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Combination of chemotherapy with BRAF inhibitors results in effective eradication of malignant melanoma by preventing ATM-dependent DNA repair. Oncogene 2021; 40:5042-5048. [PMID: 34140639 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01879-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Invasive malignant melanoma (MM) is an aggressive tumor with no curative therapy in advanced stages. Chemotherapy has not demonstrated its efficacy in MM and current treatment for tumors carrying the most frequent BRAFV600E mutation consists of BRAF inhibitors alone or in combination with MAPK pathway inhibitors. We previously found that BRAF inhibition prevents activation of the DNA-damage repair (DDR) pathway in colorectal cancer thus potentiating the effect of chemotherapy. We now show that different chemotherapy agents inflict DNA damage in MM cells, which is efficiently repaired, associated with activation of the ATM-dependent DDR machinery. Pharmacologic inhibition of BRAF impairs ATM and DDR activation in these cells, leading to sustained DNA damage. Combination treatments involving DNA-damaging agents and BRAF inhibitors increase tumor cell death in vitro and in vivo, and impede MM regrowth after treatment cessation. We propose to reconsider the use of chemotherapy in combination with BRAF inhibitors for MM treatment.
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202
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Singhal SS, Srivastava S, Mirzapoiazova T, Horne D, Awasthi S, Salgia R. Targeting the mercapturic acid pathway for the treatment of melanoma. Cancer Lett 2021; 518:10-22. [PMID: 34126193 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The treatment of metastatic melanoma is greatly hampered by the simultaneous dysregulation of several major signaling pathways that suppress apoptosis and promote its growth and invasion. The global resistance of melanomas to therapeutics is also supported by a highly active mercapturic acid pathway (MAP), which is responsible for the metabolism and excretion of numerous chemotherapy agents. The relative importance of the MAP in melanoma survival was not recognized until demonstrated that B16 melanoma undergoes dramatic apoptosis and regression upon the depletion or inhibition of the MAP transporter protein RLIP. RLIP is a multi-functional protein that couples ATP hydrolysis with the movement of substances. As the rate-limiting step of the MAP, the primary function of RLIP in the plasma membrane is to catalyze the ATP-dependent efflux of unmetabolized drugs and toxins, including glutathione (GSH) conjugates of electrophilic toxins (GS-Es), which are the precursors of mercapturic acids. Clathrin-dependent endocytosis (CDE) is an essential mechanism for internalizing ligand-receptor complexes that promote tumor cell proliferation through autocrine stimulation (Wnt5a, PDGF, βFGF, TNFα) or paracrine stimulation by hormones produced by fibroblasts (IGF1, HGF) or inflammatory cells (IL8). Aberrant functioning of these pathways appears critical for melanoma cell invasion, metastasis, and evasion of apoptosis. This review focuses on the selective depletion or inhibition of RLIP as a highly effective targeted therapy for melanoma that could cause the simultaneous disruption of the MAP and critical peptide hormone signaling that relies on CDE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharad S Singhal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| | - Saumya Srivastava
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Tamara Mirzapoiazova
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - David Horne
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Sanjay Awasthi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
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203
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Molina-Arcas M, Samani A, Downward J. Drugging the Undruggable: Advances on RAS Targeting in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:899. [PMID: 34200676 PMCID: PMC8228461 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Around 20% of all malignancies harbour activating mutations in RAS isoforms. Despite this, there is a deficiency of RAS-targeting agents licensed for therapeutic use. The picomolar affinity of RAS for GTP, and the lack of suitable pockets for high-affinity small-molecule binding, precluded effective therapies despite decades of research. Recently, characterisation of the biochemical properties of KRAS-G12C along with discovery of its 'switch-II pocket' have allowed development of effective mutant-specific inhibitors. Currently seven KRAS-G12C inhibitors are in clinical trials and sotorasib has become the first one to be granted FDA approval. Here, we discuss historical efforts to target RAS directly and approaches to target RAS effector signalling, including combinations that overcome limitations of single-agent targeting. We also review pre-clinical and clinical evidence for the efficacy of KRAS-G12C inhibitor monotherapy followed by an illustration of combination therapies designed to overcome primary resistance and extend durability of response. Finally, we briefly discuss novel approaches to targeting non-G12C mutant isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amit Samani
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK;
- Department of Medical Oncology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK;
- Lung Cancer Group, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
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204
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Maloney RC, Zhang M, Jang H, Nussinov R. The mechanism of activation of monomeric B-Raf V600E. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:3349-3363. [PMID: 34188782 PMCID: PMC8215184 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in the serine/threonine kinase B-Raf, particularly the V600E mutation, are frequent in cancer, making it a major drug target. Although much is known about B-Raf's active and inactive states, questions remain about the mechanism by which the protein changes between these two states. Here, we utilize molecular dynamics to investigate both wild-type and V600E B-Raf to gain mechanistic insights into the impact of the Val to Glu mutation. The results show that the wild-type and mutant follow similar activation pathways involving an extension of the activation loop and an inward motion of the αC-helix. The V600E mutation, however, destabilizes the inactive state by disrupting hydrophobic interactions present in the wild-type structure while the active state is stabilized through the formation of a salt bridge between Glu600 and Lys507. Additionally, when the activation loop is extended, the αC-helix is able to move between an inward and outward orientation as long as the DFG motif adopts a specific orientation. In that orientation Phe595 rotates away from the αC-helix, allowing the formation of a salt bridge between Lys483 and Glu501. These mechanistic insights have implications for the development of new Raf inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Maloney
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mingzhen Zhang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Corresponding author at: Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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205
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Yen I, Shanahan F, Lee J, Hong YS, Shin SJ, Moore AR, Sudhamsu J, Chang MT, Bae I, Dela Cruz D, Hunsaker T, Klijn C, Liau NPD, Lin E, Martin SE, Modrusan Z, Piskol R, Segal E, Venkatanarayan A, Ye X, Yin J, Zhang L, Kim JS, Lim HS, Kim KP, Kim YJ, Han HS, Lee SJ, Kim ST, Jung M, Hong YH, Noh YS, Choi M, Han O, Nowicka M, Srinivasan S, Yan Y, Kim TW, Malek S. ARAF mutations confer resistance to the RAF inhibitor belvarafenib in melanoma. Nature 2021; 594:418-423. [PMID: 33953400 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03515-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although RAF monomer inhibitors (type I.5, BRAF(V600)) are clinically approved for the treatment of BRAFV600-mutant melanoma, they are ineffective in non-BRAFV600 mutant cells1-3. Belvarafenib is a potent and selective RAF dimer (type II) inhibitor that exhibits clinical activity in patients with BRAFV600E- and NRAS-mutant melanomas. Here we report the first-in-human phase I study investigating the maximum tolerated dose, and assessing the safety and preliminary efficacy of belvarafenib in BRAFV600E- and RAS-mutated advanced solid tumours (NCT02405065, NCT03118817). By generating belvarafenib-resistant NRAS-mutant melanoma cells and analysing circulating tumour DNA from patients treated with belvarafenib, we identified new recurrent mutations in ARAF within the kinase domain. ARAF mutants conferred resistance to belvarafenib in both a dimer- and a kinase activity-dependent manner. Belvarafenib induced ARAF mutant dimers, and dimers containing mutant ARAF were active in the presence of inhibitor. ARAF mutations may serve as a general resistance mechanism for RAF dimer inhibitors as the mutants exhibit reduced sensitivity to a panel of type II RAF inhibitors. The combination of RAF plus MEK inhibition may be used to delay ARAF-driven resistance and suggests a rational combination for clinical use. Together, our findings reveal specific and compensatory functions for the ARAF isoform and implicate ARAF mutations as a driver of resistance to RAF dimer inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Yen
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Frances Shanahan
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeeyun Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Intelligence Precision Healthcare Convergence, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Yong Sang Hong
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Joon Shin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Amanda R Moore
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jawahar Sudhamsu
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew T Chang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Inhwan Bae
- Department of New Chemical Entity Discovery, Hanmi Research Center, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Darlene Dela Cruz
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Hunsaker
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christiaan Klijn
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P D Liau
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eva Lin
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Scott E Martin
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zora Modrusan
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert Piskol
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ehud Segal
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Xin Ye
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jianping Yin
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Liangxuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeong-Seok Lim
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyu-Pyo Kim
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu Jung Kim
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Hye Sook Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Soo Jung Lee
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seung Tae Kim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minkyu Jung
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon-Hee Hong
- Department of Clinical Research and Development, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Su Noh
- Department of Clinical Research and Development, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Munjeong Choi
- Department of Clinical Research and Development, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Oakpil Han
- Department of Clinical Research and Development, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Malgorzata Nowicka
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shrividhya Srinivasan
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yibing Yan
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tae Won Kim
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Shiva Malek
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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206
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Waters AM, Khatib TO, Papke B, Goodwin CM, Hobbs GA, Diehl JN, Yang R, Edwards AC, Walsh KH, Sulahian R, McFarland JM, Kapner KS, Gilbert TSK, Stalnecker CA, Javaid S, Barkovskaya A, Grover KR, Hibshman PS, Blake DR, Schaefer A, Nowak KM, Klomp JE, Hayes TK, Kassner M, Tang N, Tanaseichuk O, Chen K, Zhou Y, Kalkat M, Herring LE, Graves LM, Penn LZ, Yin HH, Aguirre AJ, Hahn WC, Cox AD, Der CJ. Targeting p130Cas- and microtubule-dependent MYC regulation sensitizes pancreatic cancer to ERK MAPK inhibition. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109291. [PMID: 34192548 PMCID: PMC8340308 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify therapeutic targets for KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer, we conduct a druggable genome small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen and determine that suppression of BCAR1 sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to ERK inhibition. Integrative analysis of genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screens also identify BCAR1 as a top synthetic lethal interactor with mutant KRAS. BCAR1 encodes the SRC substrate p130Cas. We determine that SRC-inhibitor-mediated suppression of p130Cas phosphorylation impairs MYC transcription through a DOCK1-RAC1-β-catenin-dependent mechanism. Additionally, genetic suppression of TUBB3, encoding the βIII-tubulin subunit of microtubules, or pharmacological inhibition of microtubule function decreases levels of MYC protein in a calpain-dependent manner and potently sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to ERK inhibition. Accordingly, the combination of a dual SRC/tubulin inhibitor with an ERK inhibitor cooperates to reduce MYC protein and synergistically suppress the growth of KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer. Thus, we demonstrate that mechanistically diverse combinations with ERK inhibition suppress MYC to impair pancreatic cancer proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Waters
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tala O Khatib
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bjoern Papke
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Craig M Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - G Aaron Hobbs
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Runying Yang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A Cole Edwards
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Rita Sulahian
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Kevin S Kapner
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Thomas S K Gilbert
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sehrish Javaid
- Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Anna Barkovskaya
- Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0379, Norway
| | - Kajal R Grover
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Priya S Hibshman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Devon R Blake
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Antje Schaefer
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Katherine M Nowak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer E Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tikvah K Hayes
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michelle Kassner
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Nanyun Tang
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Olga Tanaseichuk
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Kaisheng Chen
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Yingyao Zhou
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Manpreet Kalkat
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada
| | - Hongwei H Yin
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - William C Hahn
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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207
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Yap J, Deepak RNVK, Tian Z, Ng WH, Goh KC, Foo A, Tee ZH, Mohanam MP, Sim YRM, Degirmenci U, Lam P, Chen Z, Fan H, Hu J. The stability of R-spine defines RAF inhibitor resistance: A comprehensive analysis of oncogenic BRAF mutants with in-frame insertion of αC-β4 loop. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/24/eabg0390. [PMID: 34108213 PMCID: PMC8189578 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although targeting BRAF mutants with RAF inhibitors has achieved promising outcomes in cancer therapy, drug resistance remains a remarkable challenge, and underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we characterized a previously unknown group of oncogenic BRAF mutants with in-frame insertions (LLRins506 or VLRins506) of αC-β4 loop. Using structure modeling and molecular dynamics simulation, we found that these insertions formed a large hydrophobic network that stabilizes R-spine and thus triggers the catalytic activity of BRAF. Furthermore, these insertions disrupted BRAF dimer interface and impaired dimerization. Unlike BRAF(V600E), these BRAF mutants with low dimer affinity were strongly resistant to all RAF inhibitors in clinic or clinical trials, which arises from their stabilized R-spines. As predicted by molecular docking, the stabilized R-spines in other BRAF mutants also conferred drug resistance. Together, our data indicated that the stability of R-spine but not dimer affinity determines the RAF inhibitor resistance of oncogenic BRAF mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Yap
- Cancer and Stem Cell Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - R N V Krishna Deepak
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Zizi Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wan Hwa Ng
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Kah Chun Goh
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Alicia Foo
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Zi Heng Tee
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Manju Payini Mohanam
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Yuen Rong M Sim
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Ufuk Degirmenci
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
| | - Paula Lam
- Cancer and Stem Cell Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, MD9, Singapore 117593, Singapore
- Cellvec Pte. Ltd., 100 Pasir Panjang Road, #04-02, Singapore 118518, Singapore
| | - Zhongzhou Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hao Fan
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore.
| | - Jiancheng Hu
- Cancer and Stem Cell Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore.
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Crescen, Singapore 169610, Singapore
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208
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Kanakis M, Petrou P, Lourida G, Georgalas I. Erdheim-Chester disease: a comprehensive review from the ophthalmologic perspective. Surv Ophthalmol 2021; 67:388-410. [PMID: 34081930 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare clonal histiocytic neoplasm with less than 1200 documented cases to date. The disease is life-threatening and difficult to recognize, although increasing awareness as well as the integration of clinical, imaging, pathology information , and genetic studies have led to a recent exponential increase in new reported cases. ECD affects multiple organs and systems, including skeletal, neurologic, and cardiovascular. Pulmonary, retroperitoneal, and cutaneous lesions have also been reported in various combinations. Until the discovery that more than half of ECD patients harbor the BRAF-V600E mutation or other mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and RAS pathways, Interferon-a was the first-line treatment. Nowadays BRAF and MEK-inhibitors targeted therapies are the mainstay of treatment. Ophthalmologic involvement occurs in 25% -30% of ECD cases, usually in the form of orbital involvement presenting with exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia. Other ophthalmologic manifestations include palpebral xanthelasmas, anterior uveitis and vitritis, optic disk edema, choroidal infiltration, recurrent serous retinal detachment, retinal drusen-like deposits and retinal pigment epithelial changes. ECD patients can also present with ocular symptoms as a result of adverse effects of the treatment regimens. In some cases with smoldering or protean symptoms, the emergence of eye manifestations triggered the diagnosis. Ophthalmologists have to be aware of the disease, recognize the constellation of ECD symptoms, and contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of ECD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Petros Petrou
- G. Genimatas General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - Giota Lourida
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias Georgalas
- G. Genimatas General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, Athens, Greece.
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209
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Kitazawa M, Miyagawa Y, Koyama M, Nakamura S, Hondo N, Miyazaki S, Muranaka F, Tokumaru S, Yamamoto Y, Ehara T, Kuroiwa M, Tanaka H, Komatsu D, Takeoka M, Soejima Y. Drug sensitivity profile of minor KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer using mix culture assay: The effect of AMG-510, a novel KRAS G12C selective inhibitor, on colon cancer cells is markedly enhanced by the combined inhibition of MEK and BCL-XL. Mol Clin Oncol 2021; 15:148. [PMID: 34094546 PMCID: PMC8165703 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2021.2310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer with a Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) gene mutation is considered to be resistant to anti-EGFR agents. G12D is the most common KRAS mutation in colorectal cancer, followed by G12V and G13D. According to clinical and basic research data, patients with colorectal cancer exhibiting G12D and G12V KRAS mutations are resistant to anti-EGFR agents; however, this is not true of G13D and other minor mutations, which are still not well understood. The current study focused on minor KRAS mutations (G12A, G12C, G12S, Q61H and A146T) and evaluated whether these were resistant to anti-EGFR antibodies using a mix culture assay. The results demonstrated that all KRAS mutations, including minor mutations, were resistant to two anti-EGFR agents: Cetuximab and panitumumab. The combined effect of MEK and BCL-XL inhibition on colorectal cancer cells with KRAS minor mutations were subsequently evaluated. The combined effect of MEK and BCL-XL inhibitors was confirmed in all KRAS minor mutations. The sensitivity of AMG510, a novel KRAS G12C selective inhibitor, was also assessed. The mix culture assay revealed that AMG510 selectively exerted an antitumor effect on colon cancer cells with a G12C KRAS mutation. The combination of MEK and BCL-XL inhibition markedly enhanced the effect of AMG510 in colon cancer cells. The current study suggested that AMG510 may have potential clinical use in combination with MEK and BCL-XL inhibitors in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer exhibiting the G12C KRAS mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Kitazawa
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yusuke Miyagawa
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Makoto Koyama
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nakamura
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Nao Hondo
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyazaki
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Futoshi Muranaka
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Shigeo Tokumaru
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamamoto
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Takehito Ehara
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Kuroiwa
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanaka
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Daisuke Komatsu
- Department of Surgery, Jinai Hospital, Ina, Nagano 396-0026, Japan
| | - Michiko Takeoka
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yuji Soejima
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
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210
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Yukimoto R, Nishida N, Hata T, Fujino S, Ogino T, Miyoshi N, Takahashi H, Uemura M, Satoh T, Hirofumi Y, Mizushima T, Doki Y, Eguchi H. Specific activation of glycolytic enzyme enolase 2 in BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:2884-2894. [PMID: 33934428 PMCID: PMC8253290 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The BRAF V600E mutation occurs in approximately 10% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and constitutes a distinct subtype of the disease with extremely poor prognosis. To address this refractory disease, we investigated the unique metabolic gene profile of BRAF V600E‐mutated tumors via in silico analysis using a large‐scale clinical database. We found that BRAF V600E‐mutated tumors exhibited a specific metabolic gene expression signature, including some genes that are associated with poor prognosis in CRC. We discovered that BRAF V600E‐mutated tumors expressed high levels of glycolytic enzyme enolase 2 (ENO2), which is mainly expressed in neuronal tissues under physiological conditions. In vitro experiments using CRC cells demonstrated that BRAF V600E‐mutated cells exhibited enhanced dependency on ENO2 compared to BRAF wild‐type cancer cells and that knockdown of ENO2 led to the inhibition of proliferation and migration of BRAF V600E‐mutated cancer cells. Moreover, inhibition of ENO2 resulted in enhanced sensitivity to vemurafenib, a selective inhibitor of BRAF V600E. We identified AP‐1 transcription factor subunit (FOSL1) as being involved in the transcription of ENO2 in CRC cells. In addition, both MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling were suppressed upon inhibition of ENO2, implying an additional oncogenic role of ENO2. These results suggest the crucial role of ENO2 in the progression of BRAF V600E‐mutated CRC and indicate the therapeutic implications of targeting this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Yukimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Naohiro Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Department of Frontier Science for Cancer and Chemotherapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shiki Fujino
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ogino
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Norikatsu Miyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Mamoru Uemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Taroh Satoh
- Department of Frontier Science for Cancer and Chemotherapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yamamoto Hirofumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Tsunekazu Mizushima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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211
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Ullah R, Yin Q, Snell AH, Wan L. RAF-MEK-ERK pathway in cancer evolution and treatment. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:123-154. [PMID: 33992782 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade is a well-characterized MAPK pathway involved in cell proliferation and survival. The three-layered MAPK signaling cascade is initiated upon RTK and RAS activation. Three RAF isoforms ARAF, BRAF and CRAF, and their downstream MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 kinases constitute a coherently orchestrated signaling module that directs a range of physiological functions. Genetic alterations in this pathway are among the most prevalent in human cancers, which consist of numerous hot-spot mutations such as BRAFV600E. Oncogenic mutations in this pathway often override otherwise tightly regulated checkpoints to open the door for uncontrolled cell growth and neoplasia. The crosstalk between the RAF-MEK-ERK axis and other signaling pathways further extends the proliferative potential of this pathway in human cancers. In this review, we summarize the molecular architecture and physiological functions of the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway with emphasis on its dysregulations in human cancers, as well as the efforts made to target the RAF-MEK-ERK module using small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahim Ullah
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Qing Yin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Aidan H Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA; Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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212
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Scheffler L, Feicht S, Babushku T, Kuhn LB, Ehrenberg S, Frankenberger S, Lehmann FM, Hobeika E, Jungnickel B, Baccarini M, Bornkamm GW, Strobl LJ, Zimber-Strobl U. ERK phosphorylation is RAF independent in naïve and activated B cells but RAF dependent in plasma cell differentiation. Sci Signal 2021; 14:eabc1648. [PMID: 33975980 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abc1648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Members of the RAF family of serine-threonine kinases are intermediates in the mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK-ERK) signaling pathway, which controls key differentiation processes in B cells. By analyzing mice with B cell-specific deletion of Raf1, Braf, or both, we showed that Raf-1 and B-Raf acted together in mediating the positive selection of pre-B and transitional B cells as well as in initiating plasma cell differentiation. However, genetic or chemical inactivation of RAFs led to increased ERK phosphorylation in mature B cells. ERK activation in the absence of Raf-1 and B-Raf was mediated by multiple RAF-independent pathways, with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) playing an important role. Furthermore, we found that ERK phosphorylation strongly increased during the transition from activated B cells to pre-plasmablasts. This increase in ERK phosphorylation did not occur in B cells lacking both Raf-1 and B-Raf, which most likely explains the partial block of plasma cell differentiation in mice lacking both RAFs. Collectively, our data indicate that B-Raf and Raf-1 are not necessary to mediate ERK phosphorylation in naïve or activated B cells but are essential for mediating the marked increase in ERK phosphorylation during the transition from activated B cells to pre-plasmablasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Scheffler
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Samantha Feicht
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Tea Babushku
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Laura B Kuhn
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ehrenberg
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Samantha Frankenberger
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank M Lehmann
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Elias Hobeika
- Molecular Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89070 Ulm, Germany
| | - Berit Jungnickel
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 2, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Manuela Baccarini
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Center for Molecular Biology of the University of Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg W Bornkamm
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lothar J Strobl
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ursula Zimber-Strobl
- Research Unit of Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Marchioninistrasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
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213
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The Role of Senescent Cells in Acquired Drug Resistance and Secondary Cancer in BRAFi-Treated Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092241. [PMID: 34066966 PMCID: PMC8125319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Advances in melanoma treatment include v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) inhibitors that target the predominant oncogenic mutation found in malignant melanoma. Despite initial success of the BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) therapies, resistance and secondary cancer often occur. Mechanisms of resistance and secondary cancer rely on upregulation of pro-survival pathways that circumvent senescence. The repeated identification of a cellular senescent phenotype throughout melanoma progression demonstrates the contribution of senescent cells in resistance and secondary cancer development. Incorporating senotherapeutics in melanoma treatment may offer a novel approach for potentially improving clinical outcome. Abstract BRAF is the most common gene mutated in malignant melanoma, and predominately it is a missense mutation of codon 600 in the kinase domain. This oncogenic BRAF missense mutation results in constitutive activation of the mitogen-activate protein kinase (MAPK) pro-survival pathway. Several BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) have been developed to specifically inhibit BRAFV600 mutations that improve melanoma survival, but resistance and secondary cancer often occur. Causal mechanisms of BRAFi-induced secondary cancer and resistance have been identified through upregulation of MAPK and alternate pro-survival pathways. In addition, overriding of cellular senescence is observed throughout the progression of disease from benign nevi to malignant melanoma. In this review, we discuss melanoma BRAF mutations, the genetic mechanism of BRAFi resistance, and the evidence supporting the role of senescent cells in melanoma disease progression, drug resistance and secondary cancer. We further highlight the potential benefit of targeting senescent cells with senotherapeutics as adjuvant therapy in combating melanoma.
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214
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Lelliott EJ, McArthur GA, Oliaro J, Sheppard KE. Immunomodulatory Effects of BRAF, MEK, and CDK4/6 Inhibitors: Implications for Combining Targeted Therapy and Immune Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Melanoma. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661737. [PMID: 34025662 PMCID: PMC8137893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent advent of targeted and immune-based therapies has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma and transformed outcomes for patients with metastatic disease. The majority of patients develop resistance to the current standard-of-care targeted therapy, dual BRAF and MEK inhibition, prompting evaluation of a new combination incorporating a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Based on promising preclinical data, combined BRAF, MEK and CDK4/6 inhibition has recently entered clinical trials for the treatment of BRAFV600 melanoma. Interestingly, while BRAF- and MEK-targeted therapy was initially developed on the basis of potent tumor-intrinsic effects, it was later discovered to have significant immune-potentiating activity. Recent studies have also identified immune-related impacts of CDK4/6 inhibition, though these are less well defined and can be both immune-potentiating and immune-inhibitory. BRAFV600 melanoma patients are also eligible to receive immunotherapy, specifically checkpoint inhibitors against PD-1 and CTLA-4. The immunomodulatory activity of BRAF/MEK-targeted therapies has prompted interest in combination therapies incorporating these with immune checkpoint inhibitors, however recent clinical trials investigating this approach have produced variable results. Here, we summarize the immunomodulatory effects of BRAF, MEK and CDK4/6 inhibitors, shedding light on the prospective utility of this combination alone and in conjunction with immune checkpoint blockade. Understanding the mechanisms that underpin the clinical efficacy of these available therapies is a critical step forward in optimizing novel combination and scheduling approaches to combat melanoma and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Lelliott
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Grant A McArthur
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane Oliaro
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karen E Sheppard
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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215
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Bellio H, Fumet JD, Ghiringhelli F. Targeting BRAF and RAS in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092201. [PMID: 34063682 PMCID: PMC8124706 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In colorectal cancer, mutations of the KRAS and BRAF genes are quite common and can contribute to the activation of cell signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation and differentiation. These processes promote cancer growth, and in some cases, they may cause cells to develop resistance to certain types of treatment, notably EGFR inhibitors. We summarize recent knowledge regarding the effects of KRAS and BRAF mutations in the setting of colorectal cancer and discuss the new therapies under development. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still one of the most frequent forms of cancer in the world in terms of incidence. Around 40% of CRC patients carry a mutation of the Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene, while 10% have a mutation in the B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) gene. These mutations are responsible for dysregulation of the mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, leading to the proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis of cells. Activation of the MAPK pathway results in adaptive therapeutic resistance, rendering EGFR inhibitors ineffective. This review aims to highlight the recent findings that have improved our understanding of KRAS and BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer and to describe new targeted therapies, used alone or in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Bellio
- University of Burgundy-Franche Comté, Maison de l’université Esplanade Erasme, 21000 Dijon, France; (H.B.); (J.D.F.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center—UNICANCER, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Jean David Fumet
- University of Burgundy-Franche Comté, Maison de l’université Esplanade Erasme, 21000 Dijon, France; (H.B.); (J.D.F.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center—UNICANCER, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Biological Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center—UNICANCER, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, 7 Boulevard Jeanne d’Arc, 21000 Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, 14 rue Paul Gaffarel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Francois Ghiringhelli
- University of Burgundy-Franche Comté, Maison de l’université Esplanade Erasme, 21000 Dijon, France; (H.B.); (J.D.F.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center—UNICANCER, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Biological Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center—UNICANCER, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, 7 Boulevard Jeanne d’Arc, 21000 Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, 14 rue Paul Gaffarel, 21000 Dijon, France
- Correspondence:
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216
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Xie M, Xu X, Fan Y. KRAS-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Emerging Promisingly Treatable Subgroup. Front Oncol 2021; 11:672612. [PMID: 34012925 PMCID: PMC8126715 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.672612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, can be classified into small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is the most common histological type, accounting for 85% of all lung cancers. Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutations, common in NSCLC, are associated with poor prognosis, likely due to poor responses to most systemic therapies and lack of targeted drugs. The latest published clinical trial data on new small-molecule KRAS G12C inhibitors, AMG510 and MRTX849, indicate that these molecules may potentially help treat KRAS-mutant NSCLC. Simultaneously, within the immuno-therapeutic process, immune efficacy has been observed in those patients who have KRAS mutations. In this article, the pathogenesis, treatment status, progress of immunotherapy, and targeted therapy of KRAS-mutant NSCLC are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingying Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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217
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40 Years of RAS-A Historic Overview. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050681. [PMID: 34062774 PMCID: PMC8147265 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been over forty years since the isolation of the first human oncogene (HRAS), a crucial milestone in cancer research made possible through the combined efforts of a few selected research groups at the beginning of the 1980s. Those initial discoveries led to a quantitative leap in our understanding of cancer biology and set up the onset of the field of molecular oncology. The following four decades of RAS research have produced a huge pool of new knowledge about the RAS family of small GTPases, including how they regulate signaling pathways controlling many cellular physiological processes, or how oncogenic mutations trigger pathological conditions, including developmental syndromes or many cancer types. However, despite the extensive body of available basic knowledge, specific effective treatments for RAS-driven cancers are still lacking. Hopefully, recent advances involving the discovery of novel pockets on the RAS surface as well as highly specific small-molecule inhibitors able to block its interaction with effectors and/or activators may lead to the development of new, effective treatments for cancer. This review intends to provide a quick, summarized historical overview of the main milestones in RAS research spanning from the initial discovery of the viral RAS oncogenes in rodent tumors to the latest attempts at targeting RAS oncogenes in various human cancers.
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218
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Kholodenko BN, Rauch N, Kolch W, Rukhlenko OS. A systematic analysis of signaling reactivation and drug resistance. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109157. [PMID: 34038718 PMCID: PMC8202068 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the reactivation of initially inhibited signaling pathways causes drug resistance. Here, we analyze how network topologies affect signaling responses to drug treatment. Network-dependent drug resistance is commonly attributed to negative and positive feedback loops. However, feedback loops by themselves cannot completely reactivate steady-state signaling. Newly synthesized negative feedback regulators can induce a transient overshoot but cannot fully restore output signaling. Complete signaling reactivation can only occur when at least two routes, an activating and inhibitory, connect an inhibited upstream protein to a downstream output. Irrespective of the network topology, drug-induced overexpression or increase in target dimerization can restore or even paradoxically increase downstream pathway activity. Kinase dimerization cooperates with inhibitor-mediated alleviation of negative feedback. Our findings inform drug development by considering network context and optimizing the design drug combinations. As an example, we predict and experimentally confirm specific combinations of RAF inhibitors that block mutant NRAS signaling. Kholodenko et al. uncover signaling network circuitries and molecular mechanisms necessary and sufficient for complete reactivation or overshoot of steady-state signaling after kinase inhibitor treatment. The two means to revive signaling output fully are through network topology or reactivation of the kinase activity of the primary drug target. Blocking RAF dimer activity by a combination of type I½ and type II RAF inhibitors efficiently blocks mutant NRAS-driven ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris N Kholodenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Nora Rauch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Walter Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Oleksii S Rukhlenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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219
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Hidden Targets in RAF Signalling Pathways to Block Oncogenic RAS Signalling. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040553. [PMID: 33920182 PMCID: PMC8070103 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic RAS (Rat sarcoma) mutations drive more than half of human cancers, and RAS inhibition is the holy grail of oncology. Thirty years of relentless efforts and harsh disappointments have taught us about the intricacies of oncogenic RAS signalling that allow us to now get a pharmacological grip on this elusive protein. The inhibition of effector pathways, such as the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, has largely proven disappointing. Thus far, most of these efforts were aimed at blocking the activation of ERK. Here, we discuss RAF-dependent pathways that are regulated through RAF functions independent of catalytic activity and their potential role as targets to block oncogenic RAS signalling. We focus on the now well documented roles of RAF kinase-independent functions in apoptosis, cell cycle progression and cell migration.
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220
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Allosteric Kinase Inhibitors Reshape MEK1 Kinase Activity Conformations in Cells and In Silico. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040518. [PMID: 33808483 PMCID: PMC8065916 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations at different stages of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway lead to aberrant activation of the involved protein kinase entities. These oncogenic modifications alter signal propagation which converge on the gatekeeper kinases MEK1/2, transmitting the input signal to ERK1/2. Thus, targeted MEK inhibition causes qualitative alterations of carcinogenic MAPK signals. Phosphorylation of the MEK1 activation loop at the positions S218 and S222 by RAF kinases triggers the conformational alignment of MEK's catalytic pocket to enable ATP-binding and substrate phosphorylation. We have extended a kinase conformation (KinCon) biosensor platform to record MEK1 activity dynamics. In addition to MEK phosphorylation by BRAF, the integration of the phosphorylation-mimetic mutations S218D/S222D triggered opening of the kinase. Structural rearrangement may involve the flexibility of the N terminal MEK1 A-helix. Application of the allosterically acting MEK inhibitors (MEKi) trametinib, cobimentinib, refametinib, and selumetinib converted activated MEK1 KinCon reporters back into a more closed inactive conformation. We confirmed MEK1 KinCon activity dynamics upon drug engagement using the patient-derived melanoma cell line A2058, which harbors the V600E hotspot BRAF mutation. In order to confirm biosensor dynamics, we simulated structure dynamics of MEK1 kinase in the presence and absence of mutations and/or MEKi binding. We observed increased dynamics for the S218D/S222D double mutant particularly in the region of the distal A-helix and alpha-C helix. These data underline that MEK1 KinCon biosensors have the potential to be subjected to MEKi efficacy validations in an intact cell setting.
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221
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Tani T, Kitajima S, Conway EB, Knelson EH, Barbie DA. KRAS G12C inhibition and innate immune targeting. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:167-174. [PMID: 33703985 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1902991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION KRAS mutations drive tumorigenesis by altering cell signaling and the tumor immune microenvironment. Recent studies have shown promise for KRAS-G12C covalent inhibitors, which are advancing rapidly through clinical trials. The sequencing and combination of these agents with other therapies including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) will benefit from strategies that also address the immune microenvironment to improve durability of response. AREAS COVERED This paper reviews KRAS signaling and discusses downstream effects on cytokine production and the tumor immune microenvironment. RAS targeted therapy is introduced and perspectives on therapeutic targeting of KRAS-G12C and its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment are offered. EXPERT OPINION The availability of KRAS-G12C covalent inhibitors raises hopes for targeting this pervasive oncogene and designing better therapeutic combinations to promote anti-tumor immunity. A comprehensive mechanistic understanding of KRAS immunosuppression is required in order to prioritize agents for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Tani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Shunsuke Kitajima
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ella B Conway
- Department of Health Sciences, Chapman University, Orange, USA
| | - Erik H Knelson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - David A Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
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222
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Morgan CW, Dale IL, Thomas AP, Hunt J, Chin JW. Selective CRAF Inhibition Elicits Transactivation. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4600-4606. [PMID: 33750116 PMCID: PMC8041278 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Discovering molecules that regulate
closely related protein isoforms
is challenging, and in many cases the consequences of isoform-specific
pharmacological regulation remains unknown. RAF isoforms are commonly
mutated oncogenes that serve as effector kinases in MAP kinase signaling.
BRAF/CRAF heterodimers are believed to be the primary RAF signaling
species, and many RAF inhibitors lead to a “paradoxical activation”
of RAF kinase activity through transactivation of the CRAF protomer;
this leads to resistance mechanisms and secondary tumors. It has been
hypothesized that CRAF-selective inhibition might bypass paradoxical
activation, but no CRAF-selective inhibitor has been reported and
the consequences of pharmacologically inhibiting CRAF have remained
unknown. Here, we use bio-orthogonal ligand tethering (BOLT) to selectively
target inhibitors to CRAF. Our results suggest that selective CRAF
inhibition promotes paradoxical activation and exemplify how BOLT
may be used to triage potential targets for drug discovery before
any target-selective small molecules are known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Morgan
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Ian L Dale
- Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P Thomas
- Medicinal Chemistry, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - James Hunt
- Antibody Discovery & Protein Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, United Kingdom
| | - Jason W Chin
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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223
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Yip HYK, Papa A. Signaling Pathways in Cancer: Therapeutic Targets, Combinatorial Treatments, and New Developments. Cells 2021; 10:659. [PMID: 33809714 PMCID: PMC8002322 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular alterations in cancer genes and associated signaling pathways are used to inform new treatments for precision medicine in cancer. Small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies directed at relevant cancer-related proteins have been instrumental in delivering successful treatments of some blood malignancies (e.g., imatinib with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)) and solid tumors (e.g., tamoxifen with ER positive breast cancer and trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer). However, inherent limitations such as drug toxicity, as well as acquisition of de novo or acquired mechanisms of resistance, still cause treatment failure. Here we provide an up-to-date review of the successes and limitations of current targeted therapies for cancer treatment and highlight how recent technological advances have provided a new level of understanding of the molecular complexity underpinning resistance to cancer therapies. We also raise three basic questions concerning cancer drug discovery based on molecular markers and alterations of selected signaling pathways, and further discuss how combination therapies may become the preferable approach over monotherapy for cancer treatments. Finally, we consider novel therapeutic developments that may complement drug delivery and significantly improve clinical response and outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Papa
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
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224
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Higuchi M, Ishiyama K, Maruoka M, Kanamori R, Takaori-Kondo A, Watanabe N. Paradoxical activation of c-Src as a drug-resistant mechanism. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108876. [PMID: 33761359 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-competitive inhibitors have been developed as promising anti-cancer agents. However, drug-resistance frequently occurs, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we show that the activation of c-Src and its downstream phosphorylation cascade can be paradoxically induced by Src-targeted and RTK-targeted kinase inhibitors. We reveal that inhibitor binding induces a conformational change in c-Src, leading to the association of the active form c-Src with focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Reduction of the inhibitor concentration results in the dissociation of inhibitors from the c-Src-FAK complex, which allows c-Src to phosphorylate FAK and initiate FAK-Grb2-mediated Erk signaling. Furthermore, a drug-resistant mutation in c-Src, which reduces the affinity of inhibitors for c-Src, converts Src inhibitors into facilitators of cell proliferation by enhancing the phosphorylation of FAK and Erk in c-Src-mutated cells. Our data thus reveal paradoxical enhancement of cell growth evoked by target-based kinase inhibitors, providing potentially important clues for the future development of effective and safe cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makio Higuchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenichi Ishiyama
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Maruoka
- Laboratory of Single-Molecule Cell Biology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Kanamori
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akifumi Takaori-Kondo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Watanabe
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory of Single-Molecule Cell Biology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto, Japan.
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225
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Lees H, Millan M, Ahamed F, Eskandari R, Granlund KL, Jeong S, Keshari KR. Multi-sample measurement of hyperpolarized pyruvate-to-lactate flux in melanoma cells. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 34:e4447. [PMID: 33314422 PMCID: PMC8288443 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hyperpolarized [1-13 C] pyruvate can be used to examine the metabolic state of cancer cells, highlighting a key metabolic characteristic of cancer: the upregulated metabolic flux to lactate, even in the presence of oxygen (Warburg effect). Thus, the rate constant of 13 C exchange of pyruvate to lactate, kPL , can serve as a metabolic biomarker of cancer presence, aggressiveness and therapy response. Established in vitro hyperpolarized experiments dissolve the probe for each cell sample independently, an inefficient process that consumes excessive time and resources. Expanding on our previous development of a microcoil with greatly increased detection sensitivity (103 -fold) compared with traditional in vitro methods, we present a novel microcoil equipped with a 10-μL vertical reservoir and an experimental protocol utilizing deuterated dissolution buffer to measure metabolic flux in multiple mass-limited cell suspension samples using a single dissolution. This method increases efficiency and potentially reduces the methodological variability associated with hyperpolarized experiments. This technique was used to measure pyruvate-to-lactate flux in melanoma cells to assess BRAF-inhibition treatment response. There was a significant reduction of kPL in BRAFV600E cells following 24 and 48 hours of treatment with 2 μM vemurafenib (P ≤ .05). This agrees with significant changes observed in the pool sizes of extracellular lactate (P ≤ .05) and glucose (P ≤ .001) following 6 and 48 hours of treatment, respectively, and a significant reduction in cell proliferation following 72 hours of treatment (P ≤ .01). BRAF inhibition had no significant effect on the metabolic flux of BRAFWT cells. These data demonstrate a 6-8-fold increase in efficiency for the measurement of kPL in cell suspension samples compared with traditional hyperpolarized in vitro methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Lees
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Micaela Millan
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fayyaz Ahamed
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Roozbeh Eskandari
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristin L. Granlund
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sangmoo Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kayvan R. Keshari
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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226
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Cook FA, Cook SJ. Inhibition of RAF dimers: it takes two to tango. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:237-251. [PMID: 33367512 PMCID: PMC7924995 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The RAS-regulated RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway promotes cell proliferation and survival and RAS and BRAF proteins are commonly mutated in cancer. This has fuelled the development of small molecule kinase inhibitors including ATP-competitive RAF inhibitors. Type I and type I½ ATP-competitive RAF inhibitors are effective in BRAFV600E/K-mutant cancer cells. However, in RAS-mutant cells these compounds instead promote RAS-dependent dimerisation and paradoxical activation of wild-type RAF proteins. RAF dimerisation is mediated by two key regions within each RAF protein; the RKTR motif of the αC-helix and the NtA-region of the dimer partner. Dimer formation requires the adoption of a closed, active kinase conformation which can be induced by RAS-dependent activation of RAF or by the binding of type I and I½ RAF inhibitors. Binding of type I or I½ RAF inhibitors to one dimer partner reduces the binding affinity of the other, thereby leaving a single dimer partner uninhibited and able to activate MEK. To overcome this paradox two classes of drug are currently under development; type II pan-RAF inhibitors that induce RAF dimer formation but bind both dimer partners thus allowing effective inhibition of both wild-type RAF dimer partners and monomeric active class I mutant RAF, and the recently developed "paradox breakers" which interrupt BRAF dimerisation through disruption of the αC-helix. Here we review the regulation of RAF proteins, including RAF dimers, and the progress towards effective targeting of the wild-type RAF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frazer A. Cook
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Simon J. Cook
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
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227
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Erdheim-Chester disease: consensus recommendations for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment in the molecular era. Blood 2021; 135:1929-1945. [PMID: 32187362 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019003507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytosis that was recently recognized as a neoplastic disorder owing to the discovery of recurrent activating MAPK (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK) pathway mutations. Typical findings of ECD include central diabetes insipidus, restrictive pericarditis, perinephric fibrosis, and sclerotic bone lesions. The histopathologic diagnosis of ECD is often challenging due to nonspecific inflammatory and fibrotic findings on histopathologic review of tissue specimens. Additionally, the association of ECD with unusual tissue tropism and an insidious onset often results in diagnostic errors and delays. Most patients with ECD require treatment, except for a minority of patients with minimally symptomatic single-organ disease. The first ECD consensus guidelines were published in 2014 on behalf of the physicians and researchers within the Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance. With the recent molecular discoveries and the approval of the first targeted therapy (vemurafenib) for BRAF-V600-mutant ECD, there is a need for updated clinical practice guidelines to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This document presents consensus recommendations that resulted from the International Medical Symposia on ECD in 2017 and 2019. Herein, we include the guidelines for the clinical, laboratory, histologic, and radiographic evaluation of ECD patients along with treatment recommendations based on our clinical experience and review of literature in the molecular era.
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228
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Li M, Rehman AU, Liu Y, Chen K, Lu S. Dual roles of ATP-binding site in protein kinases: Orthosteric inhibition and allosteric regulation. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 124:87-119. [PMID: 33632471 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinases use ATP to phosphorylate other proteins. Phosphorylation (p) universally orchestrates a fine-tuned network modulating a multitude of biological processes. Moreover, the start of networks, ATP-binding site, has been recognized dual roles to impact protein kinases function: (i) orthosteric inhibition, via being blocked to interference ATP occupying and (ii) allosteric regulation, via being altered first to induce further conformational changes. The above two terminologies are widely used in drug design, which has acquired quite a significant progress in the protein kinases field over the past 2 decades. Most small molecular inhibitors directly compete with ATP to implement orthosteric inhibition, still exhibiting irreplaceable and promising therapeutic effects. Additionally, numerous inhibitors can paradoxically lead protein kinases to hyperphosphorylation, even activation, indicative of the allosteric regulation role of the ATP-binding site. Here, we review the quintessential examples that apply for the dual roles in diverse ways. Our work provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms under the dual roles and will be promisingly instructive for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ashfaq Ur Rehman
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaqin Liu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, 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, China; Medicinal Chemistry and Bioinformatics Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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229
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Mutations in kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) are the most frequently observed genomic alterations in human cancers. No KRAS targeting therapy has been approved despite more than three decades of efforts. Encouraging progress has been made in targeting KRASG12C with KRASG12C specific covalent inhibitors in the past few years. Herein, we review the recent breakthroughs in KRAS targeting. RECENT FINDINGS KRASG12C mutation was found in 14% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 3% of colorectal cancer. Recently, highly potent KRASG12C specific inhibitors have been developed and demonstrated potent activity in preclinical models. Early results from phase 1 clinical trials with sotorasib and MRTX849 show promising antitumor activity in NSCLC, colorectal cancer and other solid tumors harboring KRASG12C mutation. For the first time, the preclinical success of targeting KRAS has translated into clinical benefits, which holds the potential of transforming clinical management of KRAS mutated solid tumors. Additional efforts are needed to identify biomarkers that predict response to KRAS inhibition in patients with KRASG12C as well as to develop strategies to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongkai Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Marwan Fakih
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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230
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Keller BA, Laight BJ, Varette O, Broom A, Wedge MÈ, McSweeney B, Cemeus C, Petryk J, Lo B, Burns B, Nessim C, Ong M, Chica RA, Atkins HL, Diallo JS, Ilkow CS, Bell JC. Personalized oncology and BRAF K601N melanoma: model development, drug discovery, and clinical correlation. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1365-1378. [PMID: 33555379 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03545-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mutations in BRAF are the most prominent activating mutations in melanoma and are increasingly recognized in other cancers. There is currently no accepted treatment regimen for patients with mutant BRAFK601N melanoma, and the study of melanoma driven by BRAF mutations at the 601 locus is lacking due to a paucity of cellular model systems. Therefore, we sought to better understand the treatment and clinical approach to patients with mutant BRAFK601N melanoma and subsequently develop a novel personalized oncology platform for rare or treatment-refractory cancers. METHODS We developed and characterized the first patient-derived, naturally occurring BRAFK601N melanoma model, described herein as OHRI-MEL-13, and assessed efficacy using the Prestwick Chemical Library and select targeted therapeutics. RESULTS OHRI-MEL-13 exhibits loss of heterozygosity of BRAF, closely mimics the original tumor's gene expression profile, is tumorigenic in immune-deficient murine models, and is available for public accession through American Type Culture Collection. We present in silico modeling data, which illustrates the therapeutic failure of BRAFV600E-targeted therapies in BRAFK601N mutants. Our platform elucidated a unique role for MEK inhibition with cobimetinib, which resulted in short-term clinical success by reducing the metastatic burden. CONCLUSION Our model of BRAFK601N-activated melanoma was developed, thoroughly characterized, and made available for public accession. This model served to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel personalized oncology platform that could be optimized at an institutional level for rare variant or treatment-refractory cancers. We also demonstrate the clinical utility of monotherapy MEK inhibition in a case of BRAFK601N melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A Keller
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Brian J Laight
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Oliver Varette
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Aron Broom
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie Private, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Wedge
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Benjamin McSweeney
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Catia Cemeus
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Julia Petryk
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Bryan Lo
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Molecular Oncology Diagnostics Laboratory, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Bruce Burns
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Carolyn Nessim
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Michael Ong
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Roberto A Chica
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie-Curie Private, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Harold L Atkins
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jean-Simon Diallo
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Carolina S Ilkow
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - John C Bell
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada
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Ali EMH, El-Telbany RFA, Abdel-Maksoud MS, Ammar UM, Mersal KI, Zaraei SO, El-Gamal MI, Choi SI, Lee KT, Kim HK, Lee KH, Oh CH. Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and docking studies of novel (imidazol-5-yl)pyrimidine-based derivatives as dual BRAF V600E/p38α inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 215:113277. [PMID: 33601311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The synergistic effect of dual inhibition of serine/threonine protein kinases that are involved in the same signalling pathway of the diseases can exert superior biological benefits for treatment of these diseases. In the present work, a new series of (imidazol-5-yl)pyrimidine was designed and synthesized as dual inhibitors of BRAFV600E and p38α kinases which are considered as key regulators in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. The target compounds were evaluated for dual kinase inhibitory activity. The tested compounds exhibited nanomolar scale IC50 values against BRAFV600E and low to sub-micromolar IC50 range against p38α. Compound 20h was identified as the most potent dual BRAFV600E/p38α inhibitor with IC50 values of 2.49 and 85 nM, respectively. Further deep investigation revealed that compound 20h possesses inhibitory activity of TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC50 value of 96.3 nM. Additionally, the target compounds efficiently frustrated the proliferation of LOX-IMVI melanoma cell line. Compound 20h showed a satisfactory antiproliferative activity with IC50 value of 13 μM, while, compound 18f exhibited the highest cytotoxicity potency with IC50 value of 0.9 μM. Compound 18f is 11.11-fold more selective toward LOX-IMVI melanoma cells than IOSE-80PC normal cells. The newly reported compounds represent therapeutically promising candidates for further development of BRAFV600E/p38α inhibitors in an attempt to overcome the acquired resistance of BRAF mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam M H Ali
- Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea; University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, 34113, Republic of Korea; Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo, 12055, Egypt
| | - Rania Farag A El-Telbany
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo, 12055, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Abdel-Maksoud
- Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division, National Research Centre NRC (ID: 60014618)), Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Usama M Ammar
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0NR, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Karim I Mersal
- Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea; University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea; University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Se-In Choi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Tae Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Kwon Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging & Therapeutic Medicine Research Center, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, 54907, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, 54907, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Hyi Lee
- Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea; KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyun Oh
- Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea; University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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232
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The ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling network: the final frontier in RAS signal transduction. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:253-267. [PMID: 33544118 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The RAF-MEK-ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is aberrantly activated in a diverse set of human cancers and the RASopathy group of genetic developmental disorders. This protein kinase cascade is one of the most intensely studied cellular signaling networks and has been frequently targeted by the pharmaceutical industry, with more than 30 inhibitors either approved or under clinical evaluation. The ERK-MAPK cascade was originally depicted as a serial and linear, unidirectional pathway that relays extracellular signals, such as mitogenic stimuli, through the cytoplasm to the nucleus. However, we now appreciate that this three-tiered protein kinase cascade is a central core of a complex network with dynamic signaling inputs and outputs and autoregulatory loops. Despite our considerable advances in understanding the ERK-MAPK network, the ability of cancer cells to adapt to the inhibition of key nodes reveals a level of complexity that remains to be fully understood. In this review, we summarize important developments in our understanding of the ERK-MAPK network and identify unresolved issues for ongoing and future study.
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233
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Personalized logical models to investigate cancer response to BRAF treatments in melanomas and colorectal cancers. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1007900. [PMID: 33507915 PMCID: PMC7872233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of response to cancer treatments has benefited greatly from the contribution of different omics data but their interpretation is sometimes difficult. Some mathematical models based on prior biological knowledge of signaling pathways facilitate this interpretation but often require fitting of their parameters using perturbation data. We propose a more qualitative mechanistic approach, based on logical formalism and on the sole mapping and interpretation of omics data, and able to recover differences in sensitivity to gene inhibition without model training. This approach is showcased by the study of BRAF inhibition in patients with melanomas and colorectal cancers who experience significant differences in sensitivity despite similar omics profiles. We first gather information from literature and build a logical model summarizing the regulatory network of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway surrounding BRAF, with factors involved in the BRAF inhibition resistance mechanisms. The relevance of this model is verified by automatically assessing that it qualitatively reproduces response or resistance behaviors identified in the literature. Data from over 100 melanoma and colorectal cancer cell lines are then used to validate the model’s ability to explain differences in sensitivity. This generic model is transformed into personalized cell line-specific logical models by integrating the omics information of the cell lines as constraints of the model. The use of mutations alone allows personalized models to correlate significantly with experimental sensitivities to BRAF inhibition, both from drug and CRISPR targeting, and even better with the joint use of mutations and RNA, supporting multi-omics mechanistic models. A comparison of these untrained models with learning approaches highlights similarities in interpretation and complementarity depending on the size of the datasets. This parsimonious pipeline, which can easily be extended to other biological questions, makes it possible to explore the mechanistic causes of the response to treatment, on an individualized basis. We constructed a logical model to study, from a dynamical perspective, the differences between melanomas and colorectal cancers that share the same BRAF mutations but exhibit different sensitivities to anti-BRAF treatments. The model was built from the literature and completed from existing pathway databases. The model encompasses the key proteins of the MAPK pathway and was made specific to each cancer cell line (100 melanoma and colorectal cell lines from public database) using available omics data, including mutations and RNAseq data. It can simulate the effect of drugs and show high correlation with experimental results. Moreover, the structure of the network confirms both the importance of the reactivation of the MAPK pathway through CRAF and the involvement of PI3K/AKT pathway in the mechanisms of resistance to BRAF inhibition. The study shows that, because of the low number of samples, the mechanistic approach that we propose provides different insights than powerful standard machine learning methodologies would, showing the complementarity between the two approaches. An important aspect to mention is that the mechanistic approach presented here does not rely on training datasets but directly interprets and maps data on the model to simulate drug responses.
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234
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Kemps PG, Hebeda KM, Pals ST, Verdijk RM, Lam KH, Bruggink AH, de Lil HS, Ruiterkamp B, de Heer K, van Laar JAM, Valk PJM, Mutsaers P, Levin M, Hogendoorn PCW, van Halteren AGS. Spectrum of histiocytic neoplasms associated with diverse haematological malignancies bearing the same oncogenic mutation. J Pathol Clin Res 2021; 7:10-26. [PMID: 32852896 PMCID: PMC7737785 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Histiocytic disorders are a spectrum of rare diseases characterised by the accumulation of macrophage-, dendritic cell-, or monocyte-differentiated cells in various tissues and organs. The discovery of recurrent genetic alterations in many of these histiocytoses has led to their recognition as clonal neoplastic diseases. Moreover, the identification of the same somatic mutation in histiocytic lesions and peripheral blood and/or bone marrow cells from histiocytosis patients has provided evidence for systemic histiocytic neoplasms to originate from haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Here, we investigated associations between histiocytic disorders and additional haematological malignancies bearing the same genetic alteration(s) using the nationwide Dutch Pathology Registry. By searching on pathologist-assigned diagnostic terms for the various histiocytic disorders, we identified 4602 patients with a putative histopathological diagnosis of a histiocytic disorder between 1971 and 2019. Histiocytosis-affected tissue samples of 187 patients had been analysed for genetic alterations as part of routine molecular diagnostics, including from nine patients with an additional haematological malignancy. Among these patients, we discovered three cases with different histiocytic neoplasms and additional haematological malignancies bearing identical oncogenic mutations, including one patient with concomitant KRAS p.A59E mutated histiocytic sarcoma and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML), one patient with synchronous NRAS p.G12V mutated indeterminate cell histiocytosis and CMML, and one patient with subsequent NRAS p.Q61R mutated Erdheim-Chester disease and acute myeloid leukaemia. These cases support the existence of a common haematopoietic cell-of-origin in at least a proportion of patients with a histiocytic neoplasm and additional haematological malignancy. In addition, they suggest that driver mutations in particular genes (e.g. N/KRAS) may specifically predispose to the development of an additional clonally related haematological malignancy or secondary histiocytic neoplasm. Finally, the putative existence of derailed multipotent HSPCs in these patients emphasises the importance of adequate (bone marrow) staging, molecular analysis and long-term follow-up of all histiocytosis patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Erdheim-Chester Disease/genetics
- Erdheim-Chester Disease/pathology
- Erdheim-Chester Disease/therapy
- Fatal Outcome
- GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Histiocytic Sarcoma/genetics
- Histiocytic Sarcoma/pathology
- Histiocytic Sarcoma/therapy
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/pathology
- Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/therapy
- Male
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Middle Aged
- Mutation
- Phenotype
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul G Kemps
- Department of PaediatricsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Konnie M Hebeda
- Department of PathologyRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Steven T Pals
- Department of PathologyAmsterdam University Medical CentersAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of PathologyErasmus MC University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of PathologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - King H Lam
- Department of PathologyErasmus MC University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Annette H Bruggink
- PALGA Foundation (Nationwide Network and Registry of Histopathology and Cytopathology)HoutenThe Netherlands
| | - Heleen S de Lil
- Department of HaematologyRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Bart Ruiterkamp
- Department of HaematologyRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Koen de Heer
- Department of HaematologyAmsterdam University Medical CentersAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of HaematologyFlevoziekenhuisAlmereThe Netherlands
| | - Jan AM van Laar
- Department of Internal MedicineErasmus MC University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of ImmunologyErasmus MC University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Peter JM Valk
- Department of HaematologyErasmus MC University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Pim Mutsaers
- Department of HaematologyErasmus MC University Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Mark‐David Levin
- Department of Internal MedicineAlbert Schweitzer ZiekenhuisDordrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Astrid GS van Halteren
- Department of PaediatricsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
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235
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Koravović M, Tasić G, Rmandić M, Marković B. Photocontrollable PROTAC molecules: Structure and mechanism of action. ARHIV ZA FARMACIJU 2021. [DOI: 10.5937/arhfarm71-30785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional drug discovery strategies are usually focused on occupancy of binding sites that directly affect functions of proteins. Hence, proteins that lack such binding sites are generally considered pharmacologically intractable. Modulators of protein activity, especially inhibitors, must be applied in appropriate dosage regimens that often lead to high systemic drug exposures in order to maintain sufficient protein inhibition in vivo. Consequently, there is a risk of undesirable off-target drug binding and side effects. Recently, PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology has emerged as a new pharmacological modality that exploits PROTAC molecules for induced protein degradation. PROTAC molecule is a heterobifunctional structure consisting of a ligand that binds a protein of interest (POI), a ligand for recruiting an E3 ubiquitin ligase (an enzyme involved in the POI ubiquitination) and a linker that connects these two. After POI-PROTAC-E3 ubiquitin ligase ternary complex formation, the POI undergoes ubiquitination (an enzymatic post-translational modification in which ubiquitin is attached to the POI) and degradation. By merging the principles of photopharmacology and PROTAC technology, photocontrollable PROTACs for spatiotemporal control of induced protein degradation have recently emerged. The main advantage of photocontrollable over conventional PROTACs is the possible prevention of off-target toxicity thanks to local photoactivation.
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236
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Tao L, Zhong L, Li Y, Li D, Xiu D, Zhou J. Integrated proteomics and phosphoproteomics reveal perturbed regulative pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Omics 2021; 17:230-240. [PMID: 33355329 DOI: 10.1039/d0mo00125b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis largely owing to its inefficient diagnosis, rapid progress, and tenacious drug resistance. Here, we aimed to analyze the expressive patterns of proteins and phosphorylation in PDAC tissue samples and compare them to normal pancreatic tissue to investigate the underlying mechanisms and to reveal potential protein targets for diagnosis and drug development. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based proteomics and phosphoproteomics analyses were performed using 20 pairs of patient-derived PDAC tissue and normal pancreatic tissue samples. Protein identification and quantification were conducted using MaxQuant software. Bioinformatics analysis was used to retrieve PDAC-relevant pathways and gene ontology (GO) terms. 4985 proteins and 3643 phosphoproteins were identified with high confidence; of these, 322 proteins and 235 phosphoproteins were dysregulated in PDAC. Several pathways, including several extracellular matrix-related pathways, were found to be strongly associated with PDAC. Further, the expression levels of filamin A (FLNA), integrin alpha-V (ITGAV), thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP), medium-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, mitochondrial (ACADM), short-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, mitochondrial (ACADS), and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase, mitochondrial (ACAT1) were examined through western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, and the results confirmed the validity of the proteomics analysis results. These findings provide comprehensive insight into the dysregulated regulative networks in PDAC tissue samples at the protein and phosphorylation levels, and they provide clues for further pathological studies and drug-target development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianyuan Tao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49, Hua Yuan North Rd, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100191, China. and Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Lijun Zhong
- Medical and Health Analytical Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Deyu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Dianrong Xiu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49, Hua Yuan North Rd, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Juntuo Zhou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China.
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237
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Alicea GM, Rebecca VW. Emerging strategies to treat rare and intractable subtypes of melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:44-58. [PMID: 32274887 PMCID: PMC7544642 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, possessing a diverse landscape of subtypes with distinct molecular signatures and levels of aggressiveness. Although immense progress has been achieved therapeutically for patients with the most common forms of this disease, little is known of how to effectively treat patients with rarer subtypes of melanoma. These subtypes include acral lentiginous (the rarest form of cutaneous melanoma; AL), uveal, and mucosal melanomas, which display variations in distribution across (a) the world, (b) patient age-groups, and (c) anatomic sites. Unfortunately, patients with these relatively rare subtypes of melanoma typically respond worse to therapies approved for the more common, non-AL cutaneous melanoma and do not have effective alternatives, and thus consequently have worse overall survival rates. Achieving durable therapeutic responses in these high-risk melanoma subtypes represents one of the greatest challenges of the field. This review aims to collate and highlight effective preclinical and/or clinical strategies against these rare forms of melanoma.
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238
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Mohamed AR, El Kerdawy AM, George RF, Georgey HH, Abdel Gawad NM. Design, synthesis and in silico insights of new 7,8-disubstituted-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione derivatives with potent anticancer and multi-kinase inhibitory activities. Bioorg Chem 2020; 107:104569. [PMID: 33387732 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aiming to obtain an efficient anti-proliferative activity, structure- and ligand-based drug design approaches were expanded and utilized to design and refine a small compound library. Subsequently, thirty-two 7,8-disubstituted-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione derivatives were selected for synthesis based on the characteristic pharmacophoric features required for PI3K and B-Raf oncogenes inhibition. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity. Compounds 17 and 22c displayed an acceptable potent activity according to the DTP-NCI and were further evaluated in the NCI five doses assay. To validate our design, compounds with the highest mean growth inhibition percent were screened against the target PI3Kα and B-RafV600E to confirm their multi-kinase activity. The tested compounds showed promising multi-kinase activity. Compounds 17 and 22c anticancer effectiveness and multi-kinase activity against PI3Kα and B-RafV600E were consolidated by the inhibition of B-RafWT, EGFR and VEGFR-2 with IC50 in the sub-micromolar range. Further investigations on the most potent compounds 17 and 22c were carried out by studying their safety on normal cell line, in silico profiling and predicted ADME characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla R Mohamed
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed M El Kerdawy
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, New Giza University, New Giza, km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Riham F George
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt.
| | - Hanan H Georgey
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, Cairo 11777, Egypt
| | - Nagwa M Abdel Gawad
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
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239
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Koumaki K, Kontogianni G, Kosmidou V, Pahitsa F, Kritsi E, Zervou M, Chatziioannou A, Souliotis VL, Papadodima O, Pintzas A. BRAF paradox breakers PLX8394, PLX7904 are more effective against BRAFV600Ε CRC cells compared with the BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 and shown by detailed pathway analysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1867:166061. [PMID: 33385518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.166061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PLX7904 and PLX8394 are novel BRAFV600E inhibitors-BRAFi that are designed to evade the paradoxical MAPK activation, a trait for the name "paradox breakers"-PB. Current FDA approved inhibitors (Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib, Encorafenib) although improved progression-free survival of mtBRAF melanoma patients suffer from this treatment related side effect. mtBRAF Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is resistant to the approved BRAF inhibitors, although combinatorial treatment co-targeting BRAF and EGFR/MEK is offering a promising prospect. In an effort to explore the potential of the novel BRAF inhibitors-PB to impede CRC cell proliferation, they were tested on RKO, HT29 and Colo-205 cells, bearing the BRAFV600E mutation. This study shows that the BRAF paradox breakers PLX7904 and PLX8394 cause a more prolonged MAPK pathway inhibition and achieve a stronger blockage of proliferation and reduced viability than PLX4720, the sister compound of Vemurafenib. In some treatment conditions, cells can undergo apoptosis. Genomic analysis on the more resistant RKO cells treated with PLX7904, PLX8394 and PLX4720 showed similar gene expression pattern, but the alterations imposed by the PB were more intense. Bioinformatic analysis resulted in a short list of genes representing potential master regulators of the cellular response to BRAF inhibitors' treatments. From our results, it is clear that the BRAF paradox breakers present a notable differential regulation of major pathways, like MAPK signalling, apoptosis, cell cycle, or developmental signalling pathways. Combinatorial treatments of BRAFi with Mcl-1 and Notch modulators show a better effect than mono-treatments. Additional pathways could be further exploited in novel efficient combinatorial treatment protocols with BRAFi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassandra Koumaki
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Kontogianni
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Vivian Kosmidou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Fani Pahitsa
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Eftichia Kritsi
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Zervou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Vassilis L Souliotis
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Papadodima
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander Pintzas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece.
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240
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Monaco KA, Delach S, Yuan J, Mishina Y, Fordjour P, Labrot E, McKay D, Guo R, Higgins S, Wang HQ, Liang J, Bui K, Green J, Aspesi P, Ambrose J, Mapa F, Griner L, Jaskelioff M, Fuller J, Crawford K, Pardee G, Widger S, Hammerman PS, Engelman JA, Stuart DD, Cooke VG, Caponigro G. LXH254, a Potent and Selective ARAF-Sparing Inhibitor of BRAF and CRAF for the Treatment of MAPK-Driven Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 27:2061-2073. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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241
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ERK-dependent suicide gene therapy for selective targeting of RTK/RAS-driven cancers. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1585-1601. [PMID: 33333291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide gene therapies provide a unique ability to target cancer cells selectively, often based on modification of viral tropism or transcriptional regulation of therapeutic gene expression. We designed a novel suicide gene therapy approach wherein the gene product (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase or yeast cytosine deaminase) is phosphorylated and stabilized in expression by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is overactive in numerous cancers with elevated expression or mutation of receptor tyrosine kinases or the GTPase RAS. In contrast to transcriptional strategies for selectivity, regulation of protein stability by ERK allows for high copy expression via constitutive viral promoters, while maintaining tumor selectivity in contexts of elevated ERK activity. Thus, our approach turns a signaling pathway often coopted by cancer cells for survival into a lethal disadvantage in the presence of a chimeric protein and prodrug, as highlighted by a series of in vitro and in vivo examples explored here.
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Wang CJ, Brownell I. BRAF Inhibitors for the Treatment of Papulopustular Eruptions from MAPK Pathway Inhibitors. Am J Clin Dermatol 2020; 21:759-764. [PMID: 32720072 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-020-00539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway are commonly used in clinical oncology. However, with the exception of BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi), MAPK pathway inhibitors such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) or MEK inhibitors (MEKi) are associated with dose-limiting papulopustular eruptions. Interestingly, patients treated with a combination of systemic BRAFi and MEKi experience less skin toxicities than patients on monotherapy BRAFi or MEKi. The reduction in cutaneous adverse events with combination therapy is thought to be due to a paradoxical activation of the MAPK pathway by BRAFi in keratinocytes carrying wildtype BRAF. Although treatment options for EGFRi- or MEKi-induced papulopustular eruptions exist, many patients still experience dose reduction, interruption, or discontinuation of EGFRi or MEKi. With the goal of activating MAPK signaling in the skin via BRAFi while minimizing systemic risks, we propose topical BRAFi therapy for the treatment and prevention of papulopustular eruptions due to MAPK pathway inhibitors. If effective, patients will be able to tolerate higher doses of MAPK pathway inhibitors, stay on treatment longer, and achieve better therapeutic outcomes overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Wang
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, 12N240C, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1908, USA
| | - Isaac Brownell
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, 12N240C, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1908, USA.
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Khoury JD, Tashakori M, Yang H, Loghavi S, Wang Y, Wang J, Piya S, Borthakur G. Pan-RAF Inhibition Shows Anti-Leukemic Activity in RAS-Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Potentiates the Effect of Sorafenib in Cells with FLT3 Mutation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123511. [PMID: 33255818 PMCID: PMC7761301 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We demonstrate that the pan-RAF inhibitor LY3009120 induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in AML cells harboring RAS or FLT3 mutations through action on the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and the AKT/mTOR pathways. Notably, pan-RAF inhibition combined with Ara-C overcomes drug resistance mediated by bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore, the combination of LY3009120 and tyrosine kinase inhibition with sorafenib appears to synergistically increase apoptosis in AML cells carrying FLT3-ITD mutation. Abstract RAF molecules play a critical role in cell signaling through their integral impact on the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, which is constitutively activated in a sizeable subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We evaluated the impact of pan-RAF inhibition using LY3009120 in AML cells harboring mutations upstream and downstream of RAF. LY3009120 had anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects and suppressed pERK1/2 levels in leukemic cells with RAS and FLT3 mutations. Using reverse protein phase array analysis, we identified reductions in the expression/activation of cell signaling components downstream of RAF (activated p38) and cell cycle regulators (Wee1/cyclin B1, Cdc2/Cdk1, activated Rb, etc.). Notably, LY3009120 potentiated the effect of Ara-C on AML cells and overcame bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell-mediated chemoresistance, with RAS-mutated cells showing a notable reduction in pAKT (Ser473). Furthermore, the combination of LY3009120 and sorafenib resulted in significantly higher levels of apoptosis in AML cells with heterozygous and hemizygous FLT3 mutations. In conclusion, pan-RAF inhibition in AML using LY3009120 results in anti-leukemic activity, and combination with Ara-C or sorafenib potentiates its effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Khoury
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, MS-072, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.T.); (H.Y.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (J.D.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Mehrnoosh Tashakori
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, MS-072, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.T.); (H.Y.); (S.L.)
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, MS-072, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.T.); (H.Y.); (S.L.)
| | - Sanam Loghavi
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, MS-072, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.T.); (H.Y.); (S.L.)
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (Y.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Sujan Piya
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, MS-072, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, MS-072, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence: (J.D.K.); (G.B.)
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Mutation-oriented profiling of autoinhibitory kinase conformations predicts RAF inhibitor efficacies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31105-31113. [PMID: 33229534 PMCID: PMC7733820 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012150117] [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: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinase-targeted therapies have the potential to improve the survival of patients with cancer. However, the cancer-specific spectrum of kinase alterations exhibits distinct functional properties and requires mutation-oriented drug treatments. Besides post-translational modifications and diverse intermolecular interactions of kinases, it is the distinct disease mutation which reshapes full-length kinase conformations, affecting their activity. Oncokinase mutation profiles differ between cancer types, as it was shown for BRAF in melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancers. Here, we present the target-oriented application of a kinase conformation (KinCon) reporter platform for live-cell measurements of autoinhibitory kinase activity states. The bioluminescence-based KinCon biosensor allows the tracking of conformation dynamics of full-length kinases in intact cells and real time. We show that the most frequent BRAF cancer mutations affect kinase conformations and thus the engagement and efficacy of V600E-specific BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). We illustrate that the patient mutation harboring KinCon reporters display differences in the effectiveness of the three clinically approved BRAFi vemurafenib, encorafenib, and dabrafenib and the preclinical paradox breaker PLX8394. We confirmed KinCon-based drug efficacy predictions for BRAF mutations other than V600E in proliferation assays using patient-derived lung cancer cell lines and by analyzing downstream kinase signaling. The systematic implementation of such conformation reporters will allow to accelerate the decision process for the mutation-oriented RAF-kinase cancer therapy. Moreover, we illustrate that the presented kinase reporter concept can be extended to other kinases which harbor patient mutations. Overall, KinCon profiling provides additional mechanistic insights into full-length kinase functions by reporting protein-protein interaction (PPI)-dependent, mutation-specific, and drug-driven changes of kinase activity conformations.
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Mueller T, Stucklin ASG, Postlmayr A, Metzger S, Gerber N, Kline C, Grotzer M, Nazarian J, Mueller S. Advances in Targeted Therapies for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-020-00651-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Over the last years, our understanding of the molecular biology of pediatric brain tumors has vastly improved. This has led to more narrowly defined subgroups of these tumors and has created new potential targets for molecularly driven therapies. This review presents an overview of the latest advances and challenges of implementing targeted therapies into the clinical management of pediatric brain tumors, with a focus on gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, and medulloblastomas.
Recent Findings
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) show generally a low mutational burden with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling presenting a key driver for these tumors. Direct inhibition of this pathway through BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors has proven to be a clinically relevant strategy. More recently, MEK and IL-6 receptor inhibitors have started to be evaluated in the treatment for craniopharyngiomas. Aside these low-grade tumors, pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) and medulloblastomas exhibit substantially greater molecular heterogeneity with various and sometimes unknown tumor driver alterations. The clinical benefit of different targeted therapy approaches to interfere with altered signaling pathways and restore epigenetic dysregulation is undergoing active clinical testing. For these multiple pathway-driven tumors, combination strategies will most likely be required to achieve clinical benefit.
Summary
The field of pediatric neuro-oncology made tremendous progress with regard to improved diagnosis setting the stage for precision medicine approaches over the last decades. The potential of targeted therapies has been clearly demonstrated for a subset of pediatric brain tumors. However, despite clear response rates, questions of sufficient blood-brain barrier penetration, optimal dosing, treatment duration as well as mechanisms of resistance and how these can be overcome with potential combination strategies need to be addressed in future investigations. Along this line, it is critical for future trials to define appropriate endpoints to assess therapy responses as well as short and long-term toxicities in the growing and developing child.
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Kim D, Xue JY, Lito P. Targeting KRAS(G12C): From Inhibitory Mechanism to Modulation of Antitumor Effects in Patients. Cell 2020; 183:850-859. [PMID: 33065029 PMCID: PMC7669705 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
KRAS mutations are among the most common genetic alterations in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Direct inhibition of KRAS oncoproteins has been a long-standing pursuit in precision oncology, one established shortly after the discovery of RAS mutations in human cancer cells nearly 40 years ago. Recent advances in medicinal chemistry have established inhibitors targeting KRAS(G12C), a mutation found in ∼13% of lung adenocarcinomas and, at a lower frequency, in other cancers. Preclinical studies describing their discovery and mechanism of action, coupled with emerging clinical data from patients treated with these drugs, have sparked a renewed enthusiasm in the study of KRAS and its therapeutic potential. Here, we discuss how these advances are reshaping the fundamental aspects of KRAS oncoprotein biology and the strides being made toward improving patient outcomes in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsung Kim
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Yaohua Xue
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY, USA
| | - Piro Lito
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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247
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Nakayama I, Hirota T, Shinozaki E. BRAF Mutation in Colorectal Cancers: From Prognostic Marker to Targetable Mutation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113236. [PMID: 33152998 PMCID: PMC7694028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer with a mutation in an oncogene BRAF has paid much attention, as it comprises a population with dismal prognosis since two decades ago. A series of research since then has successfully changed this malignancy to be treatable with specific treatment. Here we thoroughly overviewed the basic, translational and clinical studies on colorectal cancer with BRAF mutation from a physician’s viewpoint. Accumulating lines of evidence suggest that intervention of the trunk cellular growth signal transduction pathway, namely EGFR-RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, is a clue to controlling this disease. However, it is not so straightforward. Recent studies unveil the diverse and plastic nature of this signal transduction pathway. We will introduce our endeavor to conquer this condition, based on newly arriving datasets, and discuss how we could open the door to future development of CRC treatment. Abstract The Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutation is detected in 8–12% of metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) and is strongly correlated with poor prognosis. The recent success of the BEACON CRC study and the development of targeted therapy have led to the determination of BRAF-mutated mCRCs as an independent category. For nearly two decades, a growing body of evidence has established the significance of the BRAF mutation in the development of CRC. Herein, we overview both basic and clinical data relevant to BRAF-mutated CRC, mainly focusing on the development of treatment strategies. This review is organized into eight sections, including clinicopathological features, molecular features, prognosis, the predictive value of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy, resistant mechanisms for BRAF-targeting treatment, the heterogeneity of the BRAF mutation, future perspectives, and conclusions. A characterization of the canonical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is essential for controlling this malignancy, and the optimal combination of multiple interventions for treatments remains a point of debate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izuma Nakayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
- Correspondence: (I.N.); (E.S.); Tel.: +81-3-3520-0111
| | - Toru Hirota
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Cancer Institute of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Tokyo 135-8550, Japan;
| | - Eiji Shinozaki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
- Correspondence: (I.N.); (E.S.); Tel.: +81-3-3520-0111
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248
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Saalfeld FC, Wenzel C, Aust DE, Wermke M. Targeted Therapy in BRAF p.K601E-Driven NSCLC: Case Report and Literature Review. JCO Precis Oncol 2020; 4:1163-1166. [PMID: 35050775 DOI: 10.1200/po.20.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Felix C Saalfeld
- Clinic for Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, Technical University, Dresden, Germany.,National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer, Cologne, Germany
| | - Carina Wenzel
- National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer, Cologne, Germany.,Department for Pathology, University Hospital, Technical University, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela E Aust
- National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer, Cologne, Germany.,Department for Pathology, University Hospital, Technical University, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Wermke
- Clinic for Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, Technical University, Dresden, Germany.,National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer, Cologne, Germany
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249
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J Feng
- Department of Chemistry & Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry & Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Osumi H, Muroi A, Sakahara M, Kawachi H, Okamoto T, Natsume Y, Yamanaka H, Takano H, Kusama D, Shinozaki E, Ooki A, Yamaguchi K, Ueno M, Takeuchi K, Noda T, Nagayama S, Koshikawa N, Yao R. Evaluation of the RAS signaling network in response to MEK inhibition using organoids derived from a familial adenomatous polyposis patient. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17455. [PMID: 33060766 PMCID: PMC7567075 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74530-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS signaling is a promising target for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy, and a variety of selective inhibitors have been developed. However, their use has often failed to demonstrate a significant benefit in CRC patients. Here, we used patient-derived organoids (PDOs) derived from a familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patient to analyze the response to chemotherapeutic agents targeting EGFR, BRAF and MEK. We found that PDOs carrying KRAS mutations were resistant to MEK inhibition, while those harboring the BRAF class 3 mutation were hypersensitive. We used a systematic approach to examine the phosphorylation of RAS effectors using reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) and found increased phosphorylation of MEK induced by binimetinib. A high basal level of ERK phosphorylation and its rebound activation after MEK inhibition were detected in KRAS-mutant PDOs. Notably, the phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT was more closely correlated with that of MEK than that of ERK. Transcriptome analysis identified MYC-mediated transcription and IFN signaling as significantly correlated gene sets in MEK inhibition. Our experiments demonstrated that RPPA analysis of PDOs, in combination with the genome and transcriptome, is a useful preclinical research platform to understand RAS signaling and provides clues for the development of chemotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Osumi
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.,Director's Office, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Atsushi Muroi
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2 Nakao, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan
| | - Mizuho Sakahara
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawachi
- Division of Pathology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Takuya Okamoto
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Yasuko Natsume
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hitomi Yamanaka
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takano
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kusama
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Eiji Shinozaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Akira Ooki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Masashi Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Kengo Takeuchi
- Division of Pathology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Noda
- Director's Office, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Naohiko Koshikawa
- Division of Cancer Cell Research, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2 Nakao, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.
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