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Thomas P, Selvakumar SC, Preethi KA, Sekar D. Expression profiling of signal transducer and activator of transcription3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma in south Indian population. Minerva Dent Oral Sci 2024; 73:37-44. [PMID: 37878241 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6329.23.04840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is widely acknowledged as the most prevalent form of oral malignancy. The annual identification of approximately 540,000 new cases of OSCC highlights its significant impact. The survival rate beyond 5 years postsurgery remains low. The role of signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3), a signaling protein involved in various cellular processes, has garnered attention. Aberrant activation of STAT3 has been implicated in OSCC progression and aggressiveness. Understanding the impact of STAT3 dysregulation on OSCC outcomes could provide valuable insights for developing targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the expression levels of STAT3 in OSCC and normal tissues of the same patients. METHODS The expression levels of STAT3 in 63 OSCC samples were detected by qRT-PCR and compared to patient-matched-non-tumor oral tissues. Data were normalized to internal controls, and fold change in STAT3 expression was calculated using the ∆∆Ct method. Correlations between expression level and clinicopathologic characteristics like staging and grading of OSCC samples were also analyzed. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that STAT3 expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.0001) in OSCC patients compared to normal control tissue. Furthermore, we also observed a positive correlation between elevated STAT3 expression and higher OSCC histological grades when compared to the normal tissue. Well differentiated OSCC showed a slightly lower expression compared to the other two grades. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the involvement of STAT3 in OSCC tumorigenesis. We propose that STAT3 might be used as a potential biomarker for OSCC. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the mechanistic basis for the observed associations and to explore STAT3's potential as a therapeutic target in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Thomas
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, India
| | - Sushmaa C Selvakumar
- RNA Biology Lab, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - K Auxzilia Preethi
- RNA Biology Lab, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Durairaj Sekar
- RNA Biology Lab, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India -
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2
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Jill N, Bhootra S, Kannanthodi S, Shanmugam G, Rakshit S, Rajak R, Thakkar V, Sarkar K. Interplay between signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins and cancer: involvement, therapeutic and prognostic perspective. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:4323-4339. [PMID: 37775649 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01198-8] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducers and activators of transcription or STAT are proteins that consist of various transcription factors that are responsible for activating genes regarding cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. They commonly activate several cytokine, growth, or hormone factors via the JAK-STAT signaling pathway by tyrosine phosphorylation which are responsible for giving rise to numerous immune responses. Mutations within the Janus-Kinases (JAKs) or the STATs can set off the commencement of various malfunctions of the immune system of the body; carcinogenesis being an inevitable outcome. STATs are known to act as both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes which makes it a hot topic of investigation. Various STATs related mechanisms are currently being investigated to analyze its potential of serving as a therapeutic base for numerous immune diseases and cancer; a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the signaling pathways can contribute to the same. This review will throw light upon each STAT member in causing cancer malignancies by affecting subsequent signaling pathways and its genetic and epigenetic associations as well as various inhibitors that could be used to target these pathways thereby devising new treatment options. The review will also focus upon the therapeutic advances made in cancers that most commonly affect people and discuss how STAT genes are identified as prognostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandana Jill
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Sannidhi Bhootra
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Samiyah Kannanthodi
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Geetha Shanmugam
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Sudeshna Rakshit
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Rohit Rajak
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Vidhi Thakkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
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3
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Koukourakis IM, Platoni K, Kouloulias V, Arelaki S, Zygogianni A. Prostate Cancer Stem Cells: Biology and Treatment Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14890. [PMID: 37834336 PMCID: PMC10573523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914890] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells differentiate into mature organ/tissue-specific cells at a steady pace under normal conditions, but their growth can be accelerated during the process of tissue healing or in the context of certain diseases. It is postulated that the proliferation and growth of carcinomas are sustained by the presence of a vital cellular compartment resembling stem cells residing in normal tissues: 'stem-like cancer cells' or cancer stem cells (CSCs). Mutations in prostate stem cells can lead to the formation of prostate cancer. Prostate CSCs (PCSCs) have been identified and partially characterized. These express surface markers include CD44, CD133, integrin α2β1, and pluripotency factors like OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2. Several signaling pathways are also over-activated, including Notch, PTEN/Akt/PI3K, RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK and HH. Moreover, PCSCs appear to induce resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while their presence has been linked to aggressive cancer behavior and higher relapse rates. The development of treatment policies to target PCSCs in tumors is appealing as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, through cancer cell killing, trigger tumor repopulation via activated stem cells. Thus, blocking this reactive stem cell mobilization may facilitate a positive outcome through cytotoxic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis M. Koukourakis
- Radiation Oncology Unit, 1st Department of Radiology, Aretaieion Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUOA), 11528 Athens, Greece; (I.M.K.); (A.Z.)
| | - Kalliopi Platoni
- Medical Physics Unit, 2nd Department of Radiology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUOA), 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Kouloulias
- Radiation Oncology Unit, 2nd Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUOA), 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stella Arelaki
- Translational Functional Cancer Genomics, National Center for Tumor Diseases, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Anna Zygogianni
- Radiation Oncology Unit, 1st Department of Radiology, Aretaieion Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUOA), 11528 Athens, Greece; (I.M.K.); (A.Z.)
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4
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Kazan O, Kir G, Culpan M, Cecikoglu GE, Atis G, Yildirim A. The association between PI3K, JAK/STAT pathways with the PDL-1 expression in prostate cancer. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14541. [PMID: 35880672 DOI: 10.1111/and.14541] [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: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein-1/programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-1/PDL-1) signalling pathway has gained attention in prostate cancer. The relationship between pSTAT-1, pSTAT-3 expressions and PTEN loss with PDL-1 expression was assessed and the effects of the pathways on prostate cancer prognosis were evaluated. Patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2011 and 2017 were included in our study. Prostatectomy materials were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining of pSTAT-1, pSTAT-3, PTEN, and PDL-1. The relationship between PDL-1 and pSTAT-1, pSTAT-3 expressions and PTEN loss was evaluated. Additionally, factors affecting biochemical recurrence-free survival and clinical progression-free survival were analysed. Within100 patients, 9 of 11 patients with PDL-1 expression also had intermediate-high pSTAT-1 staining intensity, and those with PDL-1 expression had higher pSTAT-1 staining intensity than those without (81.9% vs. 56.2%, p = 0.014). In univariate analysis, pSTAT-1, pSTAT-3 and PDL-1 expressions had significant impact on biochemical recurrence-free and clinical progression-free survival. In multivariate analysis, pSTAT-1 staining intensity with radical prostatectomy ISUP grade in terms of biochemical recurrence-free survival and the pSTAT-1 H-score with radical prostatectomy ISUP grade in terms of clinical progression-free survival were independent risk factors. Moderate-high expression of pSTAT-1 was closely associated with PDL-1 expression, and pSTAT-1 was also a predictor of biochemical recurrence and clinical progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Kazan
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gozde Kir
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meftun Culpan
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gozde Ecem Cecikoglu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Atis
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Asif Yildirim
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Nakagawa T, Oda G, Kawachi H, Ishikawa T, Okamoto K, Uetake H. Nuclear Expression of p-STAT3 Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in ER(−) Breast Cancer. Clin Pract 2022; 12:157-167. [PMID: 35314590 PMCID: PMC8938801 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract12020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been reported in several types of cancer, where it acts as an oncogene. However, in breast cancer, the clinical role of STAT3 remains unclear. In the present study, the association between phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3) expression and clinicopathological/biological factors was examined in each subtype. p-STAT3 expression was examined in 135 cases of breast cancer by immunohistochemistry. p-STAT3 expression was not associated with clinicopathological/biological factors and prognosis in a complete cohort of breast cancer cases. However, in patients with estrogen receptor-negative (ER(−)) breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), multivariate analysis showed that higher p-STAT3 expression was significantly associated with a short relapse-free survival (p = 0.029, HR 5.37, 95%CI 1.19–24.29). TNBC patients with p-STAT3 overexpression were found to have a poor prognosis (p = 0.029, HR 5.37, 95%CI 1.19–24.29). On the other hand, in ER(+) breast cancer, p-STAT3 overexpression was associated with a favorable prognosis (p = 0.034, HR 9.48, 95%CI 1.18–76.21). The present results suggested that STAT3 expression may play a different role in ER(−) and ER(+) breast cancer. In the future, the pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 expression may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for ER(−) breast cancer, particularly TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Nakagawa
- Department of Specialized Surgeries, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan; (G.O.); (T.I.); (K.O.); (H.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5803-5261
| | - Goshi Oda
- Department of Specialized Surgeries, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan; (G.O.); (T.I.); (K.O.); (H.U.)
| | - Hiroshi Kawachi
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan;
| | - Toshiaki Ishikawa
- Department of Specialized Surgeries, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan; (G.O.); (T.I.); (K.O.); (H.U.)
| | - Kentaro Okamoto
- Department of Specialized Surgeries, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan; (G.O.); (T.I.); (K.O.); (H.U.)
| | - Hiroyuki Uetake
- Department of Specialized Surgeries, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan; (G.O.); (T.I.); (K.O.); (H.U.)
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6
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Nuclear expression of pSTAT3Tyr705 and pSTAT3Ser727 in the stromal compartment of localized hormone-naïve prostate cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 232:153811. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Exploration of Redox-Related Molecular Patterns and the Redox Score for Prostate Cancer. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:4548594. [PMID: 34804366 PMCID: PMC8601839 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4548594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Redox homeostasis is the key to cell survival, and its imbalance can promote the occurrence and progression of tumors. However, it remains unclear whether these redox-related genes (RRGs) have potential roles in the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy, and drug sensitivity. Here, we performed a systematic and comprehensive analysis of 489 prostate cancer (PC) samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 214 PC samples from 8 datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus database to determine redox modification patterns and the redox scoring system for PC. We identified two modification patterns (Redox_A and Redox_B) in PC using unsupervised consensus clustering based on 1410 differential expression RRGs. We then compared the prognostic value, tumor microenvironment characteristics, immune cell infiltration, and molecular characteristics of the two patterns. The Redox_A pattern was significantly enriched in the carcinogenic activation signaling pathways and had a poor prognosis, while the Redox_B pattern was mainly enriched in a variety of metabolic and redox pathways and had a good prognosis. Next, redox-related characteristic genes were extracted from these two patterns, and a scoring system (Redox_score) was constructed to evaluate PC patients. Further analysis indicated that lower Redox_score patients had a better prognosis, while higher Redox_score patients had a higher tumor mutation burden, driver gene mutation rate, and immune checkpoint inhibitor gene expression. We also found that higher Redox_score patients were more responsive to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Moreover, Redox_score was determined to be significantly correlated with anticancer drug sensitivity and resistance. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of redox modifications in PC and reveals new patterns of PC based on RRGs, which will provide insights into the complex mechanisms of PC and develop more effective individualized therapeutic strategies.
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Singla RK, Sharma P, Dubey AK, Gundamaraju R, Kumar D, Kumar S, Madaan R, Shri R, Tsagkaris C, Parisi S, Joon S, Singla S, Kamal MA, Shen B. Natural Product-Based Studies for the Management of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Computational to Clinical Studies. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:732266. [PMID: 34737700 PMCID: PMC8560712 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.732266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: With prostate cancer being the fifth-greatest cause of cancer mortality in 2020, there is a dire need to expand the available treatment options. Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) progresses despite androgen depletion therapy. The mechanisms of resistance are yet to be fully discovered. However, it is hypothesized that androgens depletion enables androgen-independent cells to proliferate and recolonize the tumor. Objectives: Natural bioactive compounds from edible plants and herbal remedies might potentially address this need. This review compiles the available cheminformatics-based studies and the translational studies regarding the use of natural products to manage CRPC. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar searches for preclinical studies were performed, while ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed were searched for clinical updates. Studies that were not in English and not available as full text were excluded. The period of literature covered was from 1985 to the present. Results and Conclusion: Our analysis suggested that natural compounds exert beneficial effects due to their broad-spectrum molecular disease-associated targets. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed several bioactive compounds, including rutaecarpine, berberine, curcumin, other flavonoids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, and steroid-based phytochemicals. Molecular modeling tools, including machine and deep learning, have made the analysis more comprehensive. Preclinical and clinical studies on resveratrol, soy isoflavone, lycopene, quercetin, and gossypol have further validated the translational potential of the natural products in the management of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev K. Singla
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Pooja Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
- Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Amritsar, India
| | | | - Rohit Gundamaraju
- ER Stress and Mucosal Immunology Lab, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sri Sai College of Pharmacy, Amritsar, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | - Reecha Madaan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Richa Shri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India
| | | | - Salvatore Parisi
- Lourdes Matha Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Shikha Joon
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Shailja Singla
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- West China School of Nursing/Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Enzymoics; Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, Australia
| | - Bairong Shen
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Second-Generation Jak2 Inhibitors for Advanced Prostate Cancer: Are We Ready for Clinical Development? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205204. [PMID: 34680353 PMCID: PMC8533841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205204] [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: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate Cancer (PC) is currently estimated to affect 1 in 9 men and is the second leading cause of cancer in men in the US. While androgen deprivation therapy, which targets the androgen receptor, is one of the front-line therapies for advanced PC and for recurrence of organ-confined PC treated with surgery, lethal castrate-resistant PC develops consistently in patients. PC is a multi-focal cancer with different grade carcinoma areas presenting simultaneously. Jak2-Stat5 signaling pathway has emerged as a potentially highly effective molecular target in PCs with positive areas for activated Stat5 protein. Activated Jak2-Stat5 signaling can be readily targeted by the second-generation Jak2-inhibitors that have been developed for myeloproliferative and autoimmune disorders and hematological malignancies. In this review, we analyze and summarize the Jak2 inhibitors that are currently in preclinical and clinical development. Abstract Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic and high-risk prostate cancer (PC) inhibits growth pathways driven by the androgen receptor (AR). Over time, ADT leads to the emergence of lethal castrate-resistant PC (CRPC), which is consistently caused by an acquired ability of tumors to re-activate AR. This has led to the development of second-generation anti-androgens that more effectively antagonize AR, such as enzalutamide (ENZ). However, the resistance of CRPC to ENZ develops rapidly. Studies utilizing preclinical models of PC have established that inhibition of the Jak2-Stat5 signaling leads to extensive PC cell apoptosis and decreased tumor growth. In large clinical cohorts, Jak2-Stat5 activity predicts PC progression and recurrence. Recently, Jak2-Stat5 signaling was demonstrated to induce ENZ-resistant PC growth in preclinical PC models, further emphasizing the importance of Jak2-Stat5 for therapeutic targeting for advanced PC. The discovery of the Jak2V617F somatic mutation in myeloproliferative disorders triggered the rapid development of Jak1/2-specific inhibitors for a variety of myeloproliferative and auto-immune disorders as well as hematological malignancies. Here, we review Jak2 inhibitors targeting the mutated Jak2V617F vs. wild type (WT)-Jak2 that are currently in the development pipeline. Among these 35 compounds with documented Jak2 inhibitory activity, those with potency against WT-Jak2 hold strong potential for advanced PC therapy.
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Wang Y, Cheng Z, Xu J, Lai M, Liu L, Zuo M, Dang L. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) mediates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-drived resistance of breast cancer to doxorubicin. Bioengineered 2021; 12:1874-1889. [PMID: 34076564 PMCID: PMC8806322 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1924544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is implicated in breast cancer (BC) chemoresistance, but its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. There are STAT3 binding sites in fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) promoter region, thus STAT3 may regulate the transcription of FTO. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between FTO and STAT3 in BC chemoresistance. Herein, FTO and STAT3 were highly expressed in doxorubicin-resistant BC (BC-DoxR) cells. CHIP assay verified the binding between STAT3 and FTO promoter in BC-DoxR cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that FTO promoter activity was inhibited by S3I-201 (STAT3 inhibitor) but enhanced by epidermal growth factor (EGF, STAT3 activator) in BC-DoxR and BC cells. FTO mRNA and protein expression were suppressed by S3I-201 in BC-DoxR cells and EGF-stimulated BC cells. Notably, FTO regulated total N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels in BC-DoxR and BC cells but could not affect STAT3 mRNA expression, indicating that FTO was not involved in the m6A modification of STAT3. However, FTO could activate STAT3 signaling in BC-DoxR and BC cells. Besides, FTO knockdown inhibited the doxorubicin resistance of BC-DoxR cells, while FTO overexpression enhanced the doxorubicin resistance and weakened the doxorubicin sensitivity of BC cells. Moreover, decreased doxorubicin resistance by STAT3 knockdown was abolished by FTO overexpression and decreased doxorubicin sensitivity by STAT3 overexpression was reversed by FTO knockdown, indicating that FTO was implicated in STAT3-mediated doxorubicin resistance and impairment of doxorubicin sensitivity of BC cells. Altogether, our findings provide a mechanism underlying BC doxorubicin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiqiang Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meina Lai
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liming Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Zuo
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lin Dang
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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Singh S, Meena A, Luqman S, Meena A. Acacetin and pinostrobin as a promising inhibitor of cancer-associated protein kinases. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 151:112091. [PMID: 33647348 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases associated with cancer genes play vital role in angiogenesis, invasion, motility, proliferation, and survival. Therefore, cancer prevention/treatment, targeting kinases with phytochemicals could be a promising approach. Given potential of phytochemicals in modulating cancer-associated kinases, present study aims to find inhibitory prospects of selected flavonoids for cancer-chemoprevention/treatment. The molecular docking interaction analysis was done by exploring binding potential of flavonoids with kinases (PI3K, Akt, mTOR, EGFR, MAPK, MKK4, Fyn, ZAP-70, B-Raf, JAK-2, STAT-1, STAT-3, STAT-4, STAT-5, and VEGF) involved in various carcinogenesis phases. Among flavonoids acacetin showed highest binding-energy against JAK-2 following Fyn > VEGF > PI3K > MKK4 > MAPK > BRaf > STAT-5 > STAT-1 > STAT-4 whereas pinostrobin depicts higher binding-energy with JAK-2 followed by B-Raf > MKK4 > VEGF > PI3K > MAPK > STAT-1 > STAT-4 > STAT-5. Further, molecular-dynamic simulation revealed that pinostrobin interacted with JAK-2 protein with binding-energy of -25.068 ± 1.08 kJ/mol whereas acacetin interacted with both JAK-2 and Fyn with binding-energies of -23.466 ± 0.9508 kJ/mol and-8.935 ± 1.3108 kJ/mol respectively. High binding-energy, low inhibition-constant, and drug-likeness of acacetin and pinostrobin provide a clue for their usage as a JAK-2 inhibitor which could be useful for molecular/cell-target based in-vitro and in-vivo investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Singh
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ashish Meena
- Aristos Labs, 141 Stockmans Lane, BT9 7JE, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Suaib Luqman
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Abha Meena
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, 226015, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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12
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Chen G, Xu L, Ye G, Lin J, Meng Z, Shen Y. Overexpression of a Long Non-Coding RNA BC037916 is Associated with Pancreatic Tumorigenesis and Poor Prognosis. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 13:13451-13463. [PMID: 33447050 PMCID: PMC7801918 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s282350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. Accumulating evidence supports for the critical contribution of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) to the cancer development and progression. We tried to identify novel lncRNAs involved in the pancreatic carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods Two independent datasets (Gene Expression Omnibus datasets: GSE16515 and GSE32688) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The level of BC037916 was detected in pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent no-tumorous tissues (n=86) by qRT-PCR. Effects of BC037916 on proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells were examined. Results We identified a novel lncRNA BC037916 involved in the pancreatic carcinogenesis by analyzing GEO datasets. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that 86.0% (74/86) pancreatic cancer tissues had increased BC037916 expression as compared with normal counterparts. Further, positive correlation was observed between BC037916 expression and clinical stage, primary tumor, and regional lymph node invasion. Importantly, BC037916 was an independent prognostic factor of pancreatic cancer. Functionally, knockdown of BC037916 repressed cell proliferation, inhibited cell invasion, halted cell cycle progression, and promoted apoptosis in both PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. In contrast, overexpression of BC037916 in CAPAN-1 had opposite effects. Moreover, silencing of BC037916 significantly inhibited the tumor growth of xenografted SW1990 cells in vivo. Results of Western blot assays suggested that BC037916 knockdown also suppressed the activation of JAK2/STAT3 and TGF-β signaling. Further experiments suggested that BC037916 positively regulated the expression of Twist through miR-3145-3p. Conclusion BC037916 exhibited oncogenic potential in pancreatic cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Litao Xu
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanxiong Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, People's Hospital of Lishui, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhua Lin
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Meng
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yehua Shen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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13
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Jung YY, Ko JH, Um JY, Chinnathambi A, Alharbi SA, Sethi G, Ahn KS. LDL cholesterol promotes the proliferation of prostate and pancreatic cancer cells by activating the STAT3 pathway. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:5253-5264. [PMID: 33368314 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia has been found to be closely linked with a significant increase in both cancer incidence and mortality. However, the exact correlation between serum cholesterol levels and cancer has not been completely deciphered. Here we analyzed the effect of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol on prostate and pancreatic cancer cells. We noted that LDL induced a substantial STAT3 activation and JAK1, JAK2, Src activation in diverse prostate and pancreatic tumor cells. Moreover, LDL promoted cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as upregulated the expression of diverse oncogenic gene products. However, deletion of LDL-activated STAT3 in LNCaP and PANC-1 cells and reduced LDL-induced cell viability. Simvastatin (SV) treatment also alleviated LDL-induced cell viability and migration ability in both the prostate and pancreatic tumor cells. These results demonstrate that LDL-induced STAT3 activation may exert a profound effect on the proliferation and survival of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Yun Jung
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Hyeon Ko
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Um
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Sulaiman Ali Alharbi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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14
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Yue Y, Zhang Q, Wu S, Wang S, Cui C, Yu M, Sun Z. Identification of key genes involved in JAK/STAT pathway in colorectal cancer. Mol Immunol 2020; 128:287-297. [PMID: 33248399 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
JAK/STAT pathway has been well confirmed in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), however, the exact mechanism is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to identify key genes involved in JAK/STAT pathway in CRC, as well as the potential mechanism. RT² profiler PCR arrays were performed to identify key genes of the JAK/STAT pathway. GO, KEGG pathway and PPI analyses were performed to screen the main functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Moreover, the expression of DEGs was detected by GEPIA based on TCGA database and verified by qPCR and/or Western blot. Subsequently, the association between the two DEGs (CXCL9 and IL6ST) and clinicopathological features were determined by immunohistochemistry, and survival analysis was also conducted. Finally, the effects of IL6ST overexpression on STAT3 activation and HT29 cell functions were analyzed. A total of 14 DEGs were identified. Among the DEGs, GHR, NR3C1, IL6ST and A2M were confirmed to be statistically decreased, while CXCL9 was significantly increased in the CRC tissues. Furthermore, CXCL9 was significantly associated with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and invasion, while IL6ST was related with tumor size, differentiation, stage and invasion. Patients with high expression of IL6ST presented significantly lower lifetime, however, CXCL9 showed the opposite results without significance. Additionally, we found that overexpression of IL6ST statistically elevated p-STAT3 level, cell viability, adhesion rate and migration, and decreased apoptosis, but had no effects on cell cycle. Our results suggest that IL6ST is a critical key gene involved in JAK/STAT signaling pathway in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyi Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China
| | - Si Wu
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China
| | - Shuang Wang
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China
| | - Changwan Cui
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China
| | - Miao Yu
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China
| | - Zhengrong Sun
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, PR China.
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15
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Long X, Wu L, Zeng X, Wu Z, Hu X, Jiang H, Lv Z, Yang C, Cai Y, Yang K, Li Y. Biomarkers in previous histologically negative prostate biopsies can be helpful in repeat biopsy decision-making processes. Cancer Med 2020; 9:7524-7536. [PMID: 32860339 PMCID: PMC7571822 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate whether the addition of biomarkers to traditional clinicopathological parameters may help to increase the accurate prediction of prostate re‐biopsy outcome. A training cohort with 98 patients and a validation cohort with 72 patients were retrospectively recruited into our study. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the immunoreactivity of a group of biomarkers in the initial negative biopsy normal‐looking tissues of the training and validation cohorts. p‐STAT3, Mcm2, and/or MSR1 were selected out of 10 biomarkers to construct a biomarker index for predicting cancer and high‐grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) in the training cohort based on the stepwise logistic regression analysis; these biomarkers were then validated in the validation cohort. In the training cohort study, we found that the biomarker index was independently associated with the re‐biopsy outcomes of cancer and HGPCa. Moreover supplementing the biomarker index with traditional clinical‐pathological parameters can improve the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model from 0.722 to 0.842 and from 0.735 to 0.842, respectively, for predicting cancer and HGPCa at re‐biopsy. In the decision‐making analysis, we found the model supplemented with the biomarker index can improve patients’ net benefit. The application of the model to clinical practice, at a 10% risk threshold, would reduce the number of biopsies by 34.7% while delaying the diagnosis of 7.8% cancers and would reduce the number of biopsies by 73.5% while delaying the diagnosis of 17.8% HGPCas. Taken together, supplementing the biomarker index with clinicopathological parameters may help urologists in re‐biopsy decision‐making processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingbo Long
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Longxiang Wu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiting Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated XiangTan Hospital XiangYa Medical College CSU (XiangTan Central Hospital), XiangTan, Hunan, China
| | - Zhijian Wu
- Department of Urology, Chenzhou No.1 People's Hospital, ChengZhou, Hunan, China
| | - Xiheng Hu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huichuan Jiang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhengtong Lv
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Changzhao Yang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Cai
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Keda Yang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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16
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Talukdar S, Das SK, Pradhan AK, Emdad L, Windle JJ, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. MDA-9/Syntenin (SDCBP) Is a Critical Regulator of Chemoresistance, Survival and Stemness in Prostate Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010053. [PMID: 31878027 PMCID: PMC7017101 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite some progress, treating advanced prostate cancer remains a major clinical challenge. Recent studies have shown that prostate cancer can originate from undifferentiated, rare, stem cell-like populations within the heterogeneous tumor mass, which play seminal roles in tumor formation, maintenance of tumor homeostasis and initiation of metastases. These cells possess enhanced propensity toward chemoresistance and may serve as a prognostic factor for prostate cancer recurrence. Despite extensive studies, selective targeted therapies against these stem cell-like populations are limited and more detailed experiments are required to develop novel targeted therapeutics. We now show that MDA-9/Syntenin/SDCBP (MDA-9) is a critical regulator of survival, stemness and chemoresistance in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs). MDA-9 regulates the expression of multiple stem-regulatory genes and loss of MDA-9 causes a complete collapse of the stem-regulatory network in PCSCs. Loss of MDA-9 also sensitizes PCSCs to multiple chemotherapeutics with different modes of action, such as docetaxel and trichostatin-A, suggesting that MDA-9 may regulate multiple drug resistance. Mechanistically, MDA-9-mediated multiple drug resistance, stemness and survival are regulated in PCSCs through activation of STAT3. Activated STAT3 regulates chemoresistance in PCSCs through protective autophagy as well as regulation of MDR1 on the surface of the PCSCs. We now demonstrate that MDA-9 is a critical regulator of PCSC survival and stemness via exploiting the inter-connected STAT3 and c-myc pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarmistha Talukdar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Swadesh K. Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Anjan K. Pradhan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jolene J. Windle
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Paul B. Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (S.T.); (S.K.D.); (A.K.P.); (L.E.); (J.J.W.); (D.S.)
- VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-804-628-3506 or +1-804-628-3336; Fax: +1-804-827-1124
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17
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Sun J, Du Y, Zhang X, Wang Z, Lin Y, Song Q, Wang X, Guo J, Li S, Nan J, Yang J. Discovery and evaluation of Atopaxar hydrobromide, a novel JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, selectively induces apoptosis of cancer cells with constitutively activated STAT3. Invest New Drugs 2019; 38:1003-1011. [PMID: 31612426 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-019-00853-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway plays a vital role in immunity, cell division, cell death and tumor formation. Disrupted JAK-STAT signaling may lead to various diseases, especially cancer and immune disorders. Because of its importance, this signaling pathway has received significant attention from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as a therapeutic target for drug design. However, few JAK or STATs inhibitors have been developed for cancer treatment. We used an in vitro STAT3 luciferase reporter assay to find novel inhibitors that could effectively block the JAK-STAT pathway. In our study, we screened 16,081 drug-like chemicals and found that atopaxar hydrobromide (AHB) is a specific inhibitor of JAK-STAT3 signaling. Our results suggest that AHB not only blocks constitutively activated and cytokine-induced STAT3 phosphorylation but also inhibits JAK1 and JAK2 phosphorylation. Moreover, AHB induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest, which stops cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis. AHB also inhibited tumor cell growth in vivo. In conclusion, AHB is a potential inhibitor that could be developed as a JAK-STAT pathway drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjie Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
- Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, 73000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuping Du
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Innovation Center for Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266100, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuoya Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Yuxi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Qiaoling Song
- Innovation Center for Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266100, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jihui Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jing Nan
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China.
| | - Jinbo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China.
- Innovation Center for Marine Drug Screening & Evaluation, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266100, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Ashrafizadeh M, Ahmadi Z, Kotla NG, Afshar EG, Samarghandian S, Mandegary A, Pardakhty A, Mohammadinejad R, Sethi G. Nanoparticles Targeting STATs in Cancer Therapy. Cells 2019; 8:E1158. [PMID: 31569687 PMCID: PMC6829305 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, an increase in the incidence rate of cancer has been witnessed. Although many efforts have been made to manage and treat this life threatening condition, it is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, scientists have attempted to target molecular signaling pathways involved in cancer initiation and metastasis. It has been shown that signal transducers and activator of transcription (STAT) contributes to the progression of cancer cells. This important signaling pathway is associated with a number of biological processes including cell cycle, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. It appears that dysregulation of the STAT signaling pathway promotes the migration, viability and malignancy of various tumor cells. Hence, there have been many attempts to target the STAT signaling pathway. However, it seems that currently applied therapeutics may not be able to effectively modulate the STAT signaling pathway and suffer from a variety of drawbacks such as low bioavailability and lack of specific tumor targeting. In the present review, we demonstrate how nanocarriers can be successfully applied for encapsulation of STAT modulators in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran.
| | - Zahra Ahmadi
- Department of Basic Science, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar 6451741117, Iran.
| | - Niranjan G Kotla
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Newcastle, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland.
| | - Elham Ghasemipour Afshar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7619813159, Iran.
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur 9318614139, Iran.
| | - Ali Mandegary
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7619813159, Iran.
| | - Abbas Pardakhty
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7619813159, Iran.
| | - Reza Mohammadinejad
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7616911319, Iran.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
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19
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Ji L, Jiang F, Cui X, Qin C. Talin1 knockdown prohibits the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells via the EMT signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:5408-5416. [PMID: 31612049 PMCID: PMC6781565 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second highest cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. Talin1 activates integrins, which mediate cell adhesion, proliferation, tumorigenesis and metastasis. The aim of the present study was to determine talin1 expression levels in colorectal cancer (CRC) and investigate the role of talin1 in CRC proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Talin1 protein expression levels were detected in human CRC and adjacent normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. Talin1 short hairpin RNA and control vectors were designed and stably transfected into HCT116 CRC cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Cell migratory and invasive capabilities were detected by wound-healing and Matrigel invasion assays. The expression of proteins in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signaling pathway was determined by western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The effect of talin1 on tumor growth was explored in vivo using BALB/c nude mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of CRC and adjacent normal tissue revealed that talin1 expression was upregulated in CRC. Talin1 knockdown significantly reduced the proliferation, migration and invasive ability of HCT116 cells compared with the control. Protein levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and vimentin were significantly lower in talin1-knockdown HCT116 cell lines compared with the control, whereas protein levels of E-cadherin were increased. Interleukin-6 mRNA levels were significantly increased in patients' blood samples compared with blood samples from healthy controls, as well as in CRC compared with adjacent normal tissue. In vivo experiments demonstrated that talin1 knockdown reduced CRC tumor growth and weight in nude mice. In conclusion, Talin1 knockdown may prevent the proliferation and migration of CRC cells by downregulating various factors involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process, such as phosphorylated STAT3 and vimentin; therefore, talin1 may provide a novel therapeutic target for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Feizhao Jiang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Xianping Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
| | - Chengkun Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China
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20
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Schimmack S, Yang Y, Felix K, Herbst M, Li Y, Schenk M, Bergmann F, Hackert T, Strobel O. C-reactive protein (CRP) promotes malignant properties in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. Endocr Connect 2019; 8:1007-1019. [PMID: 31234146 PMCID: PMC6652262 DOI: 10.1530/ec-19-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Elevated pre-operative C-reactive protein (CRP) serum values have been reported to be associated with poor overall survival for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN). The aim of this study was to identify mechanisms linking CRP to poor prognosis in pNEN. METHODS The malignant properties of pNENs were investigated using the human pNEN cell-lines BON1 and QGP1 exposed to CRP or IL-6. Analyses were performed by ELISA, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry as well as invasion and proliferation assays. To compare cytokine profiles and CRP levels, 76 serum samples of pNEN patients were analyzed using Luminex technology. In parallel, the expression of CRP and growth signaling pathway proteins was assessed on cell lines and paraffin-embedded primary pNEN. RESULTS In BON1 and QGP1 cells, inflammation (exposure to IL-6) significantly upregulated CRP expression and secretion as well as migratory properties. CRP stimulation of BON1 cells increased IL-6 secretion and invasion. This was accompanied by activation/phosphorylation of the ERK, AKT and/or STAT3 pathways. Although known CRP receptors - CD16, CD32 and CD64 - were not detected on BON1 cells, CRP uptake of pNEN cells was shown after CRP exposure. In patients, increased pre-operative CRP levels (≥5 mg/L) were associated with significantly higher serum levels of IL-6 and G-CSF, as well as with an increased CRP expression and ERK/AKT/STAT3 phosphorylation in pNEN tissue. CONCLUSION The malignant properties of pNEN cells can be stimulated by CRP and IL-6 promoting ERK/AKT/STAT pathways activation as well as invasion, thus linking systemic inflammation and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schimmack
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yongchao Yang
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Klaus Felix
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Herbst
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yixiong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Miriam Schenk
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Bergmann
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thilo Hackert
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Strobel
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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Civenni G, Albino D, Shinde D, Vázquez R, Merulla J, Kokanovic A, Mapelli SN, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Transcriptional Reprogramming and Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Targeting Prostate Cancer Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2019; 9:385. [PMID: 31143708 PMCID: PMC6521702 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second cause of cancer-related deaths in western countries. Despite the progress in the treatment of localized prostate cancer, there is still lack of effective therapies for the advanced forms of the disease. Most patients with advanced prostate cancer become resistant to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which remains the main therapeutic option in this setting, and progress to lethal metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Current therapies for prostate cancer preferentially target proliferating, partially differentiated, and AR-dependent cancer cells that constitute the bulk of the tumor mass. However, the subpopulation of tumor-initiating or tumor-propagating stem-like cancer cells is virtually resistant to the standard treatments causing tumor relapse at the primary or metastatic sites. Understanding the pathways controlling the establishment, expansion and maintenance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation is an important step toward the development of more effective treatment for prostate cancer, which might enable ablation or exhaustion of CSCs and prevent treatment resistance and disease recurrence. In this review, we focus on the impact of transcriptional regulators on phenotypic reprogramming of prostate CSCs and provide examples supporting the possibility of inhibiting maintenance and expansion of the CSC pool in human prostate cancer along with the currently available methodological approaches. Transcription factors are key elements for instructing specific transcriptional programs and inducing CSC-associated phenotypic changes implicated in disease progression and treatment resistance. Recent studies have shown that interfering with these processes causes exhaustion of CSCs with loss of self-renewal and tumorigenic capability in prostate cancer models. Targeting key transcriptional regulators in prostate CSCs is a valid therapeutic strategy waiting to be tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlo V. Catapano
- Institute of Oncology (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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22
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Elshan NGRD, Rettig MB, Jung ME. Molecules targeting the androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis beyond the AR-Ligand binding domain. Med Res Rev 2019; 39:910-960. [PMID: 30565725 PMCID: PMC6608750 DOI: 10.1002/med.21548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in men in the United States. The androgen receptor (AR) and the physiological pathways it regulates are central to the initiation and progression of PCa. As a member of the nuclear steroid receptor family, it is a transcription factor with three distinct functional domains (ligand-binding domain [LBD], DNA-binding domain [DBD], and transactivation domain [TAD]) in its structure. All clinically approved drugs for PCa ultimately target the AR-LBD. Clinically active drugs that target the DBD and TAD have not yet been developed due to multiple factors. Despite these limitations, the last several years have seen a rise in the discovery of molecules that could successfully target these domains. This review aims to present and comprehensively discuss such molecules that affect AR signaling through direct or indirect interactions with the AR-TAD or the DBD. The compounds discussed here include hairpin polyamides, niclosamide, marine sponge-derived small molecules (eg, EPI compounds), mahanine, VPC compounds, JN compounds, and bromodomain and extraterminal domain inhibitors. We highlight the significant in vitro and in vivo data found for each compound and the apparent limitations and/or potential for further development of these agents as PCa therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew B. Rettig
- . Division of Hematology/Oncology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System West LA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- . Departments of Medicine and Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michael E. Jung
- . Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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23
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Krzyzanowska A, Don‐Doncow N, Marginean FE, Gaber A, Watson RW, Hellsten R, Bjartell A. Expression of tSTAT3, pSTAT3 727 , and pSTAT3 705 in the epithelial cells of hormone-naïve prostate cancer. Prostate 2019; 79:784-797. [PMID: 30905090 PMCID: PMC6766958 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is observed to be constitutively activated in several malignancies including prostate cancer (PCa). In the present study, we investigated the expression of total STAT3 (tSTAT3) and two forms of activated phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3727 and pSTAT3705 ) in tissue microarrays (TMA) of two cohorts of localized hormone-naïve PCa patients and analyzed associations between the expression and disease outcome. METHODS The expression of tSTAT3, pSTAT3727 , and pSTAT3705 was scored in the nuclei and cytoplasm of prostatic gland epithelial cells in two TMAs of paraffin-embedded prostatic tissue. The TMAs consisted of tissue originated from hormone-naïve radical prostatectomy patients from two different sites: Malmö, Sweden (n = 300) and Dublin, Ireland (n = 99). RESULTS The nuclear expression levels of tSTAT3, pSTAT3727 , and pSTAT3705 in the epithelial cells of benign glands were significantly higher than in the cancerous glands. Cytoplasmic tSTAT3 levels were also higher in benign glands. Patients with low pSTAT3727 and pSTAT3705 levels in the cancerous glands showed reduced times to biochemical recurrence, compared with those with higher levels. No significant trends in nuclear nor in cytoplasmic tSTAT3 were observed in relation to biochemical recurrence in the Malmö cohort. Higher cytoplasmic tSTAT3 was associated with reduced time to biochemical recurrence in the Dublin cohort. Adding the tSTAT3 and pSTAT3 expression data to Gleason score or pathological T stage did not improve their prognostic values. CONCLUSIONS Low pSTAT3727 and pSTAT3705 expression in epithelial cells of cancerous prostatic glands in hormone-naïve PCa was associated with faster disease progression. However, pSTAT3 and tSTAT3 expression did not improve the prognostic value of Gleason score or pathological T stage and may not be a good biomarker in the early hormone naïve stages of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Krzyzanowska
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Urological CancersLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Nicholas Don‐Doncow
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Urological CancersLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Felicia Elena Marginean
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Urological CancersLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Alexander Gaber
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of PathologyLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - R. William Watson
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical ResearchUniversity College DublinBelfieldDublinIreland
| | - Rebecka Hellsten
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Urological CancersLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Anders Bjartell
- Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Urological CancersLund UniversityMalmöSweden
- Department of UrologyMalmö University HospitalMalmöSweden
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24
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SWATH proteomic profiling of prostate cancer cells identifies NUSAP1 as a potential molecular target for Galiellalactone. J Proteomics 2019; 193:217-229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Yang L, Yu X, Yang Y. Autotaxin upregulated by STAT3 activation contributes to invasion in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:1299-1307. [PMID: 30352421 PMCID: PMC6240148 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although the upregulation of autotaxin (ATX) is associated with many solid tumours, its role in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN) has not been well elucidated. The expression of ATX in pNEN tissues and pNEN cell line BON1 was analysed by Western blot, PCR and immunocytochemistry upon exposure to interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, pNEN cell line BON1 was transfected with siRNAs against ATX or signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and assessed by in vitro invasion assays. The following results were obtained. The expression of ATX in pNEN tissues was significantly increased compared with that in normal pancreatic tissues. High ATX expression was strongly correlated with tumour grade, lymph node metastasis and tumour-node-metastasis stage. Furthermore, ATX downregulation notably inhibited the metastatic capacity of pNEN cells, whereas STAT3 knockdown was found to downregulate the expression of ATX. ATX expression was upregulated in BON1 cells upon stimulation with IL-6, and this was accompanied by activation/phosphorylation of STAT3. Western blot analysis of human pNEN tissue extracts confirmed increased ATX expression and STAT3 phosphorylation with elevated expression levels of IL-6. In conclusion, ATX is upregulated in pNEN and is correlated with the metastatic capacity of pNEN cells, potentially via interaction with STAT3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfei Yang
- Center for Medical Experiments, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongchao Yang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to Y Yang:
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26
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Moreira D, Adamus T, Zhao X, Su YL, Zhang Z, White SV, Swiderski P, Lu X, DePinho RA, Pal SK, Kortylewski M. STAT3 Inhibition Combined with CpG Immunostimulation Activates Antitumor Immunity to Eradicate Genetically Distinct Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:5948-5962. [PMID: 30337279 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prostate cancers show remarkable resistance to emerging immunotherapies, partly due to tolerogenic STAT3 signaling in tumor-associated myeloid cells. Here, we describe a novel strategy combining STAT3 inhibition with Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) stimulation to unleash immune response against prostate cancers regardless of the genetic background. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We developed and validated a conjugate of the STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) tethered to immunostimulatory TLR9 agonist (CpG oligonucleotide) to improve targeting of human and mouse prostate cancer and myeloid immune cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). RESULTS CpG-STAT3ASO conjugates showed improved biodistribution and potency of STAT3 knockdown in target cells in vitro and in vivo. Systemic administration of CpG-STAT3ASO (5 mg/kg) eradicated bone-localized, Ras/Myc-driven, and Ptenpc -/- Smad4pc -/- Trp53c -/- prostate tumors in the majority of treated mice. These antitumor effects were primarily immune-mediated and correlated with an increased ratio of CD8+ to regulatory T cells and reduced pSTAT3+/PD-L1+ MDSCs. Both innate and adaptive immunity contributed to systemic antitumor responses as verified by the depletion of Gr1+ myeloid cells and CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively. Importantly, only the bifunctional CpG-STAT3ASO, but not control CpG oligonucleotides, STAT3ASO alone, or the coinjection of both oligonucleotides, succeeded in recruiting neutrophils and CD8+ T cells into tumors. Thus, the concurrence of TLR9 activation with STAT3 inhibition in the same cellular compartment is indispensable for overcoming tumor immune tolerance and effective antitumor immunity against prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS The bifunctional, immunostimulatory, and tolerance-breaking design of CpG-STAT3ASO offers a blueprint for the development of effective and safer oligonucleotide strategies for treatment of immunologically "cold" human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayson Moreira
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Tomasz Adamus
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Xingli Zhao
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Yu-Lin Su
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Zhuoran Zhang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Seok Voon White
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Piotr Swiderski
- DNA/RNA Synthesis Core Laboratory, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sumanta K Pal
- Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California.
| | - Marcin Kortylewski
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California. .,Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
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27
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Yang Y, Yang L, Li Y. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) upregulated by IL-6/STAT3 signaling contributes to invasion in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. Hum Pathol 2018; 81:192-200. [PMID: 30420046 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although the upregulation of Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is associated with many solid tumors, its role in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN) has not been well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NRP-1 in improving treatment and determining the prognosis of pNEN. In this study, the expression of NRP-1 in pNEN tissue samples and pNEN cell line BON1 was analyzed by Western blot, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry upon exposure to interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, pNEN cell line BON1 was transfected with small interfering RNAs against NRP-1 or signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and assessed by in vitro invasion assays. The expression of NRP-1 in pNEN tissues was markedly increased compared with adjacent normal pancreatic tissues. High NRP-1 expression was strongly correlated with tumor grades (P = .026), lymph node metastasis (P = .025), and tumor-node-metastasis stages (P = .012). Furthermore, NRP-1 downregulation notably inhibited the metastatic capacity of pNEN cells, and STAT3 knockdown was found to downregulate the expression of NRP-1. BON1 cells upregulated NRP-1 expression upon stimulation with IL-6. This was accompanied by activation/phosphorylation of the AKT and STAT3 signaling pathways. Western blot of extracts of human pNENs confirmed increased NRP-1 expression, as well as AKT/STAT3 phosphorylation in tissue of pNENs with elevated expression levels of IL-6. In conclusion, our findings suggest that NRP-1 is upregulated in pNEN and is correlated with the metastatic capacity of pNEN cells, potentially via interaction with the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Linfei Yang
- Center for Medical Experiments, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Yixiong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
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28
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Tahata S, Singh SV, Lin Y, Hahm ER, Beumer JH, Christner SM, Rao UN, Sander C, Tarhini AA, Tawbi H, Ferris LK, Wilson M, Rose A, Dietz CM, Hughes E, Fahey JW, Leachman SA, Cassidy PB, Butterfield LH, Zarour HM, Kirkwood JM. Evaluation of Biodistribution of Sulforaphane after Administration of Oral Broccoli Sprout Extract in Melanoma Patients with Multiple Atypical Nevi. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2018; 11:429-438. [PMID: 29691233 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-17-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Broccoli sprout extract containing sulforaphane (BSE-SFN) has been shown to inhibit ultraviolet radiation-induced damage and tumor progression in skin. This study evaluated the toxicity and potential effects of oral BSE-SFN at three dosages. Seventeen patients who each had at least 2 atypical nevi and a prior history of melanoma were randomly allocated to 50, 100, or 200 μmol oral BSE-SFN daily for 28 days. Atypical nevi were photographed on days 1 and 28, and plasma and nevus samples were taken on days 1, 2, and 28. Endpoints assessed were safety, plasma and skin sulforaphane levels, gross and histologic changes, IHC for phospho-STAT3(Y705), Ki-67, Bcl-2, HMOX1, and TUNEL, plasma cytokine levels, and tissue proteomics. All 17 patients completed 28 days with no dose-limiting toxicities. Plasma sulforaphane levels pooled for days 1, 2, and 28 showed median postadministration increases of 120 ng/mL for 50 μmol, 206 ng/mL for 100 μmol, and 655 ng/mL for 200 μmol. Median skin sulforaphane levels on day 28 were 0.0, 3.1, and 34.1 ng/g for 50, 100, and 200 μmol, respectively. Plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines decreased from day 1 to 28. The tumor suppressor decorin was increased from day 1 to 28. Oral BSE-SFN is well tolerated at daily doses up to 200 μmol and achieves dose-dependent levels in plasma and skin. A larger efficacy evaluation of 200 μmol daily for longer intervals is now reasonable to better characterize clinical and biological effects of BSE-SFN as chemoprevention for melanoma. Cancer Prev Res; 11(7); 429-38. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Tahata
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Shivendra V Singh
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yan Lin
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Eun-Ryeong Hahm
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jan H Beumer
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Susan M Christner
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Uma N Rao
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Cindy Sander
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Hussein Tawbi
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Laura K Ferris
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa Wilson
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy Rose
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Ellen Hughes
- Computer Vision Group, Veytel, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jed W Fahey
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sancy A Leachman
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Pamela B Cassidy
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Lisa H Butterfield
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Hassane M Zarour
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - John M Kirkwood
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. .,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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29
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Shah NG, Trivedi TI, Tankshali RA, Goswami JA, Jetly DH, Kobawala TP, Shukla SN, Shah PM, Verma RJ. Stat3 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association with Clinicopathological Parameters and Survival. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 21:175-83. [PMID: 17013800 DOI: 10.1177/172460080602100307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The present study sought to explore the occurrence of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (n=135) and its potential relationship with clinicopathological parameters and survival. Stat3 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Cytoplasmic or nuclear localization of Stat3 was observed in 62% of patients, whereas only nuclear Stat3 expression was found in 44%. Stat3 positivity in early-stage patients was 45% compared to 79% in advanced-stage patients. However, early-stage Stat3-positive patients showed a gradual increase in staining intensity, with intense staining seen in 52% of the tumors compared to 18% in Stat3-positive advanced-stage patients, where a gradual decrease in intensity expression was observed (p=0.001). Stat3 showed a significant positive correlation with disease stage (p=0.001), nodal status (p=0.033) and tumor size (p=0.001). Multivariate survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that nuclear Stat3 was a significant independent prognosticator for both relapse-free survival (p=0.014) and overall survival (p=0.042) in early-stage patients. Our results indicated that Stat3 activation is an early event in oral squamous cell carcinoma and represents a potential risk factor for poor prognosis in early-stage patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Shah
- Division of Molecular Endocrinology, Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, India.
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30
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Lee M, Rhee I. Cytokine Signaling in Tumor Progression. Immune Netw 2017; 17:214-227. [PMID: 28860951 PMCID: PMC5577299 DOI: 10.4110/in.2017.17.4.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are molecules that play critical roles in the regulation of a wide range of normal functions leading to cellular proliferation, differentiation and survival, as well as in specialized cellular functions enabling host resistance to pathogens. Cytokines released in response to infection, inflammation or immunity can also inhibit cancer development and progression. The predominant intracellular signaling pathway triggered by cytokines is the JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. Knockout mice and clinical human studies have provided evidence that JAK-STAT proteins regulate the immune system, and maintain immune tolerance and tumor surveillance. Moreover, aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathways plays an undeniable pathogenic role in several types of human cancers. Thus, in combination, these observations indicate that the JAK-STAT proteins are promising targets for cancer therapy in humans. The data supporting this view are reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myungmi Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
| | - Inmoo Rhee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea
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31
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Abstract
Reduction-oxidation factor 1-apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (Ref-1/APE1) is a critical node in tumor cells, both as a redox regulator of transcription factor activation and as part of the DNA damage response. As a redox signaling protein, Ref-1/APE1 enhances the transcriptional activity of STAT3, HIF-1α, nuclear factor kappa B, and other transcription factors to promote growth, migration, and survival in tumor cells as well as inflammation and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. Ref-1/APE1 is activated in a variety of cancers, including prostate, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, lung and leukemias, leading to increased aggressiveness. Transcription factors downstream of Ref-1/APE1 are key contributors to many cancers, and Ref-1/APE1 redox signaling inhibition slows growth and progression in a number of tumor types. Ref-1/APE1 inhibition is also highly effective when paired with other drugs, including standard-of-care therapies and therapies targeting pathways affected by Ref-1/APE1 redox signaling. Additionally, Ref-1/APE1 plays a role in a variety of other indications, such as retinopathy, inflammation, and neuropathy. In this review, we discuss the functional consequences of activation of the Ref-1/APE1 node in cancer and other diseases, as well as potential therapies targeting Ref-1/APE1 and related pathways in relevant diseases. APX3330, a novel oral anticancer agent and the first drug to target Ref-1/APE1 for cancer is entering clinical trials and will be explored in various cancers and other diseases bringing bench discoveries to the clinic.
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32
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Kim DH, Park JE, Chae IG, Park G, Lee S, Chun KS. Isoliquiritigenin inhibits the proliferation of human renal carcinoma Caki cells through the ROS-mediated regulation of the Jak2/STAT3 pathway. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:575-583. [PMID: 28560439 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a flavonoid with chalcone structure that has been noted in licorice and shallot, which are generally used in traditional Chinese medicine. ISL has demonstrated various pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of ISL remain poorly understood. The present study revealed that ISL significantly decreased viability and induced apoptosis in human renal carcinoma Caki cells. The ISL-induced apoptosis was associated with the cleavage of caspase-9, -7 and -3, and that of PARP. Moreover, ISL increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and diminished the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl, thereby increasing cytochrome c release. Treatment of cells with ISL also induced the expression of p53 through downregulation of murine double minute 2 (Mdm2). Furthermore, ISL generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and pretreatment with ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium abrogated the ISL-induced apoptosis. One of the key oncogenic signaling pathways is mediated through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which promotes abnormal cell proliferation. Incubation of cells with ISL markedly diminished phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of STAT3, and reduced expression of STAT3 responsive gene products, such as cyclin D1 and D2. ISL also attenuated constitutive phosphorylation of upstream kinase, Janus-activated kinase 2 (Jak2). Pretreatment with NAC abrogated the inhibitory effect of ISL on activation of STAT3 and blocked the cleavage of caspase-9, -7 and -3, and that of PARP in Caki cells. Taken together, the present study provides the first report that ISL induces apoptosis in Caki cells via generation of ROS, which causes induction of p53 and inhibition of the STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Hee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Eun Park
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea
| | - In Gyeong Chae
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Geumi Park
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Chun
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea
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Ramalingam S, Ramamurthy VP, Njar VCO. Dissecting major signaling pathways in prostate cancer development and progression: Mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 166:16-27. [PMID: 27481707 PMCID: PMC7371258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed non-cutaneous malignancy and leading cause of cancer mortality in men. At the initial stages, prostate cancer is dependent upon androgens for their growth and hence effectively combated by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). However, most patients eventually recur with an androgen deprivation-resistant phenotype, referred to as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), a more aggressive form for which there is no effective therapy presently available. The current review is an attempt to cover and establish an understanding of some major signaling pathways implicated in prostate cancer development and castration-resistance, besides addressing therapeutic strategies that targets the key signaling mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilmurugan Ramalingam
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA; Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA
| | - Vidya P Ramamurthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA; Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA
| | - Vincent C O Njar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA; Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1559, USA.
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Siavash H, Nikitakis N, Sauk J. Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription: Insights into the Molecular Basis of Oral Cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 15:298-307. [DOI: 10.1177/154411130401500505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent efforts on developing more direct and effective targets for cancer therapy have revolved around a family of transcription factors known as STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription). STAT proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that become activated in response to extracellular signaling proteins. STAT proteins have been convincingly reported to possess oncogenic properties in a plethora of human cancers, including oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Signal transduction pathways mediated by these oncogenic transcription factors and their regulation in oral cancer are the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Siavash
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Pathology, University of Maryland, Dental School, 666 West Baltimore Street, Room 4-C-02, Baltimore, MD 21201; and
- Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - N.G. Nikitakis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Pathology, University of Maryland, Dental School, 666 West Baltimore Street, Room 4-C-02, Baltimore, MD 21201; and
- Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - J.J. Sauk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Pathology, University of Maryland, Dental School, 666 West Baltimore Street, Room 4-C-02, Baltimore, MD 21201; and
- Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
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Pencik J, Pham HTT, Schmoellerl J, Javaheri T, Schlederer M, Culig Z, Merkel O, Moriggl R, Grebien F, Kenner L. JAK-STAT signaling in cancer: From cytokines to non-coding genome. Cytokine 2016; 87:26-36. [PMID: 27349799 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, studies of the Janus kinases (JAKs) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) signaling have uncovered highly conserved programs linking cytokine signaling to the regulation of essential cellular mechanisms such as proliferation, invasion, survival, inflammation and immunity. Inhibitors of the JAK/STAT pathway are used for treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. Aberrant JAK/STAT signaling has been identified to contribute to cancer progression and metastatic development. Targeting of JAK/STAT pathway is currently one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in prostate cancer (PCa), hematopoietic malignancies and sarcomas. Notably, newly identified regulators of JAK/STAT signaling, the non-coding RNAs transcripts and their role as important targets and potential clinical biomarkers are highlighted in this review. In addition to the established role of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in traditional cytokine signaling the non-coding RNAs add yet another layer of hidden regulation and function. Understanding the crosstalk of non-coding RNA with JAK/STAT signaling in cancer is of critical importance and may result in better patient stratification not only in terms of prognosis but also in the context of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pencik
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ha Thi Thanh Pham
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Schmoellerl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tahereh Javaheri
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department for Pathology of Laboratory Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zoran Culig
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Olaf Merkel
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Grebien
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department for Pathology of Laboratory Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Rybak AP, Bristow RG, Kapoor A. Prostate cancer stem cells: deciphering the origins and pathways involved in prostate tumorigenesis and aggression. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1900-19. [PMID: 25595909 PMCID: PMC4385825 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cells of the prostate gland are dependent on cell signaling pathways to regulate their growth, maintenance and function. However, perturbations in key signaling pathways, resulting in neoplastic transformation of cells in the prostate epithelium, are likely to generate subtypes of prostate cancer which may subsequently require different treatment regimes. Accumulating evidence supports multiple sources of stem cells in the prostate epithelium with distinct cellular origins for prostate tumorigenesis documented in animal models, while human prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSCs) are typically enriched by cell culture, surface marker expression and functional activity assays. As future therapies will require a deeper understanding of its cellular origins as well as the pathways that drive PCSC maintenance and tumorigenesis, we review the molecular and functional evidence supporting dysregulation of PI3K/AKT, RAS/MAPK and STAT3 signaling in PCSCs, the development of castration resistance, and as a novel treatment approach for individual men with prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian P Rybak
- McMaster Institute of Urology, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, ON, Canada.,St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Robert G Bristow
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (University Health Network), ON, Canada.,Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anil Kapoor
- McMaster Institute of Urology, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, ON, Canada.,St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Abstract
The STAT3 is often dysregulated in genitourinary tumors. In prostate cancer, STAT3 activation correlates with Gleason score and pathological stage and modulates cancer stem cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, STAT3 promotes the progression from carcinoma in situ to invasive bladder cancer and modulates renal cell carcinoma angiogenesis by increasing the expression of HIF1α and VEGF. STAT3 is also involved in the response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors sunitinib and axitinib, in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and to second-generation androgen receptor inhibitor enzalutamide in patients with advanced prostate cancer. In this review, we describe the role of STAT3 in genitourinary tumors, thus describing its potential for future therapeutic strategies.
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Kamińska K, Czarnecka AM, Escudier B, Lian F, Szczylik C. Interleukin-6 as an emerging regulator of renal cell cancer. Urol Oncol 2015; 33:476-85. [PMID: 26296264 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our knowledge on the molecular basis of kidney cancer metastasisis still relatively low. About 25-30% of patients suffering from clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)present metastatic disease at the time of primary diagnosis. Only 10% of patients diagnosed with stage IV disease survive 5 years and 20-50% of patients diagnosed with localized tumor develop metastases within 3 years. High mortality of patients with this cancer is associated with a large potential for metastasis and resistance to oncologic treatments such as chemo- and radiotherapy. Literature data based on studies conducted on other types of cancers suggest that in metastatic ccRCC, the complex of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R; complex IL-6/sIL-6R) and the signal transduction pathway (gp130/STAT3) might play a key role in this process. PURPOSE Therefore, in this review we focus on the role of IL-6 and its signaling pathways as a factor for development and spread of RCC. Analyzing the molecular basis of cancer spreading will enable the development of prognostic tests, evaluate individual predisposition for metastasis, and produce drugs that target metastases. As the development of effective systemic treatments evolve from advancements in molecular biology, continued studies directed at understanding the genetic and molecular complexities of this disease are critical to improve RCC treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna M Czarnecka
- Department of Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bernard Escudier
- Medical Oncology Department, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Fei Lian
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Cezary Szczylik
- Department of Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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Nadiminty N, Tummala R, Liu C, Lou W, Evans CP, Gao AC. NF-κB2/p52:c-Myc:hnRNPA1 Pathway Regulates Expression of Androgen Receptor Splice Variants and Enzalutamide Sensitivity in Prostate Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:1884-95. [PMID: 26056150 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains dependent on androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Alternative splicing of the AR to generate constitutively active, ligand-independent variants is one of the principal mechanisms that promote the development of resistance to next-generation antiandrogens such as enzalutamide. Here, we demonstrate that the splicing factor heterogeneous nuclear RNA-binding protein A1 (hnRNPA1) plays a pivotal role in the generation of AR splice variants such as AR-V7. hnRNPA1 is overexpressed in prostate tumors compared with benign prostates, and its expression is regulated by NF-κB2/p52 and c-Myc. CRPC cells resistant to enzalutamide exhibit higher levels of NF-κB2/p52, c-Myc, hnRNPA1, and AR-V7. Levels of hnRNPA1 and AR-V7 are positively correlated with each other in prostate cancer. The regulatory circuit involving NF-κB2/p52, c-Myc, and hnRNPA1 plays a central role in the generation of AR splice variants. Downregulation of hnRNPA1 and consequently of AR-V7 resensitizes enzalutamide-resistant cells to enzalutamide, indicating that enhanced expression of hnRNPA1 may confer resistance to AR-targeted therapies by promoting the generation of splice variants. These findings may provide a rationale for cotargeting these pathways to achieve better efficacy through AR blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramakumar Tummala
- Department of Urology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Chengfei Liu
- Department of Urology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Wei Lou
- Department of Urology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Christopher P Evans
- Department of Urology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Allen C Gao
- Department of Urology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California.
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Brambilla L, Genini D, Laurini E, Merulla J, Perez L, Fermeglia M, Carbone GM, Pricl S, Catapano CV. Hitting the right spot: Mechanism of action of OPB-31121, a novel and potent inhibitor of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). Mol Oncol 2015; 9:1194-206. [PMID: 25777967 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
STAT3 is a key element in many oncogenic pathways and, like other transcription factors, is an attractive target for development of novel anticancer drugs. However, interfering with STAT3 functions has been a difficult task and very few small molecule inhibitors have made their way to the clinic. OPB-31121, an anticancer compound currently in clinical trials, has been reported to affect STAT3 signaling, although its mechanism of action has not been unequivocally demonstrated. In this study, we used a combined computational and experimental approach to investigate the molecular target and the mode of interaction of OPB-31121 with STAT3. In parallel, similar studies were performed with known STAT3 inhibitors (STAT3i) to validate our approach. Computational docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) showed that OPB-31121 interacted with high affinity with the SH2 domain of STAT3. Interestingly, there was no overlap of the OPB-31121 binding site with those of the other STAT3i. Computational predictions were confirmed by in vitro binding assays and competition experiments along with site-directed mutagenesis of critical residues in the STAT3 SH2 domain. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments demonstrated the remarkably high affinity of OPB-31121 for STAT3 with Kd (10 nM) 2-3 orders lower than other STAT3i. Notably, a similar ranking of the potency of the compounds was observed in terms of inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation, cancer cell proliferation and clonogenicity. These results suggest that the high affinity and efficacy of OPB-31121 might be related to the unique features and mode of interaction of OPB-31121 with STAT3. These unique characteristics make OPB-31121 a promising candidate for further development and an interesting lead for designing new, more effective STAT3i.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Brambilla
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Davide Genini
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Erik Laurini
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MOSE), University of Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Jessica Merulla
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Perez
- Institute of Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Fermeglia
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MOSE), University of Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Simulation Laboratory (MOSE), University of Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Via Vela 6, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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41
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Zhang J, Zhu N, Du Y, Bai Q, Chen X, Nan J, Qin X, Zhang X, Hou J, Wang Q, Yang J. Dehydrocrenatidine is a novel janus kinase inhibitor. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 87:572-81. [PMID: 25583084 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.095208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase (JAK) 2 plays a pivotal role in the tumorigenesis of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 3 constitutively activated solid tumors. JAK2 mutations are involved in the pathogenesis of various types of hematopoietic disorders, such as myeloproliferative disorders, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. Thus, small-molecular inhibitors targeting JAK2 are potent for therapy of these diseases. In this study, we screened 1,062,608 drug-like molecules from the ZINC database and 2080 natural product chemicals. We identified a novel JAK family kinase inhibitor, dehydrocrenatidine, that inhibits JAK-STAT3-dependent DU145 and MDA-MB-468 cell survival and induces cell apoptosis. Dehydrocrenatidine represses constitutively activated JAK2 and STAT3, as well as interleukin-6-, interferon-α-, and interferon-γ-stimulated JAK activity, and STAT phosphorylation, and suppresses STAT3 and STAT1 downstream gene expression. Dehydrocrenatidine inhibits JAKs-JH1 domain overexpression-induced STAT3 and STAT1 phosphorylation. In addition, dehydrocrenatidine inhibits JAK2-JH1 kinase activity in vitro. Importantly, dehydrocrenatidine does not show significant effect on Src overexpression and epidermal growth factor-induced STAT3 activation. Our results indicate that dehydrocrenatidine is a JAK-specific inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ning Zhu
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuping Du
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qifeng Bai
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Nan
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Qin
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianwen Hou
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinbo Yang
- Schools of Life Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Saha A, Blando J, Silver E, Beltran L, Sessler J, DiGiovanni J. 6-Shogaol from dried ginger inhibits growth of prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo through inhibition of STAT3 and NF-κB signaling. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2014; 7:627-38. [PMID: 24691500 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-13-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite much recent progress, prostate cancer continues to represent a major cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in men. Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin neoplasm and second leading cause of death in men. 6-Shogaol (6-SHO), a potent bioactive compound in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. In the present study, the effect of 6-SHO on the growth of prostate cancer cells was investigated. 6-SHO effectively reduced survival and induced apoptosis of cultured human (LNCaP, DU145, and PC3) and mouse (HMVP2) prostate cancer cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that 6-SHO reduced constitutive and interleukin (IL)-6-induced STAT3 activation and inhibited both constitutive and TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity in these cells. In addition, 6-SHO decreased the level of several STAT3 and NF-κB-regulated target genes at the protein level, including cyclin D1, survivin, and cMyc and modulated mRNA levels of chemokine, cytokine, cell cycle, and apoptosis regulatory genes (IL-7, CCL5, BAX, BCL2, p21, and p27). 6-SHO was more effective than two other compounds found in ginger, 6-gingerol, and 6-paradol at reducing survival of prostate cancer cells and reducing STAT3 and NF-κB signaling. 6-SHO also showed significant tumor growth inhibitory activity in an allograft model using HMVP2 cells. Overall, the current results suggest that 6-SHO may have potential as a chemopreventive and/or therapeutic agent for prostate cancer and that further study of this compound is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achinto Saha
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Jorge Blando
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Eric Silver
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Linda Beltran
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Jonathan Sessler
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - John DiGiovanni
- Authors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TexasAuthors' Affiliations: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Nutritional Sciences, Dell Pediatric Research Institute; and Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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Tan JA, Bai S, Grossman G, Titus MA, Harris Ford O, Pop EA, Smith GJ, Mohler JL, Wilson EM, French FS. Mechanism of androgen receptor corepression by CKβBP2/CRIF1, a multifunctional transcription factor coregulator expressed in prostate cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:302-313. [PMID: 24103312 PMCID: PMC3880566 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor coregulator Casein kinase IIβ-binding protein 2 or CR6-interacting factor 1 (CKβBP2/CRIF1) binds the androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer cells and in response to dihydrotestosterone localizes with AR on the prostate-specific antigen gene enhancer, but does not bind DNA suggesting CKβBP2/CRIF1 localization in chromatin is determined by AR. In this study we show also that CKβBP2/CRIF1 inhibits wild-type AR and AR N-terminal transcriptional activity, binds to the AR C-terminal region, inhibits interaction of the AR N- and C-terminal domains (N/C interaction) and competes with p160 coactivator binding to the AR C-terminal domain, suggesting CKβBP2/CRIF1 interferes with AR activation functions 1 and 2. CKβBP2/CRIF1 is expressed mainly in stromal cells of benign prostatic hyperplasia and in stroma and epithelium of prostate cancer. CKβBP2/CRIF1 protein is increased in epithelium of androgen-dependent prostate cancer compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia and decreased slightly in castration recurrent epithelium compared to androgen-dependent prostate cancer. The multifunctional CKβBP2/CRIF1 is a STAT3 interacting protein and reported to be a coactivator of STAT3. CKβBP2/CRIF1 is expressed with STAT3 in prostate cancer where STAT3 may help to offset the AR repressor effect of CKβBP2/CRIF1 and allow AR regulation of prostate cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiann-An Tan
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Suxia Bai
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Gail Grossman
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Mark A Titus
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - O Harris Ford
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Elena A Pop
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Gary J Smith
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - James L Mohler
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Urology, University of Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biotechnology, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Elizabeth M Wilson
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Frank S French
- Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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44
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Tummala R, Nadiminty N, Lou W, Zhu Y, Gandour-Edwards R, Chen HW, Evans CP, Gao AC. Lin28 promotes growth of prostate cancer cells and activates the androgen receptor. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 183:288-95. [PMID: 23790802 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (CaP) progresses to a castration-resistant state assisted by multifold molecular changes, most of which involve activation of the androgen receptor (AR). Having previously demonstrated the importance of the Lin28/let-7/Myc axis in CaP, we tested the hypothesis that Lin28 is overexpressed in CaP and that it activates AR and promotes growth of CaP cells. We analyzed human clinical CaP samples for the expression of Lin28 by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and IHC. Growth characteristics of CaP cell lines transiently and stably expressing Lin28 were examined. The clonogenic ability of CaP cells expressing Lin28 was determined by colony formation and soft agar assays. Increase in expression of AR and subsequent increase in transcription of AR-target genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, luciferase assays, and ELISA. LNCaP cells stably expressing Lin28 were injected into nude mice, and tumorigenesis was monitored. We found that Lin28 is overexpressed in clinical CaP compared to benign prostates. Overexpression of Lin28 enhanced, while down-regulation reduced, growth of CaP cells. Lin28 enhanced the ability of CaP cells to form colonies in anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent conditions. LNCaP cells stably expressing Lin28 exhibited significantly higher tumorigenic ability in vivo. Lin28 induced expression of the AR and its target genes such as PSA and NKX3.1. Collectively, our findings demonstrate a novel role for Lin28 in CaP development and activation of the AR axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramakumar Tummala
- Department of Urology, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
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Plimack ER, Lorusso PM, McCoon P, Tang W, Krebs AD, Curt G, Eckhardt SG. AZD1480: a phase I study of a novel JAK2 inhibitor in solid tumors. Oncologist 2013; 18:819-20. [PMID: 23847256 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2013-0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AZD1480 is a novel agent that inhibits Janus-associated kinases 1 and 2 (JAK1 and JAK2). The primary objective of this phase I study was to investigate the safety and tolerability of AZD1480 when administered as monotherapy to patients with solid tumors. METHODS Thirty-eight patients with advanced malignancies were treated at doses of 10-70 mg once daily (QD) and 20-45 mg b.i.d. RESULTS Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis revealed rapid absorption and elimination with minimal accumulation after repeated QD or b.i.d. dosing. Exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner from 10-50 mg. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was attained ∼1 hour after dose, and t1/2 was ∼5 hours. Pharmacodynamic analysis of circulating granulocytes demonstrated maximum phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) inhibition 1-2 hours after dose, coincident with Cmax, and greater pSTAT3 inhibition at higher doses. The average pSTAT3 inhibition in granulocytes at the highest dose tested, 70 mg QD, was 56% (standard deviation: ±21%) at steady-state drug levels. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) consisted of pleiotropic neurologic adverse events (AEs), including dizziness, anxiety, ataxia, memory loss, hallucinations, and behavior changes. These AEs were generally reversible with dose reduction or treatment cessation. CONCLUSIONS Whether the DLTs were due to inhibition of JAK-1/2 or to off-target effects is unknown. The unusual DLTs and the lack of clinical activity led to discontinuation of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Plimack
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA.
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Kroon P, Berry PA, Stower MJ, Rodrigues G, Mann VM, Simms M, Bhasin D, Chettiar S, Li C, Li PK, Maitland NJ, Collins AT. JAK-STAT blockade inhibits tumor initiation and clonogenic recovery of prostate cancer stem-like cells. Cancer Res 2013; 73:5288-98. [PMID: 23824741 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-0874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-6 overexpression and constitutive STAT3 activation occur in many cancers, including prostate cancer. However, their contribution to prostate stem and progenitor cells has not been explored. In this study, we show that stem-like cells from patients with prostate cancer secrete higher levels of IL-6 than their counterparts in non-neoplastic prostate. Tumor grade did not influence the levels of expression or secretion. Stem-like and progenitor cells expressed the IL-6 receptor gp80 with concomitant expression of pSTAT3. Blockade of activated STAT3, by either anti-IL-6 antibody siltuximab (CNTO 328) or LLL12, a specific pSTAT3 inhibitor, suppressed the clonogenicity of the stem-like cells in patients with high-grade disease. In a murine xenograft model used to determine the in vivo effects of pSTAT3 suppression, LLL12 treatment effectively abolished outgrowth of a patient-derived castrate-resistant tumor. Our results indicate that the most primitive cells in prostate cancer require pSTAT3 for survival, rationalizing STAT3 as a therapeutic target to treat advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Kroon
- Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit, Department of Biology, York
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Toren PJ, Gleave ME. Evolving landscape and novel treatments in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Asian J Androl 2013; 15:342-9. [PMID: 23584378 PMCID: PMC3739642 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2013.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment options for castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have advanced in recent years and significantly improved the outlook for patients with this aggressive and lethal disease. Further understanding of the biology of CRPC has led to several new targeted therapies and continues to emphasize the importance of androgen receptor (AR) directed therapy. The treatment landscape is rapidly changing and further biologically rationale, biomarker-based ongoing clinical trials are needed. We review the recent results of major clinical trials in CRPC. New and investigational agents now in clinical evaluation are reviewed including inhibitors of angiogenesis, microtubules, chaperones, AR and intracellular kinases, as well as immunotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals and bone-targeted agents. The recent improvement in prognosis for CRPC brings continued optimism for further improvements. Thoughtful planning of clinical trials and further understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to therapies will allow for continued progress in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Toren
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
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Dissecting Major Signaling Pathways throughout the Development of Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer 2013; 2013:920612. [PMID: 23738079 PMCID: PMC3657461 DOI: 10.1155/2013/920612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Revised: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies found in males. The development of PCa involves several mutations in prostate epithelial cells, usually linked to developmental changes, such as enhanced resistance to apoptotic death, constitutive proliferation, and, in some cases, to differentiation into an androgen deprivation-resistant phenotype, leading to the appearance of castration-resistant PCa (CRPCa), which leads to a poor prognosis in patients. In this review, we summarize recent findings concerning the main deregulations into signaling pathways that will lead to the development of PCa and/or CRPCa. Key mutations in some pathway molecules are often linked to a higher prevalence of PCa, by directly affecting the respective cascade and, in some cases, by deregulating a cross-talk node or junction along the pathways. We also discuss the possible environmental and nonenvironmental inducers for these mutations, as well as the potential therapeutic strategies targeting these signaling pathways. A better understanding of how some risk factors induce deregulation of these signaling pathways, as well as how these deregulated pathways affect the development of PCa and CRPCa, will further help in the development of new treatments and prevention strategies for this disease.
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Rybak AP, Ingram AJ, Tang D. Propagation of human prostate cancer stem-like cells occurs through EGFR-mediated ERK activation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61716. [PMID: 23620784 PMCID: PMC3631151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer stem-like cells (PCSCs) are being intensely investigated largely owing to their contributions towards prostate tumorigenesis, however, our understanding of PCSC biology, including their critical pathways, remains incompletely understood. While epidermal growth factor (EGF) is widely used in maintaining PCSC cells in vitro, the importance of EGF-dependent signaling and its downstream pathways in PCSC self-renewal are not well characterized. By investigating DU145 sphere cells, a population of prostate cancer cells with stem-like properties, we report here that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling plays a critical role in the propagation of DU145 PCSCs. Activation of EGFR signaling via addition of EGF and ectopic expression of a constitutively-active EGFR mutant (EGFRvIII) increased sphere formation. Conversely, inhibition of EGFR signaling by using EGFR inhibitors (AG1478 and PD168393) and knockdown of EGFR significantly inhibited PCSC self-renewal. Consistent with the MEK-ERK pathway being a major target of EGFR signaling, activation of the MEK-ERK pathway contributed to EGFR-facilitated PCSC propagation. Modulation of EGFR signaling affected extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activation. Inhibition of ERK activation through multiple approaches, including treatment with the MEK inhibitor U0126, ectopic expression of dominant-negative MEK1(K97M), and knockdown of either ERK1 or ERK2 resulted in a robust reduction in PCSC propagation. Collectively, the present study provides evidence that EGFR signaling promotes PCSC self-renewal, in part, by activating the MEK-ERK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian P Rybak
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Saturnino C, Palladino C, Napoli M, Sinicropi MS, Botta A, Sala M, Carcereri de Prati A, Novellino E, Suzuki H. Synthesis and biological evaluation of new N-alkylcarbazole derivatives as STAT3 inhibitors: preliminary study. Eur J Med Chem 2012; 60:112-9. [PMID: 23287056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The signalling pathway of Janus tyrosine Kinases-Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK-STAT) is activated by a number of cytokines, hormones (GH, erythropoietin and prolactin), and growth factors. JAK-STAT signalling is involved in regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. These activities are due to different members of JAK-STAT family consisting of: JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, Tyk2 and STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, STAT6. Recent studies suggest a key role for STAT family proteins, in particular for STAT3, in selectively inducing and maintaining a pro-carcinogenic inflammatory microenvironment, that promote tumour cells transformation. Moreover, a striking correlation between cancer development/progression and STAT3 persistent activation exists, probably due to STAT3 promoting of the pro-oncogenic inflammatory pathways, like NF-kB, IL-6 and JAK family kinases. Recent study demonstrated that carbazoles can inhibit STAT3 mediated transcription. From these evidences, STAT3 represents a therapeutic target, so we have synthesized a new set of N-alkylcarbazole derivatives substituted in positions 2, 4 and 6, to evaluate their activity on STAT3. Some of these compounds showed an interesting activity as STAT3 selective inhibitors; in particular, compounds 9a 9b and 9c revealed to inhibit the STAT3 activation for the 50%, 90% and 95%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo 8, 84024 Fisciano (SA), Italy.
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