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Ward AB, Keeton AB, Chen X, Mattox TE, Coley AB, Maxuitenko YY, Buchsbaum DJ, Randall TD, Zhou G, Piazza GA. Enhancing anticancer activity of checkpoint immunotherapy by targeting RAS. MedComm (Beijing) 2020; 1:121-128. [PMID: 33073260 PMCID: PMC7567124 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 30% of human cancers harbor a gain‐in‐function mutation in the RAS gene, resulting in constitutive activation of the RAS protein to stimulate downstream signaling, including the RAS‐mitogen activated protein kinase pathway that drives cancer cells to proliferate and metastasize. RAS‐driven oncogenesis also promotes immune evasion by increasing the expression of programmed cell death ligand‐1, reducing the expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules that present antigens to T‐lymphocytes and altering the expression of cytokines that promote the differentiation and accumulation of immune suppressive cell types such as myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, regulatory T‐cells, and cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Together, these changes lead to an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment that impedes T‐cell activation and infiltration and promotes the outgrowth and metastasis of tumor cells. As a result, despite the growing success of checkpoint immunotherapy, many patients with RAS‐driven tumors experience resistance to therapy and poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, RAS inhibitors in development have the potential to weaken cancer cell immune evasion and enhance the antitumor immune response to improve survival of patients with RAS‐driven cancers. This review highlights the potential of RAS inhibitors to enhance or broaden the anticancer activity of currently available checkpoint immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio B Ward
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Adam B Keeton
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Xi Chen
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Tyler E Mattox
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Alex B Coley
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Yulia Y Maxuitenko
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
| | - Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Troy D Randall
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Gang Zhou
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
| | - Gary A Piazza
- Drug Discovery Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
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102
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Active Compound of Pharbitis Semen ( Pharbitis nil Seeds) Suppressed KRAS-Driven Colorectal Cancer and Restored Muscle Cell Function during Cancer Progression. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25122864. [PMID: 32580297 PMCID: PMC7356163 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) is notorious to target with drugs and has shown ineffective treatment response. The seeds of Pharbitis nil, also known as morning glory, have been used as traditional medicine in East Asia. We focused on whether Pharbitis nil seeds have a suppressive effect on mutated KRAS-driven CRC as well as reserving muscle cell functions during CRC progression. Seeds of Pharbitis nil (Pharbitis semen) were separated by chromatography and the active compound of Pharbitis semen (PN) was purified by HPLC. The compound PN efficiently suppressed the proliferation of mutated KRAS-driven CRC cells and their clonogenic potentials in a concentration-dependent manner. It also induced apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. The CRC related pathways, including RAS/ERK and AKT/mTOR, were assessed and PN reduced the phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR. Furthermore, PN preserved muscle cell proliferation and myotube formation in cancer conditioned media. In summary, PN significantly suppressed mutated KRAS-driven cell growth and reserved muscle cell function. Based on the current study, PN could be considered as a promising starting point for the development of a nature-derived drug against KRAS-mutated CRC progression.
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103
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Shankar S, Tien JCY, Siebenaler RF, Chugh S, Dommeti VL, Zelenka-Wang S, Wang XM, Apel IJ, Waninger J, Eyunni S, Xu A, Mody M, Goodrum A, Zhang Y, Tesmer JJ, Mannan R, Cao X, Vats P, Pitchiaya S, Ellison SJ, Shi J, Kumar-Sinha C, Crawford HC, Chinnaiyan AM. An essential role for Argonaute 2 in EGFR-KRAS signaling in pancreatic cancer development. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2817. [PMID: 32499547 PMCID: PMC7272436 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16309-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Both KRAS and EGFR are essential mediators of pancreatic cancer development and interact with Argonaute 2 (AGO2) to perturb its function. Here, in a mouse model of mutant KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer, loss of AGO2 allows precursor lesion (PanIN) formation yet prevents progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Precursor lesions with AGO2 ablation undergo oncogene-induced senescence with altered microRNA expression and EGFR/RAS signaling, bypassed by loss of p53. In mouse and human pancreatic tissues, PDAC progression is associated with increased plasma membrane localization of RAS/AGO2. Furthermore, phosphorylation of AGO2Y393 disrupts both the wild-type and oncogenic KRAS-AGO2 interaction, albeit under different conditions. ARS-1620 (G12C-specific inhibitor) disrupts the KRASG12C-AGO2 interaction, suggesting that the interaction is targetable. Altogether, our study supports a biphasic model of pancreatic cancer development: an AGO2-independent early phase of PanIN formation reliant on EGFR-RAS signaling, and an AGO2-dependent phase wherein the mutant KRAS-AGO2 interaction is critical for PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Shankar
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jean Ching-Yi Tien
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ronald F Siebenaler
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Seema Chugh
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Vijaya L Dommeti
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sylvia Zelenka-Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ingrid J Apel
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jessica Waninger
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sanjana Eyunni
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Alice Xu
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Malay Mody
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Andrew Goodrum
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - John J Tesmer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Rahul Mannan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Pankaj Vats
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sethuramasundaram Pitchiaya
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stephanie J Ellison
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Chandan Kumar-Sinha
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Howard C Crawford
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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104
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Molecular Pathways and Targeted Therapies for Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors and Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors: A Contemporary Review. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061398. [PMID: 32485873 PMCID: PMC7353025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-epithelial ovarian tumors are heterogeneous and account for approximately 10% of ovarian malignancies. The most common subtypes of non-epithelial ovarian tumors arise from germ cells or sex cord and stromal cells of the gonads. These tumors are usually detected at an early stage, and management includes surgical staging and debulking. When indicated for advanced disease, most respond to chemotherapy; however, options for patients with refractory disease are limited, and regimens can be associated with significant toxicities, including permanent organ dysfunction, secondary malignancies, and death. Targeted therapies that potentially decrease chemotherapy-related adverse effects and improve outcomes for patients with chemotherapy-refractory disease are needed. Here, we review the molecular landscape of non-epithelial ovarian tumors for the purpose of informing rational clinical trial design. Recent genomic discoveries have uncovered recurring somatic alterations and germline mutations in subtypes of non-epithelial ovarian tumors. Though there is a paucity of efficacy data on targeted therapies, such as kinase inhibitors, antibody–drug conjugates, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy, exceptional responses to some compounds have been reported. The rarity and complexity of non-epithelial ovarian tumors warrant collaboration and efficient clinical trial design, including high-quality molecular characterization, to guide future efforts.
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105
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Chen K, Shang Z, Dai AL, Dai PL. Novel PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors plus radiotherapy: Strategy for non-small cell lung cancer with mutant RAS gene. Life Sci 2020; 255:117816. [PMID: 32454155 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with RAS -mutant gene has been the most difficult obstacle to overcome. Over 25% of muted lung adenocarcinomas have RAS mutation. The prognosis of NSCLC patients with RAS-mutant genes is always poor because there is no effective drug to suppress RAS-mutant genes. NSCLC patients with RAS-mutant usually develop resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which in some cases leads to a 5-10% survival rate for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As little clinical symptom of NSCLC was presented at its early stages, thus it always brings in disappointing treatment outcome. Currently, NSCLC presents the highest morbidity and mortality all over the world. The combination of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors with radiotherapy is a novel strategy to improve radiosensitivity and therapeutic outcome of NSCLC with a RAS-mutant gene. There have been many preclinical studies and clinical trials on the effect of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors combined with radiotherapy in NSCLC with a RAS-mutant gene have been reported in the past years. This review provides current knowledge of the combination of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors with radiotherapy, which prove to be a significant improvement for the treatment of NSCLC patients with RAS mutations and will benefit NSCLC patients with RAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zhongjun Shang
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650118, China
| | - Ai-Lin Dai
- Kunming Medical University Haiyuan School, Kunming 650100, China; Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning Service Center of Wenshan state, 663000, China
| | - Pei-Ling Dai
- Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650118, China; Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650100, China.
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106
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Yaqoob A, Li WM, Liu V, Wang C, Mackedenski S, Tackaberry LE, Massicotte HB, Egger KN, Reimer K, Lee CH. Grifolin, neogrifolin and confluentin from the terricolous polypore Albatrellus flettii suppress KRAS expression in human colon cancer cells. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231948. [PMID: 32369483 PMCID: PMC7199964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In our search for bioactive mushrooms native to British Columbia, we determined that the ethanol extracts from fruiting bodies of the terrestrial polypore Albatrellus flettii had potent anti-cell viability activity. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, we successfully isolated three known compounds (grifolin, neogrifolin and confluentin). These compounds represent the major anti-cell viability components from the ethanol extracts of A. flettii. We also identified a novel biological activity for these compounds, specifically in down-regulating KRAS expression in two human colon cancer cell lines. Relatively little is known about the anti-cell viability activity and mechanism of action of confluentin. For the first time, we show the ability of confluentin to induce apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at the G2/M phase in SW480 human colon cancer cells. The oncogenic insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IMP1) has been previously shown to regulate KRAS mRNA expression in colon cancer cells, possibly through its ability to bind to the KRAS transcript. Using a fluorescence polarization assay, we show that confluentin dose-dependently inhibits the physical interaction between KRAS RNA and full-length IMP1. The inhibition also occurs with truncated IMP1 containing the KH1 to KH4 domain (KH1to4 IMP1), but not with the di-domain KH3 and KH4 (KH3&4 IMP1). In addition, unlike the control antibiotic neomycin, grifolin, neogrifolin and confluentin do not bind to KRAS RNA. These results suggest that confluentin inhibits IMP1-KRAS RNA interaction by binding to the KH1&2 di-domains of IMP1. Since the molecular interaction between IMP1 and its target RNAs is a pre-requisite for the oncogenic function of IMP1, confluentin should be further explored as a potential inhibitor of IMP1 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almas Yaqoob
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wai Ming Li
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Victor Liu
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chuyi Wang
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sebastian Mackedenski
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Linda E. Tackaberry
- Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hugues B. Massicotte
- Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Keith N. Egger
- Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kerry Reimer
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chow H. Lee
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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107
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Grapsa D, Syrigos K. Direct KRAS inhibition: progress, challenges, and a glimpse into the future. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 20:437-440. [PMID: 32320301 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1760093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Grapsa
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Syrigos
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Athens, Greece
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108
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Mukhopadhyay S, Goswami D, Adiseshaiah PP, Burgan W, Yi M, Guerin TM, Kozlov SV, Nissley DV, McCormick F. Undermining Glutaminolysis Bolsters Chemotherapy While NRF2 Promotes Chemoresistance in KRAS-Driven Pancreatic Cancers. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1630-1643. [PMID: 31911550 PMCID: PMC7185043 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a disease with limited therapeutic options. Resistance to chemotherapies poses a significant clinical challenge for patients with pancreatic cancer and contributes to a high rate of recurrence. Oncogenic KRAS, a critical driver of pancreatic cancer, promotes metabolic reprogramming and upregulates NRF2, a master regulator of the antioxidant network. Here, we show that NRF2 contributed to chemoresistance and was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. NRF2 activation metabolically rewired and elevated pathways involved in glutamine metabolism. This curbed chemoresistance in KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancers. In addition, manipulating glutamine metabolism restrained the assembly of stress granules, an indicator of chemoresistance. Glutaminase inhibitors sensitized chemoresistant pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine, thereby improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This therapeutic approach holds promise as a novel therapy for patients with pancreatic cancer harboring KRAS mutation. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings illuminate the mechanistic features of KRAS-mediated chemoresistance and provide a rationale for exploiting metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer cells to confer therapeutic opportunities that could be translated into clinical trials. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/8/1630/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Mukhopadhyay
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Debanjan Goswami
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Pavan P Adiseshaiah
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - William Burgan
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Ming Yi
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Theresa M Guerin
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Serguei V Kozlov
- Center for Advanced Preclinical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Frank McCormick
- National Cancer Institute-RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
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109
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Murciano-Goroff YR, Taylor BS, Hyman DM, Schram AM. Toward a More Precise Future for Oncology. Cancer Cell 2020; 37:431-442. [PMID: 32289268 PMCID: PMC7499397 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prospective molecular characterization of cancer has enabled physicians to define the genomic changes of each patient's tumor in real time and select personalized therapies based on these detailed portraits. Despite the promise of such an approach, previously unrecognized biological and therapeutic complexity is emerging. Here, we synthesize lessons learned and discuss the steps required to extend the benefits of genome-driven oncology, including proposing strategies for improved drug design, more nuanced patient selection, and optimized use of available therapies. Finally, we suggest ways that next-generation genome-driven clinical trials can evolve to accelerate our understanding of cancer biology and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonina R Murciano-Goroff
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Barry S Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Human Oncogenesis and Pathology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David M Hyman
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA; Loxo Oncology, A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Eli Lilly, Stamford, CT, USA
| | - Alison M Schram
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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110
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Gao Q, Ouyang W, Kang B, Han X, Xiong Y, Ding R, Li Y, Wang F, Huang L, Chen L, Wang D, Dong X, Zhang Z, Li Y, Ze B, Hou Y, Yang H, Ma Y, Gu Y, Chao CC. Selective targeting of the oncogenic KRAS G12S mutant allele by CRISPR/Cas9 induces efficient tumor regression. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:5137-5153. [PMID: 32308773 PMCID: PMC7163449 DOI: 10.7150/thno.42325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in cancers. The protein's picomolar affinity for GTP/GDP and smooth protein structure resulting in the absence of known allosteric regulatory sites makes its genomic-level activating mutations a difficult but attractive target. Methods: Two CRISPR systems, genome-editing CRISPR/SpCas9 and transcription-regulating dCas9-KRAB, were developed to deplete the KRAS G12S mutant allele or repress its transcription, respectively, with the goal of treating KRAS-driven cancers. Results: SpCas9 and dCas9-KRAB systems with a sgRNA targeting the mutant allele blocked the expression of the mutant KRAS gene, leading to an inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. Local adenoviral injections using SpCas9 and dCas9-KRAB systems suppressed tumor growth in vivo. The gene-depletion system (SpCas9) performed more effectively than the transcription-suppressing system (dCas9-KRAB) on tumor inhibition. Application of both Cas9 systems to wild-type KRAS tumors did not affect cell proliferation. Furthermore, through bioinformatic analysis of 31555 SNP mutations of the top 20 cancer driver genes, the data showed that our mutant-specific editing strategy could be extended to a reference list of oncogenic mutations with high editing potentials. This pipeline could be applied to analyze the distribution of PAM sequences and survey the best alternative targets for gene editing. Conclusion: We successfully developed both gene-depletion and transcription-suppressing systems to specifically target an oncogenic KRAS mutant allele that led to significant tumor regression. These findings show the potential of CRISPR-based strategies for the treatment of tumors with driver gene mutations.
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111
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Oncolytic Virus-Mediated Targeting of the ERK Signaling Pathway Inhibits Invasive Propensity in Human Pancreatic Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 17:107-117. [PMID: 32322667 PMCID: PMC7163052 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells have an exceptional ability to invade nerves through pronounced crosstalk between nerves and cancer cells; however, the mechanism of PDAC cell invasion remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of telomerase-specific oncolytic adenoviruses, OBP-301 and tumor suppressor p53-armed OBP-702, against human PDAC cells. Highly invasive PDAC cells exhibited higher levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) expression independent of KRAS expression; ERK1/2 inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment significantly reduced the migration and invasion of PDAC cells, suggesting that the ERK signaling pathway is associated with the invasiveness of PDAC cells. OBP-702 infection suppressed ERK signaling and inhibited PDAC cell migration and invasion more efficiently than OBP-301. OBP-702 also effectively inhibited PDAC cell invasion even when invasiveness was enhanced by administration of motility stimulators, such as nerve and neurosecretory factors. Moreover, noninvasive whole-body imaging analyses showed that OBP-702 significantly suppressed tumor growth in an orthotopic PDAC xenograft model, although both viruses were equally effective against subcutaneous tumors, suggesting that OBP-702 can influence the orthotopic tumor microenvironment. Our data suggest that oncolytic virus-mediated disruption of ERK signaling is a promising antitumor strategy for attenuating the invasiveness of PDAC cells.
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112
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He H, Liu B, Luo H, Zhang T, Jiang J. Big data and artificial intelligence discover novel drugs targeting proteins without 3D structure and overcome the undruggable targets. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2020; 5:381-387. [PMID: 33376199 PMCID: PMC7804061 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2019-000323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of targeted drugs heavily relies on three-dimensional (3D) structures of target proteins. When the 3D structure of a protein target is unknown, it is very difficult to design its corresponding targeted drugs. Although the 3D structures of some proteins (the so-called undruggable targets) are known, their targeted drugs are still absent. As increasing crystal/cryogenic
electron microscopy structures are deposited in Protein Data Bank, it is much more possible to discover the targeted drugs. Moreover, it is also highly probable to turn previous undruggable targets into druggable ones when we identify their hidden allosteric sites. In this review, we focus on the currently available advanced methods for the discovery of novel compounds targeting proteins without 3D structure and how to turn undruggable targets into druggable ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqin He
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Benquan Liu
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongyi Luo
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Institute of Pharmacologic Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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113
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Cellular processes involved in lung cancer cells exposed to direct current electric field. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5289. [PMID: 32210363 PMCID: PMC7093422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62332-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid breakthrough of electrochemical treatment of tumors, electric field (EF)-sensitive genes, previously rarely exploited, have become an emerging field recently. Here, we reported our work for the identification of EF-sensitive genes in lung cancer cells. The gene expression profile (GSE33845), in which the human lung cancer CL1-0 cells were treated with a direct current electric field (dcEF) (300 mV/mm) for 2 h, was retrieved from GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired, followed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Hub genes were acquired and analyzed by various tools including the Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cytoscape, FunRich, Oncomine and cBioPortal. Subsequently, three-dimensional protein models of hub genes were modeled by Modeller 9.20 and Rosetta 3.9. Finally, a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation for each hub protein was performed with GROMACS 2018.2. A total of 257 DEGs were acquired and analyzed by GO, KEGG and PPI. Then, 10 hub genes were obtained, and the signal pathway analysis showed that two inflammatory pathways were activated: the FoxO signaling pathway and the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. The molecular dynamic analysis including RMSD and the radius of gyration hinted that the 3D structures of hub proteins were built. Overall, our work identified EF-sensitive genes in lung cancer cells and identified that the inflammatory state of tumor cells may be involved in the feedback mechanism of lung cancer cells in response to electric field stimulation. In addition, qualified three-dimensional protein models of hub genes were also constructed, which will be helpful in understanding the complex effects of dcEF on human lung cancer CL1-0 cells.
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114
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Chen J, Sun Y, Ou Z, Yeh S, Huang CP, You B, Tsai YC, Sheu TJ, Zu X, Chang C. Androgen receptor-regulated circFNTA activates KRAS signaling to promote bladder cancer invasion. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e48467. [PMID: 32052578 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) has been linked to bladder cancer (BCa) progression, but if this involves circular RNAs (circRNAs) remains unclear. Here, we find that AR alters the levels of circRNA-FNTA (circFNTA) to increase BCa cell invasion and chemo-resistance. Mechanistically, AR represses the RNA editing gene ADAR2 via direct binding to its 5' promoter region to increase circFNTA levels, which then sponges the microRNA miR-370-3p to increase the expression of its host gene FNTA. This AR-mediated ADAR2/circFNTA/miR-370-3p/FNTA pathway then activates KRAS signaling to alter BCa cell invasion and chemo-sensitivity to cisplatin. A clinical BCa sample survey shows that circFNTA expression is elevated in BCa tissues, and results from a BCa mouse model indicate that depletion of circFNTA leads to the suppression of BCa metastases and increased cisplatin chemo-sensitivity. Together, based on our results using multiple BCa cell lines and an in vivo mouse model we suggest that targeting this newly identified AR/ADAR2/circFNTA/miR-370-3p/FNTA/KRAS axis may lead to the development of therapies to suppress BCa metastasis and to increase its chemo-sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Chen
- Departments of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology and The Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Yin Sun
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology and The Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Zhenyu Ou
- Departments of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology and The Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Chi-Ping Huang
- Sex Hormone Research Center and Department of Urology, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Bosen You
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology and The Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Yu-Chieh Tsai
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology and The Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Tzong-Jen Sheu
- Department of Orthopedics and Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiongbing Zu
- Departments of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology and The Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.,Sex Hormone Research Center and Department of Urology, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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115
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Park S, Kim M, Hong Y, Lee H, Tran Q, Kim C, Kwon SH, Park J, Park J, Kim SH. Myristoylated TMEM39AS41, a cell-permeable peptide, causes lung cancer cell death. Toxicol Res 2020; 36:123-130. [PMID: 32257924 PMCID: PMC7099121 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-020-00038-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. Most patients with non-small cell lung cancer die within several years of the initial diagnosis, and new therapies are desperately needed. Transmembrane protein (TMEM) 39AS41, a synthetic peptide, was generated from the protein kinase B substrate motif 34GLRNRNGSAIGLPVP48 found in the human TMEM39A protein. Myristic acid was conjugated to the N-terminus of the peptide to confer cell permeability. In this study, we found that in vitro TMEM39AS41 peptide led to cell death via inhibition of inflammation/autophagy pathways in KRAS-mutated cell and tissues. In addition, TMEM39A, at a dose of 30 mg/kg, significantly suppressed tumor growth in KRASLA1 non-small cell lung cancer mice. These results suggest that the TMEM39AS41 peptide could have therapeutic potential for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Park
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - Minhee Kim
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - Youngeun Hong
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - Hyunji Lee
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - Quangdon Tran
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - Chaeyeong Kim
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - So Hee Kwon
- 3College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983 Korea
| | - Jisoo Park
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,4Department of Life Science, Hyehwa Liberal Arts College, LINC Plus Project Group, Daejeon University, Daejeon, 34520 Korea
| | - Jongsun Park
- 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea.,2Department of Medical Science, Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
| | - Seon-Hwan Kim
- 5Department of Neurosurgery, Institute for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015 Korea
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116
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Nevala-Plagemann C, Hidalgo M, Garrido-Laguna I. From state-of-the-art treatments to novel therapies for advanced-stage pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:108-123. [PMID: 31705130 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0281-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Improvements in the outcomes of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have lagged behind advances made in the treatment of many other malignancies over the past few decades. For most patients with PDAC, cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment. For patients with resectable disease, modified 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (mFOLFIRINOX) is the standard-of-care adjuvant therapy, although data from several randomized trials have shown improved outcomes with neoadjuvant treatment strategies. For patients with advanced-stage or metastatic disease, comprehensive genomic profiling has revealed several potentially actionable alterations in small subsets of patients and the feasibility of implementing such strategies is beginning to be confirmed. Novel therapies targeting certain aberrations, most notably BRCA1/2 mutations, mismatch repair (MMR) deficiencies or NTRK1-3 fusions, have shown considerable activity in clinical trials, and larotrectinib, entrectinib and pembrolizumab have received FDA approval for the treatment of patients with tumours harbouring NTRK fusions and MMR deficiencies, respectively, regardless of primary tumour histology. In this Review, we describe the available data on the activity of these and other agents in patients with PDAC. Our discussion is structured according to the acronym 'PRIME' to organize the various treatment strategies currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials: Pathway inhibition, alteration of DNA Repair pathways, Immunotherapy, cancer Metabolism and targeting the Extracellular tumour microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Hidalgo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ignacio Garrido-Laguna
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Division of Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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117
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Chatani PD, Yang JC. Mutated RAS: Targeting the "Untargetable" with T Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:537-544. [PMID: 31511296 PMCID: PMC7002282 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The RAS family of proteins is at the apex of several pathways implicated in a multitude of epithelial cancers but has remained stubbornly resistant to the wave of targeted small molecules and antibodies that have revolutionized clinical oncology. KRAS, the most commonly mutated of the isoforms, represents an attractive target for treatment, given its ubiquity, central role as a driver mutation, and association with poor prognosis. This review is a comprehensive summary of the existing approaches to targeting KRAS spanning small-molecule inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and with a focus on trials in adoptive cell therapy. Here we explain how the limitations of existing drugs and nonspecific immune-based therapies are circumvented with techniques in modern immunotherapy. The successes outlined represent the most promising path to finally targeting the prototypical "undruggable" RAS oncogene family.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James C Yang
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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118
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Almeida PP, Cardoso CP, de Freitas LM. PDAC-ANN: an artificial neural network to predict pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on gene expression. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:82. [PMID: 32005189 PMCID: PMC6995241 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6533-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents high mortality and metastatic potential, there is a lack of effective therapies and a low survival rate for this disease. This PDAC scenario urges new strategies for diagnosis, drug targets, and treatment. METHODS We performed a gene expression microarray meta-analysis of the tumor against normal tissues in order to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) shared among all datasets, named core-genes (CG). We confirmed the CG protein expression in pancreatic tissue through The Human Protein Atlas. It was selected five genes with the highest area under the curve (AUC) among these proteins with expression confirmed in the tumor group to train an artificial neural network (ANN) to classify samples. RESULTS This microarray included 461 tumor and 187 normal samples. We identified a CG composed of 40 genes, 39 upregulated, and one downregulated. The upregulated CG included proteins and extracellular matrix receptors linked to actin cytoskeleton reorganization. With the Human Protein Atlas, we verified that fourteen genes of the CG are translated, with high or medium expression in most of the pancreatic tumor samples. To train our ANN, we selected the best genes (AHNAK2, KRT19, LAMB3, LAMC2, and S100P) to classify the samples based on AUC using mRNA expression. The network classified tumor samples with an f1-score of 0.83 for the normal samples and 0.88 for the PDAC samples, with an average of 0.86. The PDAC-ANN could classify the test samples with a sensitivity of 87.6 and specificity of 83.1. CONCLUSION The gene expression meta-analysis and confirmation of the protein expression allow us to select five genes highly expressed PDAC samples. We could build a python script to classify the samples based on RNA expression. This software can be useful in the PDAC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palloma Porto Almeida
- Núcleo de Biointegração, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Cristina Padre Cardoso
- Núcleo de Biointegração, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
- Faculdade Santo Agostinho, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Leandro Martins de Freitas
- Núcleo de Biointegração, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil.
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119
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Ferino A, Nicoletto G, D'Este F, Zorzet S, Lago S, Richter SN, Tikhomirov A, Shchekotikhin A, Xodo LE. Photodynamic Therapy for ras-Driven Cancers: Targeting G-Quadruplex RNA Structures with Bifunctional Alkyl-Modified Porphyrins. J Med Chem 2020; 63:1245-1260. [PMID: 31930916 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Designing small molecules able to break down G4 structures in mRNA (RG4s) offers an interesting approach to cancer therapy. Here, we have studied cationic porphyrins (CPs) bearing an alkyl chain up to 12 carbons, as they bind to RG4s while generating reactive oxygen species upon photoirradiation. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and confocal microscopy showed that the designed alkyl CPs strongly penetrate cell membranes, binding to KRAS and NRAS mRNAs under low-abundance cell conditions. In Panc-1 cells, alkyl CPs at nanomolar concentrations promote a dramatic downregulation of KRAS and NRAS expression, but only if photoactivated. Alkyl CPs also reduce the metabolic activity of pancreatic cancer cells and the growth of a Panc-1 xenograft in SCID mice. Propidium iodide/annexin assays and caspase 3, caspase 7, and PARP-1 analyses show that these compounds activate apoptosis. All these data demonstrate that the designed alkyl CPs are efficient photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy of ras-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Ferino
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
| | - Giulia Nicoletto
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
| | - Francesca D'Este
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
| | - Sonia Zorzet
- Department of Life Science , University of Trieste , P.le Europa 1 , 34127 Trieste , Italy
| | - Sara Lago
- Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , via A. Gabelli 63 , 35121 Padova , Italy
| | - Sara N Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Padova , via A. Gabelli 63 , 35121 Padova , Italy
| | - Alexander Tikhomirov
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics , B. Pirogovskaya 11 , 119021 Moscow , Russia
| | - Andrey Shchekotikhin
- Gause Institute of New Antibiotics , B. Pirogovskaya 11 , 119021 Moscow , Russia
| | - Luigi E Xodo
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry , Univeristy of Udine , P.le Kolbe 4 , 33100 Udine , Italy
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120
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Stitou M, Toufik H, Bouachrine M, Lamchouri F. Quantitative structure–activity relationships analysis, homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamics studies of triterpenoid saponins as Kirsten rat sarcoma inhibitors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:152-170. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1707122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mourad Stitou
- Materials, Natural Substances, Environment and Modeling Laboratory (LMSNEM), Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, Taza, Morocco
| | - Hamid Toufik
- Materials, Natural Substances, Environment and Modeling Laboratory (LMSNEM), Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, Taza, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Bouachrine
- Materials, Natural Substances, Environment and Modeling Laboratory (LMSNEM), Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, Taza, Morocco
- Molecular Chemistry and Natural Substances Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University Moulay Ismail of Meknes, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Fatima Lamchouri
- Materials, Natural Substances, Environment and Modeling Laboratory (LMSNEM), Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University of Fez, Taza, Morocco
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121
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Strube F, Infanger M, Dietz C, Romswinkel A, Kraus A. Short-term effects of simulated microgravity on morphology and gene expression in human breast cancer cells. Physiol Int 2020. [DOI: 10.1556/2060.106.2019.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
Microgravity has been shown to impose various effects on breast cancer cells. We exposed human breast cancer cells to simulated microgravity and studied morphology and alterations in gene expression.
Materials and methods
Human breast cancer cells were exposed to simulated microgravity in a random positioning machine (RPM) for 24 h. Morphology was observed under light microscopy, and gene alteration was studied by qPCR.
Results
After 24 h, formation of three-dimensional structures (spheroids) occurred. BRCA1 expression was significantly increased (1.9×, p < 0.05) in the adherent cells under simulated microgravity compared to the control. Expression of KRAS was significantly decreased (0.6×, p < 0.05) in the adherent cells compared to the control. VCAM1 was significantly upregulated (6.6×, 2.0×, p < 0.05 each) in the adherent cells under simulated microgravity and in the spheroids. VIM expression was significantly downregulated (0.45×, 0.44×, p < 0.05 each) in the adherent cells under simulated microgravity and in the spheroids. There was no significant alteration in the expression of MAPK1, MMP13, PTEN, and TP53.
Conclusions
Simulated microgravity induces spheroid formation in human breast cancer cells within 24 h and alters gene expression toward modified adhesion properties, enhanced cell repair, and phenotype preservation. Further insights into the underlying mechanisms could open up the way toward new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Strube
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - M Infanger
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - C Dietz
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A Romswinkel
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A Kraus
- 1 Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
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122
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A Ras-LSD1 axis activates PI3K signaling through PIK3IP1 suppression. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:2. [PMID: 31900384 PMCID: PMC6949251 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-019-0185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PI3K Interacting Protein 1 (PIK3IP1) is a suppressor of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. We previously reported that activated Ras suppresses PIK3IP1 expression to positively regulate the PI3K pathway in cancer cells. Using doxycycline-inducible PIK3IP1, here we confirm that reversing the effect of Ras by inducing expression of PIK3IP1 suppresses Ras-induced anchorage-independent growth, supporting the central role of PIK3IP1 in transformation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Ras-activation that causes loss of PIK3IP1 expression are unknown. We find that Ras activity represses PIK3IP1 expression via the recruitment of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) to the PIK3IP1 gene promoter and enhancer, resulting in erasure of active histone marks. These studies demonstrate cross-activation of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, where Ras decommissions PIK3IP1 gene expression by enhancing LSD1 and its corepressor activities to suppress PIK3IP1 transcription.
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123
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Caterino M, D'Aria F, Kustov AV, Belykh DV, Khudyaeva IS, Starseva OM, Berezin DB, Pylina YI, Usacheva T, Amato J, Giancola C. Selective binding of a bioactive porphyrin-based photosensitizer to the G-quadruplex from the KRAS oncogene promoter. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 145:244-251. [PMID: 31870869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The G-quadruplex-forming sequence within the KRAS proto-oncogene P1 promoter is a promising target for anticancer therapy. Porphyrin derivatives are among the most rewarding G-quadruplex binders. They can also behave as photosensitizers. METHODS Three water-soluble, positively charged porphyrin-like compounds were synthesized and tested for their interaction with the KRAS G-quadruplex by circular dichroism, fluorescence, and molecular docking calculations. For a comparison of ligands binding affinity and selectivity, TMPyP4 was taken as a reference. RESULTS One out of the three tested compounds proved biological activity and selectivity for G-quadruplex over duplex DNA. It also showed to discriminate between different G-quadruplex topologies, with a preference for the parallel over antiparallel conformation. Molecular docking studies suggested a preferential binding to the 3'-end of the KRAS G-quadruplex driven through π-π stacking interactions. Biological assays also revealed a good photodynamic-induced cytotoxicity on HeLa cells. CONCLUSIONS The reported results show that these porphyrin-like compounds could actually give the basis for the development of G-quadruplex ligands with effective photodynamic-induced cytotoxicity on cancer cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The possibility of obtaining photosensitizers with improved physico-chemical features and able to selectively target G-quadruplexes is a very interesting perspective to develop new therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrey V Kustov
- Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanovo, Russian Federation; Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology, Institute of Macroheterocyclic Compounds, Ivanovo, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitrii V Belykh
- Institute of Chemistry of Komi Science Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation
| | - Irina S Khudyaeva
- Institute of Chemistry of Komi Science Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation
| | - Olga M Starseva
- Institute of Chemistry of Komi Science Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitriy B Berezin
- Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology, Institute of Macroheterocyclic Compounds, Ivanovo, Russian Federation
| | - Yana I Pylina
- Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Usacheva
- Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology, Department of General Chemical Technology, Ivanovo, Russian Federation
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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124
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Shao YT, Ma L, Zhang TH, Xu TR, Ye YC, Liu Y. The Application of the RNA Interference Technologies for KRAS: Current Status, Future Perspective and Associated Challenges. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2143-2157. [PMID: 31456522 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190828162217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
KRAS is a member of the murine sarcoma virus oncogene-RAS gene family. It plays an important role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tumors during tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. KRAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancers, such as pancreatic cancers, colon cancers, and lung cancers. Detection of KRAS gene mutation is an important indicator for tracking the status of oncogenes, highlighting the developmental prognosis of various cancers, and the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of different patients in clinical treatment is not the same. Since RNA interference (RNAi) technologies can specifically eliminate the expression of specific genes, these technologies have been widely used in the field of gene therapy for exploring gene function, infectious diseases and malignant tumors. RNAi refers to the phenomenon of highly specific degradation of homologous mRNA induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is highly conserved during evolution. There are three classical RNAi technologies, including siRNA, shRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 system, and a novel synthetic lethal interaction that selectively targets KRAS mutant cancers. Therefore, the implementation of individualized targeted drug therapy has become the best choice for doctors and patients. Thus, this review focuses on the current status, future perspective and associated challenges in silencing of KRAS with RNAi technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Shao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Li Ma
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Tie-Hui Zhang
- The First People's Hospital of Heishan County, Jinzhou city, Liaoning, Jinzhou 121400, China
| | - Tian-Rui Xu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yuan-Chao Ye
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.,Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Ying Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
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125
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CRISPR Diagnosis and Therapeutics with Single Base Pair Precision. Trends Mol Med 2019; 26:337-350. [PMID: 31791730 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, or CRISPR, has been widely accepted as a versatile genome editing tool with significant potential for medical application. Reliable allele specificity is one of the most critical elements for successful application of this technology to develop high-precision therapeutics and diagnostics. CRISPR-based genome editing tools achieve high-fidelity distinction of single-base differences in target genomic loci by structural identification of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins and sequences of the guide RNAs. In this review, we describe the structural features of ribonucleoprotein complex formation by CRISPR proteins and guide RNAs that eventually recognize target DNA sequences. This structural understanding provides the basis for the recent applications of enhanced single-base precision genome editing technologies for effective distinction of specific alleles.
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126
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Sundar R, Tan IBH, Chee CE. Negative Predictive Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer: PRESSING Ahead. J Clin Oncol 2019; 37:3066-3068. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.19.01977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raghav Sundar
- National University Health System, Singapore
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Iain Bee Huat Tan
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheng E. Chee
- National University Health System, Singapore
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
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127
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Chen F, Alphonse MP, Liu Y, Liu Q. Targeting Mutant KRAS for Anticancer Therapy. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2098-2113. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190902151307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
:Over the past decades, designing therapeutic strategies to target KRAS-mutant cancers, which is one of the most frequent mutant oncogenes among all cancer types, have proven unsuccessful regardless of many concerted attempts. There are key challenges for KRAS-mutant anticancer therapy, as the complex cellular processes involved in KRAS signaling has present. Herein, we highlight the emerging therapeutic approaches for inhibiting KRAS signaling and blocking KRAS functions, in hope to serve as a more effective guideline for future development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqian Chen
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79416, United States
| | - Martin P. Alphonse
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 216, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Yan Liu
- Western University of Health Sciences, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, United States
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 216, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
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128
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Aran V, Omerovic J. Current Approaches in NSCLC Targeting K-RAS and EGFR. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5701. [PMID: 31739412 PMCID: PMC6888213 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The research and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have achieved some important advances in recent years. Nonetheless, the overall survival rates for NSCLC remain low, indicating the importance to effectively develop new therapies and improve current approaches. The understanding of the function of different biomarkers involved in NSCLC progression, survival and response to therapy are important for the development of early detection tools and treatment options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (K-RAS) are two of the main significant biomarkers for the management of NSCLC. Mutations in these genes were associated with development and response to therapies. For example, the use of small molecule tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors and immunotherapy has led to benefits in some, but not all patients with altered EGFR. In contrast, there is still no effective approved drug to act upon patients harbouring K-RAS mutations. In addition, K-RAS mutations have been associated with lack of activity of TK inhibitors. However, promising approaches aimed to inhibit mutant K-RAS are currently under study. Therefore, this review will discuss these approaches and also EGFR therapies, and hopefully, it will draw attention to the need of continued research in the field in order to improve the outcomes in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Aran
- Research Division, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Av. Brasil 500, 20940-070 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jasminka Omerovic
- School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia;
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129
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Targeted next-generation sequencing identifies distinct clinicopathologic and molecular entities of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct. Mod Pathol 2019; 32:1637-1645. [PMID: 31231124 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-019-0306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a mass-forming neoplasm in the bile duct considered to be the biliary counterpart of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). By its cell lineage, IPNB can be classified into gastric, intestinal, pancreatobiliary, and oncocytic types. Recently, a group of Japanese and Korean pathologists proposed that IPNB be classified into two types, with type 1, being the histological counterpart of IPMN and type 2, having a more complex histological architecture. We used targeted next-generation sequencing to study the molecular change of 37 IPNBs and identified frequent mutations of KRAS (49%), GNAS (32%), RNF43 (24%), APC (24%), TP53 (24%), and CTNNB1 (11%) in IPNBs. Intestinal-type IPNB was associated with KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43 mutations. Japan-Korea consensus type 1 was associated with KRAS and GNAS mutations. All four IPNBs with CTNNB1 mutations were of pancreatobiliary type and located in the extrahepatic bile duct. A hierarchical analysis identified three distinct groups within IPNB: group 1 was Japan-Korea consensus type 1 tumors with macroscopic mucin, old age, and frequent KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43 mutations. Group 2 was Japan-Korea consensus type 2 with intestinal differentiation and frequent KRAS mutation but rare GNAS mutation, MUC2 expression, and macroscopic mucin. Group 3 was characterized by CTNNB1 mutation, extrahepatic location, lack of expression of intestinal markers, Japan-Korea consensus type 2, and lack of mutations in KRAS, APC, RNF43, and GNAS. Our results indicated that IPNB is a heterogeneous disease and that the activation of Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin, and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-cAMP signaling is the main oncogenic mechanism of IPNB.
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130
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Min HY, Jang HJ, Park KH, Hyun SY, Park SJ, Kim JH, Son J, Kang SS, Lee HY. The natural compound gracillin exerts potent antitumor activity by targeting mitochondrial complex II. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:810. [PMID: 31649278 PMCID: PMC6813327 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2041-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a pivotal role in cancer bioenergetics and are considered a potential target for anticancer therapy. Considering the limited efficacy and toxicity of currently available mitochondria-targeting agents, it is necessary to develop effective mitochondria-targeting anticancer drugs. By screening a large chemical library consisting of natural products with diverse chemical entities, we identified gracillin, a steroidal saponin, as a mitochondria-targeting antitumor drug. Gracillin displayed broad-spectrum inhibitory effects on the viability of a large panel of human cancer cell lines, including those carrying acquired resistance to chemotherapy or EGFR-targeting drugs, by inducing apoptosis. We show that gracillin attenuates mitochondria-mediated cellular bioenergetics by suppressing ATP synthesis and by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mechanistically, gracillin disrupts complex II (CII) function by abrogating succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity without affecting the succinate:ubiquinone reductase. The gracillin-induced cell death was potentiated by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) or thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), which inhibit CII by binding to the active site of SDHA or to the ubiquinone-binding site, respectively. Finally, we show that gracillin effectively suppressed the mutant-Kras-driven lung tumorigenesis and the growth of xenograft tumors derived from cell lines or patient tissues. Gracillin displayed no obvious pathophysiological features in mice. Collectively, gracillin has potential as a CII-targeting antitumor drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Min
- Creative Research Initiative Center for Concurrent Control of Emphysema and Lung Cancer, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ji Jang
- Creative Research Initiative Center for Concurrent Control of Emphysema and Lung Cancer, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Hee Park
- Creative Research Initiative Center for Concurrent Control of Emphysema and Lung Cancer, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.,College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yeob Hyun
- Creative Research Initiative Center for Concurrent Control of Emphysema and Lung Cancer, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jung Park
- Creative Research Initiative Center for Concurrent Control of Emphysema and Lung Cancer, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, AMIST, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaekyoung Son
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Asan Medical Center, AMIST, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Sam Sik Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- Creative Research Initiative Center for Concurrent Control of Emphysema and Lung Cancer, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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131
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Yang H, Liang SQ, Schmid RA, Peng RW. New Horizons in KRAS-Mutant Lung Cancer: Dawn After Darkness. Front Oncol 2019; 9:953. [PMID: 31612108 PMCID: PMC6773824 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most frequent oncogenic mutation in western countries is KRAS, for which, however, there remains no clinically approved targeted therapies. Recent progress on high biological heterogeneity including diverse KRAS point mutations, varying dependence on mutant KRAS, wide spectrum of other co-occurring genetic alterations, as well as distinct cellular status across the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), has not only deepened our understanding about the pathobiology of KRAS-mutant NSCLC but also brought about unprecedented new hopes for precision treatment of patients. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent advances in KRAS-mutant lung cancer, with a focus on mechanistic insights into tumor heterogeneity, the potential clinic implications and new therapies on horizons tailored for KRAS-mutant lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitang Yang
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Shun-Qing Liang
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ralph A. Schmid
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ren-Wang Peng
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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132
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Meraz IM, Majidi M, Meng F, Shao R, Ha MJ, Neri S, Fang B, Lin SH, Tinkey PT, Shpall EJ, Morris J, Roth JA. An Improved Patient-Derived Xenograft Humanized Mouse Model for Evaluation of Lung Cancer Immune Responses. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1267-1279. [PMID: 31186248 PMCID: PMC7213862 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Human tumor xenograft models do not replicate the human immune system and tumor microenvironment. We developed an improved humanized mouse model, derived from fresh cord blood CD34+ stem cells (CD34+ HSC), and combined it with lung cancer cell line-derived human xenografts or patient-derived xenografts (Hu-PDX). Fresh CD34+ HSCs could reconstitute detectable mature human leukocytes (hCD45+) in mice at four weeks without the onset of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Repopulated human T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DC), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) increased in peripheral blood, spleen, and bone marrow over time. Although cultured CD34+ HSCs labeled with luciferase could be detected in mice, the cultured HSCs did not develop into mature human immune cells by four weeks, unlike fresh CD34+ HSCs. Ex vivo, reconstituted T cells, obtained from the tumor-bearing humanized mice, secreted IFNγ upon treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or exposure to human A549 lung tumor cells and mediated antigen-specific CTL responses, indicating functional activity. Growth of engrafted PDXs and tumor xenografts was not dependent on the human leukocyte antigen status of the donor. Treatment with the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab or nivolumab inhibited tumor growth in humanized mice significantly, and correlated with an increased number of CTLs and decreased MDSCs, regardless of the donor HLA type. In conclusion, fresh CD34+HSCs are more effective than their expanded counterparts in humanizing mice, and do so in a shorter time. The Hu-PDX model provides an improved platform for evaluation of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail M Meraz
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Mourad Majidi
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Feng Meng
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - RuPing Shao
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Min Jin Ha
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shinya Neri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bingliang Fang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Steven H Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Peggy T Tinkey
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elizabeth J Shpall
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey Morris
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jack A Roth
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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133
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Calabrese DR, Zlotkowski K, Alden S, Hewitt WM, Connelly CM, Wilson RM, Gaikwad S, Chen L, Guha R, Thomas CJ, Mock BA, Schneekloth JS. Characterization of clinically used oral antiseptics as quadruplex-binding ligands. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:2722-2732. [PMID: 29481610 PMCID: PMC5888870 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Approaches to characterize the nucleic acid-binding properties of drugs and druglike small molecules are crucial to understanding the behavior of these compounds in cellular systems. Here, we use a Small Molecule Microarray (SMM) profiling approach to identify the preferential interaction between chlorhexidine, a widely used oral antiseptic, and the G-quadruplex (G4) structure in the KRAS oncogene promoter. The interaction of chlorhexidine and related drugs to the KRAS G4 is evaluated using multiple biophysical methods, including thermal melt, fluorescence titration and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays. Chlorhexidine has a specific low micromolar binding interaction with the G4, while related drugs have weaker and/or less specific interactions. Through NMR experiments and docking studies, we propose a plausible binding mode driven by both aromatic stacking and groove binding interactions. Additionally, cancer cell lines harbouring oncogenic mutations in the KRAS gene exhibit increased sensitivity to chlorhexidine. Treatment of breast cancer cells with chlorhexidine decreases KRAS protein levels, while a KRAS gene transiently expressed by a promoter lacking a G4 is not affected. This work confirms that known ligands bind broadly to G4 structures, while other drugs and druglike compounds can have more selective interactions that may be biologically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Calabrese
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Katherine Zlotkowski
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Stephanie Alden
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - William M Hewitt
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Colleen M Connelly
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Robert M Wilson
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Snehal Gaikwad
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-4258, USA
| | - Lu Chen
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rajarshi Guha
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Beverly A Mock
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-4258, USA
| | - John S Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
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134
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Li L, Erwin N, Möbitz S, Niemeyer F, Schrader T, Winter RHA. Dissociation of the Signaling Protein K‐Ras4B from Lipid Membranes Induced by a Molecular Tweezer. Chemistry 2019; 25:9827-9833. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry ITechnical University of Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a 44227 Dortmund Germany
- International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) in Chemical, and Molecular Biology. Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Nelli Erwin
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry ITechnical University of Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a 44227 Dortmund Germany
- International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) in Chemical, and Molecular Biology. Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Simone Möbitz
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry ITechnical University of Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a 44227 Dortmund Germany
| | - Felix Niemeyer
- Faculty of Chemistry, Organic ChemistryUniversity of Duisburg-Essen Universitätsstrasse 2-5 45144 Essen Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty of Chemistry, Organic ChemistryUniversity of Duisburg-Essen Universitätsstrasse 2-5 45144 Essen Germany
| | - Roland Hermann Alfons Winter
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry ITechnical University of Dortmund Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a 44227 Dortmund Germany
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135
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Ni D, Li X, He X, Zhang H, Zhang J, Lu S. Drugging K-Ras G12C through covalent inhibitors: Mission possible? Pharmacol Ther 2019; 202:1-17. [PMID: 31233765 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ras, whose mutants are present in approximately 30% of human tumours, is one of the most important oncogenes. Drugging Ras is thus regarded as the quest for the Holy Grail in cancer therapeutics development. Despite more than three decades of efforts, drug discovery targeting Ras constantly fails, rendering Ras undruggable, due to its smooth surface and picomolar affinity towards guanosine substrates. The most frequently mutated isoform of Ras is K-Ras, accounting for >85% of Ras-driven cancers, and one majority of them is the G12C mutation. Recent advances in structural biology shed light on drugging Ras, and one of the cutting-edge breakthroughs is the design of covalent G12C-specific inhibitors targeting the mutated cysteine. This type of inhibitor can be classified into substrate-competitive orthosteric inhibitors and non-competitive allosteric inhibitors. They display improved selectivity and enhanced potency due to their G12-specific and irreversible covalent binding nature. Thus, they represent a new hope for revolutionizing the conventional characterization of Ras as "undruggable" and pave a promising avenue for further drug discovery. Here, we provide comprehensive structural and medicinal chemical insights into K-Ras covalent inhibitors specific for the G12C mutant. We first present an in-depth analysis of the conformations of the inhibitor binding pockets. Then, all the latest covalent ligands selectively inhibiting K-RasG12C are reviewed. Finally, we examine the current challenges faced by this new class of anti-Ras inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Ni
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xinheng He
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Shaoyong Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Medicinal Bioinformatics Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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136
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Yoo JH, Brady SW, Acosta-Alvarez L, Rogers A, Peng J, Sorensen LK, Wolff RK, Mleynek T, Shin D, Rich CP, Kircher DA, Bild A, Odelberg SJ, Li DY, Holmen SL, Grossmann AH. The Small GTPase ARF6 Activates PI3K in Melanoma to Induce a Prometastatic State. Cancer Res 2019; 79:2892-2908. [PMID: 31048499 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-3026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma has an unusual capacity to spread in early-stage disease, prompting aggressive clinical intervention in very thin primary tumors. Despite these proactive efforts, patients with low-risk, low-stage disease can still develop metastasis, indicating the presence of permissive cues for distant spread. Here, we show that constitutive activation of the small GTPase ARF6 (ARF6Q67L) is sufficient to accelerate metastasis in mice with BRAFV600E/Cdkn2aNULL melanoma at a similar incidence and severity to Pten loss, a major driver of PI3K activation and melanoma metastasis. ARF6Q67L promoted spontaneous metastasis from significantly smaller primary tumors than PTENNULL, implying an enhanced ability of ARF6-GTP to drive distant spread. ARF6 activation increased lung colonization from circulating melanoma cells, suggesting that the prometastatic function of ARF6 extends to late steps in metastasis. Unexpectedly, ARF6Q67L tumors showed upregulation of Pik3r1 expression, which encodes the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K. Tumor cells expressing ARF6Q67L displayed increased PI3K protein levels and activity, enhanced PI3K distribution to cellular protrusions, and increased AKT activation in invadopodia. ARF6 is necessary and sufficient for activation of both PI3K and AKT, and PI3K and AKT are necessary for ARF6-mediated invasion. We provide evidence for aberrant ARF6 activation in human melanoma samples, which is associated with reduced survival. Our work reveals a previously unknown ARF6-PI3K-AKT proinvasive pathway, it demonstrates a critical role for ARF6 in multiple steps of the metastatic cascade, and it illuminates how melanoma cells can acquire an early metastatic phenotype in patients. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal a prometastatic role for ARF6 independent of tumor growth, which may help explain how melanoma spreads distantly from thin, early-stage primary tumors.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/11/2892/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyuk Yoo
- Department of Medicine, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Samuel W Brady
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | - Aaron Rogers
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jingfu Peng
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Lise K Sorensen
- Department of Medicine, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Roger K Wolff
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Tara Mleynek
- Department of Medicine, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Donghan Shin
- Department of Medicine, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Coulson P Rich
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - David A Kircher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Andrea Bild
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Monrovia, California
| | - Shannon J Odelberg
- Department of Medicine, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Dean Y Li
- Department of Medicine, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Sheri L Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Allie H Grossmann
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. .,Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.,ARUP Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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137
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Indarte M, Puentes R, Maruggi M, Ihle NT, Grandjean G, Scott M, Ahmed Z, Meuillet EJ, Zang S, Lemos R, Du-Cuny L, Layng FIAL, Correa RG, Bankston LA, Liddington RC, Kirkpatrick L, Powis G. An Inhibitor of the Pleckstrin Homology Domain of CNK1 Selectively Blocks the Growth of Mutant KRAS Cells and Tumors. Cancer Res 2019; 79:3100-3111. [PMID: 31040156 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cnk1 (connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras 1) is a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing scaffold protein that increases the efficiency of Ras signaling pathways, imparting efficiency and specificity to the response of cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Mutated KRAS (mut-KRAS) is the most common proto-oncogenic event, occurring in approximately 25% of human cancers and has no effective treatment. In this study, we show that selective inhibition of Cnk1 blocks growth and Raf/Mek/Erk, Rho and RalA/B signaling in mut-KRAS lung and colon cancer cells with little effect on wild-type (wt)-KRAS cells. Cnk1 inhibition decreased anchorage-independent mut-KRas cell growth more so than growth on plastic, without the partial "addiction" to mut-KRAS seen on plastic. The PH domain of Cnk1 bound with greater affinity to PtdIns(4,5)P2 than PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, and Cnk1 localized to areas of the plasma membranes rich in PtdIns, suggesting a role for the PH domain in the biological activity of Cnk1. Through molecular modeling and structural modification, we identified a compound PHT-7.3 that bound selectively to the PH domain of Cnk1, preventing plasma membrane colocalization with mut-KRas. PHT-7.3 inhibited mut-KRas, but not wild-type KRas cancer cell and tumor growth and signaling. Thus, the PH domain of Cnk1 is a druggable target whose inhibition selectively blocks mutant KRas activation, making Cnk1 an attractive therapeutic target in patients with mut-KRAS-driven cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify a therapeutic strategy to selectively block oncogenic KRas activity through the PH domain of Cnk1, which reduces its cell membrane binding, decreasing the efficiency of Ras signaling and tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roisin Puentes
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Marco Maruggi
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Geoffrey Grandjean
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert Lemos
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Fabiana I A L Layng
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Ricardo G Correa
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Laurie A Bankston
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Robert C Liddington
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Garth Powis
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California.
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138
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Merrick BA, Phadke DP, Bostrom MA, Shah RR, Wright GM, Wang X, Gordon O, Pelch KE, Auerbach SS, Paules RS, DeVito MJ, Waalkes MP, Tokar EJ. Arsenite malignantly transforms human prostate epithelial cells in vitro by gene amplification of mutated KRAS. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215504. [PMID: 31009485 PMCID: PMC6476498 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inorganic arsenic is an environmental human carcinogen of several organs including the urinary tract. RWPE-1 cells are immortalized, non-tumorigenic, human prostate epithelia that become malignantly transformed into the CAsE-PE line after continuous in vitro exposure to 5μM arsenite over a period of months. For insight into in vitro arsenite transformation, we performed RNA-seq for differential gene expression and targeted sequencing of KRAS. We report >7,000 differentially expressed transcripts in CAsE-PE cells compared to RWPE-1 cells at >2-fold change, q<0.05 by RNA-seq. Notably, KRAS expression was highly elevated in CAsE-PE cells, with pathway analysis supporting increased cell proliferation, cell motility, survival and cancer pathways. Targeted DNA sequencing of KRAS revealed a mutant specific allelic imbalance, ‘MASI’, frequently found in primary clinical tumors. We found high expression of a mutated KRAS transcript carrying oncogenic mutations at codons 12 and 59 and many silent mutations, accompanied by lower expression of a wild-type allele. Parallel cultures of RWPE-1 cells retained a wild-type KRAS genotype. Copy number analysis and sequencing showed amplification of the mutant KRAS allele. KRAS is expressed as two splice variants, KRAS4a and KRAS4b, where variant 4b is more prevalent in normal cells compared to greater levels of variant 4a seen in tumor cells. 454 Roche sequencing measured KRAS variants in each cell type. We found KRAS4a as the predominant transcript variant in CAsE-PE cells compared to KRAS4b, the variant expressed primarily in RWPE-1 cells and in normal prostate, early passage, primary epithelial cells. Overall, gene expression data were consistent with KRAS-driven proliferation pathways found in spontaneous tumors and malignantly transformed cell lines. Arsenite is recognized as an important environmental carcinogen, but it is not a direct mutagen. Further investigations into this in vitro transformation model will focus on genomic events that cause arsenite-mediated mutation and overexpression of KRAS in CAsE-PE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Alex Merrick
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Dhiral P. Phadke
- Sciome, LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Meredith A. Bostrom
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ruchir R. Shah
- Sciome, LLC, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Garron M. Wright
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Xinguo Wang
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Oksana Gordon
- David H. Murdock Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Katherine E. Pelch
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Scott S. Auerbach
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Richard S. Paules
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael J. DeVito
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael P. Waalkes
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Erik J. Tokar
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
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139
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Seebacher NA, Stacy AE, Porter GM, Merlot AM. Clinical development of targeted and immune based anti-cancer therapies. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:156. [PMID: 30975211 PMCID: PMC6460662 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1094-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is currently the second leading cause of death globally and is expected to be responsible for approximately 9.6 million deaths in 2018. With an unprecedented understanding of the molecular pathways that drive the development and progression of human cancers, novel targeted therapies have become an exciting new development for anti-cancer medicine. These targeted therapies, also known as biologic therapies, have become a major modality of medical treatment, by acting to block the growth of cancer cells by specifically targeting molecules required for cell growth and tumorigenesis. Due to their specificity, these new therapies are expected to have better efficacy and limited adverse side effects when compared with other treatment options, including hormonal and cytotoxic therapies. In this review, we explore the clinical development, successes and challenges facing targeted anti-cancer therapies, including both small molecule inhibitors and antibody targeted therapies. Herein, we introduce targeted therapies to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), BRAF, and the inhibitors of the T-cell mediated immune response, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/ PD-1 ligand (PD-1 L).
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Seebacher
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - A E Stacy
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, 2010, Australia
| | - G M Porter
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2031, Australia
| | - A M Merlot
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2031, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2031, Australia. .,UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
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140
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Lafin JT, Bagrodia A, Woldu S, Amatruda JF. New insights into germ cell tumor genomics. Andrology 2019; 7:507-515. [PMID: 30896089 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent the most common malignancy in young men. While GCTs represent a model for curable solid tumors due to exquisite chemosensitivity, mortality for patients with GCT comprises the most life years lost for non-pediatric malignancies. Given limited options for patients with platinum-resistant disease, improved insight into GCT biology could identify novel therapeutic options for patients with platinum-resistant disease. Recent studies into molecular characteristics of both early stage and advanced germ cell tumors suggest a role for rationally targeted agents and potentially immunotherapy. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Recent GWAS meta-analyses have uncovered additional susceptibility loci for GCT and provide further evidence that GCT risk is polygenic. Chromosome arm level amplifications and reciprocal loss of heterozygosity have been described as significantly enriched in GCT compared to other cancer types. Contemporary analyses confirm ubiquitous gain of isochromosome 12 and mutations in addition to previously described GCT-associated genes such as KIT and KRAS. Alterations within the TP53-MDM2 signal transduction pathway appear to be enriched among patients with platinum-resistant disease. Potentially actionable targets, including alterations in TP53-MDM2, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K, and MAPK signaling, are present in significant proportions of patients with platinum-resistant disease and may be exploited as therapeutic options. Pre-clinical and early clinical data also suggest a potential role for immunotherapy among patients with GCTs. CONCLUSION Molecular characterization of GCT patients may provide biologic rationale for novel treatment options in patients with platinum-resistant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Lafin
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - A Bagrodia
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - S Woldu
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - J F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
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141
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Shimomura I, Yokoi A, Kohama I, Kumazaki M, Tada Y, Tatsumi K, Ochiya T, Yamamoto Y. Drug library screen reveals benzimidazole derivatives as selective cytotoxic agents for KRAS-mutant lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2019; 451:11-22. [PMID: 30862488 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mutations in KRAS are detected in 30% of NSCLC cases, with most of them occurring in codons 12 and 13 and less commonly in others. Despite intense efforts to develop drugs targeting mutant KRAS, no effective therapeutic strategies have been successfully tested in clinical trials. Here, we investigated molecular targets for KRAS-activated lung cancer cells using a drug library. A total of 1271 small molecules were screened in KRAS-mutant and wild-type lung cancer cell lines. The screening identified the cytotoxic effects of benzimidazole derivatives on KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells. Treatments with two benzimidazole derivatives, methiazole and fenbendazole-both of which are structurally specific-yielded significant suppression of the RAS-related signaling pathways in KRAS-mutated cells. Moreover, combinatorial therapy with methiazole and trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, induced synergistic effects in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells. Our study demonstrates that these benzimidazole derivatives play an important role in suppressing KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells, thus offering a novel combinatorial therapeutic approach against such cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwao Shimomura
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan; Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Akira Yokoi
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Isaku Kohama
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Minami Kumazaki
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Yuji Tada
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Koichiro Tatsumi
- Department of Respirology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Ochiya
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Yamamoto
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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142
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Liu M, Liu X, Huang Z, Tang X, Lin X, Xu Y, Chen G, Kwok HF, Lin Y, Feng S. Rapid discrimination of colon cancer cells with single base mutation in KRAS gene segment using laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2019; 12:e201800332. [PMID: 30485680 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201800332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS) as a label-free and noninvasive technology has been proven to be an ideal tool for analysis of single living cells, which provides important fingerprint information without interference from surrounding environments. For the first time, LTRS system was successfully used to examine the colon cancer cells with single base mutation in KRAS gene segment, including DKS-8 (KRAS wild-type [WT]) and DLD-1 (KRAS mutant-type [MT]), HKE-3 (KRAS WT) and HCT-116 (KRAS MT). Spectra changes of some vital biomolecules due to the gene mutation state were sensitively recorded by our home-made LTRS system. As a result of the comparison between DKS-8 and DLD-1 cells, an index of 97.5% of correct classification was obtained by combining LTRS with principle component analysis coupled with linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) statistical analysis, while an index of 97.0% of correct classification was achieved between HKE-3 and HCT-116 cells. Moreover, between WT cells (DKS-8 and HKE-3) vs MT cells (DLD-1 and HCT-116), the index of correct classification was 81.2%, which was quite encouraging. Our preliminary results showed that the LTRS system coupled with PCA-LDA analysis will have a great potential for further applications in the rapid and label-free detection of circulating tumor cells in liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Liu
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiujie Liu
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zufang Huang
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Tang
- Fujian Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xueliang Lin
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yunchao Xu
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guannan Chen
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Cancer Centre, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, China
| | - Yao Lin
- Fujian Normal University, College of Life Sciences, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shangyuan Feng
- Fujian Normal University, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Fuzhou, China
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Wang-Bishop L, Chen Z, Gomaa A, Lockhart AC, Salaria S, Wang J, Lewis KB, Ecsedy J, Washington K, Beauchamp RD, El-Rifai W. Inhibition of AURKA Reduces Proliferation and Survival of Gastrointestinal Cancer Cells With Activated KRAS by Preventing Activation of RPS6KB1. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:662-675.e7. [PMID: 30342037 PMCID: PMC6368861 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Activation of KRAS signaling and overexpression of the aurora kinase A (AURKA) are often detected in luminal gastrointestinal cancers. We investigated regulation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (RPS6KB1) by AURKA and the effects of alisertib, an AURKA inhibitor, in mice xenograft tumors grown from human gastrointestinal cancer cells with mutant, activated forms of KRAS. METHODS We tested the effects of alisertib or AURKA overexpression or knockdown in 10 upper gastrointestinal or colon cancer cell lines with KRAS mutations or amplifications using the CellTiter-Glo luminescence and clonogenic cell survival assays. We used the proximity ligation in situ assay to evaluate protein co-localization and immunoprecipitation to study protein interactions. Nude mice with xenograft tumors grown from HCT116, SNU-601, SW480, or SNU-1 cells were given oral alisertib (40 mg/kg, 5 times/wk) for 4 weeks. Tumor samples were collected and analyzed by immunoblots and immunohistochemistry. Tissue microarrays from 151 paraffin-embedded human colon tumors, with adjacent normal and adenoma tissues, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for levels of AURKA. RESULTS Alisertib reduced proliferation and survival of the cell lines tested. AURKA knockdown or inhibition with alisertib reduced levels of phosphorylated RPS6KB1 (at T389) and increased levels of proteins that induce apoptosis, including BIM, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase 3. AURKA co-localized and interacted with RPS6KB1, mediating RPS6KB1 phosphorylation at T389. We detected AURKA-dependent phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 in cell lines with mutations in KRAS but not in cells with wild-type KRAS. Administration of alisertib to mice with xenograft tumors significantly reduced tumor volumes (P < .001). Alisertib reduced phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 and Ki-67 and increased levels of cleaved caspase 3 in tumor tissues. In analyses of tissue microarrays, we found significant overexpression of AURKA in gastrointestinal tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues (P = .0003). CONCLUSION In studies of gastrointestinal cancer cell lines with activated KRAS, we found AURKA to phosphorylate RPS6KB1, promoting cell proliferation and survival and growth of xenograft tumors in mice. Agents that inhibit AURKA might slow the growth of gastrointestinal tumors with activation of KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Wang-Bishop
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Ahmed Gomaa
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Albert Craig Lockhart
- Division of Medical Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Safia Salaria
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jialiang Wang
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Keeli B. Lewis
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey Ecsedy
- Translational Medicine, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | - Kay Washington
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Robert Daniel Beauchamp
- Section of Surgical Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee,Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare system, Miami, Florida.
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Esposito D, Stephen AG, Turbyville TJ, Holderfield M. New weapons to penetrate the armor: Novel reagents and assays developed at the NCI RAS Initiative to enable discovery of RAS therapeutics. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 54:174-182. [PMID: 29432816 PMCID: PMC6085166 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Development of therapeutic strategies against RAS-driven cancers has been challenging due in part to a lack of understanding of the biology of the system and the ability to design appropriate assays and reagents for targeted drug discovery efforts. Recent developments in the field have opened up new avenues for exploration both through advances in the number and quality of reagents as well as the introduction of novel biochemical and cell-based assay technologies which can be used for high-throughput screening of compound libraries. The reagents and assays developed at the NCI RAS Initiative offer a suite of new weapons that could potentially be used to enable the next generation of RAS drug discovery efforts with the hope of finding novel therapeutics for a target once deemed undruggable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Esposito
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. PO Box B, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. PO Box B, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Thomas J Turbyville
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. PO Box B, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Matthew Holderfield
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. PO Box B, Frederick, MD, USA
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145
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Taunk NK, Oh JH, Shukla-Dave A, Beal K, Vachha B, Holodny A, Hatzoglou V. Early posttreatment assessment of MRI perfusion biomarkers can predict long-term response of lung cancer brain metastases to stereotactic radiosurgery. Neuro Oncol 2019; 20:567-575. [PMID: 29016814 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Imaging criteria to evaluate the response of brain metastases to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the early posttreatment period remains a crucial unmet need. The aim of this study is to correlate early (within 12 wk) posttreatment perfusion MRI changes with long-term outcomes after treatment of lung cancer brain metastases with SRS. Methods Pre- and posttreatment perfusion MRI scans were obtained in patients treated with SRS for intact non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases. Time-dependent leakage (Ktrans), blood plasma volume (Vp), and extracellular extravascular volume (Ve) were calculated for each lesion. Patients were followed longitudinally with serial MRI until death, progression, or intervention (whole brain radiation or surgery). Results We included 53 lesions treated with SRS from 41 total patients. Median follow-up after treatment was 11 months. Actuarial local control at one year was 85%. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant difference (P = 0.032) in posttreatment Ktrans SD between patients with progressive disease (mean = 0.0317) and without progressive disease (mean = 0.0219). A posttreatment Ktrans SD cutoff value of 0.017 was highly sensitive (89%) for predicting progressive disease and no progressive disease. Early posttreatment volume change was not associated with outcome (P = 0.941). Conclusion Posttreatment Ktrans SD may be used as an early posttreatment imaging biomarker to help predict long-term response of lung cancer brain metastases to SRS. This can help identify patients who will ultimately fail SRS and allow for timelier adjustment in treatment approach. These data should be prospectively validated in larger patient cohorts and other histologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil K Taunk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jung Hun Oh
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Amita Shukla-Dave
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kathryn Beal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Behroze Vachha
- Neuroradiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Andrei Holodny
- Neuroradiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Vaios Hatzoglou
- Neuroradiology Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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146
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Neuroblastoma RAS Viral Oncogene Homolog (NRAS) Is a Novel Prognostic Marker and Contributes to Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Neoplasia 2019; 21:257-268. [PMID: 30685691 PMCID: PMC6370713 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the RAS-RAF-ERK-pathway using sorafenib as a first-line and regorafenib as a second-line treatment approach is the only effective therapeutic strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies suggest that wild-type KRAS and HRAS isoforms could majorly contribute to HCC progression and sorafenib resistance. In contrast, the role of neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) in HCC remained elusive. In this study, wild-type NRAS was found to be overexpressed in HCC cell lines, preclinical HCC models, and human HCC tissues. Moreover, NRAS overexpression correlated with poor survival and proliferation in vivo. However, si-RNA-pool–mediated NRAS knockdown showed only slight effects on HCC proliferation, clonogenicity, and AKT activity. We determined that KRAS upregulation served as a functional compensatory mechanism in the absence of NRAS, which was overcome by combined inhibition of NRAS and KRAS in HCC cells. Furthermore, NRAS expression was elevated in sorafenib-resistant compared to nonresistant HCC cells, and NRAS knockdown enhanced sorafenib efficacy in resistant cells. In summary, NRAS appears to be a prognostic marker in HCC and contributes to sorafenib resistance. Regarding potential therapeutic strategies, NRAS inhibition in HCC should be combined with KRAS inhibition to prevent KRAS-mediated rescue effects.
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147
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Liu H, Sun M, Liu Z, Kong C, Kong W, Ye J, Gong J, Huang DCS, Qian F. KRAS-enhanced macropinocytosis and reduced FcRn-mediated recycling sensitize pancreatic cancer to albumin-conjugated drugs. J Control Release 2019; 296:40-53. [PMID: 30653981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a dominantly (~95%) KRAS-mutant cancer that has extremely poor prognosis, in part this is due to its strong intrinsic resistance towards almost all therapeutic agents. PDAC relies heavily on KRAS-transformed metabolism, including enhanced macropinocytosis and catabolism of extracellular albumin, to maintain its proliferation and progression. However, it has yet to be validated that whether such transformed metabolism could be exploited for the drug delivery to open therapeutic windows of cytotoxic agents in KRAS-mutant PDAC. In this study, we attempt to answer this question by focusing on the impact of two critical regulators of albumin catabolism, KRAS and the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), on the sensitivity of PDAC to doxorubicin (DOX, a model cytotoxic agent) and albumin-conjugated doxorubicin (DOX-ALB). Using cell lines and cell-derived xenografts with different KRAS genotypes and FcRn levels, we demonstrated that KRAS-enhanced macropinocytosis and reduced FcRn expression sensitize PDAC to DOX-ALB but not free DOX. In both in vitro and in vivo comparsion, the DOX-ALB demonstrated ~10 times enlarged therapeutic window compared with free DOX, in PDAC with KRAS mutation and reduced FcRn level, two events appear to occur simultaneously in the investigated PDAC. In summary, we conclude that albumin conjugation is an exploitable drug delivery strategy that significantly opens the therapeutic windows of otherwise undevelopable anti-cancer agents for KRAS-mutant PDAC therapy, and creates a new landscape for clinical evaluation and future translation of such compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqin Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengnan Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhengsheng Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chao Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Weijian Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Junxiao Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jianan Gong
- Departments of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - David C S Huang
- Departments of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Feng Qian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Ai L, Ren Y, Li Y, Chen H, Qian Y, Lu S, Xu A, Ren L, Zhao S, Chen Z, Chen Y, Xu J, Fang J. Synbindin deficiency inhibits colon carcinogenesis by attenuating Wnt cascade and balancing gut microbiome. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:206-220. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luoyan Ai
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Yimeng Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Yiting Li
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Haoyan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Yun Qian
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Shiyuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Antao Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Linlin Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Shuliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Zhaofei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Ying‐Xuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Jing‐Yuan Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyShanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
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Yakubu RR, Nieves E, Weiss LM. The Methods Employed in Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Posttranslational Modifications (PTMs) and Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs). ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1140:169-198. [PMID: 31347048 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-15950-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mass Spectrometry (MS) has revolutionized the way we study biomolecules, especially proteins, their interactions and posttranslational modifications (PTM). As such MS has established itself as the leading tool for the analysis of PTMs mainly because this approach is highly sensitive, amenable to high throughput and is capable of assigning PTMs to specific sites in the amino acid sequence of proteins and peptides. Along with the advances in MS methodology there have been improvements in biochemical, genetic and cell biological approaches to mapping the interactome which are discussed with consideration for both the practical and technical considerations of these techniques. The interactome of a species is generally understood to represent the sum of all potential protein-protein interactions. There are still a number of barriers to the elucidation of the human interactome or any other species as physical contact between protein pairs that occur by selective molecular docking in a particular spatiotemporal biological context are not easily captured and measured.PTMs massively increase the complexity of organismal proteomes and play a role in almost all aspects of cell biology, allowing for fine-tuning of protein structure, function and localization. There are an estimated 300 PTMS with a predicted 5% of the eukaryotic genome coding for enzymes involved in protein modification, however we have not yet been able to reliably map PTM proteomes due to limitations in sample preparation, analytical techniques, data analysis, and the substoichiometric and transient nature of some PTMs. Improvements in proteomic and mass spectrometry methods, as well as sample preparation, have been exploited in a large number of proteome-wide surveys of PTMs in many different organisms. Here we focus on previously published global PTM proteome studies in the Apicomplexan parasites T. gondii and P. falciparum which offer numerous insights into the abundance and function of each of the studied PTM in the Apicomplexa. Integration of these datasets provide a more complete picture of the relative importance of PTM and crosstalk between them and how together PTM globally change the cellular biology of the Apicomplexan protozoa. A multitude of techniques used to investigate PTMs, mostly techniques in MS-based proteomics, are discussed for their ability to uncover relevant biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama R Yakubu
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Edward Nieves
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Bozeman EN, Yang L. Biological Events and Barriers to Effective Delivery of Cancer Therapeutics. Bioanalysis 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-01775-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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