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Thi Thanh Nguyen N, Yoon Lee S. Celecoxib and sulindac sulfide elicit anticancer effects on PIK3CA-mutated head and neck cancer cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 224:116221. [PMID: 38641308 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Gain-of-function mutation in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) catalytic subunit alpha gene (PIK3CA) is a significant factor in head and neck cancer (HNC). Patients with HNC harboring PIK3CA mutations receive therapeutic benefits from the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown. Here, we examined the Detroit562 and FaDu cell lines as HNC models with and without a hyperactive PIK3CA mutation (H1047R), respectively, regarding their possible distinct responses to the NSAIDs celecoxib and sulindac sulfide (SUS). Detroit562 cells exhibited relatively high PI3K/Akt pathway-dependent cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, associated with cell proliferation. Celecoxib treatment restricted cell proliferation and upregulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related markers, including GRP78, C/EBP-homologous protein, activating transcription factor 4, death receptor 5, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These effects were much stronger in Detroit562 cells than in FaDu cells and were largely COX-2-independent. SUS treatment yielded similar results. Salubrinal (an ER stress inhibitor) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (a ROS scavenger) prevented NSAID-induced ROS generation and ER stress, respectively, indicating crosstalk between ER and oxidative stress. In addition, celecoxib and/or SUS elevated cleaved caspase-3 levels, Bcl-2-associated X protein/Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death expression, and mitochondrial damage, which was more pronounced in Detroit562 than in FaDu cells. Salubrinal and N-acetyl-L-cysteine attenuated celecoxib-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Collectively, our results suggest that celecoxib and SUS efficiently suppress activating PIK3CA mutation-harboring HNC progression by inducing ER and oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to apoptotic cell death, further supporting NSAID treatment as a useful strategy for oncogenic PIK3CA-mutated HNC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nga Thi Thanh Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea; Institute of Medical Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.
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Khadela A, Shah Y, Mistry P, Bodiwala K, CB A. Immunomodulatory Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Recent Advances and Clinical Prospects. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338221150559. [PMID: 36683526 PMCID: PMC9893386 DOI: 10.1177/15330338221150559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a significant role in the development, invasion, progression, and metastasis of head and neck cancer. Over the last decade, the emergence of immunotherapy has irreversibly altered the paradigm of cancer treatment. The current treatment modalities for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) include surgery, radiotherapy, and adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy which has failed to provide satisfactory clinical outcomes. To encounter this, there is a need for a novel or targeted therapy such as immunological targets along with conventional treatment strategy for optimal therapeutic outcomes. The immune system can contribute to promoting metastasis, angiogenesis, and growth by exploiting the tumor's influence on the microenvironment. Immunological targets have been found effective in recent clinical studies and have shown promising results. This review outlines the important immunological targets and the medications acting on them that have already been explored, are currently under clinical trials and are further being targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Khadela
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Yesha Shah
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Priya Mistry
- Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Kunjan Bodiwala
- Department of Pharmaceutical chemistry, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Avinash CB
- Medical Oncologist, ClearMedi Radiant Hospital, Mysore, India
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Bredel M, Kim H, Bonner JA. An ErbB Lineage Co-Regulon Harbors Potentially Co-Druggable Targets for Multimodal Precision Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113497. [PMID: 36362284 PMCID: PMC9658814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The ErbB lineage of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases is frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. A common co-regulon triggered by the ErbB proteins; involving shared signaling circuitries; may harbor co-druggable targets or response biomarkers for potential future multimodal precision therapy in ErbB-driven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We here present a cohort-based; genome-wide analysis of 488 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas curated as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas Project to characterize genes that are significantly positively co-regulated with the four ErbB proteins and those that are shared among all ErbBs denoting a common ErbB co-regulon. Significant positive gene correlations involved hundreds of genes that were co-expressed with the four ErbB family members (q < 0.05). A common; overlapping co-regulon consisted of a core set of 268 genes that were uniformly co-regulated with all four ErbB genes and highly enriched for functions in chromatin organization and histone modifications. This high-priority set of genes contained ten putative antineoplastic drug-gene interactions. The nature and directionality of these ten drug-gene associations was an inhibiting interaction for seven (PIK3CB; PIK3C2B; HDAC4; FRK; PRKCE; EPHA4; and DYRK1A) of them in which the drug decreases the biological activity or expression of the gene target. For three (CHD4; ARID1A; and PBRM1) of the associations; the directionality of the interaction was such that the gene predicted sensitivit y to the drug suggesting utility as potential response biomarkers. Drug-gene interactions that predicted the gene product to be reduced by the drug included a variety of potential targeted molecular agent classes. This unbiased genome-wide analysis identified a target-rich environment for multimodal therapeutic approaches in tumors that are putatively ErbB-driven. The results of this study require preclinical validation before ultimately devising lines of combinatorial treatment strategies for ErbB-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas that incorporate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Bredel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (J.A.B.)
| | - Hyunsoo Kim
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Northern Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James A. Bonner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (J.A.B.)
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Peltanová B, Holcová Polanská H, Raudenská M, Balvan J, Navrátil J, Vičar T, Gumulec J, Čechová B, Kräter M, Guck J, Kalfeřt D, Grega M, Plzák J, Betka J, Masařík M. mRNA Subtype of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Significantly Affects Key Characteristics of Head and Neck Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2286. [PMID: 35565415 PMCID: PMC9102192 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) belong among severe and highly complex malignant diseases showing a high level of heterogeneity and consequently also a variance in therapeutic response, regardless of clinical stage. Our study implies that the progression of HNSCC may be supported by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and the heterogeneity of this disease may lie in the level of cooperation between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells, as communication between CAFs and epithelial cancer cells seems to be a key factor for the sustained growth of the tumour mass. In this study, we investigated how CAFs derived from tumours of different mRNA subtypes influence the proliferation of cancer cells and their metabolic and biomechanical reprogramming. We also investigated the clinicopathological significance of the expression of these metabolism-related genes in tissue samples of HNSCC patients to identify a possible gene signature typical for HNSCC progression. We found that the right kind of cooperation between cancer cells and CAFs is needed for tumour growth and progression, and only specific mRNA subtypes can support the growth of primary cancer cells or metastases. Specifically, during coculture, cancer cell colony supporting effect and effect of CAFs on cell stiffness of cancer cells are driven by the mRNA subtype of the tumour from which the CAFs are derived. The degree of colony-forming support is reflected in cancer cell glycolysis levels and lactate shuttle-related transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Peltanová
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Hana Holcová Polanská
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Martina Raudenská
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Jiří Navrátil
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Tomáš Vičar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Jaromír Gumulec
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Barbora Čechová
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
| | - Martin Kräter
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Staudtstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (M.K.); (J.G.)
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Staudtstraße 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany; (M.K.); (J.G.)
| | - David Kalfeřt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Marek Grega
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jan Plzák
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Jan Betka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic; (D.K.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Michal Masařík
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (B.P.); (H.H.P.); (M.R.); (J.B.); (J.N.); (J.G.); (B.Č.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prumyslova 595, 25250 Vestec, Czech Republic
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Hsueh WT, Chen SH, Chien CH, Chou SW, Chi PI, Chu JM, Chang KY. SOD2 Enhancement by Long-Term Inhibition of the PI3K Pathway Confers Multi-Drug Resistance and Enhanced Tumor-Initiating Features in Head and Neck Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011260. [PMID: 34681918 PMCID: PMC8537886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has widely been considered as a potential therapeutic target for head and neck cancer (HNC); however, the application of PI3K inhibitors is often overshadowed by the induction of drug resistance with unknown mechanisms. In this study, PII3K inhibitor resistant cancer cells were developed by prolonged culturing of cell lines with BEZ235, a dual PI3K and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. The drug resistant HNC cells showed higher IC50 of the proliferation to inhibitors specifically targeting PI3K and/or mTOR, as compared to their parental cells. These cells also showed profound resistance to drugs of other classes. Molecular analysis revealed persistent activation of phosphorylated AKT at threonine 308 in the drug resistant cells and increased expression of markers for tumor-initiating cells. Interestingly, increased intra-cellular ROS levels were observed in the drug resistant cells. Among anti-oxidant molecules, the expression of SOD2 was increased and was associated with the ALDH-positive tumor-initiating cell features. Co-incubation of SOD inhibitors and BEZ235 decreased the stemness feature of the cells in vitro, as shown by results of the spheroid formation assay. In conclusion, dysregulation of SOD2 might contribute to the profound resistance to PI3K inhibitors and the other drugs in HNC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ting Hsueh
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (W.-T.H.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Shang-Hung Chen
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (W.-T.H.); (S.-H.C.)
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (C.-H.C.); (S.-W.C.); (P.-I.C.); (J.-M.C.)
| | - Chia-Hung Chien
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (C.-H.C.); (S.-W.C.); (P.-I.C.); (J.-M.C.)
- School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Wen Chou
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (C.-H.C.); (S.-W.C.); (P.-I.C.); (J.-M.C.)
| | - Pei-I Chi
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (C.-H.C.); (S.-W.C.); (P.-I.C.); (J.-M.C.)
| | - Jui-Mei Chu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (C.-H.C.); (S.-W.C.); (P.-I.C.); (J.-M.C.)
| | - Kwang-Yu Chang
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (W.-T.H.); (S.-H.C.)
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 70456, Taiwan; (C.-H.C.); (S.-W.C.); (P.-I.C.); (J.-M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-208-3422
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Chitsike L, Duerksen-Hughes PJ. Targeted Therapy as a Potential De-Escalation Strategy in Locally Advanced HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Literature Review. Front Oncol 2021; 11:730412. [PMID: 34490123 PMCID: PMC8418093 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.730412] [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: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment landscape of locally advanced HPV-oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is undergoing transformation. This is because the high cures rates observed in OPSCC are paired with severe treatment-related, long-term toxicities. These significant adverse effects have led some to conclude that the current standard of care is over-treating patients, and that de-intensifying the regimens may achieve comparable survival outcomes with lower toxicities. Consequently, several de-escalation approaches involving locally advanced OPSCC are underway. These include the reduction of dosage and volume of intensive cytotoxic regimens, as well as elimination of invasive surgical procedures. Such de-intensifying treatments have the potential to achieve efficacy and concurrently alleviate morbidity. Targeted therapies, given their overall safer toxicity profiles, also make excellent candidates for de-escalation, either alone or alongside standard treatments. However, their role in these endeavors is currently limited, because few targeted therapies are currently in clinical use for head and neck cancers. Unfortunately, cetuximab, the only FDA-approved targeted therapy, has shown inferior outcomes when paired with radiation as compared to cisplatin, the standard radio-sensitizer, in recent de-escalation trials. These findings indicate the need for a better understanding of OPSCC biology in the design of rational therapeutic strategies and the development of novel, OPSCC-targeted therapies that are safe and can improve the therapeutic index of standard therapies. In this review, we summarize ongoing research on mechanism-based inhibitors in OPSCC, beginning with the salient molecular features that modulate tumorigenic processes and response, then exploring pharmacological inhibition and pre-clinical validation studies of candidate targeted agents, and finally, summarizing the progression of those candidates in the clinic.
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Borkowska EM, Barańska M, Kowalczyk M, Pietruszewska W. Detection of PIK3CA Gene Mutation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Droplet Digital PCR and RT-qPCR. Biomolecules 2021; 11:818. [PMID: 34072735 PMCID: PMC8227819 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are the seventh cause of human malignancy with low survival rate due to late diagnosis and treatment. Its etiology is diverse; however genetic factors are significant. The most common mutations in HNSCC were found in the genes: PIK3CA (10-12%), BRCA1 (6%), and BRCA2 (7-9%). In some cases, these biomarkers correlate with recurrences or survival showing a potential of prognostic and predictive value. A total of 113 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples were collected from patients with HNSCC (oral cavity: 35 (31.0%); oropharynx: 30 (26.0%); larynx: 48 (43.0%)). We examined PIK3CA H1047R mutation by Real Time PCR (RT-qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were analyzed by RT-qPCR while p16 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Finally, we identified HPV infection by RT-qPCR. The relationships between genomic alterations and clinical parameters were assessed using the Yates' corrected Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test for nominal variables. Kaplan Meier plots were applied for survival analysis. Our results revealed 9 PIK3CA H1047R mutations detected by ddPCR: 8 of them were negative in RT-qPCR. Due to the use of different methods to test the presence of the PIK3CA gene mutation, different treatment decisions might be made. That is why it is so important to use the most sensitive methods available. We confirmed the usefulness of ddPCR in the PIK3CA mutation assessment in FFPE samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta M. Borkowska
- Department of Clinical Genetics Chair of Laboratory and Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Magda Barańska
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, 93-143 Lodz, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Magdalena Kowalczyk
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, 93-143 Lodz, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Wioletta Pietruszewska
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, 93-143 Lodz, Poland; (M.B.); (M.K.)
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Sensitivity to Cisplatin in Head and Neck Cancer Cells Is Significantly Affected by Patient-Derived Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041912. [PMID: 33671869 PMCID: PMC7918851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most abundant and critical components of the tumor stroma. CAFs can impact many important steps of cancerogenesis and may also influence treatment resistance. Some of these effects need the direct contact of CAFs and cancer cells, while some involve paracrine signals. In this study, we investigated the ability of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) patient-derived CAFs to promote or inhibit the colony-forming ability of HNSCC cells. The effect of cisplatin on this promoting or inhibiting influence was also studied. The subsequent analysis focused on changes in the expression of genes associated with cancer progression. We found that cisplatin response in model HNSCC cancer cells was modified by coculture with CAFs, was CAF-specific, and different patient-derived CAFs had a different “sensitizing ratio”. Increased expression of VEGFA, PGE2S, COX2, EGFR, and NANOG in cancer cells was characteristic for the increase of resistance. On the other hand, CCL2 expression was associated with sensitizing effect. Significantly higher amounts of cisplatin were found in CAFs derived from patients who subsequently experienced a recurrence. In conclusion, our results showed that CAFs could promote and/or inhibit colony-forming capability and cisplatin resistance in HNSCC cells via paracrine effects and subsequent changes in gene expression of cancer-associated genes in cancer cells.
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Lenze N, Chera B, Sheth S. An evaluation of buparlisib for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 22:135-144. [PMID: 33121281 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1825684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Five-year overall survival for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is relatively poor at around 50-66%, and there has been little improvement over the past several decades. PIK3CA alterations are common in HNSCC and offer a promising therapeutic target. AREAS COVERED The authors discuss the PIK3 pathway and the use of PIK3 inhibitors in cancer, with a particular focus on HNSCC. A summary of the safety and efficacy of buparlisib, a class I pan-PI3K inhibitor, from several phase I and phase II HNSCC trials is provided. EXPERT OPINION With a maximum tolerated dose of 100 mg/day and an acceptable toxicity profile, buparlisib may be effective in HNSCC, irrespective of PIK3CA mutational status. On-going clinical trials will help determine the developmental strategy of buparlisib while novel combinatory strategies including combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors should be considered. Importantly, biomarker strategies, including wider use of tumor sequencing and circulating tumor DNA, should be utilized to improve patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Lenze
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bhisham Chera
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Siddharth Sheth
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Glorieux M, Dok R, Nuyts S. The influence of PI3K inhibition on the radiotherapy response of head and neck cancer cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16208. [PMID: 33004905 PMCID: PMC7529775 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73249-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy has a central role in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway can decrease the efficiency of radiotherapy via the promotion of cell survival and DNA repair. Here, the influence of PI3K pathway inhibition on radiotherapy response was investigated. Two PI3K inhibitors were investigated and both BKM120 and GDC0980 effectively inhibited cellular and clonogenic growth in 6 HNSCC cells, both HPV-positive as well as HPV-negative. Despite targeted inhibition of the pathway and slight increase in DNA damage, PI3K inhibition did not show significant radiosensitization. Currently only one clinical trial is assessing the effectiveness of combining BKM120 with RT in HNSCC (NCT02113878) of which the results are eagerly awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Glorieux
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rüveyda Dok
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, UZ Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Bernard M, Cardin GB, Cahuzac M, Ayad T, Bissada E, Guertin L, Bahig H, Nguyen-Tan PF, Filion E, Ballivy O, Soulieres D, Rodier F, Christopoulos A. Dual Inhibition of Autophagy and PI3K/AKT/MTOR Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092371. [PMID: 32825725 PMCID: PMC7563873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic analyses of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have highlighted alterations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, presenting a therapeutic target for multiple ongoing clinical trials with PI3K or PI3K/MTOR inhibitors. However, these inhibitors can potentially increase autophagy in HNSCC and indirectly support cancer cell survival. Here, we sought to understand the relationship between the PI3K signaling pathway and autophagy during their dual inhibition in a panel of HNSCC cell lines. We used acridine orange staining, immunoblotting, and tandem sensor Red Fluorescent Protein- Green Fluorescent Protein-, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (RFP-GFP-LC3B) expression analysis to show that PI3K inhibitors increase autophagosomes in HNSCC cells, but that chloroquine treatment effectively inhibits the autophagy that is induced by PI3K inhibitors. Using the Bliss independence model, we determined that the combination of chloroquine with PI3K inhibitors works in synergy to decrease cancer cell proliferation, independent of the PIK3CA status of the cell line. Our results indicate that a strategy focusing on autophagy inhibition enhances the efficacy of therapeutics already in clinical trials. Our results suggest a broader application for this combination therapy that can be promptly translated to in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Bernard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal (ICM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Guillaume B. Cardin
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal (ICM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Maxime Cahuzac
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal (ICM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Tareck Ayad
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (E.B.); (L.G.)
| | - Eric Bissada
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (E.B.); (L.G.)
| | - Louis Guertin
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (E.B.); (L.G.)
| | - Houda Bahig
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (P.F.N.-T.); (E.F.); (O.B.)
| | - Phuc Felix Nguyen-Tan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (P.F.N.-T.); (E.F.); (O.B.)
| | - Edith Filion
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (P.F.N.-T.); (E.F.); (O.B.)
| | - Olivier Ballivy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (P.F.N.-T.); (E.F.); (O.B.)
| | - Denis Soulieres
- Department of Medicine, Service of Hemato-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada;
| | - Francis Rodier
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal (ICM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Apostolos Christopoulos
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (M.B.); (G.B.C.); (M.C.); (T.A.); (H.B.); (F.R.)
- Institut du Cancer de Montréal (ICM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (E.B.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +514-890-8000 (ext. 31292)
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Lee MJ, Jin N, Grandis JR, Johnson DE. Alterations and molecular targeting of the GSK-3 regulator, PI3K, in head and neck cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118679. [PMID: 32061630 PMCID: PMC7671657 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly morbid, genetically unstable disease derived from the mucoepithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract. Recent characterization of this disease has implicated the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway as one of the most frequently dysregulated pathways. As such, there are several classes of PI3K inhibitors currently undergoing clinical trials. In this article, we review the PI3K pathway, mutations of this pathway in HNSCC, drugs that target PI3K, the impact of these agents on the PI3K and GSK-3 signaling axes, ongoing clinical trials evaluating PI3K inhibitors, and the challenges of using these drugs in the clinic. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: GSK-3 and related kinases in cancer, neurological and other disorders edited by James McCubrey, Agnieszka Gizak and Dariusz Rakus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Lee
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nan Jin
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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Chai AWY, Lim KP, Cheong SC. Translational genomics and recent advances in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 61:71-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the genomic characterization of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) and discusses how these abnormalities could be incorporated into a therapeutic approach. RECENT FINDINGS Tobacco and HPV infection, the two main risk factors of HNSCC, allow the definition of two groups with distinct anatomoclinical and genetic features. As tobacco and HPV infection are not exclusive, exposure to both risk factors is associated with an intermediate prognostic. HPV-positive, nontobacco-related HNSCCs are associated with a better prognosis, a rather more simple genomic profile, frequent activating mutations of genes involved in pi3kinase pathway, and the very low incidence of mutations of tumor suppressor genes. HPV-negative, tobacco-related HNSCC are genetically more complex. HPV-negative HNSCC are characterized by almost mandatory inactivating mutations/deletions of tumor suppressor genes (especially TP53 and CDKN2A) and the occurrence, though less frequent, of activating mutations or amplifications of some oncogenes that encode for cell cycle proteins or receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. Despite many efforts to improve therapeutic targeting in RM HNSCC, Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting REGF, remains the sole approved targeted treatment in RM HNSCC. SUMMARY Despite the increasingly precise genomic characterization of HNSCCs, precision medicine is struggling to find its place in the management of HNSCCs. Inclusion of enriched populations in dedicated trials is likely to help implement precision medicine in the management of HNSCCs.
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Vsiansky V, Svobodova M, Gumulec J, Cernei N, Sterbova D, Zitka O, Kostrica R, Smilek P, Plzak J, Betka J, Kalfert D, Masarik M, Raudenska M. Prognostic Significance of Serum Free Amino Acids in Head and Neck Cancers. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050428. [PMID: 31075822 PMCID: PMC6562773 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite distinctive advances in the field of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) biomarker discovery, the spectrum of clinically useful prognostic serum biomarkers is limited. As metabolic activities in highly proliferative transformed cells are fundamentally different from those in non-transformed cells, specific shifts in concentration of different metabolites may serve as diagnostic or prognostic markers. Blood amino acids have been identified as promising biomarkers in different cancers before, but little is known about this field in HNSCC. Blood amino acid profiles of 140 HNSCC patients were examined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the prognostic value of amino acid concentrations in serum. Colony forming assay was used to identify the effect of amino acids that were significant in Cox proportional hazards regression models on colony forming ability of FaDu and Detroit 562 cell lines. In the multivariable Cox regression model for overall survival (OS), palliative treatment was associated with an unfavourable prognosis while high serum levels of methionine have had a positive prognostic impact. In the relapse-free survival (RFS) multivariable model, methionine was similarly identified as a positive prognostic factor, along with tumor localization in the oropharynx. Oral cavity localization and primary radio(chemo)therapy treatment strategy have been linked to poorer RFS. 1mM serine was shown to support the forming of colonies in both tested HNSCC cell lines. Effect of methionine was exactly the opposite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vit Vsiansky
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Marketa Svobodova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jaromir Gumulec
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Natalia Cernei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 656/123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Dagmar Sterbova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondrej Zitka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 656/123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Rom Kostrica
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital, Pekarska 53, CZ-656 91 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Smilek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital, Pekarska 53, CZ-656 91 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Plzak
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Motol, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, Prague 5, 150 06, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Betka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Motol, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, Prague 5, 150 06, Czech Republic.
| | - David Kalfert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Motol, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, Prague 5, 150 06, Czech Republic.
| | - Michal Masarik
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Průmyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Martina Raudenska
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University/Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Saada-Bouzid E, Le Tourneau C. Beyond EGFR Targeting in SCCHN: Angiogenesis, PI3K, and Other Molecular Targets. Front Oncol 2019; 9:74. [PMID: 30815390 PMCID: PMC6381014 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the molecular landscape of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has been largely deciphered, only one targeted therapy has been approved to date without any molecular selection, namely cetuximab. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR. It has been shown to improve overall survival in the locally advanced setting in combination with radiotherapy and the recurrent and/or metastatic setting in combination with a platinum compound and 5FU. Beside EGFR targeting agents, antiangiogenic agents have been shown to produce antitumor activity but were associated with substantial toxicity. Buparlisib that targets PI3K was also shown to improve survival in combination with paclitaxel in an unselected patient population. Several other targeted therapies have been developed in SCCHN, most of time in all comers, potentially explaining the limited efficacy reported with them. The recent emergence of clinical trials of targeted therapies in enriched patient populations and precision medicine trials such as umbrella trials might boost the clinical development of targeted therapy in SCCHN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esma Saada-Bouzid
- Early Phase Unit, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Le Tourneau
- Department of Drug Development & Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, Paris, France.,INSERM U900 Research Unit, Institut Curie, Saint-Cloud, France.,Paris-Saclay University, Saint-Aubin, France
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17
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Saada-Bouzid E, Milano G, Thariat J. [Genomic characterization of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Impact and challenges for therapeutic management]. Bull Cancer 2018; 105:820-829. [PMID: 29937334 DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas are the most frequent subgroup among head and neck malignant tumors (HNSCC). Tobacco (±alcohol) and HPV infection, the two main risk factors, define two entities with distinct anatomo-clinical and genetic features. HPV-positive, non-tobacco-related HNSCCs are associated with a better prognosis, a rather simple genomic profile, frequent activating mutations of genes involved in pi3kinase-pathway, and the scarcity of mutations of tumor suppressor genes. HPV-negative, tobacco-related HNSCC are genetically more complex, are characterized by almost mandatory inactivating mutations/deletions of tumor suppressor genes (TP53, CDKN2A) and the possible, but less frequent, activating mutations or amplifications of some oncogenes that encode for cell cycle proteins or receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. This review describes the genetic features of HNSCC and discusses how these abnormalities could be incorporated into a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esma Saada-Bouzid
- Centre Antoine-Lacassagne, département d'oncologie médicale, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France; Centre Antoine-Lacassagne, laboratoire d'onco-pharmacologie, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France.
| | - Gérard Milano
- Centre Antoine-Lacassagne, laboratoire d'onco-pharmacologie, 33, avenue de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France
| | - Juliette Thariat
- Centre François-Baclesse, département de radiothérapie, 3, avenue Général-Harris, 14076 Caen, France
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18
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Jung K, Kang H, Mehra R. Targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). CANCERS OF THE HEAD & NECK 2018; 3:3. [PMID: 31093356 PMCID: PMC6460806 DOI: 10.1186/s41199-018-0030-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been changing rapidly due to growing proportion of HPV-related disease and development of new therapeutic agents. At the same time, there has been a constant need for individually tailored treatment based on genetic biomarkers in order to optimize patient survival and alleviate treatment-related toxicities. In this regard, aberrations of PI3K pathway have important clinical implications in the treatment of HNSCC. They frequently constitute ‘gain of function’ mutations which trigger oncogenesis, and PI3K mutations can also lead to emergence of drug resistance after treatment with EGFR inhibitors. In this article, we review PI3K pathway as a target of treatment for HNSCC and summarize PI3K/mTOR inhibitors that are currently under clinical trials. In light of recent advancement of immune checkpoint inhibitors, consideration of PI3K inhibitors as potential immune modulators is also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungsuk Jung
- 1Department of Medicine, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Hyunseok Kang
- 2Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 201 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Ranee Mehra
- 2Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 201 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD USA
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19
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Blas K, Wilson TG, Tonlaar N, Galoforo S, Hana A, Marples B, Wilson GD. Dual blockade of PI3K and MEK in combination with radiation in head and neck cancer. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2018; 11:1-10. [PMID: 30014041 PMCID: PMC6019866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose In this study we have combined fractionated radiation treatment (RT) with two molecular targeted agents active against key deregulated signaling pathways in head and neck cancer. Materials and methods We used two molecularly characterized, low passage HNSCC cell lines of differing biological characteristics to study the effects of binimetinib and buparlisib in combination with radiation in vitro and in vivo. Results Buparlisib was active against both cell lines in vitro whereas binimetinib was more toxic to UT-SCC-14. Neither agent modified radiation sensitivity in vitro. Buparlisib significantly inhibited growth of UT-SSC-15 alone or in combination with RT but was ineffective in UT-SCC-14. Binimetinib did cause a significant delay with RT in UT-SCC-14 and it significantly reduced growth of the UT-SCC-15 tumors both alone and with RT. The tri-modality treatment was not as effective as RT with a single effective agent. Conclusions No significant benefit was gained by the combined use of the two agents with RT even though each was efficacious when used alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Blas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Thomas G Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Nathan Tonlaar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Sandra Galoforo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Alaa Hana
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Brian Marples
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - George D Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States.,Beaumont BioBank, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
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Antitumor activity of the dual PI3K/MTOR inhibitor, PF-04691502, in combination with radiation in head and neck cancer. Radiother Oncol 2017; 124:504-512. [PMID: 28823407 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a clinical challenge where new treatments are required to supplement the current-standard-of care of concurrent chemoradiation. The PI3K/AKT/MTOR pathway has been identified from several next generation DNA sequencing studies to be commonly altered and activated in HNSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study we investigated the activity of PF-04691502, an orally active ATP-competitive, dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR, in combination with a clinically relevant fractionated radiation treatment in two contrasting, well characterized, low passage HNSCC models. RESULTS We found that PF-04691502 combined synergistically with radiation in the UT-SCC-14 model derived from a primary cancer but was ineffective in the UT-SCC-15 model which was derived from a nodal recurrence. Further examination of the status of key signaling pathways combined with next generation DNA sequencing of a panel of 160 cancer-associated genes revealed crucial differences between the two models that could account for the differential effect. The UT-SCC-15 cell line was characterized by a higher mutational burden, an excess of variants in the PI3K/AKT/MTOR pathway, increased constitutive activity of PI3K, AKT1 and 2 and MTOR and an inability to inhibit key phosphorylation events in response to the treatments. CONCLUSION This study clearly highlights the promise of agents such as PF-04691502 in selected HNSCCs but also emphasizes the need for molecular characterization and alternative treatment strategies in non-responsive HNSCCs.
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Applications of molecular testing in surgical pathology of the head and neck. Mod Pathol 2017; 30:S104-S111. [PMID: 28060367 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2016.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Molecular testing in routine surgical pathology is becoming an important component of the workup of many different types of tumors. In fact, in some organ systems, guidelines now suggest that the standard of care is to obtain specific molecular panels for tumor classification and/or therapeutic planning. In the head and neck, clinically applicable molecular tests are not as abundant as in other organ systems. Most current head and neck biomarkers are utilized for diagnosis rather than as companion diagnostic tests to predict therapeutic response. As the number of potential molecular biomarker assays increases and cost pressures escalate, the pathologist must be able to navigate the molecular testing pathways. This review explores scenarios in which molecular testing might be beneficial and cost-effective in head and neck pathology.
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22
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Michmerhuizen NL, Leonard E, Kulkarni A, Brenner JC. Differential compensation mechanisms define resistance to PI3K inhibitors in PIK3CA amplified HNSCC. OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY 2016; 1:44-50. [PMID: 28004037 PMCID: PMC5167357 DOI: 10.15761/ohns.1000111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent sequencing studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) have identified the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway as the most frequently mutated, oncogenic pathway in this cancer type. Despite the frequency of activating genomic alterations in PIK3CA (the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of PI3K, targeted inhibitors of PI3K have not shown clinical efficacy as monotherapies. We hypothesized that co-dependent pathways, including the Ras-MEK-ERK pathway, may still be functional in the presence of PI3K inhibitors and might serve as mediators of this resistance. METHODS We assessed the hypothesis using resazurin cell viability and trypan blue exclusion assays. We also used Western blot to characterize Ras-MEK-ERK pathway activity. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated this hypothesis in six PIK3CA-amplified, PI3K inhibitor-resistant HNSCC cell lines following treatment with pan and alpha-isoform selective PI3K inhibitors (BKM120 and HS-173 respectively). We also tested the effect of combination treatment with PI3K inhibitor HS-173 and MEK inhibitor trametinib or EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. RESULTS Our results displayed maintenance of Ras-MEK-ERK pathway activity in 4 of 6 HNSCC cell lines after PI3K inhibitor treatment. We also found that UM-SCC-69 and UM-SCC-108 cells display synergistic responses to dual therapy. CONCLUSION This study suggests that inhibition of the PI3K and Ras-MEK-ERK pathways might be effective in some HNSCC patients; however, it also prompts the study of additional resistance mechanisms to identify synergistic combination therapies for tumors resistant to these di-therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L. Michmerhuizen
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Elizabeth Leonard
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Aditi Kulkarni
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - J. Chad Brenner
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
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Alberobello AT, Wang Y, Beerkens FJ, Conforti F, McCutcheon JN, Rao G, Raffeld M, Liu J, Rahhal R, Zhang YW, Giaccone G. PI3K as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Thymic Epithelial Tumors. J Thorac Oncol 2016; 11:1345-1356. [PMID: 27117832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2016.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare tumors originating from the epithelium of the thymus with limited therapeutic options beyond surgery. The pathogenesis of TETs is poorly understood, and the scarcity of model systems for these rare tumors makes the study of their biology very challenging. METHODS A new cell line (MP57) was established from a thymic carcinoma specimen and characterized using standard biomarker analysis, as well as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and functional assays. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the mutations identified by NGS. RESULTS MP57 possesses all the tested thymic epithelial markers and is deemed a bona fide thymic carcinoma cell line. NGS analysis of MP57 identified a mutation in the gene PIK3R2, which encodes a regulatory subunit of PI3K. Further analysis identified different mutations in multiple PI3K subunit genes in another cell line and several primary thymic carcinoma samples, including two catalytic subunits (PIK3CA and PIK3CG) and another regulatory subunit (PIK3R4). Inhibiting PI3K with GDC-0941 resulted in in vitro antitumor activity in TET cells carrying mutant PI3K subunits. CONCLUSIONS Alterations of PI3K due to mutations in its catalytic or regulatory subunits are observed in a subgroup of TETs, in particular, thymic carcinomas. Targeting PI3K may be an effective strategy to treat these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Teresa Alberobello
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Yisong Wang
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Frans Joseph Beerkens
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Fabio Conforti
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Justine N McCutcheon
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Guanhua Rao
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Mark Raffeld
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center of Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jing Liu
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Raneen Rahhal
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Yu-Wen Zhang
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Giuseppe Giaccone
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
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