1
|
Mohammed KAK, Madeddu P, Avolio E. MEK inhibitors: a promising targeted therapy for cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1404253. [PMID: 39011492 PMCID: PMC11247000 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1404253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of mortality and disability all over the world. Identifying new targeted therapeutic approaches has become a priority of biomedical research to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The RAS-RAF-MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway is gaining growing interest as a potential signaling cascade implicated in the pathogenesis of CVD. This pathway is pivotal in regulating cellular processes like proliferation, growth, migration, differentiation, and survival, which are vital in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. In addition, ERK signaling is involved in controlling angiogenesis, vascular tone, myocardial contractility, and oxidative stress. Dysregulation of this signaling cascade has been linked to cell dysfunction and vascular and cardiac pathological remodeling, which contribute to the onset and progression of CVD. Recent and ongoing research has provided insights into potential therapeutic interventions targeting the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway to improve cardiovascular pathologies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of targeted therapy with MEK inhibitors (MEKI) in attenuating ERK activation and mitigating CVD progression in animal models. In this article, we first describe how ERK signaling contributes to preserving cardiovascular health. We then summarize current knowledge of the roles played by ERK in the development and progression of cardiac and vascular disorders, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and aortic aneurysm. We finally report novel therapeutic strategies for these CVDs encompassing MEKI and discuss advantages, challenges, and future developments for MEKI therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khaled A K Mohammed
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Paolo Madeddu
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Avolio
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Di Leo L, Pagliuca C, Kishk A, Rizza S, Tsiavou C, Pecorari C, Dahl C, Pacheco MP, Tholstrup R, Brewer JR, Berico P, Hernando E, Cecconi F, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C, Filomeni G, Gjerstorff MF, Sauter T, Lovat P, Guldberg P, De Zio D. AMBRA1 levels predict resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400566121. [PMID: 38870061 PMCID: PMC11194594 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400566121] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic and acquired resistance to mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKi) in melanoma remains a major therapeutic challenge. Here, we show that the clinical development of resistance to MAPKi is associated with reduced tumor expression of the melanoma suppressor Autophagy and Beclin 1 Regulator 1 (AMBRA1) and that lower expression levels of AMBRA1 predict a poor response to MAPKi treatment. Functional analyses show that loss of AMBRA1 induces phenotype switching and orchestrates an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-independent resistance mechanism by activating focal adhesion kinase 1 (FAK1). In both in vitro and in vivo settings, melanomas with low AMBRA1 expression exhibit intrinsic resistance to MAPKi therapy but higher sensitivity to FAK1 inhibition. Finally, we show that the rapid development of resistance in initially MAPKi-sensitive melanomas can be attributed to preexisting subclones characterized by low AMBRA1 expression and that cotreatment with MAPKi and FAK1 inhibitors (FAKi) effectively prevents the development of resistance in these tumors. In summary, our findings underscore the value of AMBRA1 expression for predicting melanoma response to MAPKi and supporting the therapeutic efficacy of FAKi to overcome MAPKi-induced resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Di Leo
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Chiara Pagliuca
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Ali Kishk
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux4365, Luxembourg
| | - Salvatore Rizza
- Redox Biology Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Christina Tsiavou
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Chiara Pecorari
- Redox Biology Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Christina Dahl
- Molecular Diagnostics Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Maria Pires Pacheco
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux4365, Luxembourg
| | - Rikke Tholstrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense5230, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Richard Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense5230, Denmark
| | - Pietro Berico
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Cell Stress and Survival, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del “Sacro Cuore”, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli—Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome00136, Italy
| | - Robert Ballotti
- Université Côte d’Azur, Nice06200, France
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice06200, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Côte d’Azur, Nice06200, France
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice06200, France
| | - Giuseppe Filomeni
- Redox Biology Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Morten Frier Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense5230, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense5000, Denmark
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux4365, Luxembourg
| | - Penny Lovat
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon TyneNE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Per Guldberg
- Molecular Diagnostics Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense5230, Denmark
| | - Daniela De Zio
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense5230, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Reger De Moura C, Louveau B, Jouenne F, Vilquin P, Battistella M, Bellahsen-Harrar Y, Sadoux A, Menashi S, Dumaz N, Lebbé C, Mourah S. Inactivation of kindlin-3 increases human melanoma aggressiveness through the collagen-activated tyrosine kinase receptor DDR1. Oncogene 2024; 43:1620-1630. [PMID: 38570692 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03014-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The role of the focal adhesion protein kindlin-3 as a tumor suppressor and its interaction mechanisms with extracellular matrix constitute a major field of investigation to better decipher tumor progression. Besides the well-described role of kindlin-3 in integrin activation, evidence regarding modulatory functions between melanoma cells and tumor microenvironment are lacking and data are needed to understand mechanisms driven by kindlin-3 inactivation. Here, we show that kindlin-3 inactivation through knockdown or somatic mutations increases BRAFV600mut melanoma cells oncogenic properties via collagen-related signaling by decreasing cell adhesion and enhancing proliferation and migration in vitro, and by promoting tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic analysis reveals that kindlin-3 interacts with the collagen-activated tyrosine kinase receptor DDR1 (Discoidin domain receptor 1) modulating its expression and its interaction with β1-integrin. Kindlin-3 knockdown or mutational inactivation disrupt DDR1/β1-integrin complex in vitro and in vivo and its loss improves the anti-proliferative effect of DDR1 inhibition. In agreement, kindlin-3 downregulation is associated with DDR1 over-expression in situ and linked to worse melanoma prognosis. Our study reveals a unique mechanism of action of kindlin-3 in the regulation of tumorigenesis mediated by the collagen-activated tyrosine kinase receptor DDR1 thus paving the way for innovative therapeutic targeting approaches in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Reger De Moura
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Baptiste Louveau
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Fanélie Jouenne
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Paul Vilquin
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Battistella
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Yaelle Bellahsen-Harrar
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Sadoux
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Suzanne Menashi
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Dumaz
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Céleste Lebbé
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France
- Department of Dermatology and CIC, Hôpital Saint Louis, Cancer Institute, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Samia Mourah
- Department of Pharmacology and Tumor Genomics, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75010, Paris, France.
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR-S 976, Team 1, Human Immunology Pathophysiology & Immunotherapy (HIPI), F-75010, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bhattacharya K, Khanal P, Patil VS, Dwivedi PSR, Chanu NR, Chaudhary RK, Deka S, Chakraborty A. Computational pharmacology profiling of borapetoside C against melanoma. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:3233-3248. [PMID: 37203884 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2213333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma,also known as a 'black tumor', begins in the melanocytes when cells (that produce pigment) grows out of control. Immunological dysregulation, which raises the risk for multiple illnesses, including melanoma, may be influenced by stress tiggered through viral infection, long term effects of ultraviolet radiation, environmental pollutants etc. Borapetoside C is one of the phytoconstituents from Tinospora crispa, and its biological source has been reported for its antistress property. Network pharmacology and KEGG pathway analysis of borapetoside C-regulated proteins were conducted to identify the hub genes involved in melanoma development. Further, a molecular docking was performed between borapetoside C and targets involved in melanoma. Further, the top 3 complexes were selected based on the binding energy to conduct molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the stability of ligand-protein complex followed by principal component analysis and dynamic cross-correlation matrix. In addition, borapetoside C was also screened for its pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile. Network Pharmacology studies and KEGG pathway analysis revealed 8 targets involved in melanoma. Molecular docking between borapetoside C and targets involved in melanoma identified 3 complexes with minimum binding i.e. borapetoside C- MAP2K1, MMP9, and EGFR. Further, molecular dynamics simulations showed a stable complex of borapetoside C with MMP9 and EGFR. The present study suggested that borapetoside C may target MMP9 and EGFR to possess an anti-melanoma property. This finding can be useful in developing a novel therapeutic agent against melanoma from a natural source.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Bhattacharya
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Royal School of Pharmacy, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Pukar Khanal
- Department of Pharmacology, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Vishal S Patil
- KLE College of Pharmacy, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, India
| | - Prarambh S R Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmacology, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Nongmaithem Randhoni Chanu
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Assam Downtown University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Raushan Kumar Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Satyendra Deka
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Arup Chakraborty
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guwahati, Assam, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kim KH, Migliozzi S, Koo H, Hong JH, Park SM, Kim S, Kwon HJ, Ha S, Garofano L, Oh YT, D'Angelo F, Kim CI, Kim S, Lee JY, Kim J, Hong J, Jang EH, Mathon B, Di Stefano AL, Bielle F, Laurenge A, Nesvizhskii AI, Hur EM, Yin J, Shi B, Kim Y, Moon KS, Kwon JT, Lee SH, Lee SH, Gwak HS, Lasorella A, Yoo H, Sanson M, Sa JK, Park CK, Nam DH, Iavarone A, Park JB. Integrated proteogenomic characterization of glioblastoma evolution. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:358-377.e8. [PMID: 38215747 PMCID: PMC10939876 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The evolutionary trajectory of glioblastoma (GBM) is a multifaceted biological process that extends beyond genetic alterations alone. Here, we perform an integrative proteogenomic analysis of 123 longitudinal glioblastoma pairs and identify a highly proliferative cellular state at diagnosis and replacement by activation of neuronal transition and synaptogenic pathways in recurrent tumors. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses reveal that the molecular transition to neuronal state at recurrence is marked by post-translational activation of the wingless-related integration site (WNT)/ planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway and BRAF protein kinase. Consistently, multi-omic analysis of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models mirror similar patterns of evolutionary trajectory. Inhibition of B-raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) kinase impairs both neuronal transition and migration capability of recurrent tumor cells, phenotypic hallmarks of post-therapy progression. Combinatorial treatment of temozolomide (TMZ) with BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib, significantly extends the survival of PDX models. This study provides comprehensive insights into the biological mechanisms of glioblastoma evolution and treatment resistance, highlighting promising therapeutic strategies for clinical intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Hee Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea; Proteomics Core Facility, Research Core Center, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Simona Migliozzi
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Harim Koo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun-Hee Hong
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Seung Min Park
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sooheon Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Kwon
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Seokjun Ha
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Luciano Garofano
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Young Taek Oh
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Fulvio D'Angelo
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Chan Il Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Seongsoo Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Ji Yoon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiwon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jisoo Hong
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Hae Jang
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bertrand Mathon
- Service de Neurochirurgie, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Anna-Luisa Di Stefano
- Institut de Neurologie, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Equipe labellisée LNCC, Paris, France; Onconeurotek, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France; Department of Neurology, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
| | - Franck Bielle
- Institut de Neurologie, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Equipe labellisée LNCC, Paris, France; Onconeurotek, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Alice Laurenge
- Institut de Neurologie, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Equipe labellisée LNCC, Paris, France; Onconeurotek, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France
| | | | - Eun-Mi Hur
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; BK21 Four Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education & Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinlong Yin
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea; Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Bingyang Shi
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Youngwook Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Kyung-Sub Moon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital and Medical School, Hwasun, Korea
| | - Jeong Taik Kwon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shin Heon Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Hoon Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ho Shin Gwak
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Anna Lasorella
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Heon Yoo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Marc Sanson
- Institut de Neurologie, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Equipe labellisée LNCC, Paris, France; Onconeurotek, AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013 Paris, France.
| | - Jason K Sa
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Chul-Kee Park
- Deparment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Do-Hyun Nam
- Department of Neurosurgery and Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Antonio Iavarone
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery and Department of Biochemistry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Jong Bae Park
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea; Department of Clinical Research, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hutchenreuther J, Nguyen J, Quesnel K, Vincent KM, Petitjean L, Bourgeois S, Boyd M, Bou-Gharios G, Postovit LM, Leask A. Cancer-associated Fibroblast-specific Expression of the Matricellular Protein CCN1 Coordinates Neovascularization and Stroma Deposition in Melanoma Metastasis. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:556-570. [PMID: 38363129 PMCID: PMC10898341 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer-related death. As prognosis of patients with melanoma remains problematic, identification of new therapeutic targets remains essential. Matricellular proteins are nonstructural extracellular matrix proteins. They are secreted into the tumor microenvironment to coordinate behavior among different cell types, yet their contribution to melanoma is underinvestigated. Examples of matricellular proteins include those comprising the CCN family. The CCN family member, CCN1, is highly proangiogenic. Herein, we show that, in human patients with melanoma, although found in several tumor cell types, CCN1 is highly expressed by a subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in patients with melanoma and this expression correlates positively with expression of proangiogenic genes and progressive disease/resistance to anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors. Consistent with these observations, in a syngeneic C57BL6 mouse model of melanoma, loss of CCN1 expression from Col1A2-Cre-, herein identified as "universal," fibroblasts, impaired metastasis of subcutaneously injected B16F10 tumor cells to lung, concomitant with disrupted neovascularization and collagen organization. Disruption of the extracellular matrix in the loss of CCN1 was validated using a novel artificial intelligence-based image analysis platform that revealed significantly decreased phenotypic fibrosis and composite morphometric collagen scores. As drug resistance is linked to matrix deposition and neoangiogenesis, these data suggest that CCN1, due to its multifaceted role, may represent a novel therapeutic target for drug-resistant melanoma. Our data further emphasize the essential role that cancer-associated, (universal) Col1A2-Cre-fibroblasts and extracellular matrix remodeling play in coordinating behavior among different cell types within the tumor microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE In human patients, the expression of proangiogenic matricellular protein CCN1 in CAFs correlates positively with expression of stroma and angiogenic markers and progressive disease/resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In an animal model, loss of CCN1 from CAFs impaired metastasis of melanoma cells, neovascularization, and collagen deposition, emphasizing that CAFs coordinate cellular behavior in a tumor microenvironment and that CCN1 may be a novel target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Hutchenreuther
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Nguyen
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Katherine Quesnel
- Department of Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krista M. Vincent
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sophia Bourgeois
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Boyd
- Office of the Vice President of Research, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lim SY, Rizos H. Single-cell RNA sequencing in melanoma: what have we learned so far? EBioMedicine 2024; 100:104969. [PMID: 38241976 PMCID: PMC10831183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.104969] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, there have been remarkable improvements in the treatment and survival rates of melanoma patients. Treatment resistance remains a persistent challenge, however, and is partly attributable to intratumoural heterogeneity. Melanoma cells can transition through a series of phenotypic and transcriptional cell states that vary in invasiveness and treatment responsiveness. The diverse stromal and immune contexture of the tumour microenvironment also contributes to intratumoural heterogeneity and disparities in treatment response in melanoma patients. Recent advances in single-cell sequencing technologies have enabled a more detailed understanding of melanoma heterogeneity and the underlying transcriptional programs that regulate melanoma cell diversity and behaviour. In this review, we examine the concept of intratumoural heterogeneity and the challenges it poses to achieving long-lasting treatment responses. We focus on the significance of next generation single-cell sequencing in advancing our understanding of melanoma diversity and the unique insights gained from single-cell studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Yin Lim
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Helen Rizos
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Alamodi AA, Al Hmada Y, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Santourlidis S, Hassan SL, Haikel Y, Megahed M, Brodell RT, Hassan M. CD133-Dependent Activation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase /AKT/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling in Melanoma Progression and Drug Resistance. Cells 2024; 13:240. [PMID: 38334632 PMCID: PMC10854812 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030240] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma frequently harbors genetic alterations in key molecules leading to the aberrant activation of PI3K and its downstream pathways. Although the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR in melanoma progression and drug resistance is well documented, targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway showed less efficiency in clinical trials than might have been expected, since the suppression of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway-induced feedback loops is mostly associated with the activation of compensatory pathways such as MAPK/MEK/ERK. Consequently, the development of intrinsic and acquired resistance can occur. As a solid tumor, melanoma is notorious for its heterogeneity. This can be expressed in the form of genetically divergent subpopulations including a small fraction of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and non-cancer stem cells (non-CSCs) that make the most of the tumor mass. Like other CSCs, melanoma stem-like cells (MSCs) are characterized by their unique cell surface proteins/stemness markers and aberrant signaling pathways. In addition to its function as a robust marker for stemness properties, CD133 is crucial for the maintenance of stemness properties and drug resistance. Herein, the role of CD133-dependent activation of PI3K/mTOR in the regulation of melanoma progression, drug resistance, and recurrence is reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naji Kharouf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W. Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | | | - Youssef Al Hmada
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mossad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Robert T. Brodell
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhou Q, Wang J, Zhang Z, Wuethrich A, Lobb RJ, Trau M. Tracking the EMT-like phenotype switching during targeted therapy in melanoma by analyzing extracellular vesicle phenotypes. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 244:115819. [PMID: 37952322 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma continues to be a leading cause of mortality among skin cancers. Despite advancements in targeted therapy, patients frequently develop resistance, leading to disease progression within a year. This resistance may result from the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype switching of melanoma cells. Tracking EMT-related phenotypic changes on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has potential to inform early about response to targeted therapy and melanoma progression. However, the knowledge on protein biomarkers carried by melanoma EVs involved in the EMT-like process remains unexplored. Herein, we present a biosensor integrating surface-enhanced Raman scattering and alternating current electrohydrodynamics-induced nanomixing enhancement, for sensitive detection of EMT-associated biomarkers on EV surfaces during targeted therapy. This biosensor successfully tracks the EMT-like phenotype switching in melanoma cell lines treated with mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (MAPKi). Longitudinal monitoring of patients who receive MAPKi therapy and develop resistance, our biosensor shows its ability to identify the EMT-like phenotype switching on circulating EVs. This ability potentially can be leveraged to predict the development of resistance to targeted therapy, allowing for timely intervention and personalized treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Wang
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China.
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Alain Wuethrich
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lobb
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Matt Trau
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tzenaki N, Xenou L, Goulielmaki E, Tsapara A, Voudouri I, Antoniou A, Valianatos G, Tzardi M, De Bree E, Berdiaki A, Makrigiannakis A, Papakonstanti EA. A combined opposite targeting of p110δ PI3K and RhoA abrogates skin cancer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:26. [PMID: 38182748 PMCID: PMC10770346 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05639-8] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide whereas SCC is the second most common non-melanoma human skin cancer with limited treatment options. Here we show that the development and metastasis of melanoma and SCC cancers can be blocked by a combined opposite targeting of RhoA and p110δ PI3K. We found that a targeted induction of RhoA activity into tumours by deletion of p190RhoGAP-a potent inhibitor of RhoA GTPase-in tumour cells together with adoptive macrophages transfer from δD910A/D910A mice in mice bearing tumours with active RhoA abrogated growth progression of melanoma and SCC tumours. Τhe efficacy of this combined treatment is the same in tumours lacking activating mutations in BRAF and in tumours harbouring the most frequent BRAF(V600E) mutation. Furthermore, the efficiency of this combined treatment is associated with decreased ATX expression in tumour cells and tumour stroma bypassing a positive feedback expression of ATX induced by direct ATX pharmacological inactivation. Together, our findings highlight the importance of targeting cancer cells and macrophages for skin cancer therapy, emerge a reverse link between ATX and RhoA and illustrate the benefit of p110δ PI3K inhibition as a combinatorial regimen for the treatment of skin cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niki Tzenaki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Lydia Xenou
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evangelia Goulielmaki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anna Tsapara
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Irene Voudouri
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Angelika Antoniou
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Valianatos
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Tzardi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eelco De Bree
- Department of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Berdiaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonios Makrigiannakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kozyra P, Pitucha M. Revisiting the Role of B-RAF Kinase as a Therapeutic Target in Melanoma. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2003-2020. [PMID: 37855341 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673258495231011065225] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the rarest but most aggressive and deadly skin cancer. Melanoma is the result of a malignant transformation of melanocytes, which leads to their uncontrolled proliferation. Mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which are crucial for the control of cellular processes, such as apoptosis, division, growth, differentiation, and migration, are one of its most common causes. BRAF kinase, as one of the known targets of this pathway, has been known for many years as a prominent molecular target in melanoma therapy, and the following mini-review outlines the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding its structure, mutations and mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kozyra
- Independent Radiopharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PL, 20093, Poland
| | - Monika Pitucha
- Independent Radiopharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PL-20093, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zeng Z, Ngo HL, Proctor M, Rizos H, Dolcetti R, Cruz JG, Wells JW, Gabrielli B. Checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor + low-dose hydroxyurea efficiently kills BRAF inhibitor- and immune checkpoint inhibitor-resistant melanomas. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:45-50. [PMID: 37614154 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13120] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of melanomas with targeted and immunotherapies has proven effective, but resistance to both treatments is a common outcome leaving a high proportion of patients without effective alternative treatment options. Replication stress is a common feature of melanomas, and this is effectively targeted using a combination of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitor and low-dose hydroxyurea (LDHU). This combination also promotes inflammatory and anti-tumour immune responses in vivo. Melanoma cell lines resistant to BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) retain their sensitivity to CHK1i + LDHU, with sensitivity similar to that of parental tumours. In vivo, BRAFi-resistant and BRAFi-sensitive parental tumours produce an identical immune response with treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zeng
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hung Long Ngo
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martina Proctor
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Rizos
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jazmina Gonzalez Cruz
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - James W Wells
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bachari A, Nassar N, Schanknecht E, Telukutla S, Piva TJ, Mantri N. Rationalizing a prospective coupling effect of cannabinoids with the current pharmacotherapy for melanoma treatment. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1633. [PMID: 37920964 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the leading fatal forms of cancer, yet from a treatment perspective, we have minimal control over its reoccurrence and resistance to current pharmacotherapies. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has recently been accepted as a multifaceted homeostatic regulator, influencing various physiological processes across different biological compartments, including the skin. This review presents an overview of the pathophysiology of melanoma, current pharmacotherapy used for treatment, and the challenges associated with the different pharmacological approaches. Furthermore, it highlights the utility of cannabinoids as an additive remedy for melanoma by restoring the balance between downregulated immunomodulatory pathways and elevated inflammatory cytokines during chronic skin conditions as one of the suggested critical approaches in treating this immunogenic tumor. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ava Bachari
- The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nazim Nassar
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ellen Schanknecht
- The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Terrence Jerald Piva
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nitin Mantri
- The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Huang C, Zhang K, Guo Y, Shen C, Liu X, Huang H, Dou X, Yu B. The crucial roles of m 6A RNA modifications in cutaneous cancers: Implications in pathogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and targeted therapies. Genes Dis 2023; 10:2320-2330. [PMID: 37554186 PMCID: PMC10404882 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification on RNA. It is a dynamical and reversible process, which is regulated by m6A methyltransferase and m6A demethylase. The m6A modified RNA can be specifically recognized by the m6A reader, leading to RNA splicing, maturation, degradation or translation. The abnormality of m6A RNA modification is closely related to a variety of biological processes, especially the occurrence and development of tumors. Recent studies have shown that m6A RNA modification is involved in the pathogenesis of skin cancers. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of m6A-mediated cutaneous tumorigenesis have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this review will summarize the biological characteristics of m6A modification, its regulatory role and mechanism in skin cancers, and the recent research progress of m6A-related molecular drugs, aiming to provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy of cutaneous cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Kaoyuan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Yang Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Changbing Shen
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Haiyan Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Xia Dou
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wu T, Li C, Zhou C, Niu X, Li G, Zhou Y, Gu X, Cui H. Inhibition of USP14 enhances anti-tumor effect in vemurafenib-resistant melanoma by regulation of Skp2. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2381-2399. [PMID: 35648318 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-022-09729-x] [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: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mutation of BRAF V600E often occurred in melanoma and results in tumorigenesis. BRAF mutation drives hyperactivation of the RAF-MAPK-ERK pathway. The acquired drug resistance upon prolonged use of BRAF inhibitors (such as vemurafenib) still remains the main obstacle. Previously, we have found that E3 ligase Skp2 over-expresses vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells, and knockdown of Skp2 enhances the anti-tumor effect of vemurafenib. Interestingly, the literature has reported that the selective USP14/UCHL5 inhibitor b-AP15 displays great potential in melanoma therapy; however, the molecular mechanism still remains unknown. METHODS In vitro, the effect of the combination regimen of vemurafenib (Vem, PLX4032) and b-AP15 on vem-sensitive and vem-resistant melanoma has been investigated by wound healing, colony formation, transwell invasion assay, flow cytometry, lysosome staining, and ROS detection. In vivo, the combination effect on vem-resistant melanoma has been evaluated with a nude mice xenograft tumor model. GST-pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays have been applied to investigate the interactions between USP14, UCHL5, and Skp2. Cycloheximide (CHX) assay and ubiquitination assays have been used to explore the effect of USP14 on Skp2 protein half-life and ubiquitination status. RESULTS In the present study, we have revealed that repression of USP14 sensitizes vemurafenib resistance in melanoma through a previously unappreciated mechanism that USP14 but not UCHL5 stabilizes Skp2, blocking its ubiquitination. K119 on Skp2 is required for USP14-mediated deubiquitination and stabilization of Skp2. Furthermore, the mutated catalytic activity amino acid cysteine (C) 114 on USP14 abrogates stabilization of Skp2. Stabilization of Skp2 is required for USP14 to negatively regulate autophagy. The combination regimen of Skp2 inhibitor vemurafenib and USP14/UCHL5 inhibitor b-AP15 dramatically inhibits cell viability, migration, invasion, and colony formation in vemurafenib-sensitive and vemurafenib-resistant melanoma. Vemurafenib and b-AP15 hold cells in the S phase thus leading to apoptosis as well as the formation of the autophagic vacuole in vemurafenib-resistant SKMEL28 cells. The enhanced proliferation effect of USP14 and Skp2 is mainly due to a more effective reduction of cell apoptosis and autophagy. Further evaluation of various protein alterations has revealed that the increased expression of cleaved-PARP, LC3, and decreased Ki67 are more obvious in the combination of vemurafenib and b-AP15 treatment than those in single-drug treatment. Moreover, the co-treatment of vemurafenib and b-AP15 dramatically inhibits the growth of vemurafenib-resistant melanoma xenograft in vivo. Collectively, our findings have demonstrated that the combination of Skp2 inhibitor and USP14 inhibitor provides a new solution for the treatment of BRAF inhibitor resistance melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Chengyun Li
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Changlong Zhou
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaxia Niu
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Gege Li
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yali Zhou
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Xinsheng Gu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China.
| | - Hongmei Cui
- Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Castellani G, Buccarelli M, Arasi MB, Rossi S, Pisanu ME, Bellenghi M, Lintas C, Tabolacci C. BRAF Mutations in Melanoma: Biological Aspects, Therapeutic Implications, and Circulating Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4026. [PMID: 37627054 PMCID: PMC10452867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer resulting from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Recent therapeutic approaches, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have improved the prognosis and outcome of melanoma patients. BRAF is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes recognised in melanoma. The most frequent oncogenic BRAF mutations consist of a single point mutation at codon 600 (mostly V600E) that leads to constitutive activation of the BRAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signalling pathway. Therefore, mutated BRAF has become a useful target for molecular therapy and the use of BRAF kinase inhibitors has shown promising results. However, several resistance mechanisms invariably develop leading to therapeutic failure. The aim of this manuscript is to review the role of BRAF mutational status in the pathogenesis of melanoma and its impact on differentiation and inflammation. Moreover, this review focuses on the mechanisms responsible for resistance to targeted therapies in BRAF-mutated melanoma and provides an overview of circulating biomarkers including circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, and non-coding RNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Arasi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefania Rossi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Elena Pisanu
- High Resolution NMR Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Bellenghi
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Lintas
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy;
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tabolacci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Becker AL, Indra AK. Oxidative Stress in Melanoma: Beneficial Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15113038. [PMID: 37297001 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113038] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma ranks as the fifth most common cancer in the United States and represents one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. While recent advances in systemic targeted therapies and immunotherapies have positively impacted melanoma survival, the survival rate of stage IV melanoma remains at a meager 32%. Unfortunately, tumor resistance can impede the effectiveness of these treatments. Oxidative stress is a pivotal player in all stages of melanoma progression, with a somewhat paradoxical function that promotes tumor initiation but hinders vertical growth and metastasis in later disease. As melanoma progresses, it employs adaptive mechanisms to lessen oxidative stress in the tumor environment. Redox metabolic rewiring has been implicated in acquired resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. A promising approach to enhance the response to therapy involves boosting intracellular ROS production using active biomolecules or targeting enzymes that regulate oxidative stress. The complex interplay between oxidative stress, redox homeostasis, and melanomagenesis can also be leveraged in a preventive context. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of oxidative stress in melanoma, and how the antioxidant system may be manipulated in a therapeutic context for improved efficacy and survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa L Becker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Arup K Indra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Science Center, Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR 97239, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Du F, Yang LH, Liu J, Wang J, Fan L, Duangmano S, Liu H, Liu M, Wang J, Zhong X, Zhang Z, Wang F. The role of mitochondria in the resistance of melanoma to PD-1 inhibitors. J Transl Med 2023; 21:345. [PMID: 37221594 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04200-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is one of the most common tumours and has the highest mortality rate of all types of skin cancers worldwide. Traditional and novel therapeutic approaches, including surgery, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have shown good efficacy in the treatment of melanoma. At present, the mainstay of treatment for melanoma is immunotherapy combined with other treatment strategies. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1 inhibitors, are not particularly effective in the clinical treatment of patients with melanoma. Changes in mitochondrial function may affect the development of melanoma and the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors. To elucidate the role of mitochondria in the resistance of melanoma to PD-1 inhibitors, this review comprehensively summarises the role of mitochondria in the occurrence and development of melanoma, targets related to the function of mitochondria in melanoma cells and changes in mitochondrial function in different cells in melanoma resistant to PD-1 inhibitors. This review may help to develop therapeutic strategies for improving the clinical response rate of PD-1 inhibitors and prolonging the survival of patients by activating mitochondrial function in tumour and T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Du
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu-Han Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Jian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianpeng Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Suwit Duangmano
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Hao Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolin Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Fang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Limberg J, Egan CE, Gray KD, Singh M, Loewenstein Z, Yang Y, Riascos MC, Al Asadi H, Safe P, El Eshaky S, Liang H, Ullmann TM, Wang W, Li W, Zhang T, Xiang J, Stefanova D, Jin MM, Zarnegar R, Fahey TJ, Min IM. Activation of the JAK/STAT Pathway Leads to BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in BRAFV600E Positive Thyroid Carcinoma. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:397-410. [PMID: 36790391 PMCID: PMC10159921 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
A subset of thyroid cancers, recurrent differentiated thyroid cancers and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), are difficult to treat by thyroidectomy and systemic therapy. A common mutation in thyroid cancer, BRAFV600E, has targetable treatment options; however, the results have been disappointing in thyroid cancers compared with BRAFV600E melanoma, as thyroid cancers quickly become resistant to BRAFV600E inhibitor (BRAFi). Here, we studied the molecular pathway that is induced in BRAFV600E thyroid cancer cells and patient-derived tumor samples in response to BRAFi, vemurafenib, using RNA-sequencing and molecular analysis. Both inducible response to BRAFi and acquired BRAFi resistance in BRAFV600E thyroid cancer cells showed significant activation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Functional analyses revealed that the combination of BRAFi and inhibitors of JAK/STAT pathway controlled BRAFV600E thyroid cancer cell growth. The Cancer Genome Atlas data analysis demonstrated that potent activation of the JAK/STAT signaling was associated with shorter recurrence rate in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Analysis of tumor RNA expression in patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer and ATC also support that enhanced activity of JAK/STAT signaling pathway is correlated with worse prognosis. Our study demonstrates that JAK/STAT pathway is activated as BRAFV600E thyroid cancer cells develop resistance to BRAFi and that this pathway is a potential target for anticancer activity and to overcome drug resistance that commonly develops to treatment with BRAFi in thyroid cancer. IMPLICATIONS Dual inhibition of BRAF and JAK/STAT signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic treatment for anticancer activity and to overcome drug resistance to BRAFi in thyroid cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Limberg
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Caitlin E. Egan
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | | | - Mandeep Singh
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | | | - Yanping Yang
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | | | - Hala Al Asadi
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Parima Safe
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Steve El Eshaky
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Heng Liang
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | | | - Weibin Wang
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Genomics Resource Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Jenny Xiang
- Genomics Resource Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | | | - Moonsoo M. Jin
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Rasa Zarnegar
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Thomas J. Fahey
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Irene M. Min
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Nasioudis D, George EM, Xu H, Kim H, Simpkins F. Combination DNA Damage Response (DDR) Inhibitors to Overcome Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 186:189-206. [PMID: 37978137 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30065-3_11] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) results in activation of a series of key target kinases that respond to different DNA damage insults. DDR inhibitors such as PARP inhibitors lead to the accumulation of DNA damage in tumor cells and ultimately apoptosis. However, responses to DDRi monotherapy in the clinic are not durable and resistance ultimately develops. DDRi-DDRi combinations such as PARPi-ATRi, PAPRi-WEE1i and PARPi-AsiDNA can overcome multiple resistance mechanisms to PARP inhibition. In addition, DDRi-DDRi combinations can provide viable treatment options for patients with platinum-resistant disease. In the present chapter we discuss rationale of DDRi-DDRi strategies that capitalize on genomic alterations found in ovarian cancer and other solid tumors and may provide in the near future new treatment options for these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Nasioudis
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Erin M George
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Haineng Xu
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hyoung Kim
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Fiona Simpkins
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vlašić I, Horvat A, Tadijan A, Slade N. p53 Family in Resistance to Targeted Therapy of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010065. [PMID: 36613518 PMCID: PMC9820688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors, with frequent mutations affecting components of the MAPK pathway, mainly protein kinase BRAF. Despite promising initial response to BRAF inhibitors, melanoma progresses due to development of resistance. In addition to frequent reactivation of MAPK or activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, recently, the p53 pathway has been shown to contribute to acquired resistance to targeted MAPK inhibitor therapy. Canonical tumor suppressor p53 is inactivated in melanoma by diverse mechanisms. The TP53 gene and two other family members, TP63 and TP73, encode numerous protein isoforms that exhibit diverse functions during tumorigenesis. The p53 family isoforms can be produced by usage of alternative promoters and/or splicing on the C- and N-terminus. Various p53 family isoforms are expressed in melanoma cell lines and tumor samples, and several of them have already shown to have specific functions in melanoma, affecting proliferation, survival, metastatic potential, invasion, migration, and response to therapy. Of special interest are p53 family isoforms with increased expression and direct involvement in acquired resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma cells, implying that modulating their expression or targeting their functional pathways could be a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma.
Collapse
|
22
|
Cristofani R, Piccolella M, Montagnani Marelli M, Tedesco B, Poletti A, Moretti RM. HSPB8 counteracts tumor activity of BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma cells by modulation of RAS-prenylation and autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:973. [PMID: 36400750 PMCID: PMC9674643 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05365-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of skin cancer. Some specific driver mutations have been described in multiple oncogenes including BRAF and NRAS that are mutated in 60-70% and 15-20% of melanoma, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Small Heat Shock Protein B8 (HSPB8) on cell growth and migration of both BLM (BRAFwt/NRASQ61R) and A375 (BRAFV600E/NRASwt) human melanoma cell lines. HSPB8 is a member of the HSPB family of chaperones involved in protein quality control (PQC) system and contributes to chaperone assisted selective autophagy (CASA) as well as in the regulation of mitotic spindle. In cancer, HSPB8 has anti- or pro-tumoral action depending on tumor type. In melanoma cell lines characterized by low HSPB8 levels, we demonstrated that the restoration of HSPB8 expression causes cell growth arrest, reversion of EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition)-like phenotype switching and antimigratory effect, independently from the cell mutational status. We demonstrated that HSPB8 regulates the levels of the active prenylated form of NRAS in NRAS-mutant and NRAS-wild-type melanoma cell lines. Consequently, the inhibition of NRAS impairs the activation of Akt/mTOR pathway inducing autophagy activation. Autophagy can play a dual role in regulating cell death and survival. We have therefore demonstrated that HSPB8-induced autophagy is a crucial event that counteracts cell growth in melanoma. Collectively, our results suggest that HSPB8 has an antitumoral action in melanoma cells characterized by BRAF and NRAS mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cristofani
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Montagnani Marelli
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy ,grid.417894.70000 0001 0707 5492Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Manuela Moretti
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Comparison of the Anticancer Effects of Arvanil and Olvanil When Combined with Cisplatin and Mitoxantrone in Various Melanoma Cell Lines-An Isobolographic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214192. [PMID: 36430670 PMCID: PMC9694208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the unique structures of arvanil and olvanil, the drugs combine certain properties of both cannabinoids and vanilloids, which makes them able to stimulate both TPRV1 and CB1 receptors and causes them to be interesting agents in the setting of carcinoma treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of arvanil and olvanil when administered alone and in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) and mitoxantrone (MTX), using various primary (A375, FM55P) and metastatic (SK-MEL 28, FM55M2) human malignant melanoma cell lines. The results indicate that both arvanil and olvanil inhibited (dose-dependently) the viability and proliferation of various malignant melanoma cells, as demonstrated by MTT and BrdU assays. The safety profile of both arvanil and olvanil tested in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and normal human melanocytes (HEMa-LP) revealed that neither arvanil nor olvanil caused significant cytotoxicity in HaCaT and HEMa-LP cell lines in LDH and MTT assays. Isobolographically, it was found that both arvanil and olvanil exerted additive interactions with MTX and antagonistic interactions with CDDP in the studied malignant melanoma cell lines. In conclusion, the combinations of arvanil or olvanil with MTX may be considered as a part of melanoma multi-drug therapy; however, the combination of these compounds with CDDP should be carefully considered due to the antagonistic interactions observed in the studied malignant melanoma cell lines.
Collapse
|
24
|
Li F, Bondra KM, Ghilu S, Studebaker A, Liu Q, Michalek JE, Kogiso M, Li XN, Kalapurakal JA, James CD, Burma S, Kurmasheva RT, Houghton PJ. Regulation of TORC1 by MAPK Signaling Determines Sensitivity and Acquired Resistance to Trametinib in Pediatric BRAFV600E Brain Tumor Models. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3836-3849. [PMID: 35797217 PMCID: PMC10230442 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated why three patient-derived xenograft (PDX) childhood BRAFV600E-mutant brain tumor models are highly sensitive to trametinib. Mechanisms of acquired resistance selected in situ, and approaches to prevent resistance were also examined, which may translate to both low-grade glioma (LGG) molecular subtypes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Sensitivity to trametinib [MEK inhibitor (MEKi)] alone or in combination with rapamycin (TORC1 inhibitor), was evaluated in pediatric PDX models. The effect of combined treatment of trametinib with rapamycin on development of trametinib resistance in vivo was examined. PDX tissue and tumor cells from trametinib-resistant xenografts were characterized. RESULTS In pediatric models TORC1 is activated through ERK-mediated inactivation of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC): consequently inhibition of MEK also suppressed TORC1 signaling. Trametinib-induced tumor regression correlated with dual inhibition of MAPK/TORC1 signaling, and decoupling TORC1 regulation from BRAF/MAPK control conferred trametinib resistance. In mice, acquired resistance to trametinib developed within three cycles of therapy in all three PDX models. Resistance to trametinib developed in situ is tumor-cell-intrinsic and the mechanism was tumor line specific. Rapamycin retarded or blocked development of resistance. CONCLUSIONS In these three pediatric BRAF-mutant brain tumors, TORC1 signaling is controlled by the MAPK cascade. Trametinib suppressed both MAPK/TORC1 pathways leading to tumor regression. While low-dose intermittent rapamycin to enhance inhibition of TORC1 only modestly enhanced the antitumor activity of trametinib, it prevented or retarded development of trametinib resistance, suggesting future therapeutic approaches using rapamycin analogs in combination with MEKis that may be therapeutically beneficial in both KIAA1549::BRAF- and BRAFV600E-driven gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuyang Li
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Kathryn M. Bondra
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Samson Ghilu
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Adam Studebaker
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Joel E. Michalek
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Mari Kogiso
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiao-Nan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John A. Kalapurakal
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - C. David James
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sandeep Burma
- Department of Neurosurgery, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Peter J. Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health, San Antonio, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Marzęda P, Wróblewska-Łuczka P, Drozd M, Florek-Łuszczki M, Załuska-Ogryzek K, Łuszczki JJ. Cannabidiol Interacts Antagonistically with Cisplatin and Additively with Mitoxantrone in Various Melanoma Cell Lines-An Isobolographic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126752. [PMID: 35743195 PMCID: PMC9224300 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The medical application of cannabidiol (CBD) has been gathering increasing attention in recent years. This non-psychotropic cannabis-derived compound possesses antiepileptic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties. Recent studies report that it also exerts antineoplastic effects in multiple types of cancers, including melanoma. In this in vitro study we tried to reveal the anticancer properties of CBD in malignant melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL 28, A375, FM55P and FM55M2) administered alone, as well as in combination with mitoxantrone (MTX) or cisplatin (CDDP). The effects of CBD on the viability of melanoma cells were measured by the MTT assay; cytotoxicity was determined in the LDH test and proliferation in the BrdU test. Moreover, the safety of CBD was tested in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) in LDH and MTT tests. Results indicate that CBD reduces the viability and proliferation of melanoma-malignant cells and exerts additive interactions with MTX. Unfortunately, CBD produced antagonistic interaction when combined with CDDP. CBD does not cause significant cytotoxicity in HaCaT cell line. In conclusion, CBD may be considered as a part of melanoma multi-drug therapy when combined with MTX. A special attention should be paid to the combination of CBD with CDDP due to the antagonistic interaction observed in the studied malignant melanoma cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Marzęda
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (P.W.-Ł.); (M.D.); (K.Z.-O.)
| | - Paula Wróblewska-Łuczka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (P.W.-Ł.); (M.D.); (K.Z.-O.)
| | - Małgorzata Drozd
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (P.W.-Ł.); (M.D.); (K.Z.-O.)
| | | | - Katarzyna Załuska-Ogryzek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (P.W.-Ł.); (M.D.); (K.Z.-O.)
| | - Jarogniew J. Łuszczki
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (P.M.); (P.W.-Ł.); (M.D.); (K.Z.-O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-448-6500; Fax: +48-81-448-6501
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Role of Presenilin-1 in Aggressive Human Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094904. [PMID: 35563300 PMCID: PMC9099829 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Presenilin-1 (PS-1), a component of the gamma (γ)-secretase catalytic complex, has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in tumorigenesis. Interestingly, AD risk is inversely related to melanoma, suggesting that AD-related factors, such as PS-1, may affect melanomagenesis. PS-1 has been shown to reduce Wnt activity by promoting degradation of beta-catenin (β-catenin), an important Wnt signaling partner. Since Wnt is known to enhance progression of different cancers, including melanoma, we hypothesized that PS-1 could affect Wnt-associated melanoma aggressiveness. Western blot results showed that aggressive melanoma cells expressed significantly lower levels of both PS-1 and phosphorylated-β-catenin (P-β-catenin) than nonaggressive melanoma cells. Immunohistochemistry of human melanoma samples showed significantly reduced staining for PS-1 in advanced stage melanoma compared with early stage melanoma. Furthermore, γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) treatment of aggressive melanoma cells was followed by significant increases in PS-1 and P-β-catenin levels, suggesting impaired Wnt signaling activity as PS-1 expression increased. Finally, a significant reduction in cell migration was associated with the higher levels of PS-1 and P-β-catenin in the GSI-treated aggressive melanoma cells. We demonstrate for the first time that PS-1 levels can be used to assess melanoma aggressiveness and suggest that by enhancing PS-1 expression, Wnt-dependent melanoma progression may be reduced
Collapse
|
27
|
Dürr L, Hell T, Dobrzyński M, Mattei A, John A, Augsburger N, Bradanini G, Reinhardt JK, Rossberg F, Drobnjakovic M, Gupta MP, Hamburger M, Pertz O, Garo E. High-Content Screening Pipeline for Natural Products Targeting Oncogenic Signaling in Melanoma. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2022; 85:1006-1017. [PMID: 35231173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of melanoma, the most fatal dermatological cancer, has dramatically increased over the last few decades. Modern targeted therapy with kinase inhibitors induces potent clinical responses, but drug resistance quickly develops. Combination therapy improves treatment outcomes. Therefore, novel inhibitors targeting aberrant proliferative signaling in melanoma via the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways are urgently needed. Biosensors were combined that report on ERK/AKT activity with image-based high-content screening and HPLC-based activity profiling. An in-house library of 2576 plant extracts was screened on two melanoma cell lines with different oncogenic mutations leading to pathological ERK/AKT activity. Out of 140 plant extract hits, 44 were selected for HPLC activity profiling. Active thymol derivatives and piperamides from Arnica montana and Piper nigrum were identified that inhibited pathological ERK and/or AKT activity. The pipeline used enabled an efficient identification of natural products targeting oncogenic signaling in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Dürr
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Hell
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maciej Dobrzyński
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Mattei
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anika John
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nathanja Augsburger
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gloria Bradanini
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jakob K Reinhardt
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Rossberg
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Milos Drobnjakovic
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mahabir P Gupta
- Center for Pharmacognostic Research and Panamanian Flora, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Panama, Panama City 0801, Republic of Panama
| | - Matthias Hamburger
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Pertz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eliane Garo
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Smith LK, Parmenter T, Kleinschmidt M, Kusnadi EP, Kang J, Martin CA, Lau P, Patel R, Lorent J, Papadopoli D, Trigos A, Ward T, Rao AD, Lelliott EJ, Sheppard KE, Goode D, Hicks RJ, Tiganis T, Simpson KJ, Larsson O, Blythe B, Cullinane C, Wickramasinghe VO, Pearson RB, McArthur GA. Adaptive translational reprogramming of metabolism limits the response to targeted therapy in BRAF V600 melanoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1100. [PMID: 35232962 PMCID: PMC8888590 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of therapies targeting oncogenes in cancer, clinical outcomes are limited by residual disease that ultimately results in relapse. This residual disease is often characterized by non-genetic adaptive resistance, that in melanoma is characterised by altered metabolism. Here, we examine how targeted therapy reprograms metabolism in BRAF-mutant melanoma cells using a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen and global gene expression profiling. Using this systematic approach we demonstrate post-transcriptional regulation of metabolism following BRAF inhibition, involving selective mRNA transport and translation. As proof of concept we demonstrate the RNA processing kinase U2AF homology motif kinase 1 (UHMK1) associates with mRNAs encoding metabolism proteins and selectively controls their transport and translation during adaptation to BRAF-targeted therapy. UHMK1 inactivation induces cell death by disrupting therapy induced metabolic reprogramming, and importantly, delays resistance to BRAF and MEK combination therapy in multiple in vivo models. We propose selective mRNA processing and translation by UHMK1 constitutes a mechanism of non-genetic resistance to targeted therapy in melanoma by controlling metabolic plasticity induced by therapy. Different adaptive mechanisms have been reported to reduce the efficacy of mutant BRAF inhibition in melanoma. Here, the authors show BRAF inhibition induces the translational regulation of metabolic genes leading to acquired therapy resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorey K Smith
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Tiffany Parmenter
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Eric P Kusnadi
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jian Kang
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claire A Martin
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Lau
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Riyaben Patel
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julie Lorent
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Papadopoli
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anna Trigos
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Teresa Ward
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Aparna D Rao
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily J Lelliott
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karen E Sheppard
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Goode
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rodney J Hicks
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tony Tiganis
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kaylene J Simpson
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ola Larsson
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Benjamin Blythe
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carleen Cullinane
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vihandha O Wickramasinghe
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard B Pearson
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Grant A McArthur
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
The Effects of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Melanoma Cells. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:4984866. [PMID: 35027924 PMCID: PMC8752239 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4984866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Studies have found that the abnormality of the Hedgehog signaling pathway is related to the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors, but the effect of this signaling pathway on melanoma cells is still unclear. Methods This study aimed to discuss the effect of Hedgehog signaling pathway on the proliferation and apoptosis of human malignant melanoma A375 cells and explore its possible mechanism in the proliferation and apoptosis of melanoma cells. Different concentrations of Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor cyclopamine (5, 10, 20 and 40 μM) were used to treat human melanoma A375 cells for 24, 48, and 72 h, and set a blank control group (0 μM). Trypan blue cell counting method was used to detect cell viability. MTT method was used to detect the inhibition rate of cell proliferation. Transwell was used to detect cell invasion, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Results Through the trypan blue cell counting method and MTT experiment, it was found that the Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor cyclopamine has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation and viability of melanoma A375 cells (P < 0.05), and the proliferation inhibitory effect is enhanced with prolonged action time in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Transwell experiment showed that compared with the blank control group, the invasion and migration ability of the treated melanoma A375 cells are significantly reduced, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Cell apoptosis experiment showed that compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rate of A375 cells is significantly higher after treated by 40 μM cyclopamine for 24 h, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Gli1 and Bcl-2 protein are highly expressed in melanoma A375 cells, and their expressions show a downward trend (P < 0.05) after being treated by cyclopamine. Conclusion Cyclopamine inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis by downregulating Gli1. Hedgehog signaling pathway can be used as a new target for the treatment of malignant melanoma, and multiple measures can be used to inhibit the signaling pathway to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Collapse
|
30
|
Oxidative Stress-Related Mechanisms in Melanoma and in the Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapies. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10121942. [PMID: 34943045 PMCID: PMC8750393 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10121942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer with the poorest prognosis, representing the deadliest form of skin cancer. Activating mutations in BRAF are the most frequent genetic alterations, present in approximately 50% of all melanoma cases. The use of specific inhibitors towards mutant BRAF variants and MEK, a downstream signaling target of BRAF in the MAPK pathway, has significantly improved progression-free and overall survival in advanced melanoma patients carrying BRAF mutations. Nevertheless, despite these improvements, resistance still develops within the first year of therapy in around 50% of patients, which is a significant problem in managing BRAF-mutated advanced melanoma. Understanding these mechanisms is one of the mainstreams of the research on BRAFi/MEKi acquired resistance. Both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms have been described. Moreover, in recent years, oxidative stress has emerged as another major force involved in all the phases of melanoma development, from initiation to progression until the onsets of the metastatic phenotype and chemoresistance, and has thus become a target for therapy. In the present review, we discuss the current knowledge on oxidative stress and its signaling in melanoma, as well as the oxidative stress-related mechanisms in the acquired resistance to targeted therapies.
Collapse
|
31
|
Bhattarai PY, Kim G, Poudel M, Lim SC, Choi HS. METTL3 induces PLX4032 resistance in melanoma by promoting m 6A-dependent EGFR translation. Cancer Lett 2021; 522:44-56. [PMID: 34530048 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acquired resistance often limits therapeutic efficacy of the BFAF (V600E) kinase inhibitor PLX4032 in patients with advanced melanoma. Epitranscriptomic modification of mRNAs by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification contributes to melanoma pathogenesis; however, its role in acquired PLX4032 resistance remains unexplored. Here, we showed that m6A methyltransferase METTL3 expression is upregulated in A375R cells, a PLX4032-resistant subline of A375 melanoma cells, compared with the parental cells. Moreover, METTL3 increased the m6A modification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA in A375R cells, which promoted its translation efficiency. In turn, increased EGFR expression facilitated rebound activation of the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway in A375R cells, inducing PLX4032 resistance. In contrast, knockout of METTL3 in A375R cells reduced EGFR expression and restored PLX4032 sensitivity. PLX4032 treatment following METTL3 knockout induced apoptosis and reduced colony formation in A375R cells and reduced A375R cell-derived tumor growth in BALB/c nude mice. These findings indicate that METTL3 promotes rebound activation of the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway through EGFR upregulation and highlight a critical role for METTL3-induced m6A modification in acquired PLX4032 resistance in melanoma, implicating METTL3 as a potential candidate for targeted chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Garam Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
| | - Muna Poudel
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hong Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Metabolic Plasticity in Melanoma Progression and Response to Oncogene Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225810. [PMID: 34830962 PMCID: PMC8616485 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Targeted anti-cancer therapies have revolutionised melanoma patient care; however, cures remain uncommon due to acquired drug resistance that results in disease relapse. Recent insights from the clinic and experimental settings have identified a key role for metabolic plasticity, defined as the flexibility to utilise different nutrients and process them in different ways, in both disease progression and response to targeted therapies. Here, we discuss how this plasticity creates a moving target with important implications for identifying new combination therapies. Abstract Resistance to therapy continues to be a barrier to curative treatments in melanoma. Recent insights from the clinic and experimental settings have highlighted a range of non-genetic adaptive mechanisms that contribute to therapy resistance and disease relapse, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming. A growing body of evidence highlights the inherent plasticity of melanoma metabolism, evidenced by reversible metabolome alterations and flexibility in fuel usage that occur during metastasis and response to anti-cancer therapies. Here, we discuss how the inherent metabolic plasticity of melanoma cells facilitates both disease progression and acquisition of anti-cancer therapy resistance. In particular, we discuss in detail the different metabolic changes that occur during the three major phases of the targeted therapy response—the early response, drug tolerance and acquired resistance. We also discuss how non-genetic programs, including transcription and translation, control this process. The prevalence and diverse array of these non-genetic resistance mechanisms poses a new challenge to the field that requires innovative strategies to monitor and counteract these adaptive processes in the quest to prevent therapy resistance.
Collapse
|
33
|
Tadijan A, Precazzini F, Hanžić N, Radić M, Gavioli N, Vlašić I, Ozretić P, Pinto L, Škreblin L, Barban G, Slade N, Ciribilli Y. Altered Expression of Shorter p53 Family Isoforms Can Impact Melanoma Aggressiveness. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205231. [PMID: 34680379 PMCID: PMC8533715 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Despite the significant advances in the management of melanoma in recent decades, it still represents a challenge for clinicians. The TP53 gene, the guardian of the genome, which is altered in more than 50% of human cancers, is rarely mutated in melanoma. More recently, researchers started to appreciate the importance of shorter p53 isoforms as potential modifiers of the p53-dependent responses. We analyzed the expression of p53 and p73 isoforms both at the RNA and protein level in a panel of melanoma-derived cell lines with different TP53 and BRAF status, in normal conditions or upon treatment with common anti-cancer DNA damaging agents or targeted therapy. Using lentiviral vectors, we also generated stable clones of H1299 p53 null cells over-expressing the less characterized isoforms Δ160p53α, Δ160p53β, and Δ160p53γ. Further, we obtained two melanoma-derived cell lines resistant to BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. We observed that melanoma cell lines expressed a wide array of p53 and p73 isoforms, with Δ160p53α as the most variable one. We demonstrated for the first time that Δ160p53α, and to a lesser extent Δ160p53β, can be recruited on chromatin, and that Δ160p53γ can localize in perinuclear foci; moreover, all Δ160p53 isoforms can stimulate proliferation and in vitro migration. Lastly, vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells showed an altered expression of p53 and p73 isoforms, namely an increased expression of potentially pro-oncogenic Δ40p53β and a decrease in tumor-suppressive TAp73β. We therefore propose that p53 family isoforms can play a role in melanoma cells' aggressiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tadijan
- Laboratory for Protein Dynamics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.T.); (N.H.); (M.R.); (I.V.); (L.Š.)
| | - Francesca Precazzini
- Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy; (F.P.); (N.G.); (L.P.); (G.B.)
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Nikolina Hanžić
- Laboratory for Protein Dynamics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.T.); (N.H.); (M.R.); (I.V.); (L.Š.)
| | - Martina Radić
- Laboratory for Protein Dynamics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.T.); (N.H.); (M.R.); (I.V.); (L.Š.)
| | - Nicolò Gavioli
- Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy; (F.P.); (N.G.); (L.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Ignacija Vlašić
- Laboratory for Protein Dynamics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.T.); (N.H.); (M.R.); (I.V.); (L.Š.)
| | - Petar Ozretić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Lia Pinto
- Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy; (F.P.); (N.G.); (L.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Lidija Škreblin
- Laboratory for Protein Dynamics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.T.); (N.H.); (M.R.); (I.V.); (L.Š.)
| | - Giulia Barban
- Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy; (F.P.); (N.G.); (L.P.); (G.B.)
| | - Neda Slade
- Laboratory for Protein Dynamics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.T.); (N.H.); (M.R.); (I.V.); (L.Š.)
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yari Ciribilli
- Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Povo, TN, Italy; (F.P.); (N.G.); (L.P.); (G.B.)
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (Y.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Xu H, George E, Kinose Y, Kim H, Shah JB, Peake JD, Ferman B, Medvedev S, Murtha T, Barger CJ, Devins KM, D’Andrea K, Wubbenhorst B, Schwartz LE, Hwang WT, Mills GB, Nathanson KL, Karpf AR, Drapkin R, Brown EJ, Simpkins F. CCNE1 copy number is a biomarker for response to combination WEE1-ATR inhibition in ovarian and endometrial cancer models. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100394. [PMID: 34622231 PMCID: PMC8484689 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
CCNE1-amplified ovarian cancers (OVCAs) and endometrial cancers (EMCAs) are associated with platinum resistance and poor survival, representing a clinically unmet need. We hypothesized that dysregulated cell-cycle progression promoted by CCNE1 overexpression would lead to increased sensitivity to low-dose WEE1 inhibition and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibition (WEE1i-ATRi), thereby optimizing efficacy and tolerability. The addition of ATRi to WEE1i is required to block feedback activation of ATR signaling mediated by WEE1i. Low-dose WEE1i-ATRi synergistically decreases viability and colony formation and increases replication fork collapse and double-strand breaks (DSBs) in a CCNE1 copy number (CN)-dependent manner. Only upon CCNE1 induction does WEE1i perturb DNA synthesis at S-phase entry, and addition of ATRi increases DSBs during DNA synthesis. Inherent resistance to WEE1i is overcome with WEE1i-ATRi, with notable durable tumor regressions and improved survival in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in a CCNE1-level-dependent manner. These studies demonstrate that CCNE1 CN is a clinically tractable biomarker predicting responsiveness to low-dose WEE1i-ATRi for aggressive subsets of OVCAs/EMCAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haineng Xu
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Erin George
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yasuto Kinose
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hyoung Kim
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer B. Shah
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jasmine D. Peake
- Department of Cancer Biology and the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin Ferman
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sergey Medvedev
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thomas Murtha
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Carter J. Barger
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kyle M. Devins
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kurt D’Andrea
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bradley Wubbenhorst
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lauren E. Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Wei-Ting Hwang
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Katherine L. Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric J. Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology and the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Fiona Simpkins
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Resistance to targeted therapies is a major challenge in cancer care and occurs via genetic and non-genetic mechanisms. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Marin-Bejar et al. demonstrate that melanomas recurrently select genetic or non-genetic resistance trajectories and that targeting neural crest stem cell-like cells prevents non-genetic, but not genetic, resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorey K Smith
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052 VIC, Australia
| | - Karen E Sheppard
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052 VIC, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052 VIC, Australia
| | - Grant A McArthur
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000 VIC, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052 VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Targeted Therapies in Rare Brain Tumours. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157949. [PMID: 34360713 PMCID: PMC8348084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare central nervous system (CNS) tumours represent a unique challenge. Given the difficulty of conducting dedicated clinical trials, there is a lack of therapies for these tumours supported by high quality evidence, and knowledge regarding the impact of standard treatments (i.e., surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy) is commonly based on retrospective studies. Recently, new molecular techniques have led to the discovery of actionable molecular alterations. The aim of this article is to review recent progress in the molecular understanding of and therapeutic options for rare brain tumours, both in children and adults. We will discuss options such as targeting the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in subependymal giant cells astrocytomas (SEGAs) of tuberous sclerosis and BRAF V600E mutation in rare glial (pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas) or glioneuronal (gangliogliomas) tumours, which are a model of how specific molecular treatments can also favourably impact neurological symptoms (such as seizures) and quality of life. Moreover, we will discuss initial experiences in targeting new molecular alterations in gliomas, such as isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations and neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusions, and in medulloblastomas such as the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway.
Collapse
|
37
|
Betancourt LH, Gil J, Sanchez A, Doma V, Kuras M, Murillo JR, Velasquez E, Çakır U, Kim Y, Sugihara Y, Parada IP, Szeitz B, Appelqvist R, Wieslander E, Welinder C, de Almeida NP, Woldmar N, Marko‐Varga M, Eriksson J, Pawłowski K, Baldetorp B, Ingvar C, Olsson H, Lundgren L, Lindberg H, Oskolas H, Lee B, Berge E, Sjögren M, Eriksson C, Kim D, Kwon HJ, Knudsen B, Rezeli M, Malm J, Hong R, Horvath P, Szász AM, Tímár J, Kárpáti S, Horvatovich P, Miliotis T, Nishimura T, Kato H, Steinfelder E, Oppermann M, Miller K, Florindi F, Zhou Q, Domont GB, Pizzatti L, Nogueira FCS, Szadai L, Németh IB, Ekedahl H, Fenyö D, Marko‐Varga G. The Human Melanoma Proteome Atlas-Complementing the melanoma transcriptome. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e451. [PMID: 34323402 PMCID: PMC8299047 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The MM500 meta-study aims to establish a knowledge basis of the tumor proteome to serve as a complement to genome and transcriptome studies. Somatic mutations and their effect on the transcriptome have been extensively characterized in melanoma. However, the effects of these genetic changes on the proteomic landscape and the impact on cellular processes in melanoma remain poorly understood. In this study, the quantitative mass-spectrometry-based proteomic analysis is interfaced with pathological tumor characterization, and associated with clinical data. The melanoma proteome landscape, obtained by the analysis of 505 well-annotated melanoma tumor samples, is defined based on almost 16 000 proteins, including mutated proteoforms of driver genes. More than 50 million MS/MS spectra were analyzed, resulting in approximately 13,6 million peptide spectrum matches (PSMs). Altogether 13 176 protein-coding genes, represented by 366 172 peptides, in addition to 52 000 phosphorylation sites, and 4 400 acetylation sites were successfully annotated. This data covers 65% and 74% of the predicted and identified human proteome, respectively. A high degree of correlation (Pearson, up to 0.54) with the melanoma transcriptome of the TCGA repository, with an overlap of 12 751 gene products, was found. Mapping of the expressed proteins with quantitation, spatiotemporal localization, mutations, splice isoforms, and PTM variants was proven not to be predicted by genome sequencing alone. The melanoma tumor molecular map was complemented by analysis of blood protein expression, including data on proteins regulated after immunotherapy. By adding these key proteomic pillars, the MM500 study expands the knowledge on melanoma disease.
Collapse
|
38
|
Pópulo H, Domingues B, Sampaio C, Lopes JM, Soares P. Combinatorial Therapies to Overcome BRAF/MEK Inhibitors Resistance in Melanoma Cells: An in vitro Study. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:521-535. [PMID: 34079392 PMCID: PMC8163970 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s297831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma accounts for only 1% of all skin malignant tumors; however, it is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Since 2011, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved several novel therapeutic strategies, such as MAPK pathway targeted therapies, to treat cutaneous melanoma patients. However, their improvements in overall survival were limited, due to the development of resistance. METHODS In this work, several combinations of therapies, including the metabolic modulator DCA, were tested in melanoma cell lines, considering that MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways are deregulated and interconnected in melanoma and that the presence of the Warburg effect in melanoma cells may influence the response to therapy. The effect of the treatments was assessed in the proliferation and survival of melanoma cell lines with different genetic profiles. Also, the possibility to overcome resistance to the treatment with vemurafenib was tested. RESULTS In general, higher decrease in cell viability and cell proliferation and increase in apoptosis were obtained after the combination treatments, comparing with single treatments, in all the studied cell lines. The combination of cobimetinib and everolimus appear to be the best treatment option. The BRAFV600E -vemurafenib resistant melanoma cell line showed to retain sensitivity to both everolimus and DCA. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the combination of MAPK pathway inhibitors with mTOR pathway inhibitors and DCA should be considered as therapeutic options to treat melanoma patients, as the combinations potentiated the effects of each drug alone. In a cell line resistant to vemurafenib, we verified that combined MAPK inhibitors with inhibition of mTOR pathway and/or DCA metabolism modulation might constitute possible strategies in order to overcome resistance to MAPK inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Pópulo
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, IPATIMUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Domingues
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, IPATIMUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Sampaio
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, IPATIMUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Lopes
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, IPATIMUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Hospital São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Soares
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, IPATIMUP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Appleton KM, Palsuledesai CC, Misek SA, Blake M, Zagorski J, Gallo KA, Dexheimer TS, Neubig RR. Inhibition of the Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor Pathway Increases Efficacy of Trametinib in NRAS-Mutant Melanoma Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092012. [PMID: 33921974 PMCID: PMC8122681 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, and treatment is often ineffective due to the development of resistance to targeted therapeutic agents. The most prevalent form of melanoma with a mutated BRAF gene has an effective treatment, but the second most common mutation in melanoma (NRAS) leads to tumors that lack targeted therapies. In this study, we show that NRAS mutant human melanoma cells that are most resistant to inhibition of the oncogenic pathway have a second activated pathway (Rho). Inhibiting that pathway at one of several points can produce more effective cell killing than inhibition of the NRAS pathway alone. This raises the possibility that such a combination treatment could prove effective in those melanomas that fail to respond to existing targeted therapies such as vemurafenib and trametinib. Abstract The Ras/MEK/ERK pathway has been the primary focus of targeted therapies in melanoma; it is aberrantly activated in almost 80% of human cutaneous melanomas (≈50% BRAFV600 mutations and ≈30% NRAS mutations). While drugs targeting the MAPK pathway have yielded success in BRAFV600 mutant melanoma patients, such therapies have been ineffective in patients with NRAS mutant melanomas in part due to their cytostatic effects and primary resistance. Here, we demonstrate that increased Rho/MRTF-pathway activation correlates with high intrinsic resistance to the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, in a panel of NRAS mutant melanoma cell lines. A combination of trametinib with the Rho/MRTF-pathway inhibitor, CCG-222740, synergistically reduced cell viability in NRAS mutant melanoma cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, the combination of CCG-222740 with trametinib induced apoptosis and reduced clonogenicity in SK-Mel-147 cells, which are highly resistant to trametinib. These findings suggest a role of the Rho/MRTF-pathway in intrinsic trametinib resistance in a subset of NRAS mutant melanoma cell lines and highlight the therapeutic potential of concurrently targeting the Rho/MRTF-pathway and MEK in NRAS mutant melanomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Appleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.M.A.); (C.C.P.); (M.B.); (J.Z.); (T.S.D.)
| | - Charuta C. Palsuledesai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.M.A.); (C.C.P.); (M.B.); (J.Z.); (T.S.D.)
| | - Sean A. Misek
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (S.A.M.); (K.A.G.)
| | - Maja Blake
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.M.A.); (C.C.P.); (M.B.); (J.Z.); (T.S.D.)
| | - Joseph Zagorski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.M.A.); (C.C.P.); (M.B.); (J.Z.); (T.S.D.)
| | - Kathleen A. Gallo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (S.A.M.); (K.A.G.)
| | - Thomas S. Dexheimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.M.A.); (C.C.P.); (M.B.); (J.Z.); (T.S.D.)
| | - Richard R. Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.M.A.); (C.C.P.); (M.B.); (J.Z.); (T.S.D.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-517-353-7145
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Chang SN, Khan I, Kim CG, Park SM, Choi DK, Lee H, Hwang BS, Kang SC, Park JG. Decursinol Angelate Arrest Melanoma Cell Proliferation by Initiating Cell Death and Tumor Shrinkage via Induction of Apoptosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4096. [PMID: 33921050 PMCID: PMC8071397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is known to aggressively metastasize and is one of the prominent causes of skin cancer mortality. This study was designed to assess the molecular mechanism of decursinol angelate (DA) against murine melanoma cell line (B16F10 cells). Treatment of DA resulted in growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 (p < 0.001) phase, evaluated through immunoblotting. Moreover, autophagy-related proteins such as ATG-5 (p < 0.0001), ATG-7 (p < 0.0001), beclin-1 (p < 0.0001) and transition of LC3-I to LC3-II (p < 0.0001) were markedly decreased, indicating autophagosome inhibition. Additionally, DA treatment triggered apoptotic events which were corroborated by the occurrence of distorted nuclei, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Subsequently, there was an increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax in a dose-dependent manner, with the corresponding downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and cytochrome C expression following 24 h DA treatment in A375.SM and B16F10 cells. We substantiated our results for apoptotic occurrence through flow cytometry in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, we treated B16F10 cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). NAC treatment upregulated ATG-5 (p < 0.0001), beclin-1 (p < 0.0001) and LC3-I to LC3-II (p < 0.0001) conversion, which was inhibited in the DA treatment group. We also noticed a systematic upregulation of important markers for progression of G1 cell phase such as CDK-2 (p < 0.029), CDK-4 (p < 0.036), cyclin D1 (p < 0.0003) and cyclin E (p < 0.020) upon NAC treatment. In addition, we also observed a significant fold reduction (p < 0.05) in ROS fluorescent intensity and the expression of Bax (p < 0.0001), cytochrome C (p < 0.0001), cleaved caspase-9 (p > 0.010) and cleaved caspase-3 (p < 0.0001). NAC treatment was able to ameliorate DA-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest to support our finding. Our in vivo xenograft model also revealed similar findings, such as downregulation of CDK-2 (p < 0.0001) and CDK-4 (p < 0.0142) and upregulation of Bax (p < 0.0001), cytochrome C (p < 0.0001), cleaved caspase 3 (p < 0.0001) and cleaved caspase 9 (p < 0.0001). In summary, our study revealed that DA is an effective treatment against B16F10 melanoma cells and xenograft mice model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sukkum Ngullie Chang
- Advanced Bio Convergence Center (ABCC), Pohang Technopark Foundation, Pohang 37668, Korea; (S.N.C.); (C.G.K.); (S.M.P.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Korea;
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Korea;
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Chang Geon Kim
- Advanced Bio Convergence Center (ABCC), Pohang Technopark Foundation, Pohang 37668, Korea; (S.N.C.); (C.G.K.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Seon Min Park
- Advanced Bio Convergence Center (ABCC), Pohang Technopark Foundation, Pohang 37668, Korea; (S.N.C.); (C.G.K.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Dong Kyu Choi
- New Drug Development Center, DGMIF, 88 Dongnae-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41061, Korea; (D.K.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Heejin Lee
- New Drug Development Center, DGMIF, 88 Dongnae-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41061, Korea; (D.K.C.); (H.L.)
| | - Buyng Su Hwang
- Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources, Sangju 37242, Korea;
| | - Sun Chul Kang
- Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 38453, Korea;
| | - Jae Gyu Park
- Advanced Bio Convergence Center (ABCC), Pohang Technopark Foundation, Pohang 37668, Korea; (S.N.C.); (C.G.K.); (S.M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Research Techniques Made Simple: Preclinical Development of Combination Antitumor Targeted Therapies in Dermatology. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 140:2319-2325.e1. [PMID: 33222758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The identification and application of targeted therapies that inhibit critical pathways in malignant cells have shown tremendous promise for improving clinical outcomes for patients with advanced cutaneous malignancies. However, tumor cell heterogeneity, development of drug resistance, and risks of off-target effects remain barriers to prolonged remission and definitive cure. Herein, we describe the potential that combinations of antitumor targeted agents may offer in overcoming these challenges and detail techniques whereby promising combination regimens can be identified and further evaluated preclinically. Cancer cell lines and primary patient-derived malignant cells can be utilized to perform dose-response screenings in vitro for individual targeted agents before moving toward the evaluation of potential synergistic combinations. Mathematical analyses, including the Chou-Talalay method, determine combination indices and Hill slopes that permit relative comparisons among various drug combinations by quantification of synergistic activities. Further preclinical in vivo evaluation of promising single versus combination regimens may be studied in relevant mouse models of cutaneous malignancy. Ultimately, the formulation of combination targeted therapy regimens may be more broadly effective and less toxic, helping to better inform clinical trial design and prioritization.
Collapse
|
42
|
Cui H, Wang Q, Miller DD, Li W. The Tubulin Inhibitor VERU-111 in Combination With Vemurafenib Provides an Effective Treatment of Vemurafenib-Resistant A375 Melanoma. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:637098. [PMID: 33841154 PMCID: PMC8027488 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.637098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers having a five-year survival rate around 15–20%. An overactivated MAPK/AKT pathway is well-established in BRAF mutant melanoma. Vemurafenib (Vem) was the first FDA-approved BRAF inhibitor and gained great clinical success in treating late-stage melanoma. However, most patients develop acquired resistance to Vem within 6–9 months. Therefore, developing a new treatment strategy to overcome Vem-resistance is highly significant. Our previous study reported that the combination of a tubulin inhibitor ABI-274 with Vem showed a significant synergistic effect to sensitize Vem-resistant melanoma both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we unveiled that VERU-111, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of α and β tubulin that is under clinical development, is highly potent against Vem-resistant melanoma cells. The combination of Vem and VERU-111 resulted in a dramatically enhanced inhibitory effect on cancer cells in vitro and Vem-resistant melanoma tumor growth in vivo compared with single-agent treatment. Further molecular signaling analyses demonstrated that in addition to ERK/AKT pathway, Skp2 E3 ligase also plays a critical role in Vem-resistant mechanisms. Knockout of Skp2 diminished oncogene AKT expression and contributed to the synergistic inhibitory effect of Vem and VERU-111. Our results indicate a treatment combination of VERU-111 and Vem holds a great promise to overcome Vem-resistance for melanoma patients harboring BRAF (V600E) mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Institute of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qinghui Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
He Y, Li W, Zhang J, Yang Y, Qian YW, Zhou D. The curcumin analog EF24 is highly active against chemotherapy-resistant melanoma cells. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:608-618. [PMID: 33655859 DOI: 10.2174/1568009621666210303092921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant melanoma (MM) is an aggressive type of skin cancer with a poor prognosis, because MM cells are characterized by unresponsiveness to chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of several curcumin analogs on four MM cell lines (SK-MEL-28, MeWo, A-375, and CHL-1), and explored their underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS Cell viability was measured by a Tetrazolium-based MTS assay. Cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. Protein levels were assayed by western blotting. RESULTS MM cells are quite resistant to the conventional chemotherapeutics cisplatin and dacarbazine, and the targeted therapy drug vemurafinib. Among the curcumin analogs, EF24 is the most potent compound against the resistant MM cells. EF24 dose- and time-dependently reduced the viability of MM cells by inducing apoptosis. Although EF24 did not increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it upregulated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker BiP, but downregulated the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling. Moreover, treatment of MM cells with EF24 downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, as well as the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) XIAP, cIAP1, and Birc7, which are known to protect MM cells from apoptosis. The downregulation of Bcl-2 and IAP expression by EF24 was associated with the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that EF24 is a potent anti-MM agent. The anti-MM effect is likely mediated by the suppression of UPR and the NF-κB pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonghan He
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610. United States
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610. United States
| | - Junling Zhang
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610. United States
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610. United States
| | - Ya-Wei Qian
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205. United States
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610. United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cho E, Lou HJ, Kuruvilla L, Calderwood DA, Turk BE. PPP6C negatively regulates oncogenic ERK signaling through dephosphorylation of MEK. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108928. [PMID: 33789117 PMCID: PMC8068315 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Flux through the RAF-MEK-ERK protein kinase cascade is shaped by phosphatases acting on the core components of the pathway. Despite being an established drug target and a hub for crosstalk regulation, little is known about dephosphorylation of MEK, the central kinase within the cascade. Here, we identify PPP6C, a phosphatase frequently mutated or downregulated in melanoma, as a major MEK phosphatase in cells exhibiting oncogenic ERK pathway activation. Recruitment of MEK to PPP6C occurs through an interaction with its associated regulatory subunits. Loss of PPP6C causes hyperphosphorylation of MEK at activating and crosstalk phosphorylation sites, promoting signaling through the ERK pathway and decreasing sensitivity to MEK inhibitors. Recurrent melanoma-associated PPP6C mutations cause MEK hyperphosphorylation, suggesting that they promote disease at least in part by activating the core oncogenic pathway driving melanoma. Collectively, our studies identify a key negative regulator of ERK signaling that may influence susceptibility to targeted cancer therapies. Through an shRNA screen, Cho et al. identify PPP6C as a phosphatase that inactivates the kinase MEK, sensitizing tumor cells to clinical MEK inhibitors. This study suggests that cancer-associated loss-of-function PPP6C mutations prevalent in melanoma serve to activate the core oncogenic RAF-MEK-ERK pathway that drives the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Hua Jane Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Leena Kuruvilla
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - David A Calderwood
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Benjamin E Turk
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Tran KB, Kolekar S, Jabed A, Jaynes P, Shih JH, Wang Q, Flanagan JU, Rewcastle GW, Baguley BC, Shepherd PR. Diverse mechanisms activate the PI 3-kinase/mTOR pathway in melanomas: implications for the use of PI 3-kinase inhibitors to overcome resistance to inhibitors of BRAF and MEK. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:136. [PMID: 33549048 PMCID: PMC7866738 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-07826-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The PI 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has been implicated as a target for melanoma therapy. Methods Given the high degree of genetic heterogeneity in melanoma, we sought to understand the breadth of variation in PI3K signalling in the large NZM panel of early passage cell lines developed from metastatic melanomas. Results We find the vast majority of lines show upregulation of this pathway, and this upregulation is achieved by a wide range of mechanisms. Expression of all class-IA PI3K isoforms was readily detected in these cell lines. A range of genetic changes in different components of the PI3K pathway was seen in different lines. Coding variants or amplification were identified in the PIK3CA gene, and amplification of the PK3CG gene was common. Deletions in the PIK3R1 and PIK3R2 regulatory subunits were also relatively common. Notably, no genetic variants were seen in the PIK3CD gene despite p110δ being expressed in many of the lines. Genetic variants were detected in a number of genes that encode phosphatases regulating the PI3K signalling, with reductions in copy number common in PTEN, INPP4B, INPP5J, PHLLP1 and PHLLP2 genes. While the pan-PI3K inhibitor ZSTK474 attenuated cell growth in all the lines tested, isoform-selective inhibition of p110α and p110δ inhibited cell growth in only a subset of the lines and the inhibition was only partial. This suggests that functional redundancy exists between PI3K isoforms. Furthermore, while ZSTK474 was initially effective in melanoma cells with induced resistance to vemurafenib, a subset of these cell lines concurrently developed partial resistance to PI3K inhibition. Importantly, mTOR-selective or mTOR/PI3K dual inhibitors effectively inhibited cell growth in all the lines, including those already resistant to BRAF inhibitors and ZSTK474. Conclusions Overall, this indicates a high degree of diversity in the way the PI3K pathway is activated in different melanoma cell lines and that mTOR is the most effective point for targeting the growth via the PI3K pathway across all of these cell lines. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07826-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khanh B Tran
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sharada Kolekar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anower Jabed
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patrick Jaynes
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jen-Hsing Shih
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Qian Wang
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jack U Flanagan
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gordon W Rewcastle
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bruce C Baguley
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R Shepherd
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Haugh AM, Salama AKS, Johnson DB. Advanced Melanoma: Resistance Mechanisms to Current Therapies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2021; 35:111-128. [PMID: 33759769 PMCID: PMC7991196 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Novel therapeutic agents introduced over the past decade, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies, have revolutionized the management of metastatic melanoma and significantly improved patient outcomes. Although robust and durable responses have been noted in some cases, treatment is often limited by innate or acquired resistance to these agents. This article provides an overview of known and suspected mechanisms involved with acquired resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors as well as developing insights into innate and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors in patients with melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Haugh
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 719 Thompson Lane, Suite 20400, Nashville, TN 37204, USA
| | - April K S Salama
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 20 Duke Medicine Cir, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, 777 PRB, 2220 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
About half of all cutaneous melanomas harbor activating mutations in the BRAF oncogene. Dependence on this pathway makes the tumors vulnerable to BRAF (and downstream MEK) inhibition, and three drug combinations are approved to target this vulnerability in advanced melanomas with BRAFV600 mutations. Responses to BRAF/MEK inhibitors are usually fast, but durability of response can be limited. Five-year data from BRAF/MEK inhibitors show long-term survival benefit for a third of the patients. There is a wide variety of known mechanisms of resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibition, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase reactivation, activation of parallel pathways, alterations in cell-cycle regulation, and non-genetic resistance mechanisms. Strategies that have been explored to overcome these mechanisms include alternative dosing regimens, addition of another kinase inhibitor, and use of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy either in combination or post-relapse on BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapies.
Collapse
|
48
|
Krajewski A, Gagat M, Mikołajczyk K, Izdebska M, Żuryń A, Grzanka A. Cyclin F Downregulation Affects Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Increasing Proliferation and Migration of the A-375 Melanoma Cell Line. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:13085-13097. [PMID: 33376401 PMCID: PMC7765751 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s279169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cyclins are well-known cell cycle regulators. The activation of cyclin-dependent kinases by cyclins allows orchestration of the complicated cell cycle machinery and drives the cell from the G1 phase to the end of the mitotic phase. In recent years, it has become evident that cyclins are involved in processes beyond the cell cycle. Cyclin F does not activate CDKs but forms part of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box (SCF) complex where it is responsible for protein target recognition and subsequent degradation in a proteasome-dependent manner. Results Here, we report that the downregulation of cyclin F in the A-375 melanoma cell line increases cell viability and colony formation in a cell cycle independent manner. Lower levels of cyclin F do not appear to affect the cell cycle, based on flow cytometry measuring BrdU incorporation and propidium iodide staining. By means of immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis, we observed changes in cell morphology-related markers which suggested ongoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to cyclin F downregulation. Increases in vimentin and N-cadherin protein levels, decreases in levels of epithelial markers such as ZO-1, along with changes in morphology to a spindle-like shape with the appearance of actin stress fibers, are all hallmarks of EMT. These changes are associated with increased invasive and migratory potential, based on 2D migration assays. Moreover, we observe an increase in RhoABC, talin and paxillin levels, the proteins involved in controlling cell signaling and motility. Lastly, upon knocking down cyclin F expression, we observed a decrease in thrombospondin-1 expression, suggesting a role of cyclin F in angiogenesis. Conclusion Cyclin F depletion induces proliferation and EMT processes in the A-375 melanoma model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Krajewski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Maciej Gagat
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Klaudia Mikołajczyk
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Izdebska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Żuryń
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Alina Grzanka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Bolomsky A, Vogler M, Köse MC, Heckman CA, Ehx G, Ludwig H, Caers J. MCL-1 inhibitors, fast-lane development of a new class of anti-cancer agents. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:173. [PMID: 33308268 PMCID: PMC7731749 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-01007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell death escape is one of the most prominent features of tumor cells and closely linked to the dysregulation of members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Among those, the anti-apoptotic family member myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) acts as a master regulator of apoptosis in various human malignancies. Irrespective of its unfavorable structure profile, independent research efforts recently led to the generation of highly potent MCL-1 inhibitors that are currently evaluated in clinical trials. This offers new perspectives to target a so far undruggable cancer cell dependency. However, a detailed understanding about the tumor and tissue type specific implications of MCL-1 are a prerequisite for the optimal (i.e., precision medicine guided) use of this novel drug class. In this review, we summarize the major functions of MCL-1 with a special focus on cancer, provide insights into its different roles in solid vs. hematological tumors and give an update about the (pre)clinical development program of state-of-the-art MCL-1 targeting compounds. We aim to raise the awareness about the heterogeneous role of MCL-1 as drug target between, but also within tumor entities and to highlight the importance of rationale treatment decisions on a case by case basis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnold Bolomsky
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Meike Vogler
- Department of Clinical Hematology, GIGA-I3, University of Liège, CHU De Liège, 35, Dom Univ Sart Tilman B, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Murat Cem Köse
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Caroline A Heckman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Grégory Ehx
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Heinz Ludwig
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jo Caers
- Department of Clinical Hematology, GIGA-I3, University of Liège, CHU De Liège, 35, Dom Univ Sart Tilman B, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Matter AV, Micaletto S, Urner‐Bloch U, Dummer R, Goldinger SM. Long-Term Response to Intermittent Binimetinib in Patients with NRAS-Mutant Melanoma. Oncologist 2020; 25:e1593-e1597. [PMID: 32886824 PMCID: PMC7648363 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma can be classified based on the detection of relevant oncogenic driver mutations. These mutations partially determine a patient's treatment options. MEK inhibitors have demonstrated little efficacy in patients with NRAS-mutated melanoma owing to primary and secondary resistance. We report two patients with NRAS-mutant metastatic melanoma with long-term response to intermittent MEK-inhibitor binimetinib therapy. Intermittent dosing schedules could play a key role in preventing resistance to targeted therapy. This article highlights the efficacy of an intermittent dosing schedule, toxicities associated with binimetinib, and possible mechanisms preventing resistance in targeted therapy. Intermittent MEK-inhibitor therapy may be considered in patients with NRAS-mutated melanoma that have failed all standard therapies. KEY POINTS: Melanomas harbor NRAS mutations in 10%-30% of the cases. These mutations promote hyperactivation of the MAPK pathway, leading to proliferation and prolonged survival of tumor cells. Currently, drugs directly targeting NRAS are not available. Downstream inhibition of the MAPK pathway can be considered as a therapeutic option after immunotherapeutic failure. Intermittent administration of kinase inhibitors might be the way to partially overcome the development of drug resistance by (a) inducing a fitness deficit for drug-resistant cells on treatment break, (b) increasing the immunogenicity, and (c) inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. It also enhances expression of numerous immunomodulating molecules, and reduction of immunosuppressive factors, which suggests better access of the immune system to the tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Micaletto
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Ursula Urner‐Bloch
- Department of Private Ophthalmic Practice in Cooperation with the Skin Cancer Unit, University Hospital of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Simone M. Goldinger
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|