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Bcl-2 pathway inhibition in solid tumors: a review of clinical trials. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF SPANISH ONCOLOGY SOCIETIES AND OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF MEXICO 2023; 25:1554-1578. [PMID: 36639602 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-03070-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to their key role in the pathogenesis of cancer through the regulation of apoptosis, the B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins have been an attractive target for cancer therapy for the past decades. Throughout the years, many Bcl-2 family inhibitors have been developed, with Venetoclax being now successfully used in treating hematological malignancies. Although their effectiveness in the treatment of solid tumors is yet to be established, some preclinical evidence indicates their possible clinical application. This review aims to summarize current data from completed clinical trials that used Bcl-2 protein family inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination with other agents for the treatment of solid malignancies. We managed to include clinical trials of various phases which analyze the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drugs, as well as the effectiveness and adverse effects. Active and recruiting clinical trials are also briefly presented and future prospects and challenges are discussed.
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Lu D, Guo Y, Hu Y, Wang M, Li C, Gangrade A, Chen J, Zheng Z, Guo J. Fusion of apoptosis-related protein Cytochrome c with anti-HER-2 single-chain antibody targets the suppression of HER-2+ breast cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:10638-10649. [PMID: 34697906 PMCID: PMC8581304 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment has gradually developed from toxic chemotherapy to targeted therapy with fewer side effects. Approximately 30% of breast cancer patients overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2). Previous studies have successfully produced single-chain antibodies (scFv) targeting HER-2+ breast cancer; however, scFv have poor stability, easy aggregation and a shorter half-life, which have no significant effect on targeting therapy. Moreover, scFv has been considered as a drug delivery platform that can kill target cells by effector molecules. However, the functional killing domains of immunotoxins are mainly derived from plant or bacterial toxins, which have a large molecular weight, low tissue permeability and severe side effects. To address these concerns, we designed several apoptotic immune molecules to replace exogenous toxins using endogenous apoptosis-related protein DNA fragmentation factor 40 (DFF40) and tandem-repeat Cytochrome c base on caspase-3 responsive peptide (DEVD). Our results suggest that DFF40 or Cytc fusion scFv specifically targets HER-2 overexpressing breast cancer cells (SK-BR-3 and BT-474) rather than HER-2 negative cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). Following cellular internalization, apoptosis-related proteins inhibited tumour activity by initiating endogenous apoptosis pathways, which significantly reduced immunogenicity and toxic side effects. Therefore, we suggest that immunoapoptotic molecules may become potential drugs for targeted immunotherapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- DanDan Lu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - YiChen Guo
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - YunFeng Hu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Li
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Abhishek Gangrade
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - JiaHui Chen
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - ZiHui Zheng
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Guo
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Disease, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Zhang P, Zhang X, Zhang J, Song Y, Liu T, Zeng Z, Fu X, Fu H, Zhang H, Qin Q, Fu N, Guo Z. Novel Nanoliposomes Alleviate Contrast-Induced Nephropathy by Mediating Apoptosis Response in New Zealand Rabbits. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:681849. [PMID: 34295921 PMCID: PMC8290201 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.681849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the preventive effects of nano liposomes against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in New Zealand rabbits. Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, with 15 rabbits in each group: control group, contrast group, hydration group and nano liposome group. Serum creatinine (Scr) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were measured before and after injection of the contrast agent iopromide. Oxidative stress markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and apoptosis markers, such as Bcl2-Associated X (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rabbits were killed 24 h after injection of the contrast medium and both kidneys were removed. Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assays were performed in kidney tissue. Pathological changes were analyzed under the optical and electron microscope. Compared with the hydration group, the nano liposome group showed improved protection of renal function, with significantly different Scr and BUN levels, incidence of CIN, apoptosis index, RT-PCR and Western blot protein expression patterns. Under the optical and electron microscope, the renal injury in the nano liposome group was less than in the hydration group. However, based on SOD and MDA, there was no significant difference in oxidative stress when compared with the hydration group. Apoptosis is an important mechanism in CIN. Nano liposomes can prevent the occurrence of CIN by decreasing apoptosis, reducing damage to the kidney by the contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanqiu Song
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhican Zeng
- Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaofeng Fu
- Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Han Fu
- Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qin Qin
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Naikuan Fu
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhigang Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Incharoen P, Charonpongsuntorn C, Saowapa S, Sirachainan E, Dejthevaporn T, Kampreasart K, Trachu N, Muntham D, Reungwetwattana T. Role of BIM Deletion Polymorphism and BIM Expression as Predictive Biomarkers to Maximize the Benefit of EGFR-TKI Treatment in EGFR-Positive NSCLC. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2019; 20:3581-3589. [PMID: 31870097 PMCID: PMC7173394 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2019.20.12.3581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: BIM is a modulator of apoptosis that is triggered by EGFR-TKIs. This study evaluated the role of BIM deletion and its expression as predictor of EGFR-TKI treatment outcome. Methods: The medical record of 185 EGFR-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with/ without EGFR-TKI treatment between 9/2012 and 12/2014 were retrospectively reviewed. BIM deletion polymorphism and expression were tested by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Survival outcomes in EGFR-TKI-treated patients were analyzed according to treatment sequence and EGFR mutation. The correlation between BIM deletion polymorphism, expression, response rate (as a function of EGFR-TKI treatment) and schedule was also explored. Result: EGFR-TKIs were administered to 139 (75.1%) of the 185 patients: as the first-line in 52 (37.4%) patients and as later-line treatment in 87 (62.6%) patients. Median overall survival (mOS) was significantly longer in EGFR-TKIs treated patients (28.9 vs. 7.4 months, P<0.001). Among L858R-mutated patients, median progression-free survival (mPFS) was significantly longer in first-line EGFR TKI treatment than a later-line (12.6 vs. 6.3 months, P=0.03). BIM deletion polymorphism and expression was detected in 20.2% and 52.7%, respectively. Patients without BIM deletion polymorphism had a significantly longer mOS when treated with a first-line than with a later-line EGFR-TKI (28.9 vs. 20.7 months, P= 0.04). Patients without BIM expression had a significantly longer mPFS (9.6 vs. 7.3 months, P=0.01) better mOS and response rate (RR). Conclusion: BIM deletion polymorphism and expression may predict an EGFR-TKI response in patients with EGFR-positive during therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pimpin Incharoen
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chanchai Charonpongsuntorn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakditat Saowapa
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ekaphop Sirachainan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thitiya Dejthevaporn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kaettipong Kampreasart
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narumol Trachu
- Reasearch Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Dittapol Muntham
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, Thailand
| | - Thanyanan Reungwetwattana
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Dhuriya YK, Sharma D, Naik AA. Cellular demolition: Proteins as molecular players of programmed cell death. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 138:492-503. [PMID: 31330212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.07.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis, a well-characterized and regulated cell death programme in eukaryotes plays a fundamental role in developing or later-life periods to dispose of unwanted cells to maintain typical tissue architecture, homeostasis in a spatiotemporal manner. This silent cellular death occurs without affecting any neighboring cells/tissue and avoids triggering of immunological response. Furthermore, diminished forms of apoptosis result in cancer and autoimmune diseases, whereas unregulated apoptosis may also lead to the development of a myriad of neurodegenerative diseases. Unraveling the mechanistic events in depth will provide new insights into understanding physiological control of apoptosis, pathological consequences of abnormal apoptosis and development of novel therapeutics for diseases. Here we provide a brief overview of molecular players of programmed cell death with discussion on the role of caspases, modifications, ubiquitylation in apoptosis, removal of the apoptotic body and its relevance to diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Kumar Dhuriya
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226 001, India
| | - Divakar Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, Tajganj, Agra, India; Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India.
| | - Aijaz A Naik
- Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908, United States of America
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Cardona AF, Rojas L, Wills B, Arrieta O, Carranza H, Vargas C, Otero J, Corrales-Rodriguez L, Martín C, Reguart N, Archila P, Rodríguez J, Cuello M, Ortíz C, Franco S, Rolfo C, Rosell R, on behalf of the CLICaP. BIM deletion polymorphisms in Hispanic patients with non-small cell lung cancer carriers of EGFR mutations. Oncotarget 2017; 7:68933-68942. [PMID: 27926478 PMCID: PMC5356601 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germline alterations in the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2-like 11 (BIM) can have a crucial role in diverse tumors. To determine the clinical utility of detecting BIM deletion polymorphisms (par4226 bp/ par363 bp) in EGFR positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) we examined the outcomes of patients with and without BIM alterations. RESULTS BIM deletion was present in 14 patients (15.7%). There were no significant differences between patients with and without BIM-del in clinical characteristics or EGFR mutation type; however, those with BIM-del had a worse overall response rate (ORR) to erlotinib (42.9% vs. 73.3% in patients without BIM-del; p=0.024) as well as a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (10.8 BIM-del+ vs. 21.7 months for patients without BIM-del; p=0.029) and overall survival (OS) (15.5 BIM-del+ vs. 34.0 months for patients without BIM-del; p=0.035). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that BIM-del+ was an independent indicator of shorter PFS (HR 3.0; 95%CI 1.2-7.6; p=0.01) and OS (HR 3.4; 95%CI 1.4-8.3; p=0.006). METHODS We studied 89 NSCLC Hispanic patients with EGFR mutation who were treated with erlotinib between January 2009 and November 2014. BIM deletion polymorphisms (BIM-del) was analyzed by PCR in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of tumor biopsies. We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, response rate, toxicity, and outcomes among patients with and without BIM-del. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of BIM-del found in Hispanic patients is similar to that previously described in Asia. This alteration is associated with a poor clinical response to erlotinib and represents an independent prognostic factor for patients who had NSCLC with an EGFR mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés F Cardona
- Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group, Institute of Oncology, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia.,Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia.,Clinical and Traslational Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad el Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Leonardo Rojas
- Clinical Oncology Department, Centro Javeriano de Oncología, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia.,Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Beatriz Wills
- Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Oscar Arrieta
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), México City, México
| | - Hernán Carranza
- Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group, Institute of Oncology, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia.,Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia.,Clinical and Traslational Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad el Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Vargas
- Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group, Institute of Oncology, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia.,Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia.,Clinical and Traslational Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad el Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jorge Otero
- Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group, Institute of Oncology, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia.,Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia.,Clinical and Traslational Research Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad el Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Claudio Martín
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Alexander Fleming Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Noemí Reguart
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Archila
- Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - July Rodríguez
- Foundation for Clinical and Applied Cancer Research (FICMAC), Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Cuello
- Clinical Oncology Department, Hospital de Clínicas - UdeLAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Ortíz
- Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group, Institute of Oncology, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sandra Franco
- Clinical and Traslational Oncology Group, Institute of Oncology, Clínica del Country, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Early Clinical Trials Unit, Oncology Department, Antwerp University Hospital and Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Antwerp University, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
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Deregulated BCL-2 family proteins impact on repair of DNA double-strand breaks and are targets to overcome radioresistance in lung cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2017; 143:1733-1744. [PMID: 28432456 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-017-2427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE DNA damage-induced cell death is a major effector mechanism of radiotherapy. Aberrant expression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins is frequently observed in lung cancers. Against this background, we studied radioresistance mediated by BCL-2 family proteins at the mechanistic level and its potential as target for radiochemotherapy. METHODS Lung cancer models stably expressing BCL-xL or MCL-1 were irradiated to study cell death, clonogenic survival, and DNA repair kinetics in vitro, and growth suppression of established tumors in vivo. Additionally, endogenous BCL-xL and MCL-1 were targeted by shRNA or pharmacologic agents prior to irradiation. RESULTS Radiation exposure induced apoptosis at negligible levels. Yet, anti-apoptotic BCL-xL and MCL-1 expression conferred short-term and long-term radioresistance in vitro and in vivo. Radioresistance correlated with pertubations in homologous recombination repair and repair of DNA double-strand breaks by error-prone, alternative end-joining. Notably, genetic or pharmacologic targeting of BCL-xL or MCL-1 effectively sensitized lung cancer cells to radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS In addition to directly suppressing apoptosis, BCL-2 family proteins confer long-term survival benefits to irradiated cancer cells associated with utilization of error-prone repair pathways. Targeting BCL-xL and MCL-1 is an attractive strategy for improving lung cancer radiotherapy.
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Fang S, Yuan J, Shi Q, Xu T, Fu Y, Wu Z, Guo W. Downregulation of UBC9 promotes apoptosis of activated human LX-2 hepatic stellate cells by suppressing the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174374. [PMID: 28358817 PMCID: PMC5373541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
UBC9, the only known E2-conjugating enzyme involved in SUMOylation, is a key regulator in fibrosis. However, the roles of UBC9 in liver fibrosis remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the roles of UBC9 in HSC apoptosis and liver fibrogenesis. Our results showed that the UBC9 levels in activated LX-2 cells, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 were increased compared with LO2, and the expression of UBC9 in activated LX-2 cells, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 were no significant differences. The expression of UBC9 was effectively down-regulated by the UBC9-shRNA plasmid, and this effect was accompanied by the attenuated expression of the myofibroblast markers smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen I. Downregulation of UBC9 also promotes activated HSCs apoptosis by up-regulating cell apoptosis-related proteins. Further, knockdown of UBC9 in activated HSCs inhibited cell viability and caused cell cycle arrest in the G2 phase. Moreover, knockdown of UBC9 suppressed the activation of NF-κB signaling pathways. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that down-regulation of UBC9 expression induced activated LX-2 cell apoptosis and promoted cells to return to a quiescent state by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results provide novel mechanistic insights for the anti-fibrotic effect of UBC9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufen Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jinhua Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tiantian Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wuhua Guo
- Department of interventional radiology, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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The BIM Deletion Polymorphism and its Clinical Implication in Patients with EGFR-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. J Thorac Oncol 2016; 10:903-9. [PMID: 26001141 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0000000000000535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A germline BIM deletion polymorphism has been proposed to predict poor treatment response to certain kinase inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the BIM deletion polymorphism predicts treatment efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in Korean patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Peripheral blood samples from a total of 205 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC who were treated with EGFR TKIs between July 2008 and April 2013 were included. The incidence of BIM deletions in these samples was detected by polymerase chain reaction. We compared the clinical outcomes in patients with and without the polymorphism after treatment with EGFR TKIs (gefitinib or erlotinib). RESULTS The BIM deletion polymorphism was present in 15.6% (32 of 205) of patients. One patient was homozygous for the deletion, and the remaining 31 had heterozygous deletions. The majority of patients were younger than 65 years (74%), female (68%), never smokers (76%), and had stage IV NSCLC (67%). There were no associations between the BIM deletion polymorphism and clinicopathological features including gender, age, smoking status, histology, stage, and number of metastasis sites. Patients with and without the BIM deletion polymorphism had similar objective response rates (91 vs. 84%, p = 0.585). Progression-free survival and overall survival did not differ significantly between patients with and without the BIM deletion polymorphism (median progression-free survival 12 vs. 11 months, p = 0.160; median overall survival 31 vs. 30 months, p = 0.452). Multivariate analysis identified significantly predictive markers for clinical outcomes of EGFR TKIs including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1, adenocarcinoma histology, recurrent disease, and EGFR mutation type. The results were validated in an independent cohort of 69 NSCLC patients. CONCLUSIONS It remains to be determined whether the BIM deletion polymorphism provides intrinsic resistance or decreased sensitivity to EGFR TKIs in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients.
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Prognostic impact of Bcl-2 depends on tumor histology and expression of MALAT-1 lncRNA in non-small-cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 2015; 9:1294-304. [PMID: 25036876 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0000000000000243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Apoptosis is a crucial pathway in tumor growth and metastatic development. Apoptotic proteins regulate the underlying molecular cascades and are thought to modulate the tumor response to chemotherapy and radiation. However, the prognostic value of the expression of apoptosis regulators in localized non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear. METHODS We investigated the protein expression of apoptosis regulators Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Mcl-1, and pp32/PHAPI, and the expression of the lncRNA MALAT-1 in tumor samples from 383 NSCLC patients (median age: 65.6 years; 77.5% male; paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays). For statistical analysis correlation tests, Log rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models were applied. RESULTS Tumor histology was significantly associated with the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 (all p < 0.001). Among the tested apoptotic markers only Bcl-2 demonstrated prognostic impact (hazard ratio = 0.64, p = 0.012). For NSCLC patients with non-adenocarcinoma histology, Bcl-2 expression was associated with increased overall survival (p = 0.036). Besides tumor histology, prognostic impact of Bcl-2 was also found to depend on MALAT-1 lncRNA expression. Gene expression analysis of A549 adenocarcinoma cells with differential MALAT-1 lncRNA expression demonstrated an influence on the expression of Bcl-2 and its interacting proteins. CONCLUSIONS Bcl-2 expression was specifically associated with superior prognosis in localized NSCLC. An interaction of Bcl-2 with MALAT-1 lncRNA expression was revealed, which merits further investigation for risk prediction in resectable NSCLC patients.
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Paul I, Jones JM. Apoptosis block as a barrier to effective therapy in non small cell lung cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2014; 5:588-594. [PMID: 25302163 PMCID: PMC4129524 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i4.588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, is the most common cause of cancer death in men and second only to breast cancer in women. Currently, the first line therapy of choice is platinum-based combination chemotherapy. A therapeutic plateau has been reached with the prognosis for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remaining poor. New biomarkers of prognosis as well as new therapies focusing on molecular targets are emerging helping to identify patients who are likely to benefit from therapy. Despite this, drug resistance remains the major cause for treatment failure. In this article we review the role of apoptosis in mediating drug resistance in NSCLC. Better understanding of this fundamental biological process may provide a rationale for overcoming the current therapeutic plateau.
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Obatoclax mesylate, a pan-bcl-2 inhibitor, in combination with docetaxel in a phase 1/2 trial in relapsed non-small-cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 2014; 9:121-5. [PMID: 24346101 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0000000000000027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The proapoptotic small-molecule pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor obatoclax mesylate (GX15-070) may enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy in relapsed/refractory non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Obatoclax was administered with docetaxel in patients with relapsed or refractory NSCLC- docetaxel as a 1-hour infusion on day 1 and obatoclax as a 24-hour infusion on days 1 and 2-every 3 weeks for up to eight cycles. Four dose levels were evaluated in phase 1 (level 1: docetaxel 55 mg/m × 1 and obatoclax 30 mg × 2; levels 2-4: docetaxel 75 mg/m and obatoclax 30 mg, 45 mg, or 60 mg × 2) to identify dose-limiting toxicity and a phase 2 dose. In phase 2, response and tolerability were evaluated. RESULTS Eighteen patients were included in phase 1. Two dose-limiting toxicities occurred during cycle 1: one febrile neutropenia each at dose levels 3 and 4. Maximum tolerated dose was not reached; 32 patients (including 3 from phase 1) were treated in phase 2 with docetaxel 75 mg/m and obatoclax 60 mg (median 2 cycles). Three patients (11%) had partial responses in phase 2; two demonstrated stable disease lasting 12 weeks or more. Median duration of response was 4.8 months. Overall, median progression-free survival was 1.4 months. Neutropenia (31%), febrile neutropenia (16%), and dyspnea (19%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events observed. CONCLUSIONS Combined obatoclax mesylate plus docetaxel is tolerable in patients with NSCLC, but response was minimal and neutropenia was a common adverse event.
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Sabutoclax (BI97C1) and BI112D1, putative inhibitors of MCL-1, induce mitochondrial fragmentation either upstream of or independent of apoptosis. Neoplasia 2013; 15:568-78. [PMID: 23633928 DOI: 10.1593/neo.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Owing to the high levels of antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family members observed in several cancers, there has been a major effort to develop inhibitors of the BCL2-family as chemotherapeutic agents. Of the different members in the BCL-2 family, myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL-1) is commonly amplified in human tumors and is associated with their relapse and chemoresistance. As a result, specific inhibitors of MCL-1 are being designed to treat resistant tumors. However, there is increasing evidence for other nonapoptotic roles of the BCL-2 family, ranging from ionic homeostasis and autophagy to the regulation of fission-fusion dynamics in subcellular organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. In this study, we characterize the specificity of two novel putative MCL-1 inhibitors, BI97C1 (Sabutoclax) and BI112D1, in inducing apoptosis in a BAX/BAK-dependent manner and in an MCL-1-dependent system. In addition to their being proapoptotic, these inhibitors also cause enhanced mitochondrial fragmentation that accompanies a time-dependent loss of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), suggesting an impairment of mitochondrial fusion. This mitochondrial fragmentation occurs independently of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-mediated fission activity and, unlike most apoptotic stimuli, occurs upstream of and/or independent of BAX, BAK, and other BH3-only proteins. Furthermore, this mitochondrial fragmentation occurred rapidly and preceded other hallmarks of apoptosis, including the loss in mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c. Although such mitochondrial fragmentation did not deplete total cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or alter other mitochondrial complexes, there was significant accumulation of reactive oxygen species.
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Paul I, Chacko AD, Stasik I, Busacca S, Crawford N, McCoy F, McTavish N, Wilson B, Barr M, O'Byrne KJ, Longley DB, Fennell DA. Acquired differential regulation of caspase-8 in cisplatin-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2012; 3:e449. [PMID: 23254292 PMCID: PMC3542622 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2012.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Failure to efficiently induce apoptosis contributes to cisplatin resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) and BCL-2 antagonist killer (BAK) are critical regulators of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, their requirement has not been robustly established in relation to cisplatin. Here, we show that cisplatin can efficiently bypass mitochondrial apoptosis block caused by loss of BAX and BAK, via activation of the extrinsic death receptor pathway in some model cell lines. Apoptosis resistance following cisplatin can only be observed when both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways are blocked, consistent with redundancy between mitochondrial and death receptor pathways in cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In H460 NSCLC cells, caspase-8 cleavage was shown to be induced by cisplatin and is dependent on death receptor 4, death receptor 5, Fas-associated protein with death domain, acid sphingomyelinase and ceramide synthesis. In contrast, cisplatin-resistant cells fail to activate caspase-8 via this pathway despite conserving sensitivity to death ligand-driven activation. Accordingly, caspase-8 activation block acquired during cisplatin resistance, can be bypassed by death receptor agonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Paul
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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15
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Sakakibara-Konishi J, Oizumi S, Kikuchi J, Kikuchi E, Mizugaki H, Kinoshita I, Dosaka-Akita H, Nishimura M. Expression of Bim, Noxa, and Puma in non-small cell lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:286. [PMID: 22788963 PMCID: PMC3438016 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The BH3-only members of the Bcl-2 protein family have been proposed to play a key role in the control of apoptosis and in the initiation of the apoptotic pathways. In this study, we evaluated the expression of Bim, Noxa, and Puma in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 135 surgically resected NSCLCs were immunohistochemically assessed for Bim, Noxa, and Puma expression. The immunoscores were determined, and then its correlation with either the clinicopathological variables or the survival outcomes were analyzed. Results Immunohistochemical reactivity for Bim, Noxa, and Puma was detected in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Bim expression was associated with several clinicopathological factors, including sex (p < 0.001), smoking habit (p = 0.03), pathological histology (p = 0.001), pathological T stage (p = 0.03), pathological disease stage (p = 0.02), and differentiation of tumor (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between low Bim expression and squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.04), in addition to a correlation between high Bim expression and well differentiated tumors (p = 0.02). Analysis of cellular biological expression demonstrated a link between low Bim expression and high Ki67. While Noxa expression was also shown to be correlated with both smoking habit (p = 0.02) and the pathological histology (p = 0.03), there was no strong association observed between the expression and the clinical features when they were examined by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. No correlations were noted between Puma expression and any of the variables. Our analyses also indicated that the expression levels of the BH3-only proteins were not pertinent to the survival outcome. Conclusions The current analyses demonstrated that Bim expression in the NSCLCs was associated with both squamous cell carcinoma histology and tumor proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sakakibara-Konishi
- First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, North 15, West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
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Wang CW. Fast quantification of immunohistochemistry tissue microarrays in lung carcinoma. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2011; 16:707-16. [PMID: 22185661 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2011.633905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Tissue microarrays (TMAs) are an effective tool for high-throughput molecular analysis of tissues to help identify new diagnostic and prognostic markers and targets in human cancers. We have developed a fully automated method for rapid, continuous and quantitative analysis of TMAs based on immunohistochemistry. The method deals with complex and varying tissue architectures, segments tumour cells from normal cells, conducts cell compartmentalisation, identifies nuclei and cytoplasm and produces three different continuous measurements of marker expression levels within tumour cell nuclei, tumour cell cytoplasm and total tumour cell protein expression. We have demonstrated this method using three independent protein markers (BAK, BAX and a novel biomarker, named KS) over 7 TMAs, involving 2 BAK stained TMAs with 229 tumour tissue cores, 2 BAX stained TMAs with 229 tumour tissue cores and 3 KS stained TMAs with 373 tumour cores of lung carcinomas. We validated the automated method, showing that the automated scoring is significantly correlated with the pathologist-based scoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Wei Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Huang N, Zhu J, Liu D, Li YL, Chen BJ, He YQ, Liu K, Mo XM, Li WM. Overexpression of Bcl-2-associated death inhibits A549 cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2011; 27:164-8. [PMID: 22011203 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2011.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of apoptosis during the process of inhibiting tumorigenesis has been recognized. The role of BH3-only proapoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated death (BAD) in tumor growth remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the role of BAD in lung cancer cells. Our study showed that expression of BAD was upregulated in A549 cells by a recombinant lentivirus overexpressing BAD. In vitro, BAD overexpression significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in cell proliferation and apoptosis assays, respectively. The effect of BAD on A549 cells was studied in tumor xenograft of nude mice and the results showed that the tumor volume in the experimental group was smaller than the control groups. Further, immunohistochemical technique was used to determine the cell proliferation and apoptosis status of the lung tumor xenograft cells. This demonstrated that the in vivo and in vitro results were consistent. Taken together, our results indicate that overexpression of BAD inhibits the growth of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo, through inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Thus, BAD could be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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18
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Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most deadly type of cancer in the United States and worldwide. Although new therapy is available, the survival rate of NSCLC patients remains low. One hallmark of cancer cells is defects in the apoptotic cell death program. In this study, we investigate the role of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family members Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L) and Mcl-1, known to regulate cell survival and death, in a panel of fourteen NSCLC cell lines. NSCLC cell lines express high levels of Mcl-1 and Bcl-x(L), but not Bcl-2. Silencing the expression of Mcl-1 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides potently killed a subgroup of NSCLC cell lines. In contrast, Bcl-x(L) siRNA had no effect in these lines unless Mcl-1 siRNA was also introduced. Interestingly, high MCL1 to BCL-xl messenger RNA determines whether the cells depend on Mcl-1 for survival. We further investigated the role of Mcl-1 in NSCLC cells using a Mcl-1-dependent cell line, H23. The expression of a complementary DNA containing only the coding region of MCL1 rescued H23 cells from the toxicity of a 3' untranslated region (UTR) targeting Mcl-1 siRNA but not a siRNA targeting the coding region of MCL1. Furthermore, we show that Mcl-1 sequesters the BH3-only protein Noxa and Bim and the apoptotic effector Bak. Not surprisingly, Noxa, Bim, or Bak knockdown partially rescued H23 cells from toxicity mediated by Mcl-1 siRNA to different degrees. Collectively, our results indicate that targeting Mcl-1 may improve therapy for a subset of NSCLC patients.
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Li Z, Zhou S, Zhang L, Su C, Hang J, Zhao Y, Su B, Zhou C. BIM induction of apoptosis triggered by EGFR-sensitive and resistance cell lines of non-small-cell lung cancer. Med Oncol 2010; 28:572-7. [PMID: 20237869 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-010-9470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We sought to improve the understanding of oncogene-dependent and independent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which could provide insight into mechanism of sensitivity and/or resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors or chemotherapeutics. NSCLC cell lines with different EGFR genotypes were used in this study; MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to study the sensitivities of these cell lines to gefitinib and cisplatin. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of BIM and other Bcl-2 family proteins pre- and pro-treatment. Gefitinib provoked apoptosis of caspase activation via the intrinsic pathways and significantly up-regulated expression of BIM protein in drug-sensitive PC-9 cell line, but not resistant PC-9/BB4 cell line. The knockdown of BIM expression by RNA interference virtually eliminated gefitinib-induced cell killing in PC-9 cells in vitro. Cisplatin could induce apoptosis of the cell lines, including H1299, A549, PC-9, and PC-9/BB4 cells, but which was not associated with overexpression of BIM. BIM is involved in TKI-induced apoptosis in sensitive EGFR-mutant cell line. Down-regulation of BIM and resistance to gefitinib were both seen in the acquired resistant PC-9/BB4 cell line. The induction of BIM may have a role in the treatment of TKI-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanxia Li
- Department of Oncology; Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Yangpu Region, Shanghai, 200433, China
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Berridge MV, Herst PM, Lawen A. Targeting mitochondrial permeability in cancer drug development. Mol Nutr Food Res 2008; 53:76-86. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.200700493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Li YY, Chang JWC, Chou WC, Liaw CC, Wang HM, Huang JS, Wang CH, Yeh KY. Zoledronic acid is unable to induce apoptosis, but slows tumor growth and prolongs survival for non-small-cell lung cancers. Lung Cancer 2008; 59:180-91. [PMID: 17900752 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2007.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2007] [Revised: 07/17/2007] [Accepted: 08/16/2007] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although zoledronic acid (ZOL), a third-generation nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, has been identified as an attractive therapeutic agent against breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma as well as small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), as best as we are aware, the anti-tumor effect of ZOL upon non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be effectively investigated. This study examined the effects of ZOL upon the line-1 tumor cell, using a murine lung adenocarcinoma cell line similar to the behavior of human lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS We investigated the anti-tumor effects of ZOL (3-100 microM) on line-1 tumor cells in vitro, including cellular proliferation, by means of an MTT assay, cell-cycle analysis by flow cytometry and by assessing the level of apoptosis by annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Further, we evaluated the growth and survival of line-1 tumor cells following ZOL treatment (1 microg/kg/week) using an animal model. We also examined the in vivo cell-cycle pattern using lacZ-expressing line-1 cells (line-1/lacZ). RESULTS ZOL significantly slowed the line-1 tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. The treated line-1 tumor cells typically arrested at the S/G2/M-phase of the cell-cycle following ZOL exposure, but no apoptotic cells could be detected by either annexin V/PI or DAPI staining. When the ZOL was washed out, the drug-inhibited cells continued to proliferate again and the cell-cycle prolongation elicited earlier by the drug, then disappeared. Within 72-96 h following drug removal, the cell-cycle of the treated cells revealed a similar distribution to that of the untreated controls. In vivo studies demonstrated that ZOL significantly slowed the line-1 tumor growth. Indeed, mice lived significantly longer when they had been ZOL-treated than was the case for untreated mice (p<0.05). Using line-1/lacZ cells, the in vivo cell-cycle distribution of line-1 tumor cells subsequent to ZOL exposure revealed S/G2/M-phase arrest that was identical to the in vitro culture. CONCLUSIONS ZOL maintains the potential to reduce tumor burden and prolong survival for murine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The flow cytometrical analysis of cell-cycle demonstrated that ZOL induces no apoptosis but is able to arrest line-1 tumor cells at the S/G2/M-phase. Although the clinical relevance of these results warrants verification for human lung cancer patients, ZOL combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy appears to be a new therapeutic strategy for the effective treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Li
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung & Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Keelung, Taiwan
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Del Gaizo Moore V, Letai A. Rational design of therapeutics targeting the BCL-2 family: are some cancer cells primed for death but waiting for a final push? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 615:159-75. [PMID: 18437895 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-6554-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
A mechanism for circumventing apoptosis prevalent in many cancer cells is the overexpression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 family members. Upregulated expression of BCL-2 may be required to permit ongoing death signaling without a cellular response. Therefore, antagonizing BCL-2 function may cause death in many cancer cells. The selection for expression of BCL-2 or other antiapoptotic proteins during oncogenesis may derive from these proteins' ability to bind and sequester proapoptotic BH3-only proteins. This situation may be advantageous from a therapeutic viewpoint because cancer cells may be distinguished from normal cells by being primed with death signals. There are several strategies currently under investigation that may lead to improved treatment of many cancers by taking advantage of these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Del Gaizo Moore
- Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Dana 530B, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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O'Kane SL, Pound RJ, Campbell A, Chaudhuri N, Lind MJ, Cawkwell L. Expression of bcl-2 family members in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Acta Oncol 2006; 45:449-53. [PMID: 16760181 DOI: 10.1080/02841860500468927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the Bcl-2 family members in mesothelioma. These proteins are involved in the control of apoptosis, carrying out both pro- and anti- apoptotic functions. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 family members in 54 archival mesothelioma samples (39 epithelial, 15 sarcomatoid tumours). Overexpression of p53 was observed in 81% (44/54). For anti-apoptotic proteins, overexpression was recorded as follows: Bcl-2 40% (22/54), Bcl-XL 24% (13/54), Mcl-1 92% (50/54). For pro-apoptotic proteins, loss of expression was recorded as follows: Bad 25% (14/54), Bak 24% (13/54), Bax 42% (23/54), Bid 37% (20/54), Bim 18% (10/54). Statistically significant differences between epithelial and sarcomatoid tumours were observed for Bid (p < 0.001), Bad (p = 0.012) and Bcl-XL (p = 0.03). Significant differences in abnormal expression of apoptosis proteins were found between epithelial and sarcomatoid subtypes but histological subtype was the only factor with significant association to patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L O'Kane
- Postgraduate Medical Institute of the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, UK
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Schulze-Bergkamen H, Fleischer B, Schuchmann M, Weber A, Weinmann A, Krammer PH, Galle PR. Suppression of Mcl-1 via RNA interference sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cells towards apoptosis induction. BMC Cancer 2006; 6:232. [PMID: 17014711 PMCID: PMC1601962 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-6-232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2006] [Accepted: 10/02/2006] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related mortality. HCC is highly resistant to currently available chemotherapeutic drugs. Defects in apoptosis signaling contribute to this resistance. Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family which interferes with mitochondrial activation. In a previous study we have shown that Mcl-1 is highly expressed in tissues of human HCC. In this study, we manipulated expression of the Mcl-1 protein in HCC cells by RNA interference and analyzed its impact on apoptosis sensitivity of HCC cells in vitro. Methods RNA interference was performed by transfecting siRNA to specifically knock down Mcl-1 expression in HCC cells. Mcl-1 expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Induction of apoptosis and caspase activity after treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs and different targeted therapies were measured by flow cytometry and fluorometric analysis, respectively. Results Here we demonstrate that Mcl-1 expressing HCC cell lines show low sensitivity towards treatment with a panel of chemotherapeutic drugs. However, treatment with the anthracycline derivative epirubicin resulted in comparatively high apoptosis rates in HCC cells. Inhibition of the kinase PI3K significantly increased apoptosis induction by chemotherapy. RNA interference efficiently downregulated Mcl-1 expression in HCC cells. Mcl-1 downregulation sensitized HCC cells to different chemotherapeutic agents. Sensitization was accompanied by profound activation of caspase-3 and -9. In addition, Mcl-1 downregulation also increased apoptosis rates after treatment with PI3K inhibitors and, to a lower extent, after treatment with mTOR, Raf I and VEGF/PDGF kinase inhibitors. TRAIL-induced apoptosis did not markedly respond to Mcl-1 knockdown. Additionally, knockdown of Mcl-1 efficiently enhanced apoptosis sensitivity towards combined treatment modalities: Mcl-1 knockdown significantly augmented apoptosis sensitivity of HCC cells towards chemotherapy combined with PI3K inhibition. Conclusion Our data suggest that specific downregulation of Mcl-1 by RNA interference is a promising approach to sensitize HCC cells towards chemotherapy and molecularly targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning Schulze-Bergkamen
- First Department of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany
| | - Binje Fleischer
- First Department of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany
| | - Marcus Schuchmann
- First Department of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany
| | - Achim Weber
- Institute of Pathology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- First Department of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter H Krammer
- German Cancer Research Center, Tumor Immunology Program, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter R Galle
- First Department of Medicine, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany
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Abstract
The commitment to programmed cell death involves complex interactions among pro- and antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. The physiological result of a decision by these proteins to undergo cell death is permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Pharmacologic manipulation of proteins in this family appears both feasible and efficacious, whether the goal is decreased cell death, as in ischemia of the myocardium or brain, or increased cell death, as in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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