101
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Protein S drives oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenicity through regulation of AXL. Oncotarget 2017; 8:13986-14002. [PMID: 28118606 PMCID: PMC5355156 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The TAM family of proto-oncogenic receptor protein tyrosine kinases, comprising of TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK, is implicated in many human cancers. Their activation leads to cancer cell proliferation, enhanced migration, invasion, and drug resistance; however how TAMs are activated in cancers is less understood. We previously showed that Protein S (PROS1) is a ligand of the TAM receptors. Here we identify PROS1 as a mediator of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) in proliferation, cell survival and migration. We demonstrate that excess PROS1 induces OSCC proliferation and migration. Conversely, blocking endogenous PROS1 expression using shRNA significantly inhibits cell proliferation and migration in culture. This inhibition was rescued by the addition of purified PROS1. Moreover, PROS1 knockdown reduced anchorage-independent growth in-vitro, reduced tumor xenograft growth in nude mice and altered their differentiation profile. Mechanistically, we identify the downregulation of AXL transcripts and protein following PROS1 knockdown. Re-introducing PROS1 rescues AXL expression both at the protein and transcriptional levels. The anti-proliferative effect of the AXL inhibitor R428 was significantly reduced following PROS1 inhibition, indicating the functional significance of PROS1-mediated regulation of AXL in OSCC. Taken together, we identify PROS1 as a driver of OSCC tumor growth and a modulator of AXL expression. Our results point to PROS1 as a potential novel anti-cancer therapeutic target.
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102
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Abstract
A major challenge in anticancer treatment is the pre-existence or emergence of resistance to therapy. AXL and MER are two members of the TAM (TYRO3-AXL-MER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, which, when activated, can regulate tumor cell survival, proliferation, migration and invasion, angiogenesis, and tumor-host interactions. An increasing body of evidence strongly suggests that these receptors play major roles in resistance to targeted therapies and conventional cytotoxic agents. Multiple resistance mechanisms exist, including the direct and indirect crosstalk of AXL and MER with other receptors and the activation of feedback loops regulating AXL and MER expression and activity. These mechanisms may be innate, adaptive, or acquired. A principal role of AXL appears to be in sustaining a mesenchymal phenotype, itself a major mechanism of resistance to diverse anticancer therapies. Both AXL and MER play a role in the repression of the innate immune response which may also limit response to treatment. Small molecule and antibody inhibitors of AXL and MER have recently been described, and some of these have already entered clinical trials. The optimal design of treatment strategies to maximize the clinical benefit of these AXL and MER targeting agents are discussed in relation to the different cancer types and the types of resistance encountered. One of the major challenges to successful development of these therapies will be the application of robust predictive biomarkers for clear-cut patient stratification.
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103
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Nelson-Taylor SK, Le AT, Yoo M, Schubert L, Mishall KM, Doak A, Varella-Garcia M, Tan AC, Doebele RC. Resistance to RET-Inhibition in RET-Rearranged NSCLC Is Mediated By Reactivation of RAS/MAPK Signaling. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1623-1633. [PMID: 28500237 PMCID: PMC5544556 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic rearrangements in RET are present in 1%-2% of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Ponatinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor with low-nanomolar potency against the RET kinase domain. Here, we demonstrate that ponatinib exhibits potent antiproliferative activity in RET fusion-positive LC-2/ad lung adenocarcinoma cells and inhibits phosphorylation of the RET fusion protein and signaling through ERK1/2 and AKT. Using distinct dose escalation strategies, two ponatinib-resistant LC-2/ad cell lines, PR1 and PR2, were derived. PR1 and PR2 cell lines retained expression, but not phosphorylation of the RET fusion and lacked evidence of a resistance mutation in the RET kinase domain. Both resistant lines retained activation of the MAPK pathway. Next-generation RNA sequencing revealed an oncogenic NRAS p.Q61K mutation in the PR1 cell. PR1 cell proliferation was preferentially sensitive to siRNA knockdown of NRAS compared with knockdown of RET, more sensitive to MEK inhibition than the parental line, and NRAS dependence was maintained in the absence of chronic RET inhibition. Expression of NRAS p.Q61K in RET fusion expressing TPC1 cells conferred resistance to ponatinib. PR2 cells exhibited increased expression of EGFR and AXL. EGFR inhibition decreased cell proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT in PR2 cells, but not LC-2/ad cells. Although AXL inhibition enhanced PR2 sensitivity to afatinib, it was unable to decrease cell proliferation by itself. Thus, EGFR and AXL cooperatively rescued signaling from RET inhibition in the PR2 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that resistance to ponatinib in RET-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma is mediated by bypass signaling mechanisms that result in restored RAS/MAPK activation. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(8); 1623-33. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Nelson-Taylor
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Anh T. Le
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Minjae Yoo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Laura Schubert
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | | | - Andrea Doak
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | | | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Robert C. Doebele
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
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104
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Corno C, Gatti L, Arrighetti N, Carenini N, Zaffaroni N, Lanzi C, Perego P. Axl molecular targeting counteracts aggressiveness but not platinum-resistance of ovarian carcinoma cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 136:40-50. [PMID: 28404378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma, the most common gynaecological cancer, is characterized by high lethality mainly due to late diagnosis and treatment failure. The efficacy of platinum drug-based therapy in the disease is limited by the occurrence of drug resistance, a phenomenon often associated with increased metastatic potential. Because the Tyr-kinase receptor Axl can be deregulated in ovarian carcinoma and plays a pro-metastatic/anti-apoptotic role, the aim of this study was to examine if Axl inhibition modulates drug resistance and aggressive features of ovarian carcinoma cells, using various pairs of cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cell lines. We found that mRNA and protein levels of Axl were increased in the platinum-resistant IGROV-1/Pt1 and IGROV-1/OHP cell lines compared to the parental IGROV-1 cells. IGROV-1/Pt1 cells displayed increased migratory and invasive capabilities. When Axl was silenced, these cells exhibited reduced growth and invasive/migratory capabilities compared to control siRNA-transfected cells, associated with decreased p38 and STAT3 phosphorylation. In keeping with this evidence, pharmacological inhibition of p38 and STAT3 decreased IGROV-1/Pt1 invasive capability. Molecular inhibition of Axl did not sensitize IGROV-1/Pt1 cells to cisplatin, but enhanced ErbB3 activation in IGROV-1/Pt1 cells and suppressed the clonogenic capability of various ovarian carcinoma cell lines. The combination of cisplatin and AZD8931, a small molecule which inhibits ErbB3, produced a synergistic effect in IGROV-1/Pt1 cells. Thus, Axl targeting per se reduces invasive capability of drug-resistant cells, but sensitization to cisplatin requires the concomitant inhibition of additional survival pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Corno
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Gatti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nives Carenini
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lanzi
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Perego
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, via Venezian1/via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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105
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Tyro3 carboxyl terminal region confers stability and contains the autophosphorylation sites. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 490:1074-1079. [PMID: 28668391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.06.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Tyro3, a member of TAM receptor tyrosine kinase family has been suggested to be autophosphorylated upon activation. In the current study we mapped the autophosphorylation sites of murine Tyro3 to tyrosine 723 and 756, with K540 being required for its kinase activity. Knockdown of Axl significantly decreases the tyrosyl-phosphorylation of Tyro3 in fibroblasts NR6WT, suggesting an interaction among the TAM family members. Interestingly, the carboxyl terminal region of Tyro3 is required for its stability in cells with a minimal length of 1-778 amino acids which is not conserved in murine Axl, a member of TAM. These data suggest that the autophosphorylation sites of TAM RTK members are unique although they share high similarity in amino acids within their carboxyl kinase domain.
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106
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Vouri M, Hafizi S. TAM Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Cancer Drug Resistance. Cancer Res 2017; 77:2775-2778. [PMID: 28526769 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are major regulators of key biological processes, including cell growth, survival, and differentiation, and were established early on as proto-oncogenes, with aberrant expression linked to tumor progression in many cancers. Therefore, RTKs have emerged as major targets for selective therapy with small-molecule inhibitors. However, despite improvements in survival rates, it is now apparent that the targeting of RTKs with selective inhibitors is only transiently effective, as the majority of patients eventually become resistant to therapy. As chemoresistance is the leading cause of cancer spread, progression, and mortality, there is an increasing need for understanding the mechanisms by which cancer cells can evade therapy-induced cell death. The TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) subfamily of RTKs in particular feature in a variety of cancer types that have developed resistance to a broad range of therapeutic agents, including both targeted as well as conventional chemotherapeutics. This article reviews the roles of TAMs as tumor drivers and as mediators of chemoresistance, and the potential effectiveness of targeting them as part of therapeutic strategies to delay or combat resistance. Cancer Res; 77(11); 2775-8. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaella Vouri
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Sassan Hafizi
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
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107
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Miersch S, Maruthachalam BV, Geyer CR, Sidhu SS. Structure-Directed and Tailored Diversity Synthetic Antibody Libraries Yield Novel Anti-EGFR Antagonists. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:1381-1389. [PMID: 28375604 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We tested whether grafting an interaction domain into the hypervariable loop of a combinatorial antibody library could promote targeting to a specific epitope. Formation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling heterodimer involves extensive contacts mediated by a "dimerization loop." We grafted the dimerization loop into the third hypervariable loop of a synthetic antigen-binding fragment (Fab) library and diversified other loops using a tailored diversity strategy. This structure-directed Fab library and a naı̈ve synthetic Fab library were used to select Fabs against EGFR. Both libraries yielded high affinity Fabs that bound to overlapping epitopes on cell-surface EGFR, inhibited receptor activation, and targeted epitopes distinct from those of cetuximab and panitumumab. Epitope mapping experiments revealed complex sites of interaction, comprised of domains I and II but not exclusively localized to the receptor dimerization loop. These results validate the grafting approach for designing Fab libraries and also underscore the versatility of naı̈ve synthetic libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Miersch
- Banting
and Best Department of Medical Research and Donnelly Centre for Cellular
and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E1
| | | | - C. Ronald Geyer
- Department
of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0W8
| | - Sachdev S. Sidhu
- Banting
and Best Department of Medical Research and Donnelly Centre for Cellular
and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E1
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108
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MicroPET/CT Imaging of AXL Downregulation by HSP90 Inhibition in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2017; 2017:1686525. [PMID: 29097911 PMCID: PMC5612679 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1686525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in a number of solid tumor types including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). AXL is considered an important regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a potential therapeutic target for TNBC. In this work, we used microPET/CT with 64Cu-labeled anti-human AXL antibody (64Cu-anti-hAXL) to noninvasively interrogate the degradation of AXL in vivo in response to 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a potent inhibitor of HSP90. 17-AAG treatment caused significant decline in AXL expression in orthotopic TNBC MDA-MB-231 tumors, inhibited EMT, and delayed tumor growth in vivo, resulting in significant reduction in tumor uptake of 64Cu-anti-hAXL as clearly visualized by microPET/CT. Our data indicate that 64Cu-anti-hAXL can be useful for monitoring anti-AXL therapies and for assessing inhibition of HSP90 molecular chaperone using AXL as a molecular surrogate.
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109
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Gimenez-Xavier P, Pros E, Bonastre E, Moran S, Aza A, Graña O, Gomez-Lopez G, Derdak S, Dabad M, Esteve-Codina A, Hernandez Mora JR, Salinas-Chaparro D, Esteller M, Pisano D, Sanchez-Cespedes M. Genomic and Molecular Screenings Identify Different Mechanisms for Acquired Resistance to MET Inhibitors in Lung Cancer Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1366-1376. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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110
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Tian Y, Zhang Z, Miao L, Yang Z, Yang J, Wang Y, Qian D, Cai H, Wang Y. Anexelekto (AXL) Increases Resistance to EGFR-TKI and Activation of AKT and ERK1/2 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Oncol Res 2017; 24:295-303. [PMID: 27712586 PMCID: PMC7838623 DOI: 10.3727/096504016x14648701447814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have revolutionized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. However, resistance remains a major obstacle. Anexelekto (AXL) is a member of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and shares the same downstream signaling pathways with EGFR, such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK. AXL overexpression in resistant tumors has been implicated in many previous studies in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we further examined whether expression of AXL and its downstream targets increased in gefitinib-resistant PC9 cells (PC9GR). In addition, we hypothesize that knocking down AXL in PC9GR and overexpressing AXL in PC9 using genetic tools can restore and decrease the sensitivity to gefitinib, respectively. We found that silencing AXL could sensitize the resistance to gefitinib, and the downstream pathways were significantly inhibited. Interestingly, we also discovered that increased AXL expression did promote the resistance, and its downstream targets were activated accordingly. Then 69 NSCLC patients who harbored EGFR mutation were recruited to analyze the expression of AXL and the association between AXL expression and clinical characteristics. We found that 5 of the 69 patients were AXL positive (about 7%), and AXL was related to tumor differentiation and tumor size. In this study, we concluded that the molecular mechanisms of AXL mediated resistance involved in the increased activity of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways, and AXL overexpression could promote resistance, but it can be weakened when AXL expression is silenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Tian
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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111
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Kimani SG, Kumar S, Bansal N, Singh K, Kholodovych V, Comollo T, Peng Y, Kotenko SV, Sarafianos SG, Bertino JR, Welsh WJ, Birge RB. Small molecule inhibitors block Gas6-inducible TAM activation and tumorigenicity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43908. [PMID: 28272423 PMCID: PMC5341070 DOI: 10.1038/srep43908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TAM receptors (Tyro-3, Axl, and Mertk) are a family of three homologous type I receptor tyrosine kinases that are implicated in several human malignancies. Overexpression of TAMs and their major ligand Growth arrest-specific factor 6 (Gas6) is associated with more aggressive staging of cancers, poorer predicted patient survival, acquired drug resistance and metastasis. Here we describe small molecule inhibitors (RU-301 and RU-302) that target the extracellular domain of Axl at the interface of the Ig-1 ectodomain of Axl and the Lg-1 of Gas6. These inhibitors effectively block Gas6-inducible Axl receptor activation with low micromolar IC50s in cell-based reporter assays, inhibit Gas6-inducible motility in Axl-expressing cell lines, and suppress H1299 lung cancer tumor growth in a mouse xenograft NOD-SCIDγ model. Furthermore, using homology models and biochemical verifications, we show that RU301 and 302 also inhibit Gas6 inducible activation of Mertk and Tyro3 suggesting they can act as pan-TAM inhibitors that block the interface between the TAM Ig1 ectodomain and the Gas6 Lg domain. Together, these observations establish that small molecules that bind to the interface between TAM Ig1 domain and Gas6 Lg1 domain can inhibit TAM activation, and support the further development of small molecule Gas6-TAM interaction inhibitors as a novel class of cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley G Kimani
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Nitu Bansal
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Kamalendra Singh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Biochemistry, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Vladyslav Kholodovych
- Rutgers University, Office of Advanced Research Computing, 96 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.,Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Thomas Comollo
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Youyi Peng
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Sergei V Kotenko
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Biochemistry, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Joseph R Bertino
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - William J Welsh
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.,Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Raymond B Birge
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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112
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Gay CM, Balaji K, Byers LA. Giving AXL the axe: targeting AXL in human malignancy. Br J Cancer 2017; 116:415-423. [PMID: 28072762 PMCID: PMC5318970 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2016.428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, activated by a complex interaction between its ligand growth arrest-specific protein 6 and phosphatidylserine, regulates various vital cellular processes, including proliferation, survival, motility, and immunologic response. Although not implicated as an oncogenic driver itself, AXL, a member of the TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is overexpressed in several haematologic and solid malignancies, including acute myeloid leukaemia, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas, and breast and prostate cancers. In the context of malignancy, evidence suggests that AXL overexpression drives wide-ranging processes, including epithelial to mesenchymal transition, tumour angiogenesis, resistance to chemotherapeutic and targeted agents, and decreased antitumor immune response. As a result, AXL is an attractive candidate not only as a prognostic biomarker in malignancy but also as a target for anticancer therapies. Several AXL inhibitors are currently in preclinical and clinical development. This article reviews the structure, regulation, and function of AXL; the role of AXL in the tumour microenvironment; the development of AXL as a therapeutic target; and areas of ongoing and future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl M Gay
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kavitha Balaji
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren Averett Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
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113
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Brand TM, Iida M, Corrigan KL, Braverman CM, Coan JP, Flanigan BG, Stein AP, Salgia R, Rolff J, Kimple RJ, Wheeler DL. RETRACTED: The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL mediates nuclear translocation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/460/eaag1064. [PMID: 28049763 PMCID: PMC7094775 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aag1064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a therapeutic target in patients with various cancers. Unfortunately, resistance to EGFR-targeted therapeutics is common. Previous studies identified two mechanisms of resistance to the EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Nuclear translocation of EGFR bypasses the inhibitory effects of cetuximab, and the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL mediates cetuximab resistance by maintaining EGFR activation and downstream signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that AXL mediated the nuclear translocation of EGFR in the setting of cetuximab resistance. Cetuximab-resistant clones of non-small cell lung cancer in culture and patient-derived xenografts in mice had increased abundance of AXL and nuclear EGFR (nEGFR). Cellular fractionation analysis, super-resolution microscopy, and electron microscopy revealed that genetic loss of AXL reduced the accumulation of nEGFR. SRC family kinases (SFKs) and HER family ligands promote the nuclear translocation of EGFR. We found that AXL knockdown reduced the expression of the genes encoding the SFK family members YES and LYN and the ligand neuregulin-1 (NRG1). AXL knockdown also decreased the interaction between EGFR and the related receptor HER3 and accumulation of HER3 in the nucleus. Overexpression of LYN and NRG1 in cells depleted of AXL resulted in accumulation of nEGFR, rescuing the deficit induced by lack of AXL. Collectively, these data uncover a previously unrecognized role for AXL in regulating the nuclear translocation of EGFR and suggest that AXL-mediated SFK and NRG1 expression promote this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni M. Brand
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Kelsey L. Corrigan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Cara M. Braverman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - John P. Coan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Bailey G. Flanigan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Andrew P. Stein
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research. City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010
| | - Jana Rolff
- Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Randall J. Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53705 USA,Corresponding author.
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114
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Peter SC, Mannu J, Mathur PP. In Silico Approach to Identify Potential Inhibitors for Axl-Gas6 Signaling. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1549:221-229. [PMID: 27975295 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6740-7_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Axl-Gas6 signaling plays an important role in numerous cancers. Axl kinase, a member of receptor tyrosine kinase family is activated by different mechanisms with Gas6 as its major activator. Targeting the Axl with inhibitors may block the binding of Gas6 and further hinders the activation of Axl. This in turn inhibits the Axl-Gas6 signaling. Thus, inhibitors of the Axl kinase may serve as ideal drug candidates for treating many human cancers. In this study we carried out virtual screening of drug-like molecules from ZINC database to identify potential inhibitors for Axl kinase. Our virtual screening study showed that ZINC83758120, ZINC34079369, and ZINC83758121 are potential drug-like lead molecules to inhibit Axl kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathik Clarancia Peter
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, India
| | - Jayakanthan Mannu
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641 003, India
| | - Premendu P Mathur
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
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115
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Lu Y, Wan J, Yang Z, Lei X, Niu Q, Jiang L, Passtoors WM, Zang A, Fraering PC, Wu F. Regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the AXL receptor kinase generates an intracellular domain that localizes in the nucleus of cancer cells. FASEB J 2016; 31:1382-1397. [PMID: 28034848 PMCID: PMC5349800 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600702r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Deregulation of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has recently been demonstrated to predominately promote survival and chemoresistance of cancer cells. Intramembrane proteolysis mediated by presenilin/γ-secretase is known to regulate the homeostasis of some RTKs. In the present study, we demonstrate that AXL, but not TYRO3 or MERTK, is efficiently and sequentially cleaved by α- and γ-secretases in various types of cancer cell lines. Proteolytic processing of AXL redirected signaling toward a secretase-mediated pathway, away from the classic, well-known, ligand-dependent canonical RTK signaling pathway. The AXL intracellular domain cleavage product, but not full-length AXL, was further shown to translocate into the nucleus via a nuclear localization sequence that harbored a basic HRRKK motif. Of interest, we found that the γ-secretase-uncleavable AXL mutant caused an elevated chemoresistance in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Altogether, our findings suggest that AXL can undergo sequential processing mediated by various proteases kept in a homeostatic balance. This newly discovered post-translational processing of AXL may provide an explanation for the diverse functions of AXL, especially in the context of drug resistance in cancer cells.-Lu, Y., Wan, J., Yang, Z., Lei, X., Niu, Q., Jiang, L., Passtoors, W. M., Zang, A., Fraering, P. C., Wu, F. Regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the AXL receptor kinase generates an intracellular domain that localizes in the nucleus of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzhong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Wan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiling Lei
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lanxin Jiang
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Willemijn M Passtoors
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aiping Zang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Patrick C Fraering
- Brain Mind Institute-School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Foundation Eclosion, Plan-Les-Ouates, Switzerland.,Campus Biotech Innovation Park, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China;
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116
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Braig F, Kriegs M, Voigtlaender M, Habel B, Grob T, Biskup K, Blanchard V, Sack M, Thalhammer A, Ben Batalla I, Braren I, Laban S, Danielczyk A, Goletz S, Jakubowicz E, Märkl B, Trepel M, Knecht R, Riecken K, Fehse B, Loges S, Bokemeyer C, Binder M. Cetuximab Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer Is Mediated by EGFR-K 521 Polymorphism. Cancer Res 2016; 77:1188-1199. [PMID: 28031227 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) exhibiting resistance to the EGFR-targeting drug cetuximab poses a challenge to their effective clinical management. Here, we report a specific mechanism of resistance in this setting based upon the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism encoding EGFR-K521 (K-allele), which is expressed in >40% of HNSCC cases. Patients expressing the K-allele showed significantly shorter progression-free survival upon palliative treatment with cetuximab plus chemotherapy or radiation. In several EGFR-mediated cancer models, cetuximab failed to inhibit downstream signaling or to kill cells harboring a high K-allele frequency. Cetuximab affinity for EGFR-K521 was reduced slightly, but ligand-mediated EGFR activation was intact. We found a lack of glycan sialyation on EGFR-K521 that associated with reduced protein stability, suggesting a structural basis for reduced cetuximab efficacy. CetuGEX, an antibody with optimized Fc glycosylation targeting the same epitope as cetuximab, restored HNSCC sensitivity in a manner associated with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity rather than EGFR pathway inhibition. Overall, our results highlight EGFR-K521 expression as a key mechanism of cetuximab resistance to evaluate prospectively as a predictive biomarker in HNSCC patients. Further, they offer a preclinical rationale for the use of ADCC-optimized antibodies to treat tumors harboring this EGFR isoform. Cancer Res; 77(5); 1188-99. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Braig
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Radiation Biology and Radiooncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Minna Voigtlaender
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beate Habel
- Bioassays and Nonclinical Studies, GLYCOTOPE GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Grob
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karina Biskup
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Veronique Blanchard
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Sack
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anja Thalhammer
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Potsdam University, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Isabel Ben Batalla
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute for Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingke Braren
- HEXT Vector Facility/Institute for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Antje Danielczyk
- Bioassays and Nonclinical Studies, GLYCOTOPE GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Goletz
- Bioassays and Nonclinical Studies, GLYCOTOPE GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Bruno Märkl
- Pathological Institute, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Martin Trepel
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Oncology and Hematology, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Rainald Knecht
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Cancer Center of the University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sonja Loges
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute for Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, BMT with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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117
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Ben-Batalla I, Erdmann R, Jørgensen H, Mitchell R, Ernst T, von Amsberg G, Schafhausen P, Velthaus JL, Rankin S, Clark RE, Koschmieder S, Schultze A, Mitra S, Vandenberghe P, Brümmendorf TH, Carmeliet P, Hochhaus A, Pantel K, Bokemeyer C, Helgason GV, Holyoake TL, Loges S. Axl Blockade by BGB324 Inhibits BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Sensitive and -Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2289-2300. [PMID: 27856601 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors are employed successfully for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. However, resistant disease and persistence of BCR-ABL1-independent leukemia stem and progenitor cells (LSPC) remain clinical challenges. The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl can mediate survival and therapy resistance of different cancer cells. We investigated the therapeutic potential of Axl inhibition in CML.Experimental Design: We used primary cells from patients with CML and TKI-sensitive and -resistant BCR-ABL1+ CML cell lines and a novel ponatinib-resistant cell line KCL-22 PonR. We analyzed the effects of genetic and pharmacologic Axl blockade by the small-molecule Axl inhibitor BGB324 in vitro and in vivo In BCR-ABL1-unmutated cells, we also investigated BGB324 in combination with imatinib.Results: We demonstrate overexpression of Axl receptor tyrosine kinase in primary cells of patients with CML compared with healthy individuals and a further increase of Axl expression in BCR-ABL TKI-resistant patients. We show that Axl blockage decreased growth of BCR-ABL TKI-sensitive CML cells including CD34+ cells and exerts additive effects with imatinib via inhibition of Stat5 activation. BGB324 also inhibits BCR-ABL TKI-resistant cells, including T315I-mutated and ponatinib-resistant primary cells. BGB324 exerted therapeutic effects in BCR-ABL1 T315I-mutated and ponatinib-resistant preclinical mouse models. Notably, BGB324 does not inhibit BCR-ABL1 and consequently inhibits CML independent of BCR-ABL1 mutational status.Conclusions: Our data show that Axl inhibition has therapeutic potential in BCR-ABL TKI-sensitive as well as -resistant CML and support the need for clinical trials. Clin Cancer Res; 23(9); 2289-300. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ben-Batalla
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Erdmann
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heather Jørgensen
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Mitchell
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Ernst
- Hematology/Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philippe Schafhausen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janna L Velthaus
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephen Rankin
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Richard E Clark
- Department of Haematology, Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Steffen Koschmieder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Schultze
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Subir Mitra
- Department of Haematology, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tim H Brümmendorf
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Bokemeyer
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - G Vignir Helgason
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Tessa L Holyoake
- Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Sonja Loges
- Department of Hematology and Oncology with Sections BMT and Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. .,Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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118
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Zhang L, Huang Y, Zhuo W, Zhu Y, Zhu B, Chen Z. Fisetin, a dietary phytochemical, overcomes Erlotinib-resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells through inhibition of MAPK and AKT pathways. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:4857-4868. [PMID: 27904686 PMCID: PMC5126328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Erlotinib (Tarceva) is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its efficacy is usually reduced by the occurrence of drug resistance. Our recent study showed that a flavonoid found in many plants, Fisetin, might have a potential to reverse the acquired Cisplatin-resistance of lung adenocarcinoma. In the present study, we aimed to test whether Fisetin could have the ability to reverse Erlotinib-resistance of lung cancer cells. Erlotinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells, HCC827-ER, were cultured from the cell line HCC827, and the effects of Fisetin and Erlotinib on the cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated. The possible signaling pathways in this process were also detected. As expected, the results showed that Fisetin effectively increased sensitivity of Erlotinib-resistant lung cancer cells to Erlotinib, possibly by inhibiting aberrant activation of MAPK and AKT signaling pathways resulted from AXL suppression. In conclusion, Fisetin was a potential agent for reversing acquired Erlotinib-resistance of lung adenocarcinoma. Inactivation of AXL, MAPK and AKT pathways might play a partial role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhang
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyang, China
| | - Wenlei Zhuo
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agriculture UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Zhengtang Chen
- Institute of Cancer, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical UniversityChongqing, China
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119
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The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase AXL in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8110103. [PMID: 27834845 PMCID: PMC5126763 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8110103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Recent studies have revealed a central role of AXL signaling in tumor proliferation, survival, stem cell phenotype, metastasis, and resistance to cancer therapy. Moreover, AXL is expressed within cellular components of the tumor microenvironment where AXL signaling contributes to the immunosuppressive and protumorigenic phenotypes. A variety of AXL inhibitors have been developed and are efficacious in preclinical studies. These agents offer new opportunities for therapeutic intervention in the prevention and treatment of advanced disease. Here we review the literature that has illuminated the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which AXL signaling promotes tumor progression and we will discuss the therapeutic potential of AXL inhibition for cancer therapy.
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120
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Targeting the TAM Receptors in Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8110101. [PMID: 27834816 PMCID: PMC5126761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8110101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted inhibition of members of the TAM (TYRO-3, AXL, MERTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases has recently been investigated as a novel strategy for treatment of hematologic malignancies. The physiologic functions of the TAM receptors in innate immune control, natural killer (NK) cell differentiation, efferocytosis, clearance of apoptotic debris, and hemostasis have previously been described and more recent data implicate TAM kinases as important regulators of erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. The TAM receptors are aberrantly or ectopically expressed in many hematologic malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia, B- and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. TAM receptors contribute to leukemic phenotypes through activation of pro-survival signaling pathways and interplay with other oncogenic proteins such as FLT3, LYN, and FGFR3. The TAM receptors also contribute to resistance to both cytotoxic chemotherapeutics and targeted agents, making them attractive therapeutic targets. A number of translational strategies for TAM inhibition are in development, including small molecule inhibitors, ligand traps, and monoclonal antibodies. Emerging areas of research include modulation of TAM receptors to enhance anti-tumor immunity, potential roles for TYRO-3 in leukemogenesis, and the function of the bone marrow microenvironment in mediating resistance to TAM inhibition.
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121
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Hu S, Dai H, Li T, Tang Y, Fu W, Yuan Q, Wang F, Lv G, Lv Y, Fan X, Zhang S, Jin R, Shen Y, Lin F, Ye X, Ding M, Yang Y, Lei C. Broad RTK-targeted therapy overcomes molecular heterogeneity-driven resistance to cetuximab via vectored immunoprophylaxis in colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2016; 382:32-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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122
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Axl-EGFR receptor tyrosine kinase hetero-interaction provides EGFR with access to pro-invasive signalling in cancer cells. Oncogenesis 2016; 5:e266. [PMID: 27775700 PMCID: PMC5117851 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2016.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired resistance to conventional and targeted therapies is becoming a major hindrance in cancer management. It is increasingly clear that cancer cells are able to evolve and rewire canonical signalling pathways to their advantage, thus evading cell death and promoting cell invasion. The Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) has been shown to modulate acquired resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in both breast and lung cancers. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly infiltrative and invasive form of brain tumour with little response to therapy. Both Axl and EGFR have been identified as major players in gliomagenesis and invasiveness. However, the mechanisms underlying a potential signalling crosstalk between EGFR and Axl RTKs are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate this novel and unconventional interaction among RTKs of different families in human GBM cells. With the use of western blotting, in vitro kinase activity, co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we show that EGF stimulates activation of Axl kinase and that there is a hetero-interaction between the two RTKs. Through small interfering RNA knockdown and quantitative PCR screening, we identified distinct gene expression patterns in GBM cells that were specifically regulated by signalling from EGFR-EGFR, Axl–Axl and EGFR-Axl RTK parings. These included genes that promote invasion, which were activated only via the EGFR-Axl axis (MMP9), while EGFR-EGFR distinctly regulated the cell cycle and Axl–Axl regulated invasion. Our findings provide critical insights into the role of EGFR-Axl hetero-dimerisation in cancer cells and reveal regulation of cell invasion via Axl as a novel function of EGFR signalling.
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123
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Adams SR, Yang HC, Savariar EN, Aguilera J, Crisp JL, Jones KA, Whitney MA, Lippman SM, Cohen EEW, Tsien RY, Advani SJ. Anti-tubulin drugs conjugated to anti-ErbB antibodies selectively radiosensitize. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13019. [PMID: 27698471 PMCID: PMC5059467 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour resistance to radiotherapy remains a barrier to improving cancer patient outcomes. To overcome radioresistance, certain drugs have been found to sensitize cells to ionizing radiation (IR). In theory, more potent radiosensitizing drugs should increase tumour kill and improve patient outcomes. In practice, clinical utility of potent radiosensitizing drugs is curtailed by off-target side effects. Here we report potent anti-tubulin drugs conjugated to anti-ErbB antibodies selectively radiosensitize to tumours based on surface receptor expression. While two classes of potent anti-tubulins, auristatins and maytansinoids, indiscriminately radiosensitize tumour cells, conjugating these potent anti-tubulins to anti-ErbB antibodies restrict their radiosensitizing capacity. Of translational significance, we report that a clinically used maytansinoid ADC, ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), with IR prolongs tumour control in target expressing HER2+ tumours but not target negative tumours. In contrast to ErbB signal inhibition, our findings establish an alternative therapeutic paradigm for ErbB-based radiosensitization using antibodies to restrict radiosensitizer delivery. Drugs that sensitize tumour cells to ionizing radiation are prized because they can overcome resistance to radiotherapy. Here, the authors show that anti-tubulin drugs conjugated to cetuximab or trastuzumab can radiosensitize EGFR- or HER2-expressing tumors by increasing DNA damage and cell death due to ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Adams
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Howard C Yang
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Elamprakash N Savariar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Joe Aguilera
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Jessica L Crisp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Karra A Jones
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Michael A Whitney
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Scott M Lippman
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.,UC San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Ezra E W Cohen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.,UC San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Roger Y Tsien
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.,UC San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Sunil J Advani
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.,UC San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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124
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Iida M, Bahrar H, Brand TM, Pearson HE, Coan JP, Orbuch RA, Flanigan BG, Swick AD, Prabakaran PJ, Lantto J, Horak ID, Kragh M, Salgia R, Kimple RJ, Wheeler DL. Targeting the HER Family with Pan-HER Effectively Overcomes Resistance to Cetuximab. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:2175-86. [PMID: 27422810 PMCID: PMC5010956 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cetuximab, an antibody against the EGFR, has shown efficacy in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), metastatic colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the clinical success of cetuximab, many patients do not respond to cetuximab. Furthermore, virtually all patients who do initially respond become refractory, highlighting both intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab as significant clinical problems. To understand mechanistically how cancerous cells acquire resistance, we previously developed models of acquired resistance using the H226 NSCLC and UM-SCC1 HNSCC cell lines. Cetuximab-resistant clones showed a robust upregulation and dependency on the HER family receptors EGFR, HER2, and HER3. Here, we examined pan-HER, a mixture of six antibodies targeting these receptors on cetuximab-resistant clones. In cells exhibiting acquired or intrinsic resistance to cetuximab, pan-HER treatment decreased all three receptors' protein levels and downstream activation of AKT and MAPK. This correlated with decreased cell proliferation in cetuximab-resistant clones. To determine whether pan-HER had a therapeutic benefit in vivo, we established de novo cetuximab-resistant mouse xenografts and treated resistant tumors with pan-HER. This regimen resulted in a superior growth delay of cetuximab-resistant xenografts compared with mice continued on cetuximab. Furthermore, intrinsically cetuximab-resistant HNSCC patient-derived xenograft tumors treated with pan-HER exhibited significant growth delay compared with vehicle/cetuximab controls. These results suggest that targeting multiple HER family receptors simultaneously with pan-HER is a promising treatment strategy for tumors displaying intrinsic or acquired resistance to cetuximab. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(9); 2175-86. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Harsh Bahrar
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. Radboud Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Toni M Brand
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hannah E Pearson
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - John P Coan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rachel A Orbuch
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bailey G Flanigan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Adam D Swick
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Prashanth J Prabakaran
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | | | | | | | - Randy J Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
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Abstract
AXL is a tyrosine kinase receptor activated by GAS6 and regulates cancer cell proliferation migration and angiogenesis. We studied AXL as new therapeutic target in colorectal cancer (CRC). Expression and activation of AXL and GAS6 were evaluated in a panel of human CRC cell lines. AXL gene silencing or pharmacologic inhibition with foretinib suppressed proliferation, migration and survival in CRC cells. In an orthotopic colon model of human HCT116 CRC cells overexpressing AXL, foretinib treatment caused significant inhibition of tumour growth and peritoneal metastatic spreading. AXL and GAS6 overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were found in 76,7% and 73.5%, respectively, of 223 human CRC specimens, correlating with less differentiated histological grading. GAS6 overexpression was associated with nodes involvement and tumour stage. AXL gene was found amplified by Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 8/146 cases (5,4%) of CRC samples. Taken together, AXL inhibition could represent a novel therapeutic approach in CRC.
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126
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Tan L, Zhang Z, Gao D, Luo J, Tu ZC, Li Z, Peng L, Ren X, Ding K. 4-Oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide Derivatives as New Axl Kinase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6807-25. [PMID: 27379978 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Tan
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Donglin Gao
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinfeng Luo
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Zheng-Chao Tu
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Zhengqiu Li
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lijie Peng
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaomei Ren
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ke Ding
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
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127
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van der Mijn JC, Broxterman HJ, Knol JC, Piersma SR, De Haas RR, Dekker H, Pham TV, Van Beusechem VW, Halmos B, Mier JW, Jiménez CR, Verheul HMW. Sunitinib activates Axl signaling in renal cell cancer. Int J Cancer 2016; 138:3002-10. [PMID: 26815723 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics provides a unique unbiased approach to evaluate signaling network in cancer cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib is registered as treatment for patients with renal cell cancer (RCC). We investigated the effect of sunitinib on tyrosine phosphorylation in RCC tumor cells to get more insight in its mechanism of action and thereby to find potential leads for combination treatment strategies. Sunitinib inhibitory concentrations of proliferation (IC50) of 786-O, 769-p and A498 RCC cells were determined by MTT-assays. Global tyrosine phosphorylation was measured by LC-MS/MS after immunoprecipitation with the antiphosphotyrosine antibody p-TYR-100. Phosphoproteomic profiling of 786-O cells yielded 1519 phosphopeptides, corresponding to 675 unique proteins including 57 different phosphorylated protein kinases. Compared to control, incubation with sunitinib at its IC50 of 2 µM resulted in downregulation of 86 phosphopeptides including CDK5, DYRK3, DYRK4, G6PD, PKM and LDH-A, while 94 phosphopeptides including Axl, FAK, EPHA2 and p38α were upregulated. Axl- (y702), FAK- (y576) and p38α (y182) upregulation was confirmed by Western Blot in 786-O and A498 cells. Subsequent proliferation assays revealed that inhibition of Axl with a small molecule inhibitor (R428) sensitized 786-O RCC cells and immortalized endothelial cells to sunitinib up to 3 fold. In conclusion, incubation with sunitinib of RCC cells causes significant upregulation of multiple phosphopeptides including Axl. Simultaneous inhibition of Axl improves the antitumor activity of sunitinib. We envision that evaluation of phosphoproteomic changes by TKI treatment enables identification of new targets for combination treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes C van der Mijn
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Hematology/Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Henk J Broxterman
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaco C Knol
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander R Piersma
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard R De Haas
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Dekker
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thang V Pham
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Victor W Van Beusechem
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Balazs Halmos
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - James W Mier
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Connie R Jiménez
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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128
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Axl activates fibroblast growth factor receptor pathway to potentiate survival signals in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Leukemia 2016; 30:1431-6. [PMID: 26598018 PMCID: PMC4879100 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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129
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Wang C, Jin H, Wang N, Fan S, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wei L, Tao X, Gu D, Zhao F, Fang J, Yao M, Qin W. Gas6/Axl Axis Contributes to Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Breast Cancer through Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin Signaling. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:1205-19. [PMID: 27279912 PMCID: PMC4893646 DOI: 10.7150/thno.15083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance in breast cancer has been of great interest in past studies. However, the development of rational therapeutic strategies targeting chemoresistant cells is still a challenge in clinical oncology. By integrating data from global differences of gene expression and phospho-receptor tyrosine kinases between sensitive parental cells (MCF-7) and doxorubicin-resistant cells (MCF-7/ADR), we identified Axl as a potential target for chemoresistance and metastasis in multidrug resistant breast cancer cells. We analyzed Axl expression in 57 breast cancer cell lines and detected a dramatic increase in its expression level in mesenchymal breast cancer cell lines. Axl silencing suppressed invasive and metastatic potentials of chemoresistant breast cancer cells as well as increased elimination of cancer cells when combined with doxorubicin. Furthermore, in preclinical assays, an Axl inhibitor R428 showed increased cell death upon doxorubicin treatment. Additionally, using phospho-kinase array based proteomic analysis, we identified that Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin cascade was responsible for Axl-induced cell invasion. Nuclear translocation of β-catenin then induced transcriptional upregulation of ZEB1, which in turn regulated DNA damage repair and doxorubicin-resistance in breast cancer cells. Most importantly, Axl was correlated with its downstream targets in tumor samples and was associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. These results demonstrate that Gas6/Axl axis confers aggressiveness in breast cancer and may represent a therapeutic target for chemoresistance and metastasis.
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130
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Kjær I, Lindsted T, Fröhlich C, Olsen JV, Horak ID, Kragh M, Pedersen MW. Cetuximab Resistance in Squamous Carcinomas of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract Is Driven by Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Plasticity: Potential for mAb Mixtures. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:1614-26. [PMID: 27196767 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) arising in upper parts of the aerodigestive tract are among the leading causes of death worldwide. EGFR has been found to play an essential role in driving the malignancy of SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract (SCCUAT), but, despite this, clinical results using a range of different EGFR-targeted agents have been disappointing. Cetuximab is currently the only EGFR-targeted agent approved by the FDA for treatment of SCCUAT. However, intrinsic and acquired cetuximab resistance is a major problem for effective therapy. Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for cetuximab resistance is valuable for development of the next generation of antibody therapeutics. In order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of cetuximab resistance in SCCUAT, we established from cetuximab-sensitive models cell lines with acquired resistance to cetuximab by continuous selective pressure in vitro and in vivo Our results show that resistant clones maintain partial dependency on EGFR and that receptor tyrosine kinase plasticity mediated by HER3 and IGF1R plays an essential role. A multitarget mAb mixture against EGFR, HER3, and IGF1R was able to overcome cetuximab resistance in vitro To our surprise, these findings could be extended to include SCCUAT cell lines with intrinsic resistance to cetuximab, suggesting that the triad consisting of EGFR, HER3, and IGF1R plays a key role in SCCUAT. Our results thus provide a rationale for simultaneous targeting of EGFR, HER3, and IGF1R in SCCUAT. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1614-26. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Kjær
- Symphogen A/S, Ballerup, Denmark. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jesper Velgaard Olsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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131
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Pinato DJ, Chowdhury S, Stebbing J. TAMing resistance to multi-targeted kinase inhibitors through Axl and Met inhibition. Oncogene 2016; 35:2684-6. [PMID: 26434595 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
TAM (Tyro3-Axl-Mer) receptor tyrosine kinases and Met are implicated in several hallmarks of cancer progression including sustained angiogenesis, enhanced motility, tissue invasion and acquisition of metastatic potential through the upregulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Increasing evidence has confirmed Axl and Met as emerging central drivers of adaptive resistance to targeted therapies across a wide variety of cancers. In this issue of Oncogene, Zhou et al. describe the mechanisms linking Axl and Met activation to acquired resistance to sunitinib in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), providing a pre-clinical rationale for the development of Axl and Met inhibitors including cabozantinib in anti-angiogenic resistant RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - S Chowdhury
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - J Stebbing
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
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132
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Levin PA, Brekken RA, Byers LA, Heymach JV, Gerber DE. Axl Receptor Axis: A New Therapeutic Target in Lung Cancer. J Thorac Oncol 2016; 11:1357-1362. [PMID: 27130831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel A Levin
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lauren Averett Byers
- Department of Head and Neck/Thoracic Medical Oncology, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John V Heymach
- Department of Head and Neck/Thoracic Medical Oncology, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David E Gerber
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
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133
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Sato K, Suda K, Shimizu S, Sakai K, Mizuuchi H, Tomizawa K, Takemoto T, Nishio K, Mitsudomi T. Clinical, Pathological, and Molecular Features of Lung Adenocarcinomas with AXL Expression. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154186. [PMID: 27100677 PMCID: PMC4839706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is a member of the Tyro3-Axl-Mer receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily. AXL affects several cellular functions, including growth and migration. AXL aberration is reportedly a marker for poor prognosis and treatment resistance in various cancers. In this study, we analyzed clinical, pathological, and molecular features of AXL expression in lung adenocarcinomas (LADs). We examined 161 LAD specimens from patients who underwent pulmonary resections. When AXL protein expression was quantified (0, 1+, 2+, 3+) according to immunohistochemical staining intensity, results were 0: 35%; 1+: 20%; 2+: 37%; and 3+: 7% for the 161 samples. AXL expression status did not correlate with clinical features, including smoking status and pathological stage. However, patients whose specimens showed strong AXL expression (3+) had markedly poorer prognoses than other groups (P = 0.0033). Strong AXL expression was also significantly associated with downregulation of E-cadherin (P = 0.025) and CD44 (P = 0.0010). In addition, 9 of 12 specimens with strong AXL expression had driver gene mutations (6 with EGFR, 2 with KRAS, 1 with ALK). In conclusion, we found that strong AXL expression in surgically resected LADs was a predictor of poor prognosis. LADs with strong AXL expression were characterized by mesenchymal status, higher expression of stem-cell-like markers, and frequent driver gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuaki Sato
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Kenichi Suda
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Shigeki Shimizu
- Department of Pathology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kazuko Sakai
- Department of Genome Biology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mizuuchi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Kenji Tomizawa
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Toshiki Takemoto
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Kazuto Nishio
- Department of Genome Biology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mitsudomi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
- * E-mail:
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134
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Huang KY, Kao SH, Wang WL, Chen CY, Hsiao TH, Salunke SB, Chen JJW, Su KY, Yang SC, Hong TM, Chen CS, Yang PC. Small Molecule T315 Promotes Casitas B-Lineage Lymphoma–Dependent Degradation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor via Y1045 Autophosphorylation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2016; 193:753-66. [DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201502-0250oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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135
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Mer receptor tyrosine kinase is frequently overexpressed in human non-small cell lung cancer, confirming resistance to erlotinib. Oncotarget 2016; 6:9206-19. [PMID: 25826078 PMCID: PMC4496212 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mer is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) with oncogenic properties that is often overexpressed or activated in various malignancies. Using both immunohistochemistry and microarray analyses, we demonstrated that Mer was overexpressed in both tumoral and stromal compartments of about 70% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) samples relative to surrounding normal lung tissue. This was validated in freshly harvested NSCLC samples; however, no associations were found between Mer expression and patient features. Although Mer overexpression did not render normal lung epithelial cell tumorigenic in vivo, it promoted the in vitro cell proliferation, clonogenic colony formation and migration of normal lung epithelial cells as well as NSCLC cells primarily depending on MAPK and FAK signaling, respectively. Importantly, Mer overexpression induced resistance to erlotinib (EGFR inhibitor) in otherwise erlotinib-sensitive cells. Furthermore, Mer-specific inhibitor rendered erlotinib-resistant cells sensitive to erlotinib. We conclude that Mer enhances malignant phenotype and pharmacological inhibition of Mer overcomes resistance of NSCLC to EGFR-targeted agents.
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136
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Rodems TS, Iida M, Brand TM, Pearson HE, Orbuch RA, Flanigan BG, Wheeler DL. Adaptive responses to antibody based therapy. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 50:153-63. [PMID: 26808665 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) represent a large class of protein kinases that span the cellular membrane. There are 58 human RTKs identified which are grouped into 20 distinct families based upon their ligand binding, sequence homology and structure. They are controlled by ligand binding which activates intrinsic tyrosine-kinase activity. This activity leads to the phosphorylation of distinct tyrosines on the cytoplasmic tail, leading to the activation of cell signaling cascades. These signaling cascades ultimately regulate cellular proliferation, apoptosis, migration, survival and homeostasis of the cell. The vast majority of RTKs have been directly tied to the etiology and progression of cancer. Thus, using antibodies to target RTKs as a cancer therapeutic strategy has been intensely pursued. Although antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have shown promise in the clinical arena, the development of both intrinsic and acquired resistance to antibody-based therapies is now well appreciated. In this review we provide an overview of the RTK family, the biology of EGFR and HER2, as well as an in-depth review of the adaptive responses undertaken by cells in response to antibody based therapies directed against these receptors. A greater understanding of these mechanisms and their relevance in human models will lead to molecular insights in overcoming and circumventing resistance to antibody based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara S Rodems
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Toni M Brand
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Hannah E Pearson
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Rachel A Orbuch
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Bailey G Flanigan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1111 Highland Avenue, WIMR 3136, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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137
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Scaltriti M, Elkabets M, Baselga J. Molecular Pathways: AXL, a Membrane Receptor Mediator of Resistance to Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:1313-7. [PMID: 26763248 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AXL is a tyrosine kinase membrane receptor that signals via PI3K, MAPK, and protein kinase C (PKC), among other pathways. AXL has oncogenic potential and interacts with other membrane receptors, depending on their relative abundance and availability. The increased expression of AXL in cancer is often the result of pharmacologic selective pressure to a number of chemotherapies and targeted therapies and acts as a mechanism of acquired drug resistance. This resistance phenotype, frequently accompanied by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, can be reversed by AXL inhibition. In tumors with high levels of EGFR, including lung, head and neck, and triple-negative breast cancer, AXL dimerizes with this receptor and initiates signaling that circumvents the antitumor effects of anti-EGFR therapies. Likewise, AXL overexpression and dimerization with EGFR can overcome PI3K inhibition by activating the phospholipase C-γ-PKC cascade that, in turn, sustains mTORC1 activity. The causative role of AXL in inducing drug resistance is underscored by the fact that the suppression of AXL restores sensitivity to these agents. Hence, these observations indicate that AXL is selectively expressed in tumor cells refractory to therapy and that cotargeting AXL in this setting would potentially overcome drug resistance. The use of AXL inhibitors should be considered in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Scaltriti
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - José Baselga
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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138
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Axl and Mer Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Distinct and Nonoverlapping Roles in Inflammation and Cancer? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 930:113-32. [PMID: 27558819 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-39406-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinases Axl and Mer subserve the process of termination of proinflammatory signaling and have key roles in both the resolution of inflammation and restoration of homeostasis. Axl functions prominently under conditions of tissue stress or in response to infection, whereas Mer has a major role in maintenance of homeostasis within tissues. Distinct patterns of expression of Axl and Mer underlie their clearly defined functional roles during the initiation and progression of inflammation. Axl and Mer are expressed by tumor cells and by infiltrating inflammatory cells and the regulation of cellular function via Axl and Mer signaling is also important for tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. In this review, we consider the divergent functions of Axl and Mer in the context of inflammatory processes within tumors and the implications for development of therapeutic agents targeting these receptors.
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139
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Myers SH, Brunton VG, Unciti-Broceta A. AXL Inhibitors in Cancer: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective. J Med Chem 2015; 59:3593-608. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel H. Myers
- Edinburgh Cancer Research
UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, U.K
| | - Valerie G. Brunton
- Edinburgh Cancer Research
UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, U.K
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Edinburgh Cancer Research
UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, U.K
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140
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Wu Z, Bai F, Fan L, Pang W, Han R, Wang J, Liu Y, Yan X, Duan H, Xing L. Coexpression of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL and EGFR in human primary lung adenocarcinomas. Hum Pathol 2015; 46:1935-44. [PMID: 26475093 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2015.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AXL has been identified as a tyrosine kinase switch that causes resistance to inhibitors targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the relationship between 2 receptor tyrosine kinases, AXL and EGFR, and the relevance of AXL expression with EGFR mutation status in treatment-naive human NSCLCs remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the coexpression pattern of AXL, EGFR, and pEGFR(1068) in 109 lung adenocarcinoma patients with or without an EGFR mutation. There were 68 (62.4%) patients with tumors harboring EGFR mutations such as 19 del and/or L858R; 2 patients were T790M positive. The expression of AXL, EGFR, and pEGFR(1068) was detected in 60 (55%), 68 (62.4%), and 57 (52.3%) of 109 patients, respectively. The positive rates of EGFR and pEGFR(1068) were associated with the L858R mutation alone or with the 19 del and L858R mutation status. Further analysis indicated that the percentage of AXL(+)/EGFR(+)/pEGFR(1068) coexpression in 68 EGFR-activating mutations patients was significantly higher than that in 39 EGFR wild-type patients (30.9% versus 10.3%, P=.015). Furthermore, in the subgroup of AXL(+) patients (35 mutation(+) and 23 wild-type patients), the coexpression rates of AXL(+)/pEGFR(1068+) and AXL(+)/EGFR(+)/pEGFR(1068+) in patients with EGFR mutations were significantly higher compared with those in wild-type patients (both P<.05). Our study emphasized that the AXL and EGFR receptor tyrosine kinases were coexpressed in a subgroup of treatment-naive lung adenocarcinomas with or without EGFR mutations. Anti-AXL therapeutics delivered up front in combination with an EGFR inhibitor might prevent or delay resistance in patients with AXL-positive, EGFR-mutant, or wild-type NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhou Wu
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Fan Bai
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Liyun Fan
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Wenshuai Pang
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Ruiyu Han
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China.
| | - Yueping Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tumor Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, China.
| | - Xia Yan
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Huijun Duan
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
| | - Lingxiao Xing
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, China.
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141
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Fritz HK, Gustafsson A, Ljungberg B, Ceder Y, Axelson H, Dahlbäck B. The Axl-Regulating Tumor Suppressor miR-34a Is Increased in ccRCC but Does Not Correlate with Axl mRNA or Axl Protein Levels. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135991. [PMID: 26287733 PMCID: PMC4546115 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl is associated with poor prognosis in patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), the most common malignancy of the kidney. The miR-34a has been shown to directly regulate Axl in cancer cells. The miR-34a is a mediator of p53-dependent tumor suppression, and low expression of miR-34a has been associated with worse prognosis in several cancers. Our aim was to elucidate whether miR-34a or the other members of the miR-34 family (miR-34b/c) regulate Axl in RCC. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS Using western blot, flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR, we showed that Axl mRNA and protein are downregulated in 786-O cells by miR-34a and miR-34c but not by miR-34b. A luciferase reporter assay demonstrated direct interaction between the Axl 3' UTR and miR-34a and miR-34c. The levels of miR-34a/b/c were measured in tumor tissue in a cohort of 198 RCC patients, and the levels of miR-34a were found to be upregulated in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) tumors, but not associated with patient outcome. Neither of the miR-34 family members correlated with Axl mRNA, soluble Axl protein in serum, nor with immunohistochemistry of Axl in tumor tissue. In addition, we measured mRNA levels of a known miR-34a target, HNF4A, and found the HNF4A levels to be decreased in ccRCC tumors, but unexpectedly correlated positively rather than negatively with miR-34a. CONCLUSIONS Although miR-34a and miR-34c can regulate Axl expression in vitro, our data indicates that the miR-34 family members are not the primary regulators of Axl expression in RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena K. Fritz
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anna Gustafsson
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Börje Ljungberg
- Umeå University, Departments of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology and Andrology, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Ceder
- Lund University, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Håkan Axelson
- Lund University, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Dahlbäck
- Lund University, Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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142
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Cummings CT, Zhang W, Davies KD, Kirkpatrick GD, Zhang D, DeRyckere D, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, Graham DK. Small Molecule Inhibition of MERTK Is Efficacious in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Models Independent of Driver Oncogene Status. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2014-22. [PMID: 26162689 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed by targeted therapies directed against molecular aberrations specifically activated within an individual patient's tumor. However, such therapies are currently only available against a small number of such aberrations, and new targets and therapeutics are needed. Our laboratory has previously identified the MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) as a potential drug target in multiple cancer types, including NSCLC. We have recently developed UNC2025--the first-in-class small molecule inhibitor targeting MERTK with pharmacokinetic properties sufficient for clinical translation. Here, we utilize this compound to further validate the important emerging biologic functions of MERTK in lung cancer pathogenesis, to establish that MERTK can be effectively targeted by a clinically translatable agent, and to demonstrate that inhibition of MERTK is a valid treatment strategy in a wide variety of NSCLC lines independent of their driver oncogene status, including in lines with an EGFR mutation, a KRAS/NRAS mutation, an RTK fusion, or another or unknown driver oncogene. Biochemically, we report the selectivity of UNC2025 for MERTK, and its inhibition of oncogenic downstream signaling. Functionally, we demonstrate that UNC2025 induces apoptosis of MERTK-dependent NSCLC cell lines, while decreasing colony formation in vitro and tumor xenograft growth in vivo in murine models. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of MERTK in NSCLC, and demonstrate that MERTK inhibition by UNC2025 is a feasible, clinically relevant treatment strategy in a wide variety of NSCLC subtypes, which warrants further investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Cummings
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kurtis D Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Gregory D Kirkpatrick
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dehui Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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143
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Brand TM, Iida M, Stein AP, Corrigan KL, Braverman CM, Coan JP, Pearson HE, Bahrar H, Fowler TL, Bednarz BP, Saha S, Yang D, Gill PS, Lingen MW, Saloura V, Villaflor VM, Salgia R, Kimple RJ, Wheeler DL. AXL Is a Logical Molecular Target in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:2601-12. [PMID: 25767293 PMCID: PMC5032632 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents the eighth most common malignancy worldwide. Standard-of-care treatments for patients with HNSCC include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In addition, the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab is often used in combination with these treatment modalities. Despite clinical success with these therapeutics, HNSCC remains a difficult malignancy to treat. Thus, identification of new molecular targets is critical. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In the current study, the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL was investigated as a molecular target in HNSCC using established cell lines, HNSCC patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and human tumors. HNSCC dependency on AXL was evaluated with both anti-AXL siRNAs and the small-molecule AXL inhibitor R428. Furthermore, AXL inhibition was evaluated with standard-of-care treatment regimens used in HNSCC. RESULTS AXL was found to be highly overexpressed in several models of HNSCC, where AXL was significantly associated with higher pathologic grade, presence of distant metastases, and shorter relapse-free survival in patients with HNSCC. Further investigations indicated that HNSCC cells were reliant on AXL for cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, targeting AXL increased HNSCC cell line sensitivity to chemotherapy, cetuximab, and radiation. Moreover, radiation-resistant HNSCC cell line xenografts and PDXs expressed elevated levels of both total and activated AXL, indicating a role for AXL in radiation resistance. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the role of AXL in HNSCC pathogenesis and supports further preclinical and clinical evaluation of anti-AXL therapeutics for the treatment of patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni M Brand
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Andrew P Stein
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kelsey L Corrigan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Cara M Braverman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - John P Coan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hannah E Pearson
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Harsh Bahrar
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Tyler L Fowler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bryan P Bednarz
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Sandeep Saha
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - David Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Parkash S Gill
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mark W Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Vassiliki Saloura
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victoria M Villaflor
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Randall J Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
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144
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Machiels JP, Specenier P, Krauß J, Dietz A, Kaminsky MC, Lalami Y, Henke M, Keilholz U, Knecht R, Skartved NJ, Horak ID, Pamperin P, Braun S, Gauler TC. A proof of concept trial of the anti-EGFR antibody mixture Sym004 in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 76:13-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-015-2761-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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145
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Sinha S, Boysen J, Nelson M, Secreto C, Warner SL, Bearss DJ, Lesnick C, Shanafelt TD, Kay NE, Ghosh AK. Targeted Axl Inhibition Primes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B Cells to Apoptosis and Shows Synergistic/Additive Effects in Combination with BTK Inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:2115-26. [PMID: 25673699 PMCID: PMC4479154 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-1892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an incurable disease despite aggressive therapeutic approaches. We previously found that Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) plays a critical role in CLL B-cell survival. Here, we explored the possibility of using a high-affinity Axl inhibitor as a single agent or in combination with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors for future clinical trial to treat patients with CLL. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Expression/activation status of other members of the TAM (e.g., Tyro3, Axl, and MER) family of RTKs in CLL B cells was evaluated. Cells were treated with a high-affinity orally bioavailable Axl inhibitor TP-0903 with or without the presence of CLL bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Inhibitory effects of TP-0903 on the Axl signaling pathway were also evaluated in CLL B cells. Finally, cells were exposed to TP-0903 in combination with BTK inhibitors to determine any synergistic/additive effects of the combination. RESULTS CLL B cells overexpress Tyro3, but not MER. Of interest, Tyro3 remains as constitutively phosphorylated and forms a complex with Axl in CLL B cells. TP-0903 induces massive apoptosis in CLL B cells with LD50 values of nanomolar ranges. Importantly, CLL BMSCs could not protect the leukemic B cells from TP-0903-induced apoptosis. A marked reduction of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and XIAP and upregulation of the proapoptotic protein BIM in CLL B cells was detected as a result of Axl inhibition. Finally, combination of TP-0903 with BTK inhibitors augments CLL B-cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Administration of TP-0903 either as a single agent or in combination with BTK inhibitors may be effective in treating patients with CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Sinha
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Justin Boysen
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Michael Nelson
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Charla Secreto
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | | | | | - Connie Lesnick
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Tait D. Shanafelt
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Neil E. Kay
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Asish K. Ghosh
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905,Correspondence: Asish K. Ghosh, Ph.D., Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; Phone: 507-293-0058; Fax: 507-266-9277;
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Chiu KC, Lee CH, Liu SY, Chou YT, Huang RY, Huang SM, Shieh YS. Polarization of tumor-associated macrophages and Gas6/Axl signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2015; 51:683-9. [PMID: 25910588 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the potential involvement of Axl signaling in polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS Condition medium (CM) from OSCC cells (OEC-M1 and YD38) were collected and their effects on macrophage (THP-1) polarization were examined. Modulation of Axl, PI3/Akt, and NF-κB were performed to investigate their potential involvement in TAM polarization. Expression of pAxl and CD206 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in OSCC tissues. RESULTS THP-1 polarized to M2 phenotype with increasing expression of interleukins, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase and CD206 upon treatment with CM of OSCC. Activated Axl signaling in OSCC enhanced M2 induction ability. Suppression of Axl signaling and inhibition of PI3/Akt and NF-κB diminished M2 induction. pAxl expression was significantly associated with distribution of CD206 positive cells in OSCC tissues. CONCLUSION Axl signaling of OSCC involved in polarizing TAMs toward M2 phenotype. Induction of M2 phenotype macrophage polarization by OSCC cells might involve the Axl/PI3/Akt/NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Chou Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shyun-Yeu Liu
- Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, ChiMei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Chou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Yeong Huang
- Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shing Shieh
- Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
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147
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Elkabets M, Pazarentzos E, Juric D, Sheng Q, Pelossof RA, Brook S, Benzaken AO, Rodon J, Morse N, Yan JJ, Liu M, Das R, Chen Y, Tam A, Wang H, Liang J, Gurski JM, Kerr DA, Rosell R, Teixidó C, Huang A, Ghossein RA, Rosen N, Bivona TG, Scaltriti M, Baselga J. AXL mediates resistance to PI3Kα inhibition by activating the EGFR/PKC/mTOR axis in head and neck and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Cancer Cell 2015; 27:533-46. [PMID: 25873175 PMCID: PMC4398915 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-α inhibitors have shown clinical activity in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of head and neck (H&N) bearing PIK3CA mutations or amplification. Studying models of therapeutic resistance, we have observed that SCC cells that become refractory to PI3Kα inhibition maintain PI3K-independent activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). This persistent mTOR activation is mediated by the tyrosine kinase receptor AXL. AXL is overexpressed in resistant tumors from both laboratory models and patients treated with the PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719. AXL dimerizes with and phosphorylates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), resulting in activation of phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ)-protein kinase C (PKC), which, in turn, activates mTOR. Combined treatment with PI3Kα and either EGFR, AXL, or PKC inhibitors reverts this resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Elkabets
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Evangelos Pazarentzos
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Dejan Juric
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Qing Sheng
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Raphael A Pelossof
- Computation Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Samuel Brook
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ana Oaknin Benzaken
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Pg Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Jordi Rodon
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Pg Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Natasha Morse
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jenny Jiacheng Yan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Manway Liu
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Rita Das
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yan Chen
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Angela Tam
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Huiqin Wang
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jinsheng Liang
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Joseph M Gurski
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Darcy A Kerr
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Ctra Canyet s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain; Pangaea Biotech SL, Laboratorio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario Quirón Dexeus, C/ Sabino Arana 5-19, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Teixidó
- Pangaea Biotech SL, Laboratorio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario Quirón Dexeus, C/ Sabino Arana 5-19, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alan Huang
- Oncology Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ronald A Ghossein
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Trever G Bivona
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Maurizio Scaltriti
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - José Baselga
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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148
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Janning M, Ben-Batalla I, Loges S. Axl inhibition: a potential road to a novel acute myeloid leukemia therapy? Expert Rev Hematol 2015; 8:135-8. [PMID: 25578023 DOI: 10.1586/17474086.2015.997704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Novel treatment options in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are urgently needed; treatment has not changed significantly over the past decades and survival is still dismal, especially in elderly patients. Axl, a member of the Tyro3, Axl, Mer (TAM) receptor family, mediates proliferation and survival of AML cells and is upregulated upon cytostatic treatment. In addition, AML cells induce expression of the Axl ligand growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) in bone marrow stroma cells, which further amplifies their growth and therapy resistance. Interruption of Axl signaling by pharmacological approaches, including the small molecule Axl inhibitor BGB324, decreased disease burden and prolonged survival of AML mice. The Gas6-Axl pathway has translational relevance because Axl is expressed by approximately 50% of AML patients and Axl-targeting approaches can block growth of primary human AML cells. Thus, Axl represents a potential novel target in AML and BGB324 is now in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Janning
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, BMT with Section of Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Tumorzentrum, University Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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149
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Graham DK, DeRyckere D, Davies KD, Earp HS. The TAM family: phosphatidylserine sensing receptor tyrosine kinases gone awry in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2014; 14:769-85. [PMID: 25568918 DOI: 10.1038/nrc3847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 498] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The TYRO3, AXL (also known as UFO) and MERTK (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are aberrantly expressed in multiple haematological and epithelial malignancies. Rather than functioning as oncogenic drivers, their induction in tumour cells predominately promotes survival, chemoresistance and motility. The unique mode of maximal activation of this RTK family requires an extracellular lipid–protein complex. For example, the protein ligand, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6), binds to phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) that is externalized on apoptotic cell membranes, which activates MERTK on macrophages. This triggers engulfment of apoptotic material and subsequent anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization. In tumours, autocrine and paracrine ligands and apoptotic cells are abundant, which provide a survival signal to the tumour cell and favour an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive microenvironment. Thus, TAM kinase inhibition could stimulate antitumour immunity, reduce tumour cell survival, enhance chemosensitivity and diminish metastatic potential.
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150
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Hu S, Fu W, Xu W, Yang Y, Cruz M, Berezov SD, Jorissen D, Takeda H, Zhu W. Four-in-one antibodies have superior cancer inhibitory activity against EGFR, HER2, HER3, and VEGF through disruption of HER/MET crosstalk. Cancer Res 2014; 75:159-70. [PMID: 25371409 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The anti-HER receptor antibodies cetuximab, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab are used widely in clinic to treat metastatic cancer. However, activation of the extensive crosstalk among the HER receptors as well as other RTKs, particularly HER-MET crosstalk, has emerged as a likely source of drug resistance. In this study, we developed two new types of tetra-specific antibodies that recognize EGFR, HER2, HER3, and VEGF. These tetra-specific antibodies, termed FL518 (four-in-one antibody) and CRTB6 (tetra-specific, tetravalent antibody), not only inhibited signaling mediated by these receptors in vitro and in vivo but unexpectedly also disrupted HER-MET crosstalk. When compared with two-in-one antibodies and a series of bispecific antibodies in multiple tumor models, FL518 and CRTB6 were more broadly efficacious. We further showed that tetra-specific antibodies were far more effective than bispecific antibodies in inhibiting the growth of anti-HER-resistant cancer cells, which exhibited elevated levels of MET activation both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our results establish a new principle to achieve combined HER inhibition and limit drug resistance using a single antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Hu
- Translational Medicine Research Institute and International Joint Cancer Institute, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China. Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China. Department of Medical Imaging, Xi'an PLA 451 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China. Department of Interventional Oncology, Xi'an PLA 451 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China.
| | - Wenyan Fu
- Cancer Center, PLA General Hospital, PLA Postgraduate School of Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Weihao Xu
- Department of Cardiology, PLA General Hospital, PLA Postgraduate School of Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xi'an PLA 451 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China. School of Basic Medicine, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Melissa Cruz
- Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Sandra D Berezov
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Daniel Jorissen
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Hiroaki Takeda
- Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Wangdong Zhu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xi'an PLA 451 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China. Department of Interventional Oncology, Xi'an PLA 451 Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P. R. China.
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