); (M.L.); (R.M.D.); (G.A.F.)
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106
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Raimondi M, Fontana F, Marzagalli M, Audano M, Beretta G, Procacci P, Sartori P, Mitro N, Limonta P. Ca 2+ overload- and ROS-associated mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to δ-tocotrienol-mediated paraptosis in melanoma cells. Apoptosis 2021; 26:277-292. [PMID: 33811561 PMCID: PMC8197726 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-021-01668-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive tumor with still poor therapy outcomes. δ-tocotrienol (δ-TT) is a vitamin E derivative displaying potent anti-cancer properties. Previously, we demonstrated that δ-TT triggers apoptosis in human melanoma cells. Here, we investigated whether it might also activate paraptosis, a non-canonical programmed cell death. In accordance with the main paraptotic features, δ-TT was shown to promote cytoplasmic vacuolization, associated with endoplasmic reticulum/mitochondrial dilation and protein synthesis, as well as MAPK activation in A375 and BLM cell lines. Moreover, treated cells exhibited a significant reduced expression of OXPHOS complex I and a marked decrease in oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential, culminating in decreased ATP synthesis and AMPK phosphorylation. This mitochondrial dysfunction resulted in ROS overproduction, found to be responsible for paraptosis induction. Additionally, δ-TT caused Ca2+ homeostasis disruption, with endoplasmic reticulum-derived ions accumulating in mitochondria and activating the paraptotic signaling. Interestingly, by using both IP3R and VDAC inhibitors, a close cause-effect relationship between mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and ROS generation was evidenced. Collectively, these results provide novel insights into δ-TT anti-melanoma activity, highlighting its ability to induce mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated paraptosis. δ-tocotrienol induces paraptotic cell death in human melanoma cells, causing endoplasmic reticulum dilation and mitochondrial swelling. These alterations induce an impairment of mitochondrial function, ROS production and calcium overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Raimondi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Audano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giangiacomo Beretta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Procacci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sartori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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107
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Targeting p53 for Melanoma Treatment: Counteracting Tumour Proliferation, Dissemination and Therapeutic Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071648. [PMID: 33916029 PMCID: PMC8037490 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma is a highly metastatic and therapy-resistant cancer and is therefore associated with low survival rates of patients. In melanoma, the inactivation of the wild-type form of the p53 tumour suppressor protein is a frequent event, mainly through interactions with MDM2 and MDMX. In this work, our recently disclosed p53-activating agent, SLMP53-2, displayed promising in vitro and in vivo antitumour activity, with particular impacts on melanoma migration and invasion. Moreover, SLMP53-2 (re)sensitized melanoma cells to clinically used chemotherapeutic agents, potentially overcoming the therapeutic resistance issue. As a whole, the p53 activator SLMP53-2 may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for melanoma, particularly in combination with MAPK pathway-targeting drugs. Abstract Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, primarily due to its high metastatic propensity and therapeutic resistance in advanced stages. The frequent inactivation of the p53 tumour suppressor protein in melanomagenesis may predict promising outcomes for p53 activators in melanoma therapy. Herein, we aimed to investigate the antitumor potential of the p53-activating agent SLMP53-2 against melanoma. Two- and three-dimensional cell cultures and xenograft mouse models were used to unveil the antitumor activity and the underlying molecular mechanism of SLMP53-2 in melanoma. SLMP53-2 inhibited the growth of human melanoma cells in a p53-dependent manner through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Notably, SLMP53-2 induced p53 stabilization by disrupting the p53–MDM2 interaction, enhancing p53 transcriptional activity. It also promoted the expression of p53-regulated microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-145 and miR-23a. Moreover, it displayed anti-invasive and antimigratory properties in melanoma cells by inhibiting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis and extracellular lactate production. Importantly, SLMP53-2 did not induce resistance in melanoma cells. Additionally, it synergized with vemurafenib, dacarbazine and cisplatin, and resensitized vemurafenib-resistant cells. SLMP53-2 also exhibited antitumor activity in human melanoma xenograft mouse models by repressing cell proliferation and EMT while stimulating apoptosis. This work discloses the p53-activating agent SLMP53-2 which has promising therapeutic potential in advanced melanoma, either as a single agent or in combination therapy. By targeting p53, SLMP53-2 may counteract major features of melanoma aggressiveness.
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108
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Osrodek M, Wozniak M. Targeting Genome Stability in Melanoma-A New Approach to an Old Field. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3485. [PMID: 33800547 PMCID: PMC8036881 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent groundbreaking advances in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, it remains one of the most treatment-resistant malignancies. Due to resistance to conventional chemotherapy, the therapeutic focus has shifted away from aiming at melanoma genome stability in favor of molecularly targeted therapies. Inhibitors of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) pathway significantly slow disease progression. However, long-term clinical benefit is rare due to rapid development of drug resistance. In contrast, immune checkpoint inhibitors provide exceptionally durable responses, but only in a limited number of patients. It has been increasingly recognized that melanoma cells rely on efficient DNA repair for survival upon drug treatment, and that genome instability increases the efficacy of both MAPK inhibitors and immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field of melanoma research which indicate that targeting genome stability of melanoma cells may serve as a powerful strategy to maximize the efficacy of currently available therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michal Wozniak
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
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109
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Peres J, Damerell V, Chauhan J, Popovic A, Desprez PY, Galibert MD, Goding CR, Prince S. TBX3 Promotes Melanoma Migration by Transcriptional Activation of ID1, which Prevents Activation of E-Cadherin by MITF. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:2250-2260.e2. [PMID: 33744299 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In melanoma, a phenotype switch from proliferation to invasion underpins metastasis, the major cause of melanoma-associated death. The transition from radial to vertical growth phase (invasive) melanoma is characterized by downregulation of both E-cadherin (CDH1) and MITF and upregulation of the key cancer-associated gene TBX3 and the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase signaling pathway. Yet, whether and how these diverse events are linked remains poorly understood. Here, we show that TBX3 directly promotes expression of ID1, a dominant-negative regulator of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, and that ID1 decreases MITF binding and upregulation of CDH1. Significantly, we show that TBX3 activation of ID1 is necessary for TBX3 to enhance melanoma cell migration, and the mechanistic links between TBX3, ID1, MITF, and invasion revealed here are reflected in their expression in human melanomas. Our results reveal that melanoma migration is promoted through a TBX3-ID1-MITF-E-cadherin axis and that ID1-mediated repression of MITF activity may reinforce maintenance of an MITFLow phenotype associated with disease progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Peres
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Victoria Damerell
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jagat Chauhan
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Ana Popovic
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pierre-Yves Desprez
- California Pacific Medical Center, Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marie-Dominique Galibert
- IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR6290, CNRS, University of Rennes, Rennes, France; Department of Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Hospital University of Rennes (CHU Rennes), Rennes, France
| | - Colin R Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Prince
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Wei Y, Jiang Z, Lu J. USP22 promotes melanoma and BRAF inhibitor resistance via YAP stabilization. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:394. [PMID: 33777217 PMCID: PMC7988733 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a conserved transcriptional coactivator that plays key roles in controlling organ size, tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Emerging evidence shows that YAP is overexpressed and associated with resistance to BRAF inhibitor treatment in melanoma. However, the mechanism accounting for YAP-overexpression in melanoma is largely unknown. The present study characterized ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) as a deubiquitinase controlling YAP abundance and biological functions in melanoma. Using western blotting and immunohistochemical staining, it was found that the expression of USP22 and YAP was associated in melanoma cell lines and patient samples. Moreover, USP22 interacted with and deubiquitinated YAP to prevent YAP turnover. Depletion of USP22 decreased YAP expression, which in turn suppressed cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, overexpression of USP22 conferred vemurafenib resistance in a YAP-dependent manner. Overall, the present study revealed the important role of the USP22/YAP axis in melanoma and BRAF inhibitor resistance, and provides a rationale to target USP22/YAP for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Changxing People's Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313100, P.R. China
| | - Ziyun Jiang
- Research Department, Shanghai Zhuole Biotechnology Center, Shanghai 201499, P.R. China
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Changxing People's Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313100, P.R. China
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Čermák V, Škarková A, Merta L, Kolomazníková V, Palušová V, Uldrijan S, Rösel D, Brábek J. RNA-seq Characterization of Melanoma Phenotype Switch in 3D Collagen after p38 MAPK Inhibitor Treatment. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030449. [PMID: 33802847 PMCID: PMC8002814 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma phenotype plasticity underlies tumour dissemination and resistance to therapy, yet its regulation is incompletely understood. In vivo switching between a more differentiated, proliferative phenotype and a dedifferentiated, invasive phenotype is directed by the tumour microenvironment. We found that treatment of partially dedifferentiated, invasive A375M2 cells with two structurally unrelated p38 MAPK inhibitors, SB2021920 and BIRB796, induces a phenotype switch in 3D collagen, as documented by increased expression of melanocyte differentiation markers and a loss of invasive phenotype markers. The phenotype is accompanied by morphological change corresponding to amoeboid–mesenchymal transition. We performed RNA sequencing with an Illumina HiSeq platform to fully characterise transcriptome changes underlying the switch. Gene expression results obtained with RNA-seq were validated by comparing them with RT-qPCR. Transcriptomic data generated in the study will extend the present understanding of phenotype plasticity in melanoma and its contribution to invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Čermák
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.Č.); (A.Š.); (L.M.); (V.K.); (D.R.)
- Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Škarková
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.Č.); (A.Š.); (L.M.); (V.K.); (D.R.)
- Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Merta
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.Č.); (A.Š.); (L.M.); (V.K.); (D.R.)
- Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kolomazníková
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.Č.); (A.Š.); (L.M.); (V.K.); (D.R.)
- Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Palušová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (V.P.); (S.U.)
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stjepan Uldrijan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (V.P.); (S.U.)
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekařská 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Rösel
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.Č.); (A.Š.); (L.M.); (V.K.); (D.R.)
- Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brábek
- Department of Cell Biology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic; (V.Č.); (A.Š.); (L.M.); (V.K.); (D.R.)
- Biotechnology and Biomedicine Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Charles University (BIOCEV), Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec u Prahy, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +420-3258-73900
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3D-Printed Collagen Scaffolds Promote Maintenance of Cryopreserved Patients-Derived Melanoma Explants. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030589. [PMID: 33800001 PMCID: PMC8000141 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) culture system with cryopreserved biospecimens could accelerate experimental research screening anticancer drugs, potentially reducing costs and time bench-to-beside. However, minimal research has explored the application of 3D bioprinting-based in vitro cancer models to cryopreserved biospecimens derived from patients with advanced melanoma. We investigated whether 3D-printed collagen scaffolds enable the propagation and maintenance of patient-derived melanoma explants (PDMEs). 3D-printed collagen scaffolds were fabricated with a 3DX bioprinter. After thawing, fragments from cryopreserved PDMEs (approximately 1–2 mm) were seeded onto the 3D-printed collagen scaffolds, and incubated for 7 to 21 days. The survival rate was determined with MTT and live and dead assays. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry staining was used to express the function of cryopreserved PDMEs. The results show that 3D-printed collagen scaffolds could improve the maintenance and survival rate of cryopreserved PDME more than 2D culture. MITF, Mel A, and S100 are well-known melanoma biomarkers. In agreement with these observations, 3D-printed collagen scaffolds retained the expression of melanoma biomarkers in cryopreserved PDME for 21 days. Our findings provide insight into the application of 3D-printed collagen scaffolds for closely mimicking the 3D architecture of melanoma and its microenvironment using cryopreserved biospecimens.
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113
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Kozar I, Philippidou D, Margue C, Gay LA, Renne R, Kreis S. Cross-Linking Ligation and Sequencing of Hybrids (qCLASH) Reveals an Unpredicted miRNA Targetome in Melanoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051096. [PMID: 33806450 PMCID: PMC7961530 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are key post-transcriptional gene regulators often displaying aberrant expression patterns in cancer. As microRNAs are promising disease-associated biomarkers and modulators of responsiveness to anti-cancer therapies, a solid understanding of their targetome is crucial. Despite enormous research efforts, the success rates of available tools to reliably predict microRNAs (miRNA)-target interactions remains limited. To investigate the disease-associated miRNA targetome, we have applied modified cross-linking ligation and sequencing of hybrids (qCLASH) to BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. The resulting RNA-RNA hybrid molecules provide a comprehensive and unbiased snapshot of direct miRNA-target interactions. The regulatory effects on selected miRNA target genes in predicted vs. non-predicted binding regions was validated by miRNA mimic experiments. Most miRNA-target interactions deviate from the central dogma of miRNA targeting up to 60% interactions occur via non-canonical seed pairing with a strong contribution of the 3' miRNA sequence, and over 50% display a clear bias towards the coding sequence of mRNAs. miRNAs targeting the coding sequence can directly reduce gene expression (miR-34a/CD68), while the majority of non-canonical miRNA interactions appear to have roles beyond target gene suppression (miR-100/AXL). Additionally, non-mRNA targets of miRNAs (lncRNAs) whose interactions mainly occur via non-canonical binding were identified in melanoma. This first application of CLASH sequencing to cancer cells identified over 8 K distinct miRNA-target interactions in melanoma cells. Our data highlight the importance non-canonical interactions, revealing further layers of complexity of post-transcriptional gene regulation in melanoma, thus expanding the pool of miRNA-target interactions, which have so far been omitted in the cancer field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Kozar
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (I.K.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Demetra Philippidou
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (I.K.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Christiane Margue
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (I.K.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Lauren A. Gay
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.A.G.); (R.R.)
| | - Rolf Renne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.A.G.); (R.R.)
| | - Stephanie Kreis
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg; (I.K.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Han J, Jung Y, Jun Y, Park S, Lee S. Elucidating molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors in melanoma using a microfluidic device and deep sequencing. Genomics Inform 2021; 19:e2. [PMID: 33840166 PMCID: PMC8042304 DOI: 10.5808/gi.20074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BRAF inhibitors (e.g., vemurafenib) are widely used to treat metastatic melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation. The initial response is often dramatic, but treatment resistance leads to disease progression in the majority of cases. Although secondary mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway are known to be responsible for this phenomenon, the molecular mechanisms governing acquired resistance are not known in more than half of patients. Here we report a genome- and transcriptome-wide study investigating the molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. A microfluidic chip with a concentration gradient of vemurafenib was utilized to rapidly obtain therapy-resistant clones from two melanoma cell lines with the BRAF V600E mutation (A375 and SK-MEL-28). Exome and transcriptome data were produced from 13 resistant clones and analyzed to identify secondary mutations and gene expression changes. Various mechanisms, including phenotype switching and metabolic reprogramming, have been determined to contribute to resistance development differently for each clone. The roles of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, the master transcription factor in melanocyte differentiation/dedifferentiation, were highlighted in terms of phenotype switching. Our study provides an omics-based comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms governing acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeon Han
- Department of Bio-information Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Yeonjoo Jung
- Ewha Research Center for Systems Biology (ERCSB), Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Yukyung Jun
- Ewha Research Center for Systems Biology (ERCSB), Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Sungsu Park
- Center for Supercomputing Application, Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Sanghyuk Lee
- Department of Bio-information Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
- Ewha Research Center for Systems Biology (ERCSB), Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
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Aranha ESP, Portilho AJDS, Bentes de Sousa L, da Silva EL, Mesquita FP, Rocha WC, Araújo da Silva FM, Lima ES, Alves APNN, Koolen HHF, Montenegro RC, Vasconcellos MCD. 22β-hydroxytingenone induces apoptosis and suppresses invasiveness of melanoma cells by inhibiting MMP-9 activity and MAPK signaling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 267:113605. [PMID: 33232779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE 22β-hydroxytingenone (22-HTG) is a quinonemethide triterpene isolated from Salacia impressifolia (Miers) A. C. Smith (family Celastraceae), which has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including dengue, renal infections, rheumatism and cancer. However, the anticancer effects of 22-HTG and the underlying molecular mechanisms in melanoma cells have not yet been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study investigated apoptosis induction and antimetastatic potencial of 22-HTG in SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, the in vitro cytotoxic activity of 22-HTG in cultured cancer cells was evaluated. Then, cell viability was determined using the trypan blue assay in melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28), which was followed by cell cycle, annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide assays (Annexin/PI), as well as assays to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using flow cytometry. Fluorescence microscopy using acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/BE) staining was also performed. RT-qPCR was carried out to evaluate the expression of BRAF, NRAS, and KRAS genes. The anti-invasiveness potential of 22-HTG was evaluated in a three-dimensional (3D) model of reconstructed human skin. RESULTS 22-HTG reduced viability of SK-MEL-28 cells and caused morphological changes, as cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. Furthermore, 22-HTG caused apoptosis, which was demonstrated by increased staining with AO/BE and Annexin/PI. The apoptosis may have been caused by mitochondrial instability without the involvement of ROS production. The expression of BRAF, NRAS, and KRAS, which are important biomarkers in melanoma development, was reduced by the 22-HTG treatment. In the reconstructed skin model, 22-HTG was able to decrease the invasion capacity of melanoma cells in the dermis. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that 22-HTG has anti-tumorigenic properties against melanoma cells through the induction of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and inhibition of invasiveness potential, as observed in the 3D model. As such, the results provide new insights for future work on the utilization of 22-HTG in malignant melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elenn Suzany Pereira Aranha
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Post Graduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the Amazon (Bionorte), Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, 69080-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Leilane Bentes de Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, 69080-900, Brazil.
| | - Emerson Lucena da Silva
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-275, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Pantoja Mesquita
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-275, Brazil.
| | - Waldireny C Rocha
- Health and Biotechnology Institute, Federal University of Amazonas, Coari, Amazonas, 69460-000, Brazil.
| | | | - Emerson Silva Lima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, 69080-900, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Raquel Carvalho Montenegro
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, 60430-275, Brazil.
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Kosiol N, Juranek S, Brossart P, Heine A, Paeschke K. G-quadruplexes: a promising target for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:40. [PMID: 33632214 PMCID: PMC7905668 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA can fold into a variety of alternative conformations. In recent years, a particular nucleic acid structure was discussed to play a role in malignant transformation and cancer development. This structure is called a G-quadruplex (G4). G4 structure formation can drive genome instability by creating mutations, deletions and stimulating recombination events. The importance of G4 structures in the characterization of malignant cells was currently demonstrated in breast cancer samples. In this analysis a correlation between G4 structure formation and an increased intratumor heterogeneity was identified. This suggests that G4 structures might allow breast cancer stratification and supports the identification of new personalized treatment options. Because of the stability of G4 structures and their presence within most human oncogenic promoters and at telomeres, G4 structures are currently tested as a therapeutic target to downregulate transcription or to block telomere elongation in cancer cells. To date, different chemical molecules (G4 ligands) have been developed that aim to target G4 structures. In this review we discuss and compare G4 function and relevance for therapeutic approaches and their impact on cancer development for three cancer entities, which differ significantly in their amount and type of mutations: pancreatic cancer, leukemia and malignant melanoma. G4 structures might present a promising new strategy to individually target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Kosiol
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Juranek
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Annkristin Heine
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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Melixetian M, Bossi D, Mihailovich M, Punzi S, Barozzi I, Marocchi F, Cuomo A, Bonaldi T, Testa G, Marine JC, Leucci E, Minucci S, Pelicci PG, Lanfrancone L. Long non-coding RNA TINCR suppresses metastatic melanoma dissemination by preventing ATF4 translation. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e50852. [PMID: 33586907 PMCID: PMC7926219 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition from proliferative‐to‐invasive phenotypes promotes metastasis and therapy resistance in melanoma. Reversion of the invasive phenotype, however, is challenged by the poor understanding of mechanisms underlying its maintenance. Here, we report that the lncRNA TINCR is down‐regulated in metastatic melanoma and its silencing increases the expression levels of invasive markers, in vitro migration, in vivo tumor growth, and resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors. The critical mediator is ATF4, a central player of the integrated stress response (ISR), which is activated in TINCR‐depleted cells in the absence of starvation and eIF2α phosphorylation. TINCR depletion increases global protein synthesis and induces translational reprogramming, leading to increased translation of mRNAs encoding ATF4 and other ISR proteins. Strikingly, re‐expression of TINCR in metastatic melanoma suppresses the invasive phenotype, reduces numbers of tumor‐initiating cells and metastasis formation, and increases drug sensitivity. Mechanistically, TINCR interacts with mRNAs associated with the invasive phenotype, including ATF4, preventing their binding to ribosomes. Thus, TINCR is a suppressor of the melanoma invasive phenotype, which functions in nutrient‐rich conditions by repressing translation of selected ISR RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Melixetian
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Bossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marija Mihailovich
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Punzi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Iros Barozzi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Federica Marocchi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bonaldi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eleonora Leucci
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Saverio Minucci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Lanfrancone
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Integrated Genomics Identifies miR-181/TFAM Pathway as a Critical Driver of Drug Resistance in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041801. [PMID: 33670365 PMCID: PMC7918089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are attractive therapeutic targets and promising candidates as molecular biomarkers for various therapy-resistant tumors. However, the association between miRNAs and drug resistance in melanoma remains to be elucidated. We used an integrative genomic analysis to comprehensively study the miRNA expression profiles of drug-resistant melanoma patients and cell lines. MicroRNA-181a and -181b (miR181a/b) were identified as the most significantly down-regulated miRNAs in resistant melanoma patients and cell lines. Re-establishment of miR-181a/b expression reverses the resistance of melanoma cells to the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib. Introduction of miR-181 mimics markedly decreases the expression of TFAM in A375 melanoma cells resistant to BRAF inhibitors. Furthermore, melanoma growth was inhibited in A375 and M14 resistant melanoma cells transfected with miR-181a/b mimics, while miR-181a/b depletion enhanced resistance in sensitive cell lines. Collectively, our study demonstrated that miR-181a/b could reverse the resistance to BRAF inhibitors in dabrafenib resistant melanoma cell lines. In addition, miR-181a and -181b are strongly down-regulated in tumor samples from patients before and after the development of resistance to targeted therapies. Finally, melanoma tissues with high miR-181a and -181b expression presented favorable outcomes in terms of Progression Free Survival, suggesting that miR-181 is a clinically relevant candidate for therapeutic development or biomarker-based therapy selection.
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Ahmed R, Muralidharan R, Srivastava A, Johnston SE, Zhao YD, Ekmekcioglu S, Munshi A, Ramesh R. Molecular Targeting of HuR Oncoprotein Suppresses MITF and Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020166. [PMID: 33418925 PMCID: PMC7825065 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The human antigen R (HuR) protein regulates the expression of hundreds of proteins in a cell that support tumor growth, drug resistance, and metastases. HuR is overexpressed in several human cancers, including melanoma, and is a molecular target for cancer therapy. Our study objective, therefore, was to develop HuR-targeted therapy for melanoma. We identified that HuR regulates the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) that has been implicated in both intrinsic and acquired drug resistance in melanoma and is a putative therapeutic target in melanoma. Using a gene therapeutic approach, we demonstrated silencing of HuR reduced MITF protein expression and inhibited the growth of melanoma cells but not normal melanocytes. However, combining HuR-targeted therapy with a small molecule MEK inhibitor suppressed MITF and produced a synergistic antitumor activity against melanoma cells. Our study results demonstrate that HuR is a promising target for melanoma treatment and offers new combinatorial treatment strategies for overriding MITF-mediated drug resistance. Abstract Background: Treatment of metastatic melanoma possesses challenges due to drug resistance and metastases. Recent advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy have shown clinical benefits in melanoma patients with increased survival. However, a subset of patients who initially respond to targeted therapy relapse and succumb to the disease. Therefore, efforts to identify new therapeutic targets are underway. Due to its role in stabilizing several oncoproteins’ mRNA, the human antigen R (HuR) has been shown as a promising molecular target for cancer therapy. However, little is known about its potential role in melanoma treatment. Methods: In this study, we tested the impact of siRNA-mediated gene silencing of HuR in human melanoma (MeWo, A375) and normal melanocyte cells in vitro. Cells were treated with HuR siRNA encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle (NP) either alone or in combination with MEK inhibitor (U0126) and subjected to cell viability, cell-cycle, apoptosis, Western blotting, and cell migration and invasion assays. Cells that were untreated or treated with control siRNA-NP (C-NP) were included as controls. Results: HuR-NP treatment significantly reduced the expression of HuR and HuR-regulated oncoproteins, induced G1 cell cycle arrest, activated apoptosis signaling cascade, and mitigated melanoma cells’ aggressiveness while sparing normal melanocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HuR-NP treatment significantly reduced the expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in both MeWo and MITF-overexpressing MeWo cells (p < 0.05). Finally, combining HuR-NP with U0126 resulted in synergistic antitumor activity against MeWo cells (p < 0.01). Conclusion: HuR-NP exhibited antitumor activity in melanoma cells independent of their oncogenic B-RAF mutational status. Additionally, combinatorial therapy incorporating MEK inhibitor holds promise in overriding MITF-mediated drug resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebaz Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.A.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Ranganayaki Muralidharan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.A.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (Y.D.Z.); (A.M.)
| | - Akhil Srivastava
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.A.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (Y.D.Z.); (A.M.)
| | - Sarah E. Johnston
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Yan D. Zhao
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (Y.D.Z.); (A.M.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Suhendan Ekmekcioglu
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (Y.D.Z.); (A.M.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.A.); (R.M.); (A.S.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (Y.D.Z.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-405-271-6101
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Zhai Z, Vaddi PK, Samson JM, Takegami T, Fujita M. NLRP1 Functions Downstream of the MAPK/ERK Signaling via ATF4 and Contributes to Acquired Targeted Therapy Resistance in Human Metastatic Melanoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:ph14010023. [PMID: 33396632 PMCID: PMC7823742 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The BRAF V600E mutation leads to constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and its downstream effector responses. Uncovering the hidden downstream effectors can aid in understanding melanoma biology and improve targeted therapy efficacy. The inflammasome sensor, NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 1 (NLRP1), is responsible for IL-1β maturation and itself is a melanoma tumor promoter. Here, we report that NLRP1 is a downstream effector of MAPK/ERK signaling through the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), creating regulation in metastatic melanoma cells. We confirmed that the NLRP1 gene is a target of ATF4. Interestingly, ATF4/NLRP1 regulation by the MAPK/ERK pathway uses distinct mechanisms in melanoma cells before and after the acquired resistance to targeted therapy. In parental cells, ATF4/NLRP1 is regulated by the MAPK/ERK pathway through the ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2). However, vemurafenib (VEM) and trametinib (TRA)-resistant cells lose the signaling via RSK2 and activate the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway to redirect ATF4/NLRP1. Therefore, NLRP1 expression and IL-1β secretion were downregulated in response to VEM and TRA in parental cells but enhanced in drug-resistant cells. Lastly, silencing NLRP1 in drug-resistant cells reduced their cell growth and inhibited colony formation. In summary, we demonstrated that NLRP1 functions downstream of the MAPK/ERK signaling via ATF4 and is a player of targeted therapy resistance in melanoma. Targeting NLRP1 may improve the therapeutic efficacy of targeted therapy in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Zhai
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (Z.Z.); (P.K.V.); (J.M.S.); (T.T.)
| | - Prasanna K. Vaddi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (Z.Z.); (P.K.V.); (J.M.S.); (T.T.)
| | - Jenny Mae Samson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (Z.Z.); (P.K.V.); (J.M.S.); (T.T.)
| | - Tomoya Takegami
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (Z.Z.); (P.K.V.); (J.M.S.); (T.T.)
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (Z.Z.); (P.K.V.); (J.M.S.); (T.T.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-303-724-4045; Fax: +1-303-724-4048
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Krajewski A, Gagat M, Mikołajczyk K, Izdebska M, Żuryń A, Grzanka A. Cyclin F Downregulation Affects Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Increasing Proliferation and Migration of the A-375 Melanoma Cell Line. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:13085-13097. [PMID: 33376401 PMCID: PMC7765751 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s279169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cyclins are well-known cell cycle regulators. The activation of cyclin-dependent kinases by cyclins allows orchestration of the complicated cell cycle machinery and drives the cell from the G1 phase to the end of the mitotic phase. In recent years, it has become evident that cyclins are involved in processes beyond the cell cycle. Cyclin F does not activate CDKs but forms part of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box (SCF) complex where it is responsible for protein target recognition and subsequent degradation in a proteasome-dependent manner. Results Here, we report that the downregulation of cyclin F in the A-375 melanoma cell line increases cell viability and colony formation in a cell cycle independent manner. Lower levels of cyclin F do not appear to affect the cell cycle, based on flow cytometry measuring BrdU incorporation and propidium iodide staining. By means of immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis, we observed changes in cell morphology-related markers which suggested ongoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to cyclin F downregulation. Increases in vimentin and N-cadherin protein levels, decreases in levels of epithelial markers such as ZO-1, along with changes in morphology to a spindle-like shape with the appearance of actin stress fibers, are all hallmarks of EMT. These changes are associated with increased invasive and migratory potential, based on 2D migration assays. Moreover, we observe an increase in RhoABC, talin and paxillin levels, the proteins involved in controlling cell signaling and motility. Lastly, upon knocking down cyclin F expression, we observed a decrease in thrombospondin-1 expression, suggesting a role of cyclin F in angiogenesis. Conclusion Cyclin F depletion induces proliferation and EMT processes in the A-375 melanoma model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Krajewski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Maciej Gagat
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Klaudia Mikołajczyk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Izdebska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Żuryń
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Alina Grzanka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Kun E, Tsang YTM, Ng CW, Gershenson DM, Wong KK. MEK inhibitor resistance mechanisms and recent developments in combination trials. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 92:102137. [PMID: 33340965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a vital role in cellular processes such as gene expression, cell proliferation, cell survival, and apoptosis. Also known as the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, the MAPK pathway has been implicated in approximately one-third of all cancers. Mutations in RAS or RAF genes such as KRAS and BRAF are common, and these mutations typically promote malignancies by over-activating MEK and ERK downstream, which drives sustained cell proliferation and uninhibited cell growth. Development of drugs targeting this pathway has been a research area of great interest, especially drugs targeting the inhibition of MEK. In vitro and clinical studies have shown promise for certain MEK inhibitors (MEKi) , and MEKi have become the first treatment option for certain cancers. Despite promising results, not all patients have a response to MEKi, and mechanisms of resistance typically arise in patients who do have a positive initial response. This paper summarizes recent developments regarding MEKi, the mechanisms of adaptive resistance to MEKi, and the potential solutions to the issue of adaptive MEKi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y T M Tsang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - C W Ng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - D M Gershenson
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - K K Wong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.
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Zhou H, Li L, Wang Y, Wang D. Long non-coding RNA SNHG6 promotes tumorigenesis in melanoma cells via the microRNA-101-3p/RAP2B axis. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:323. [PMID: 33123239 PMCID: PMC7583849 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6; ENSG00000245910) participates in the development of malignant tumors. However, the underlying mechanism of SNHG6 in the development of melanoma remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the biological role of SNHG6 in the progression of melanoma. SNHG6 expression in melanoma tissues and cells was assessed using a bioinformatics approach and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Cell viability was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. The correlation between microRNA (miR)-101-3p, SNHG6 and RAP2B expression levels was assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were utilized to confirm the interaction between miR-101-3p and SNHG6 or RAP2B. The Transwell assay was conducted to examine the migratory and invasive activities of melanoma cells. In the present study, SNHG6 expression was upregulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines, and SNHG6 silencing suppressed melanoma cell viability, migration and invasion. SNHG6 was directly bound to miR-101-3p, which interacted with RAP2B. In addition, miR-101-3p expression was negatively correlated with SNHG6 or RAP2B expression. miR-101-3p silencing partially abrogated the suppressive effect of SNHG6-knockdown on RAP2B expression. Moreover, the data demonstrated that RAP2B overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects on melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion induced by SNHG6 silencing. In conclusion, the present study identified that SNHG6 accelerated melanoma progression via regulating the miR-101-3p/RAP2B axis. Thus, the SNHG6/miR-101-3p/RAP2B signaling pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhou
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Lingqiao Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Yingqian Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
| | - Dewei Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burn, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, P.R. China
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Dummer R, Ascierto PA, Nathan P, Robert C, Schadendorf D. Rationale for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Plus Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma: A Review. JAMA Oncol 2020; 6:1957-1966. [PMID: 32970096 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.4401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Importance In recent years, the management of metastatic melanoma has been transformed by the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies that significantly improve patient survival. The complementary response kinetics of these treatment approaches, supported by mechanistic evidence that targeted therapy affects immune aspects of the tumor microenvironment, suggest that the optimal combination or sequencing of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy may provide additional clinical benefit. Observations Clinical responses to BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors are associated with immune changes within the tumor microenvironment that have the potential to increase the sensitivity of BRAF V600-mutant melanoma to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with targeted therapy may therefore increase duration of response, improve tumor control, extend survival, and increase the proportion of patients experiencing durable benefit. A targeted therapy-immune checkpoint inhibitor sequencing approach may also be supported by this evidence, but clinical questions regarding optimal timing, duration, and patient selection remain. Conclusions and Relevance This review outlines the rationale and preclinical evidence that support immune checkpoint inhibitor plus targeted therapy combination and sequencing strategies in melanoma and highlights the results available to date from clinical trials exploring these approaches to treatment. Several late-stage trials are under way looking to answer open questions in this field and address the continuing debate surrounding up-front combination vs sequencing. As phase 3 data have begun to emerge, trial designs and available data from key studies are discussed in the context of their resultant implications for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Dummer
- University Hospital Zürich Skin Cancer Center, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione "G. Pascale," Naples, Italy
| | - Paul Nathan
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Robert
- Gustave Roussy and Paris-Sud-Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany, and German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
HSP90 (heat shock protein 90) is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone involved in a proper folding and maturation of hundreds of proteins. HSP90 is abundantly expressed in cancer, including melanoma. HSP90 client proteins are the key oncoproteins of several signaling pathways controlling melanoma development, progression and response to therapy. A number of natural and synthetic compounds of different chemical structures and binding sites within HSP90 have been identified as selective HSP90 inhibitors. The majority of HSP90-targeting agents affect N-terminal ATPase activity of HSP90. In contrast to N-terminal inhibitors, agents interacting with the middle and C-terminal domains of HSP90 do not induce HSP70-dependent cytoprotective response. Several inhibitors of HSP90 were tested against melanoma in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, providing evidence that these agents can be considered either as single or complementary therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of HSP90 protein in cancer with focus on melanoma, and provides an overview of structurally different HSP90 inhibitors that are considered as potential therapeutics for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariusz L Hartman
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland.
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Fattore L, Mancini R, Ciliberto G. Cancer Stem Cells and the Slow Cycling Phenotype: How to Cut the Gordian Knot Driving Resistance to Therapy in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113368. [PMID: 33202944 PMCID: PMC7696527 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer stem cells play a central role in the development of cancer and are poorly sensitive to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Furthermore, they are also responsible for the onset of drug resistance. This also occurs in malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Hence, cancer stem cells eradication is one of the main challenges for medical oncology. Here, we conducted a bioinformatics approach aimed to identify the main circuits and proteins underpinning cancer stem cell fitness in melanoma. Several lessons emerged from our work and may help to conceptualize future therapeutic approaches to prolong the efficacy of current therapies. Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have historically been defined as slow cycling elements that are able to differentiate into mature cells but without dedifferentiation in the opposite direction. Thanks to advances in genomic and non-genomic technologies, the CSC theory has more recently been reconsidered in a dynamic manner according to a “phenotype switching” plastic model. Transcriptional reprogramming rewires this plasticity and enables heterogeneous tumors to influence cancer progression and to adapt themselves to drug exposure by selecting a subpopulation of slow cycling cells, similar in nature to the originally defined CSCs. This model has been conceptualized for malignant melanoma tailored to explain resistance to target therapies. Here, we conducted a bioinformatics analysis of available data directed to the identification of the molecular pathways sustaining slow cycling melanoma stem cells. Using this approach, we identified a signature of 25 genes that were assigned to four major clusters, namely (1) kinases and metabolic changes, (2) melanoma-associated proteins, (3) Hippo pathway and (4) slow cycling/CSCs factors. Furthermore, we show how a protein−protein interaction network may be the main driver of these melanoma cell subpopulations. Finally, mining The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data we evaluated the expression levels of this signature in the four melanoma mutational subtypes. The concomitant alteration of these genes correlates with the worst overall survival (OS) for melanoma patients harboring BRAF-mutations. All together these results underscore the potentiality to target this signature to selectively kill CSCs and to achieve disease control in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fattore
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, SAFU Laboratory, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant’ Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Vergani E, Dugo M, Cossa M, Frigerio S, Di Guardo L, Gallino G, Mattavelli I, Vergani B, Lalli L, Tamborini E, Valeri B, Gargiuli C, Shahaj E, Ferrarini M, Ferrero E, Gomez Lira M, Huber V, Vecchio MD, Sensi M, Leone BE, Santinami M, Rivoltini L, Rodolfo M, Vallacchi V. miR-146a-5p impairs melanoma resistance to kinase inhibitors by targeting COX2 and regulating NFkB-mediated inflammatory mediators. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:156. [PMID: 32967672 PMCID: PMC7510138 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Targeted therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors has improved the survival of patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma, but most patients relapse upon the onset of drug resistance induced by mechanisms including genetic and epigenetic events. Among the epigenetic alterations, microRNA perturbation is associated with the development of kinase inhibitor resistance. Here, we identified and studied the role of miR-146a-5p dysregulation in melanoma drug resistance. Methods The miR-146a-5p-regulated NFkB signaling network was identified in drug-resistant cell lines and melanoma tumor samples by expression profiling and knock-in and knock-out studies. A bioinformatic data analysis identified COX2 as a central gene regulated by miR-146a-5p and NFkB. The effects of miR-146a-5p/COX2 manipulation were studied in vitro in cell lines and with 3D cultures of treatment-resistant tumor explants from patients progressing during therapy. Results miR-146a-5p expression was inversely correlated with drug sensitivity and COX2 expression and was reduced in BRAF and MEK inhibitor-resistant melanoma cells and tissues. Forced miR-146a-5p expression reduced COX2 activity and significantly increased drug sensitivity by hampering prosurvival NFkB signaling, leading to reduced proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. Similar effects were obtained by inhibiting COX2 by celecoxib, a clinically approved COX2 inhibitor. Conclusions Deregulation of the miR-146a-5p/COX2 axis occurs in the development of melanoma resistance to targeted drugs in melanoma patients. This finding reveals novel targets for more effective combination treatment. Video Abstract
Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vergani
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Dugo
- Platform of Integrated Biology, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Cossa
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Frigerio
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenza Di Guardo
- Unit of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianfrancesco Gallino
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mattavelli
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Vergani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Luca Lalli
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Tamborini
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Valeri
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Gargiuli
- Platform of Integrated Biology, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | - Eriomina Shahaj
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Ferrarini
- Experimental Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Macarena Gomez Lira
- Biology and Genetics, Department of Neurosciences Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Veronica Huber
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Unit of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Sensi
- Platform of Integrated Biology, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori AmadeoLab, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Mario Santinami
- Melanoma and Sarcoma Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Licia Rivoltini
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Rodolfo
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Viviana Vallacchi
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Rok J, Rzepka Z, Beberok A, Pawlik J, Wrześniok D. Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Anti-Melanoma Effect of Minocycline-A Study of Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis on Human Melanotic Melanoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6917. [PMID: 32967177 PMCID: PMC7555712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Minocycline is a tetracycline compound with pleiotropic pharmacological properties. In addition to its antibacterial action, it shows many non-antimicrobial effects, including an anti-cancer activity. The anti-cancer action was confirmed in studies on ovarian carcinoma cells, hepatocellular carcinoma cells, glioma cells, or acute myeloid leukemia cells. Malignant melanoma remains a serious medical problem despite the extensive knowledge of the disease. The low effectiveness of the standard treatment, as well as the resistance to therapy, result in high mortality rates. This work aimed to investigate the potential and mechanisms of anti-melanoma action of minocycline. Human skin melanotic melanoma cell line COLO 829 was used in the study. The obtained results showed that minocycline decreased cell viability and inhibited the growth of melanoma cells, proportional to the drug concentration as well as to the time of incubation. The EC50 values were calculated to be 78.6 µM, 31.7 µM, and 13.9 µM for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. It was observed that treated cells had a disturbed cell cycle and significantly changed morphology. Moreover, minocycline caused a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in cells with a low level of reduced thiols. Finally, it was found that the anti-melanoma effect of minocycline was related to the induction of apoptosis. The drug activated caspases 8, 9, and 3/7 as well as increased the number of annexin V-positive cells. The presented results show that minocycline possesses anti-melanoma potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Rok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (Z.R.); (A.B.); (J.P.); (D.W.)
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Azevedo H, Pessoa GC, de Luna Vitorino FN, Nsengimana J, Newton-Bishop J, Reis EM, da Cunha JPC, Jasiulionis MG. Gene co-expression and histone modification signatures are associated with melanoma progression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:127. [PMID: 32831131 PMCID: PMC7444266 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00910-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously developed a murine cellular system that models the transformation from melanocytes to metastatic melanoma cells. This model was established by cycles of anchorage impediment of melanocytes and consists of four cell lines: differentiated melanocytes (melan-a), pre-malignant melanocytes (4C), malignant (4C11-), and metastasis-prone (4C11+) melanoma cells. Here, we searched for transcriptional and epigenetic signatures associated with melanoma progression and metastasis by performing a gene co-expression analysis of transcriptome data and a mass-spectrometry-based profiling of histone modifications in this model. RESULTS Eighteen modules of co-expressed genes were identified, and some of them were associated with melanoma progression, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. The genes in these modules participate in biological processes like focal adhesion, cell migration, extracellular matrix organization, endocytosis, cell cycle, DNA repair, protein ubiquitination, and autophagy. Modules and hub signatures related to EMT and metastasis (turquoise, green yellow, and yellow) were significantly enriched in genes associated to patient survival in two independent melanoma cohorts (TCGA and Leeds), suggesting they could be sources of novel prognostic biomarkers. Clusters of histone modifications were also linked to melanoma progression, EMT, and metastasis. Reduced levels of H4K5ac and H4K8ac marks were seen in the pre-malignant and tumorigenic cell lines, whereas the methylation patterns of H3K4, H3K56, and H4K20 were related to EMT. Moreover, the metastatic 4C11+ cell line showed higher H3K9me2 and H3K36me3 methylation, lower H3K18me1, H3K23me1, H3K79me2, and H3K36me2 marks and, in agreement, downregulation of the H3K36me2 methyltransferase Nsd1. CONCLUSIONS We uncovered transcriptional and histone modification signatures that may be molecular events driving melanoma progression and metastasis, which can aid in the identification of novel prognostic genes and drug targets for treating the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hátylas Azevedo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Cavalcante Pessoa
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo 669 5 andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039032, Brazil
| | | | - Jérémie Nsengimana
- Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, Leeds, UK
- Biostatistics Research Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Newton-Bishop
- Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds School of Medicine, Leeds, UK
| | - Eduardo Moraes Reis
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling - CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo 669 5 andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039032, Brazil.
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The Antitumor Effect of Heparin is not Mediated by Direct NK Cell Activation. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9082666. [PMID: 32824699 PMCID: PMC7463539 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes responsible for the elimination of infected or transformed cells. The activation or inhibition of NK cells is determined by the balance of target cell ligand recognition by stimulatory and inhibitory receptors on their surface. Previous reports have suggested that the glycosaminoglycan heparin is a ligand for the natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp30, NKp44 (human), and NKp46 (both human and mouse). However, the effects of heparin on NK cell homeostasis and function remain unclear. Here, we show that heparin does not enhance NK cell proliferation or killing through NK cell activation. Alternatively, in mice models, heparin promoted NK cell survival in vitro and controlled B16-F10 melanoma metastasis development in vivo. In human NK cells, heparin promisingly increased interferon (IFN)-γ production in synergy with IL-12, although the mechanism remains elusive. Our data showed that heparin is not able to increase NK cell cytotoxicity.
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131
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Osrodek M, Rozanski M, Czyz M. Insulin Reduces the Efficacy of Vemurafenib and Trametinib in Melanoma Cells. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:7231-7250. [PMID: 32982400 PMCID: PMC7501594 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s263767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the progress made in the clinical management of metastatic melanoma, a patient’s response to treatment cannot be fully predicted, and intrinsic or acquired resistance that is developed in most melanoma patients warrants further research efforts. In addition to genetic factors, microenvironmental input should be considered to explain the diversity of response to treatment among melanoma patients. In this study, we evaluated the impact of insulin on patient-derived BRAFV600E melanoma cells, either untreated or treated with vemurafenib or trametinib, inhibitors of BRAFV600 and MEK1/2, respectively. Methods Cells were cultured in serum-free conditions, either with or without insulin. The activity of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways was assessed by Western blotting, cell viability, and percentages of Ki-67- and NGFR-positive cells by flow cytometry. Transcript levels were analyzed using qRT-PCR, and γ-H2AX levels by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. A luminescence-based assay was used to measure glutathione content. Results While insulin did not influence the MAPK/ERK pathway activity, it had a strong influence on melanoma cells, in which this pathway was suppressed by either vemurafenib or trametinib. In the presence of insulin, both drugs were much less efficient in 1) inhibiting proliferation and reducing the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells, and 2) inducing apoptosis and phosphorylation of histone H2AX in melanoma cells. Changes induced by vemurafenib and trametinib in glutathione homeostasis and DNA repair gene expression were also attenuated by insulin. Moreover, insulin impaired the combined effects of targeted drugs and doxorubicin in melanoma cells. In addition to insulin-induced PI3K/AKT activity, which was either transient or sustainable depending on the cell line, an insulin-triggered increase in the percentage of cells expressing NGFR, a marker of neural crest stem-like cells, may contribute to the reduced drug efficacy. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the role of insulin in reducing the efficacy of vemurafenib and trametinib. This needs clinical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Osrodek
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Michal Rozanski
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Tang Y, Chen M, Xie Q, Li L, Zhu L, Ma Q, Gao S. Construction and evaluation of hyaluronic acid-based copolymers as a targeted chemotherapy drug carrier for cancer therapy. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 31:305702. [PMID: 32272454 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab884d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma (MM) is a highly aggressive skin cancer with limited treatment options. Although chemotherapy has been using for advanced melanoma treatment, the lack of targetability, the poor biocompatibility and the severe side effects still hamper the wide applications of chemotherapy agents in MM management. Herein, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric hyaluronic acid nanoparticle (HANP) encapsulated with Paclitaxel (PTX) was developed for MM targeted therapy. Our results showed that PTX at 37 ± 2.1% (w/w) was able to be loaded into HANP with over 5 d of stability under physiological conditions. In vitro, HANP/PTX presented hyaluronidase-dependent drug release. Compared to free PTX, HANP/PTX demonstrated a 6-75 times higher growth inhibition in five different cancer cells, while only presenting minimum toxicity to normal cells. After intravenous administration at a 10 mg kg-1 equivalent dose of PTX, HANP/PTX significantly ablated MM tumor growth in a mouse model. As confirmed by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, the tumors started to respond to the HANP/PTX as early as 7 d after the initial treatment, which will significantly benefit for personalized treatment. In conclusion, the HANP/PTX nanocomplex demonstrated great promise as a translational nanomedicine for cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Tang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China
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Shattuck-Brandt RL, Chen SC, Murray E, Johnson CA, Crandall H, O'Neal JF, Al-Rohil RN, Nebhan CA, Bharti V, Dahlman KB, Ayers GD, Yan C, Kelley MC, Kauffmann RM, Hooks M, Grau A, Johnson DB, Vilgelm AE, Richmond A. Metastatic Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenografts Respond to MDM2 Inhibition as a Single Agent or in Combination with BRAF/MEK Inhibition. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3803-3818. [PMID: 32234759 PMCID: PMC7367743 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Over 60% of patients with melanoma respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, but many subsequently progress on these therapies. Second-line targeted therapy is based on BRAF mutation status, but no available agents are available for NRAS, NF1, CDKN2A, PTEN, and TP53 mutations. Over 70% of melanoma tumors have activation of the MAPK pathway due to BRAF or NRAS mutations, while loss or mutation of CDKN2A occurs in approximately 40% of melanomas, resulting in unregulated MDM2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of p53. Here, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of over-riding MDM2-mediated degradation of p53 in melanoma with an MDM2 inhibitor that interrupts MDM2 ubiquitination of p53, treating tumor-bearing mice with the MDM2 inhibitor alone or combined with MAPK-targeted therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To characterize the ability of the MDM2 antagonist, KRT-232, to inhibit tumor growth, we established patient-derived xenografts (PDX) from 15 patients with melanoma. Mice were treated with KRT-232 or a combination with BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors. Tumor growth, gene mutation status, as well as protein and protein-phosphoprotein changes, were analyzed. RESULTS One-hundred percent of the 15 PDX tumors exhibited significant growth inhibition either in response to KRT-232 alone or in combination with BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors. Only BRAFV600WT tumors responded to KRT-232 treatment alone while BRAFV600E/M PDXs exhibited a synergistic response to the combination of KRT-232 and BRAF/MEK inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS KRT-232 is an effective therapy for the treatment of either BRAFWT or PAN WT (BRAFWT, NRASWT) TP53WT melanomas. In combination with BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors, KRT-232 may be an effective treatment strategy for BRAFV600-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Shattuck-Brandt
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sheau-Chiann Chen
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Emily Murray
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Christopher Andrew Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Holly Crandall
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jamye F O'Neal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rami Nayef Al-Rohil
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Caroline A Nebhan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Vijaya Bharti
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kimberly B Dahlman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Gregory D Ayers
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Chi Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mark C Kelley
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rondi M Kauffmann
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mary Hooks
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ana Grau
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Anna E Vilgelm
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ann Richmond
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
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Ferraz CAA, de Oliveira Júnior RG, de Oliveira AP, Groult H, Beaugeard L, Picot L, de Alencar Filho EB, Almeida JRGDS, Nunes XP. Complexation with β-cyclodextrin enhances apoptosis-mediated cytotoxic effect of harman in chemoresistant BRAF-mutated melanoma cells. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 150:105353. [PMID: 32334103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Harman, a natural β-carboline alkaloid, has recently gained considerable interest due to its anticancer properties. However, its physicochemical characteristics and poor oral bioavailability have been limiting factors for its pharmaceutical development. In this paper, we described the complexation of harman (HAR) with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) as a promising alternative to improve its solubility and consequently its cytotoxic effect in chemoresistant melanoma cells (A2058 cell line). Inclusion complexes (βCD-HAR) were prepared using a simple method and then characterized by FTIR, NMR and SEM techniques. Through in silico studies, the mechanism of complexation of HAR with βCD was elucidated in detail. Both HAR and βCD-HAR promoted cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell migration in melanoma cells. Interestingly, complexation of HAR with βCD enhanced its pro-apoptotic effect by increasing of caspase-3 activity (p < 0.05), probably due to an improvement in HAR solubility. In addition, HAR and βCD-HAR sensitized A2058 cells to vemurafenib, dacarbazine and 5FU treatments, potentializing their cytotoxic activity. These findings suggest that complexation of HAR with natural polymers such as βCD can be useful to improve its bioavailability and antimelanoma activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Adrielly Alves Ferraz
- NEPLAME, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina-PE, 56306-000, Brazil; RENORBIO, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife-PE, 52171-900, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula de Oliveira
- NEPLAME, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina-PE, 56306-000, Brazil
| | - Hugo Groult
- UMRi CNRS 7266 LIENSs, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, 17042, France
| | - Laureen Beaugeard
- UMRi CNRS 7266 LIENSs, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, 17042, France
| | - Laurent Picot
- UMRi CNRS 7266 LIENSs, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, 17042, France
| | | | | | - Xirley Pereira Nunes
- NEPLAME, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina-PE, 56306-000, Brazil.
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Czarnecka AM, Bartnik E, Fiedorowicz M, Rutkowski P. Targeted Therapy in Melanoma and Mechanisms of Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134576. [PMID: 32605090 PMCID: PMC7369697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The common mutation BRAFV600 in primary melanomas activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway and the introduction of proto-oncogene B-Raf (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors (BRAFi and MEKi) was a breakthrough in the treatment of these cancers. However, 15–20% of tumors harbor primary resistance to this therapy, and moreover, patients develop acquired resistance to treatment. Understanding the molecular phenomena behind resistance to BRAFi/MEKis is indispensable in order to develop novel targeted therapies. Most often, resistance develops due to either the reactivation of the MAPK/ERK pathway or the activation of alternative kinase signaling pathways including phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), neurofibromin 1 (NF-1) or RAS signaling. The hyperactivation of tyrosine kinase receptors, such as the receptor of the platelet-derived growth factor β (PDFRβ), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), lead to the induction of the AKT/3-phosphoinositol kinase (PI3K) pathway. Another pathway resulting in BRAFi/MEKi resistance is the hyperactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling or the deregulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Czarnecka
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone, Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Ewa Bartnik
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Fiedorowicz
- Small Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Interinstitute Laboratory of New Diagnostic Applications of MRI, Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone, Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland;
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Grzywa TM, Klicka K, Paskal W, Dudkiewicz J, Wejman J, Pyzlak M, Włodarski PK. miR-410-3p is induced by vemurafenib via ER stress and contributes to resistance to BRAF inhibitor in melanoma. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234707. [PMID: 32555626 PMCID: PMC7299409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant development of melanoma therapies, death rates remain high. MicroRNAs, controlling posttranscriptionally gene expression, play role in development of resistance to BRAF inhibitors. The aim of the study was to assess the role of miR-410-3p in response to vemurafenib-BRAF inhibitor. FFPE tissue samples of 12 primary nodular melanomas were analyzed. With the use of Laser Capture Microdissection, parts of tumor, transient tissue, and adjacent healthy tissue were separated. In vitro experiments were conducted on human melanoma cell lines A375, G361, and SK-MEL1. IC50s of vemurafenib were determined using MTT method. Cells were transfected with miR-410-3p mimic, anti-miR-410-3p and their non-targeting controls. ER stress was induced by thapsigargin. Expression of isolated RNA was determined using qRT-PCR. We have found miR-410-3p is downregulated in melanoma tissues. Its expression is induced by vemurafenib in melanoma cells. Upregulation of miR-410-3p level increased melanoma cells resistance to vemurafenib, while its inhibition led to the decrease of resistance. Induction of ER stress increased the level of miR-410-3p. miR-410-3p upregulated the expression of AXL in vitro and correlated with markers of invasive phenotype in starBase. The study shows a novel mechanism of melanoma resistance. miR-410-3p is induced by vemurafenib in melanoma cells via ER stress. It drives switching to the invasive phenotype that leads to the response and resistance to BRAF inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M. Grzywa
- Department of Methodology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Klaudia Klicka
- Department of Methodology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Paskal
- Department of Methodology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Julia Dudkiewicz
- Department of Methodology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Wejman
- Department of Pathology, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Pyzlak
- Department of Pathology, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł K. Włodarski
- Department of Methodology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Sandri S, Watanabe LRM, Oliveira EAD, Faião-Flores F, Migliorini S, Tiago M, Felipe-Silva A, Vazquez VDL, da Costa Souza P, Consolaro MEL, Campa A, Maria-Engler SS. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in melanoma progression and BRAF inhibitor resistance. Pharmacol Res 2020; 159:104998. [PMID: 32535222 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is associated with the progression of many types of tumors, including melanoma. However, there is limited information about IDO modulation on tumor cell itself and the effect of BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) treatment and resistance. Herein, IDO expression was analyzed in different stages of melanoma development and progression linked to BRAFi resistance. IDO expression was increased in primary and metastatic melanomas from patients' biopsies, especially in the immune cells infiltrate. Using a bioinformatics approach, we also identified an increase in the IDO mRNA in the vertical growth and metastatic phases of melanoma. Using in silico analyses, we found that IDO mRNA was increased in BRAFi resistance. In an in vitro model, IDO expression and activity induced by interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in sensitive melanoma cells was decreased by BRAFi treatment. However, cells that became resistant to BRAFi presented random IDO expression levels. Also, we identified that treatment with the IDO inhibitor, 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT), was able to reduce clonogenicity for parental and BRAFi-resistant cells. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that the decreased IDO expression in tumor cells is one of the many additional outcomes contributing to the therapeutic effects of BRAFi. Still, the IDO production changeability by the BRAFi-resistant cells reiterates the complexity of the response arising from resistance, making it not possible, at this stage, to associate IDO expression in tumor cells with resistance. On the other hand, the maintenance of 1-MT off-target effect endorses its use as an adjuvant treatment of melanoma that has become BRAFi-resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Sandri
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis R M Watanabe
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erica Aparecida de Oliveira
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Faião-Flores
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silene Migliorini
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Manoela Tiago
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aloisio Felipe-Silva
- Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinícius de Lima Vazquez
- Institute of Research and Education and Melanoma/Sarcoma Surgery, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Campa
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
- Skin Biology Group, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Cytotoxic Activities and Molecular Mechanisms of the Beauvericin and Beauvericin G 1 Microbial Products against Melanoma Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081974. [PMID: 32340351 PMCID: PMC7221855 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and remains highly drug-resistant. Therefore, the discovery of novel effective agents against melanoma is in high demand. Herein, we investigated the cytotoxic activities in melanoma cells and underlying molecular mechanisms of beauvericin (BEA) and its analogue beauvericin G1 (BEA G1), which are cyclohexadepsipeptides isolated from fungi. BEA and BEA G1 significantly suppressed the growth, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion of A375SM human melanoma cells and promoted caspase-dependent apoptosis through upregulation of death receptors, as well as modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. Furthermore, the effects of BEA and BEA G1 were associated with the suppression of multiple molecular targets that play crucial roles in melanoma oncogenesis, including ERK, JNK, p38, NF-κB, STAT3, and MITF. Notably, the cytotoxic efficacy of BEA G1 against A375SM cells was stronger than that of BEA. These findings suggest that BEA and BEA G1 can be further investigated as potent cytotoxic natural compounds for the suppression of melanoma progression.
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139
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La T, Jin L, Liu XY, Song ZH, Farrelly M, Feng YC, Yan XG, Zhang YY, Thorne RF, Zhang XD, Teng L. Cylindromatosis Is Required for Survival of a Subset of Melanoma Cells. Oncol Res 2020; 28:385-398. [PMID: 32252875 PMCID: PMC7851542 DOI: 10.3727/096504020x15861709922491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD) functions as a tumor suppressor inhibiting cell proliferation in many cancer types including melanoma. Here we present evidence that a proportion of melanoma cells are nonetheless addicted to CYLD for survival. The expression levels of CYLD varied widely in melanoma cell lines and melanomas in vivo, with a subset of melanoma cell lines and melanomas displaying even higher levels of CYLD than melanocyte lines and nevi, respectively. Strikingly, although short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of CYLD promoted, as anticipated, cell proliferation in some melanoma cell lines, it reduced cell viability in a fraction of melanoma cell lines with relatively high levels of CYLD expression and did not impinge on survival and proliferation in a third type of melanoma cell lines. The decrease in cell viability caused by CYLD knockdown was due to induction of apoptosis, as it was associated with activation of the caspase cascade and was abolished by treatment with a general caspase inhibitor. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that induction of apoptosis by CYLD knockdown was caused by upregulation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) that was associated with elevated K63-linked polyubiquitination of the protein, indicating that CYLD is critical for controlling RIPK1 expression in these cells. Of note, microRNA (miR) profiling showed that miR-99b-3p that was predicted to target the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the CYLD mRNA was reduced in melanoma cell lines with high levels of CYLD compared with melanocyte lines. Further functional studies confirmed that the reduction in miR-99b-3p expression was responsible for the increased expression of CYLD in a highly cell line-specific manner. Taken together, these results reveal an unexpected role of CYLD in promoting survival of a subset of melanoma cells and uncover the heterogeneity of CYLD expression and its biological significance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting La
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
| | - Lei Jin
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
| | - Xiao Ying Liu
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
| | - Ze Hua Song
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
| | - Margaret Farrelly
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of NewcastleCallaghan, NSWAustralia
| | - Yu Chen Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of NewcastleCallaghan, NSWAustralia
| | - Xu Guang Yan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of NewcastleCallaghan, NSWAustralia
| | - Yuan Yuan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of NewcastleCallaghan, NSWAustralia
| | - Rick F Thorne
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
| | - Xu Dong Zhang
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
| | - Liu Teng
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial Peoples Hospital, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP.R. China
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Combination of Gas Plasma and Radiotherapy Has Immunostimulatory Potential and Additive Toxicity in Murine Melanoma Cells in Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041379. [PMID: 32085661 PMCID: PMC7073141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous advances in therapy, malignant melanoma is still among the deadliest types of cancer. At the same time, owing to its high plasticity and immunogenicity, melanoma is regarded as a model tumor entity when testing new treatment approaches. Cold physical plasma is a novel anticancer tool that utilizes a plethora of reactive oxygen species (ROS) being deposited on the target cells and tissues. To test whether plasma treatment would enhance the toxicity of an established antitumor therapy, ionizing radiation, we combined both physical treatment modalities targeting B16F10 murine melanoma cell in vitro. Repeated rather than single radiotherapy, in combination with gas plasma-introduced ROS, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in an additive fashion. In tendency, gas plasma treatment sensitized the cells to subsequent radiotherapy rather than the other way around. This was concomitant with increased levels of TNFα, IL6, and GM-CSF in supernatants. Murine JAWS dendritic cells cultured in these supernatants showed an increased expression of cell surface activation markers, such as MHCII and CD83. For PD-L1 and PD-L2, increased expression was observed. Our results are the first to suggest an additive therapeutic effect of gas plasma and radiotherapy, and translational tumor models are needed to develop this concept further.
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141
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Brás MM, Radmacher M, Sousa SR, Granja PL. Melanoma in the Eyes of Mechanobiology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:54. [PMID: 32117980 PMCID: PMC7027391 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin is the largest organ of the human body with several important functions that can be impaired by injury, genetic or chronic diseases. Among all skin diseases, melanoma is one of the most severe, which can lead to death, due to metastization. Mechanotransduction has a crucial role for motility, invasion, adhesion and metastization processes, since it deals with the response of cells to physical forces. Signaling pathways are important to understand how physical cues produced or mediated by the Extracellular Matrix (ECM), affect healthy and tumor cells. During these processes, several molecules in the nucleus and cytoplasm are activated. Melanocytes, keratinocytes, fibroblasts and the ECM, play a crucial role in melanoma formation. This manuscript will address the synergy among melanocytes, keratinocytes, fibroblasts cells and the ECM considering their mechanical contribution and relevance in this disease. Mechanical properties of melanoma cells can also be influenced by pigmentation, which can be associated with changes in stiffness. Mechanical changes can be related with the adhesion, migration, or invasiveness potential of melanoma cells promoting a high metastization capacity of this cancer. Mechanosensing, mechanotransduction, and mechanoresponse will be highlighted with respect to the motility, invasion, adhesion and metastization in melanoma cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Manuela Brás
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Susana R. Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro L. Granja
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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142
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Barceló C, Sisó P, Maiques O, de la Rosa I, Martí RM, Macià A. T-Type Calcium Channels: A Potential Novel Target in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E391. [PMID: 32046241 PMCID: PMC7072457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
T-type calcium channels (TTCCs) are overexpressed in several cancers. In this review, we summarize the recent advances and new insights into TTCC biology, tumor progression, and prognosis biomarker and therapeutic potential in the melanoma field. We describe a novel correlation between the Cav3.1 isoform and the increased basal autophagy in BRAFV600E-mutant melanomas and after acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Indeed, TTCC blockers reduce melanoma cell viability and migration/invasion in vitro and tumor growth in mice xenografts in both BRAF-inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant scenarios. These studies open a new, promising therapeutic approach for disseminated melanoma and improved treatment in BRAFi relapsed melanomas, but further validation and clinical trials are needed for it to become a real therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Barceló
- Oncologic Pathology Group, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (C.B.); (P.S.); (I.d.l.R.)
| | - Pol Sisó
- Oncologic Pathology Group, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (C.B.); (P.S.); (I.d.l.R.)
| | - Oscar Maiques
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK;
| | - Inés de la Rosa
- Oncologic Pathology Group, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (C.B.); (P.S.); (I.d.l.R.)
| | - Rosa M. Martí
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
- Centre of Biomedical Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Macià
- Oncologic Pathology Group, University of Lleida, IRBLleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (C.B.); (P.S.); (I.d.l.R.)
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143
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The miRNAs Role in Melanoma and in Its Resistance to Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030878. [PMID: 32013263 PMCID: PMC7037367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the less common but the most malignant skin cancer. Since the survival rate of melanoma metastasis is about 10–15%, many different studies have been carried out in order to find a more effective treatment. Although the development of target-based therapies and immunotherapeutic strategies has improved chances for patient survival, melanoma treatment still remains a big challenge for oncologists. Here, we collect recent data about the emerging role of melanoma-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) currently available treatments, and their involvement in drug resistance. We also reviewed miRNAs as prognostic factors, because of their chemical stability and resistance to RNase activity, in melanoma progression. Moreover, despite miRNAs being considered small conserved regulators with the limitation of target specificity, we outline the dual role of melanoma-associated miRNAs, as oncogenic and/or tumor suppressive factors, compared to other tumors.
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144
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Cancer immunotherapy: Pros, cons and beyond. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 124:109821. [PMID: 31962285 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is an innovative treatment for tumors today. In various experiments and clinical studies, it has been found that immunotherapy does have incomparable advantages over traditional anti-tumor therapy, which can prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However, immunotherapy has obvious complexity and uncertainty. Immunotherapy may also cause severe adverse reactions due to an overactive immune system. More effective and fewer adverse reactions immunological checkpoints are still under further exploration. This review gives an overview of recent developments in immunotherapy and indicates a new direction of tumor treatment through analyzing the pros and cons of immunotherapy coupled with keeping a close watch on the development trend of the immunotherapy future.
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145
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Reggiani F, Gobbi G, Ciarrocchi A, Ambrosetti DC, Sancisi V. Multiple roles and context-specific mechanisms underlying YAP and TAZ-mediated resistance to anti-cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188341. [PMID: 31931113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving resistance to anti-cancer drugs is both a crucial step to define markers of response to therapy and a clinical need in many cancer settings. YAP and TAZ transcriptional cofactors behave as oncogenes in different cancer types. Deregulation of YAP/TAZ expression or alterations in components of the multiple signaling pathways converging on these factors are important mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy, target therapy and hormone therapy. Moreover, response to immunotherapy may also be affected by YAP/TAZ activities in both tumor and microenvironment cells. For these reasons, various compounds inhibiting YAP/TAZ function by different direct and indirect mechanisms have been proposed as a mean to counter-act drug resistance in cancer. A particularly promising approach may be to simultaneously target both YAP/TAZ expression and their transcriptional activity through BET inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Reggiani
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL- IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Gobbi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL- IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL- IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Sancisi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL- IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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146
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Dissecting Mechanisms of Melanoma Resistance to BRAF and MEK Inhibitors Revealed Genetic and Non-Genetic Patient- and Drug-Specific Alterations and Remarkable Phenotypic Plasticity. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010142. [PMID: 31936151 PMCID: PMC7017165 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical benefit of MAPK pathway inhibition in BRAF-mutant melanoma patients is limited by the development of acquired resistance. Using drug-naïve cell lines derived from tumor specimens, we established a preclinical model of melanoma resistance to vemurafenib or trametinib to provide insight into resistance mechanisms. Dissecting the mechanisms accompanying the development of resistance, we have shown that (i) most of genetic and non-genetic alterations are triggered in a cell line- and/or drug-specific manner; (ii) several changes previously assigned to the development of resistance are induced as the immediate response to the extent measurable at the bulk levels; (iii) reprogramming observed in cross-resistance experiments and growth factor-dependence restricted by the drug presence indicate that phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells largely contributes to the sustained resistance. Whole-exome sequencing revealed novel genetic alterations, including a frameshift variant of RBMX found exclusively in phospho-AKThigh resistant cell lines. There was no similar pattern of phenotypic alterations among eleven resistant cell lines, including expression/activity of crucial regulators, such as MITF, AXL, SOX, and NGFR, which suggests that patient-to-patient variability is richer and more nuanced than previously described. This diversity should be considered during the development of new strategies to circumvent the acquired resistance to targeted therapies.
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147
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Li QS, Shen BN, Xu HJ, Ruan BF. Promising Strategies for Overcoming BRAF Inhibitor Resistance Based on Known Resistance Mechanisms. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2020; 20:1415-1430. [PMID: 32321411 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200422073622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost 50% of metastatic melanomas harbor BRAF mutations. Since 2011, BRAF inhibitors have exhibited striking clinical benefits in BRAF-mutant melanoma patients. Unfortunately, their therapeutic effects are often temporary. The resistance mechanisms vary and can be broadly classified as MAPK reactivation-dependent and -independent. Elucidation of these resistance mechanisms provides new insights into strategies for overcoming resistance. Indeed, several alternative treatment strategies, including changes in the mode of administration, combinations of BRAF and MEK inhibitors, and immunotherapy have been verified as beneficial to BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma patients. Prospect In this review, we discuss promising strategies for overcoming drug resistance and highlighting the prospects for discovering strategies to counteract BRAF inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Shan Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Bang-Nian Shen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Hua-Jian Xu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Ban-Feng Ruan
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
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148
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Wang Y, Zhang D. Tanshinol inhibits growth of malignant melanoma cells via regulating miR-1207-5p/CHPF pathway. Arch Dermatol Res 2019; 312:373-383. [PMID: 31828417 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-019-01992-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tanshinol possesses anti-tumor activity in melanoma both in vitro and in vivo, and miR-1207-5p is involved in tumor progression in melanoma. However, whether miR-1207-5p can be affected by tanshinol treatment in melanoma is not clear. The expression levels of miR-1207-5p were detected by RT-qPCR. The validation of the direct target of miR-1207-5p was through dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting assay. The cell viability rate was determined using MTT assay and colony formation assay. The cell mobility was assessed using Transwell migration/invasion assay. Downregulation of miR-1207-5p was found in melanoma cell lines and tissues and was associated with tumor stages, presence of ulceration, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival rate of melanoma patients. Tanshinol treatment and miR-1207-5p overexpression suppressed melanoma cell growth and cell mobility. Chondroitin polymerizing factor (CHPF) is a direct target of miR-1207-5p. Tanshinol exerted anti-tumor activity to melanoma through the regulation of miR-1207-5p/CHPF signaling. Our study highlighted the potential therapeutic application of tanshinol and miR-1207-5p as a supplement to enhance the effect of the traditional cancer treatment methods against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Wang
- Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, No. 4138 Linglongshan South Road, Qingzhou, 262500, Shandong, China
| | - Diancai Zhang
- Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, No. 4138 Linglongshan South Road, Qingzhou, 262500, Shandong, China.
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149
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Horak V, Palanova A, Cizkova J, Miltrova V, Vodicka P, Kupcova Skalnikova H. Melanoma-Bearing Libechov Minipig (MeLiM): The Unique Swine Model of Hereditary Metastatic Melanoma. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E915. [PMID: 31717496 PMCID: PMC6895830 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
National cancer databases document that melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly cutaneous malignancy with worldwide increasing incidence in the Caucasian population. Around 10% of melanomas occur in families. Several germline mutations were identified that might help to indicate individuals at risk for preventive interventions and early disease detection. More than 50% of sporadic melanomas carry mutations in Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/MEK) pathway, which may represent aims of novel targeted therapies. Despite advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the outcomes in metastatic tumor are still unsatisfactory. Here, we review animal models that help our understanding of melanoma development and treatment, including non-vertebrate, mouse, swine, and other mammal models, with an emphasis on those with spontaneously developing melanoma. Special attention is paid to the melanoma-bearing Libechov minipig (MeLiM). This original swine model of hereditary metastatic melanoma enables studying biological processes underlying melanoma progression, as well as spontaneous regression. Current histological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, genetic, hematological, immunological, and skin microbiome findings in the MeLiM model are summarized, together with development of new therapeutic approaches based on tumor devitalization. The ongoing study of molecular and immunological base of spontaneous regression in MeLiM model has potential to bring new knowledge of clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Helena Kupcova Skalnikova
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Laboratory of Applied Proteome Analyses and Research Center PIGMOD, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic; (V.H.); (A.P.); (J.C.); (V.M.); (P.V.)
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150
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Single cell analysis to dissect molecular heterogeneity and disease evolution in metastatic melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:827. [PMID: 31672982 PMCID: PMC6823362 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2048-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Originally described as interpatient variability, tumour heterogeneity has now been demonstrated to occur intrapatiently, within the same lesion, or in different lesions of the same patient. Tumour heterogeneity involves both genetic and epigenetic changes. Intrapatient heterogeneity is responsible for generating subpopulations of cancer cells which undergo clonal evolution with time. Tumour heterogeneity develops also as a consequence of the selective pressure imposed by the immune system. It has been demonstrated that tumour heterogeneity and different spatiotemporal interactions between all the cellular compontents within the tumour microenvironment lead to cancer adaptation and to therapeutic pressure. In this context, the recent advent of single cell analysis approaches which are able to better study tumour heterogeneity from the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic standpoint represent a major technological breakthrough. In this review, using metastatic melanoma as a prototypical example, we will focus on applying single cell analyses to the study of clonal trajectories which guide the evolution of drug resistance to targeted therapy.
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