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Hoque MM, Iida Y, Kotani H, Harada M. Senolysis of gemcitabine-induced senescent human pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e2075. [PMID: 38662379 PMCID: PMC11044911 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gemcitabine (GEM) is often used to treat pancreatic cancer. Many anti-cancer drugs induce cancer cell death, but some cells survive after cell cycle arrest. Such a response to DNA damage is termed cellular senescence. Certain drugs, including the Bcl-2-family inhibitor ABT-263, kill senescent cells; this is termed senolysis. In this study, we examined the therapeutic benefits of ABT-263 in GEM-induced senescence of human pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS AND RESULTS Of four pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1, AsPC-1, CFPAC-1, and PANC10.05), GEM induced senescent features in PANC-1 and AsPC-1 cells, including increases in the cell sizes and expression levels of mRNAs encoding interleukin (IL)-6/IL-8 and induction of β-galactosidase. Successive treatment with GEM and ABT-263 triggered apoptosis in PANC-1 and AsPC-1 cells and suppressed colony formation significantly. Senolysis of GEM-induced senescent pancreatic cancer cells by ABT-263 was triggered by a Bcl-xL inhibitor, but not by a Bcl-2 inhibitor, suggesting a central role for Bcl-xL in senolysis. In a xenograft mouse model, combined treatment with GEM and ABT-737 (an ABT-263 analog exhibiting the same specificity) suppressed in vivo growth of AsPC-1 significantly. CONCLUSION Together, our results indicate that sequential treatment with GEM and senolytic drugs effectively kill human pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuichi Iida
- Department of ImmunologyShimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumoShimaneJapan
| | - Hitoshi Kotani
- Department of ImmunologyShimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumoShimaneJapan
| | - Mamoru Harada
- Department of ImmunologyShimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumoShimaneJapan
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2
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Ren G, Chen J, Pu Y, Yang EJ, Tao S, Mou PK, Chen LJ, Zhu W, Chan KL, Luo G, Deng C, Shim JS. BET inhibition induces synthetic lethality in PTEN deficient colorectal cancers via dual action on p21 CIP1/WAF1. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:1978-1991. [PMID: 38617536 PMCID: PMC11008266 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.91867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Loss of PTEN tumor suppressor is an important event during colorectal cancer (CRC) development and is a target for therapeutic exploitation. This study reports that bromodomain and extra-terminal motif (BET) is a synthetic lethal partner of PTEN in CRC. BET inhibition (BETi) selectively induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PTEN-/- CRC. Further, BETi selectively and dose-dependently suppressed the growth of PTEN-/- CRC tumor xenografts in mice and patient-derived organoids. Mechanistically, PTEN-deficient CRC cells elevated the level of cytoplasmic p21CIP1/WAF1 that is hyper-phosphorylated at Thr145 by AKT. BETi suppressed AKT activation in PTEN-deficient CRC cells, followed by the reduction in p21 phosphorylation at Thr145, thereby promoting its nuclear translocation. In addition, BETi suppressed MYC level and this in turn increased the total p21 level in the nuclei. Over-expression of a phospho-mimetic p21 mutant (T145D) significantly rescued the BETi effect on PTEN-deficient CRC. These results suggest that BETi has a dual action on p21: elevating the level of p21 by inhibiting MYC and converting the oncogenic (cytoplasmic) p21 into the tumor-suppressive (nuclear) p21 by inhibiting AKT. Taken together, this study identified the synthetic lethal interaction between PTEN and BET, and provides a potential actionable target for CRC with PTEN loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowen Ren
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Jinghong Chen
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- Central laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yue Pu
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Eun Ju Yang
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shishi Tao
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Pui Kei Mou
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Li-Jie Chen
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | | | | | | | - Chuxia Deng
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Joong Sup Shim
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
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3
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Manousakis E, Miralles CM, Esquerda MG, Wright RHG. CDKN1A/p21 in Breast Cancer: Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17488. [PMID: 38139316 PMCID: PMC10743848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (Cip1/Waf1/CDKN1A/p21) is a well-established protein, primarily recognised for its pivotal role in the cell cycle, where it induces cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Over the years, extensive research has shed light on various additional mechanisms involving CDKN1A/p21, implicating it in processes such as apoptosis, DNA damage response (DDR), and the regulation of stem cell fate. Interestingly, p21 can function either as an oncogene or as a tumour suppressor in these contexts. Complicating matters further, the expression of CDKN1A/p21 is elevated in certain tumour types while downregulated in others. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview of the multifaceted functions of CDKN1A/p21, present clinical data pertaining to cancer patients, and delve into potential strategies for targeting CDKN1A/p21 as a therapeutic approach to cancer. Manipulating CDKN1A/p21 shows great promise for therapy given its involvement in multiple cancer hallmarks, such as sustained cell proliferation, the renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration, and resistance to chemotherapy. Given the dual role of CDKN1A/p21 in these processes, a more in-depth understanding of its specific mechanisms of action and its regulatory network is imperative to establishing successful therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roni H. G. Wright
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195 Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Gomes I, Abreu C, Costa L, Casimiro S. The Evolving Pathways of the Efficacy of and Resistance to CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4835. [PMID: 37835528 PMCID: PMC10571967 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The approval of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) has remarkably improved the survival outcomes of patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC), becoming the new standard of care treatment in these patients. Despite the efficacy of this therapeutic combination, intrinsic and acquired resistance inevitably occurs and represents a major clinical challenge. Several mechanisms associated with resistance to CDK4/6i have been identified, including both cell cycle-related and cell cycle-nonspecific mechanisms. This review discusses new insights underlying the mechanisms of action of CDK4/6i, which are more far-reaching than initially thought, and the currently available evidence of the mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6i in BC. Finally, it highlights possible treatment strategies to improve CDK4/6i efficacy, summarizing the most relevant clinical data on novel combination therapies involving CDK4/6i.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Gomes
- Luis Costa Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Catarina Abreu
- Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria—Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Luis Costa
- Luis Costa Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Oncology Division, Hospital de Santa Maria—Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Sandra Casimiro
- Luis Costa Lab, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal;
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Stella S, Massimino M, Manzella L, Parrinello NL, Vitale SR, Martorana F, Vigneri P. Glucose-dependent effect of insulin receptor isoforms on tamoxifen antitumor activity in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1081831. [PMID: 37361518 PMCID: PMC10289407 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1081831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and it is linked to several risk factors including genetic alterations, obesity, estrogen signaling, insulin levels, and glucose metabolism deregulation. Insulin and Insulin-like growth factor signaling exert a mitogenic and pro-survival effect. Indeed, epidemiological and pre-clinical studies have shown its involvement in the development, progression, and therapy resistance of several cancer types including breast cancer. Insulin/Insulin-like growth factor signaling is triggered by two insulin receptor isoforms identified as IRA and IRB and by Insulin-like growth factor receptor I. Both classes of receptors show high homology and can initiate the intracellular signaling cascade alone or by hybrids formation. While the role of Insulin-like growth factor receptor I in breast cancer progression and therapy resistance is well established, the effects of insulin receptors in this context are complex and not completely elucidated. Methods We used estrogen-dependent insulin-like growth factor receptor I deleted gene (MCF7IGFIRKO) breast cancer cell models, lentivirally transduced to over-express empty-vector (MCF7IGFIRKO/EV), IRA (MCF7IGFIRKO/IRA) or IRB (MCF7IGFIRKO/IRB), to investigate the role of insulin receptors on the antiproliferative activity of tamoxifen in presence of low and high glucose concentrations. The tamoxifen-dependent cytotoxic effects on cell proliferation were determined by MTT assay and clonogenic potential measurement. Cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed by FACS, while immunoblot was used for protein analysis. Gene expression profiling was investigated by a PCR array concerning genes involved in apoptotic process by RT-qPCR. Results We found that glucose levels played a crucial role in tamoxifen response mediated by IRA and IRB. High glucose increased the IC50 value of tamoxifen for both insulin receptors and IRA-promoted cell cycle progression more than IRB, independently of glucose levels and insulin stimulation. IRB, in turn, showed anti-apoptotic properties, preserving cells' survival after prolonged tamoxifen exposure, and negatively modulated pro-apoptotic genes when compared to IRA. Discussion Our findings suggest that glucose levels modify insulin receptors signaling and that this event can interfere with the tamoxifen therapeutic activity. The investigation of glucose metabolism and insulin receptor expression could have clinical implications in Estrogen Receptor positive breast cancer patients receiving endocrine treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Stella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Michele Massimino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Livia Manzella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunziatina Laura Parrinello
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico-S. Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Rita Vitale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Martorana
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Vigneri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Experimental Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico “G. Rodolico - San Marco”, Catania, Italy
- University Oncology Department, Humanitas Istituto Clinico Catanese, Catania, Italy
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Ghafouri-Fard S, Khoshbakht T, Hussen BM, Dong P, Gassler N, Taheri M, Baniahmad A, Dilmaghani NA. A review on the role of cyclin dependent kinases in cancers. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:325. [PMID: 36266723 PMCID: PMC9583502 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) class of serine/threonine kinases has crucial roles in the regulation of cell cycle transition and is mainly involved in the pathogenesis of cancers. The expression of CDKs is controlled by a complex regulatory network comprised of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, which are dysregulated during the progression of cancer. The abnormal activation of CDKs results in uncontrolled cancer cell proliferation and the induction of cancer stem cell characteristics. The levels of CDKs can be utilized to predict the prognosis and treatment response of cancer patients, and further understanding of the function and underlying mechanisms of CDKs in human tumors would pave the way for future cancer therapies that effectively target CDKs. Defects in the regulation of cell cycle and mutations in the genes coding cell-cycle regulatory proteins lead to unrestrained proliferation of cells leading to formation of tumors. A number of treatment modalities have been designed to combat dysregulation of cell cycle through affecting expression or activity of CDKs. However, effective application of these methods in the clinical settings requires recognition of the role of CDKs in the progression of each type of cancer, their partners, their interactions with signaling pathways and the effects of suppression of these kinases on malignant features. Thus, we designed this literature search to summarize these findings at cellular level, as well as in vivo and clinical levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tayyebeh Khoshbakht
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Nikolaus Gassler
- Section of Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
| | - Nader Akbari Dilmaghani
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Koyanagi A, Kotani H, Iida Y, Tanino R, Kartika ID, Kishimoto K, Harada M. Protective roles of cytoplasmic
p21
Cip1
/Waf1
in senolysis and ferroptosis of lung cancer cells. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13326. [DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Akira Koyanagi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Tatikawa General Hospital Niigata Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kotani
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
| | - Yuichi Iida
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tanino
- Division of Medical Oncology & Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
| | - Irna D. Kartika
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine University of Muslim Indonesia Sulawesi Indonesia
| | - Koji Kishimoto
- Department of Thoracic Surgery Tatikawa General Hospital Niigata Japan
| | - Mamoru Harada
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Shimane University Izumo Shimane Japan
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