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Azam H, Maher S, Clarke S, Gallagher WM, Prencipe M. SRF inhibitors reduce prostate cancer cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest in an isogenic model of castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:1759-1776. [PMID: 37377210 PMCID: PMC10446773 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2229713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is challenging to treat, despite improvements with next-generation anti-androgens such as enzalutamide, due to acquired resistance. One of the mechanisms of such resistance includes aberrant activation of co-factors of the androgen receptor (AR), such as the serum response factor (SRF), which was associated with prostate cancer progression and resistance to enzalutamide. Here, we show that inhibition of SRF with three small molecules (CCG-1423, CCG-257081 and lestaurtinib), singly and in combination with enzalutamide, reduces cell viability in an isogenic model of CRPC. The effects of these inhibitors on the cell cycle, singly and in combination with enzalutamide, were assessed with western blotting, flow cytometry and β-galactosidase staining. In the androgen deprivation-sensitive LNCaP parental cell line, a synergistic effect between enzalutamide and all three inhibitors was demonstrated, while the androgen deprivation-resistant LNCaP Abl cells showed synergy only with the lestaurtinib and enzalutamide combination, suggesting a different mechanism of action of the CCG series of compounds in the absence and presence of androgens. Through analysis of cell cycle checkpoint proteins, flow cytometry and β-galactosidase staining, we showed that all three SRF inhibitors, singly and in combination with enzalutamide, induced cell cycle arrest and decreased S phase. While CCG-1423 had a more pronounced effect on the expression of cell cycle checkpoint proteins, CCG-257081 and lestaurtinib decreased proliferation also through induction of cellular senescence. In conclusion, we show that inhibition of an AR co-factors, namely SRF, provides a promising approach to overcoming resistance to AR inhibitors currently used in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleema Azam
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
| | - Shane Maher
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
| | - Shane Clarke
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
| | - William M. Gallagher
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
| | - Maria Prencipe
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
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2
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Lopez P, Newton RU, Taaffe DR, Singh F, Buffart LM, Spry N, Tang C, Saad F, Galvão DA. Associations of fat and muscle mass with overall survival in men with prostate cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2022; 25:615-626. [PMID: 34420038 PMCID: PMC9705235 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-021-00442-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To systematically review and analyse the associations between fat and muscle mass measures with overall survival in men with prostate cancer. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from inception to December 2020, while abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conferences were searched from 2014 to 2020. Eligible articles examined the association of body composition measures, such as fat mass (e.g., fat mass, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and VAT/SAT) and muscle mass measures, with overall survival in prostate cancer patients at any treatment stage. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted for studies reporting multivariable or univariable analysis assessing the associations of fat mass measures (i.e., fat mass, VAT, SAT, VAT/SAT) and muscle mass measures with overall survival. RESULTS Sixteen cohort studies that comprised 4807 men with prostate cancer were included. Total adiposity (hazard ratio (HR) 0.98, 95% CI: 0.75-1.28, p = 0.888) and VAT (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.74-1.43, p = 0.873) were not significantly associated with overall survival, while higher subcutaneous adipose tissue levels were associated with higher survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54-0.84, p = 0.001). Greater mortality risk was found in patients with localised (HR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.40-2.62, p < 0.001) and advanced disease (HR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.07-1.92, p = 0.020) presenting with low levels of muscle mass compared to those presenting with high levels. DISCUSSION These results indicate that although overall adiposity should be cautiously interpreted in regards to survival, high muscle mass and SAT, and low VAT/SAT ratio values are associated with overall survival in men with prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Lopez
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.
| | - Robert U Newton
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Dennis R Taaffe
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Favil Singh
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Laurien M Buffart
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nigel Spry
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Colin Tang
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Fred Saad
- Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel A Galvão
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
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3
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Azam H, Pierro L, Reina M, Gallagher WM, Prencipe M. Emerging role for the Serum Response Factor (SRF) as a potential therapeutic target in cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:155-169. [PMID: 35114091 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2032652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Serum Response Factor (SRF) is a transcription factor involved in three hallmarks of cancer: the promotion of cell proliferation, cell death resistance and invasion and metastasis induction. Many studies have demonstrated a leading role in the development and progression of multiple cancer types, thus highlighting the potential of SRF as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target, especially for cancers with poor prognosis. AREAS COVERED This review examines the role of SRF in several cancers in promoting cellular processes associated with cancer development and progression. SRF co-factors and signalling pathways are discussed as possible targets to inhibit SRF in a tissue and cancer-specific way. Small-molecule inhibitors of SRF, such as the CCGs series of compounds and lestaurtinib, which could be used as cancer therapeutics, are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Targeting of SRF and its co-factors represents a promising therapeutic approach. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the action of SRF could provide a pipeline of novel molecular targets and therapeutic combinations for cancer. Basket clinical trials and the use of SRF immunohistochemistry as companion diagnostics will help testing of these new targets in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleema Azam
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lisa Pierro
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Martina Reina
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William M Gallagher
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maria Prencipe
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
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4
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Watson RW, Azam H, Aura C, Russell N, McCormack J, Corey E, Morrissey C, Crown J, Gallagher WM, Prencipe M. Inhibition of Serum Response Factor Improves Response to Enzalutamide in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123540. [PMID: 33260953 PMCID: PMC7760758 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is challenging to treat with the androgen receptor (AR), the main target and key focus of resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of AR interaction with co-regulators will identify new therapeutic targets to overcome AR resistance mechanisms. We previously identified the serum response factor (SRF) as a lead target in an in vitro model of CRPC and showed that SRF expression in tissues of CRPC patients was associated with shorter survival. Here, we tested SRF inhibition in vitro and in vivo to assess SRF as a potential target in CRPC. Inhibition of SRF with the small-molecule inhibitor CCG1423 resulted in enhanced response to enzalutamide in vitro and reduced tumour volume of LuCaP 35CR, a CRPC patient-derived xenograft model. Nuclear localisation of AR post-CCG1423 was significantly decreased and was associated with decreased α-tubulin acetylation in vitro and decreased prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in vivo. SRF immunoreactivity was tested in metastatic tissues from CRPC patients to investigate its role in enzalutamide response. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that high SRF expression was associated with shorter response to enzalutamide. Our study supports the use of SRF inhibitors to improve response to enzalutamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. William Watson
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Haleema Azam
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland; (H.A.); (C.A.); (N.R.); (W.M.G.)
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Claudia Aura
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland; (H.A.); (C.A.); (N.R.); (W.M.G.)
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh Russell
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland; (H.A.); (C.A.); (N.R.); (W.M.G.)
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Janet McCormack
- Research Pathology Core, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield D4, Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (E.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (E.C.); (C.M.)
| | - John Crown
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland;
| | - William M Gallagher
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland; (H.A.); (C.A.); (N.R.); (W.M.G.)
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maria Prencipe
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland; (H.A.); (C.A.); (N.R.); (W.M.G.)
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4, Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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5
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Dorris ER, O'Neill A, Treacy A, Klocker H, Teltsh O, Kay E, Watson RW. The transcription factor CUX1 negatively regulates invasion in castrate resistant prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2020; 11:846-857. [PMID: 32180898 PMCID: PMC7061738 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27494] [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: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer is treated with androgen ablation therapy but progress to castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This study aimed to investigate the role of CUX1 in CRPC using clinical samples and in vitro models. CUX1 expression was increased in androgen-independent cells compared to androgen-sensitive cells. The multi-isoform nature of CUX1 makes it difficult to assay in tissue microarrays as there is no epitope able to distinguish the many isoforms for immunohistochemistry. Using surrogate markers, we found no differential expression between castrate resistant and local hormone naïve tissue. However, differences have been demonstrated at the transcript level. In androgen-sensitive cells, migration, but not invasion, increased following CUX1 knockdown. Conversely, in androgen-independent cells, invasion was increased. This observed difference in invasion capacity is not E-cadherin mediated, as CUX1 knockdown increases the expression of E-cadherin in both cell lines with no inter-cell line difference. Cells expressed different ratios of p110/p200 isoforms depending on androgen status and cathepsin L was only detectable in androgen-sensitive cells. MMP3 is upregulated in the androgen-independent cells. Rather than a simple presence or absence of CUX1, the relative balance of CUX1 isoforms and their interplay may be a significant factor in the functional role of CUX1 in CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Dorris
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amanda O'Neill
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ann Treacy
- Pathology Department, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helmut Klocker
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Omri Teltsh
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elaine Kay
- Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - R William Watson
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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6
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Venkadakrishnan VB, DePriest AD, Kumari S, Senapati D, Ben-Salem S, Su Y, Mudduluru G, Hu Q, Cortes E, Pop E, Mohler JL, Azabdaftari G, Attwood K, Shah RB, Jamieson C, Dehm SM, Magi-Galluzzi C, Klein E, Sharifi N, Liu S, Heemers HV. Protein Kinase N1 control of androgen-responsive serum response factor action provides rationale for novel prostate cancer treatment strategy. Oncogene 2019; 38:4496-4511. [PMID: 30742064 PMCID: PMC6771259 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0732-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sustained reliance on androgen receptor (AR) after failure of AR-targeting androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) prevents effective treatment of castration-recurrent (CR) prostate cancer (CaP). Interfering with the molecular machinery by which AR drives CaP progression may be an alternative therapeutic strategy but its feasibility remains to be tested. Here, we explore targeting the mechanism by which AR, via RhoA, conveys androgen-responsiveness to serum response factor (SRF), which controls aggressive CaP behavior and is maintained in CR-CaP. Following a siRNA screen and candidate gene approach, RNA-Seq studies confirmed that the RhoA effector Protein Kinase N1 (PKN1) transduces androgen-responsiveness to SRF. Androgen treatment induced SRF-PKN1 interaction, and PKN1 knockdown or overexpression severely impaired or stimulated, respectively, androgen regulation of SRF target genes. PKN1 overexpression occurred during clinical CR-CaP progression, and hastened CaP growth and shortened CR-CaP survival in orthotopic CaP xenografts. PKN1's effects on SRF relied on its kinase domain. The multikinase inhibitor lestaurtinib inhibited PKN1 action and preferentially affected androgen regulation of SRF over direct AR target genes. In a CR-CaP patient-derived xenograft, expression of SRF target genes was maintained while AR target gene expression declined and proliferative gene expression increased. PKN1 inhibition decreased viability of CaP cells before and after ADT. In patient-derived CaP explants, lestaurtinib increased AR target gene expression but did not significantly alter SRF target gene or proliferative gene expression. These results provide proof-of-principle for selective forms of ADT that preferentially target different fractions of AR's transcriptional output to inhibit CaP growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varadha Balaji Venkadakrishnan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Adam D DePriest
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sangeeta Kumari
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Salma Ben-Salem
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yixue Su
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Qiang Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Eduardo Cortes
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Elena Pop
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - James L Mohler
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Gissou Azabdaftari
- Department of Urology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kristopher Attwood
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rajal B Shah
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Christina Jamieson
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Diego, LaJolla, CA, USA
| | - Scott M Dehm
- Masonic Cancer Center and Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Eric Klein
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nima Sharifi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hannelore V Heemers
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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7
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Prencipe M, Fabre A, Murphy TB, Vargyas E, O'Neill A, Bjartell A, Tasken KA, Grytli HH, Svindland A, Berge V, Eri LM, Gallagher W, Watson RW. Role of serum response factor expression in prostate cancer biochemical recurrence. Prostate 2018; 78:724-730. [PMID: 29608018 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to a third of prostate cancer patients fail curative treatment strategies such as surgery and radiation therapy in the form of biochemical recurrence (BCR) which can be predictive of poor outcome. Recent clinical trials have shown that men experiencing BCR might benefit from earlier intervention post-radical prostatectomy (RP). Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify earlier prognostic biomarkers which will guide clinicians in making accurate diagnosis and timely decisions on the next appropriate treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate Serum Response Factor (SRF) protein expression following RP and to investigate its association with BCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS SRF nuclear expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in TMAs across three international radical prostatectomy cohorts for a total of 615 patients. Log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used for BCR comparisons. Stepwise backwards elimination proportional hazard regression analysis was used to explore the significance of SRF in predicting BCR in the context of other clinical pathological variables. Area under the curve (AUC) values were generated by simulating repeated random sub-samples. RESULTS Analysis of the immunohistochemical staining of benign versus cancer cores showed higher expression of nuclear SRF protein expression in cancer cores compared with benign for all the three TMAs analysed (P < 0.001, n = 615). Kaplan-Meier curves of the three TMAs combined showed that patients with higher SRF nuclear expression had a shorter time to BCR compared with patients with lower SRF expression (P < 0.001, n = 215). Together with pathological T stage T3, SRF was identified as a predictor of BCR using stepwise backwards elimination proportional hazard regression analysis (P = 0.0521). Moreover ROC curves and AUC values showed that SRF was better than T stage in predicting BCR at year 3 and 5 following radical prostatectomy, the combination of SRF and T stage had a higher AUC value than the two taken separately. CONCLUSIONS SRF assessment by IHC following RP could be useful in guiding clinicians to better identify patients for appropriate follow-up and timely treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Prencipe
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aurelie Fabre
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Pathology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Research Pathology Core, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Eszter Vargyas
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amanda O'Neill
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anders Bjartell
- Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristin Austlid Tasken
- Institute of Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helene H Grytli
- Institute of Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aud Svindland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Viktor Berge
- Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars M Eri
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - William Gallagher
- OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - R William Watson
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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8
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Su Z, Zhang M, Xu M, Li X, Tan J, Xu Y, Pan X, Chen N, Chen X, Zhou Q. MicroRNA181c inhibits prostate cancer cell growth and invasion by targeting multiple ERK signaling pathway components. Prostate 2018; 78:343-352. [PMID: 29341215 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ERK signaling pathway is frequently deregulated in tumorigenesis, mostly by classical mechanisms such as gene mutation of its components (eg, RAS and RAF). However, whether and how multiple key components of ERK pathway are regulated by microRNAs are not clear. METHODS We firstly predicted post-transcriptional regulation of multiple key components of the ERK signaling pathway by miR181c through bioinformatics analysis, and then confirmed the post-transcriptional regulation by dual luciferase reporter gene assays and Western blot analysis. The biological effects of miR181c on prostate cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were measured by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, wound scratch assay, transwell cell migration, and invasion assays. RESULTS miR181c post-transcriptionally regulated multiple key members of the ERK signaling pathway, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2), serum response factor (SRF), and FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (c-Fos). Ectopic expression of miR181c mimics effectively suppressed prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, but promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, miR181c treatment combined with the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib significantly enhanced these anti-tumor effects. CONCLUSIONS Downregulation of miR181c results in deregulated ERK signaling and promotes prostate cancer cell growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzheng Su
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengni Zhang
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinglan Li
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junya Tan
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunyi Xu
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiuyi Pan
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ni Chen
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueqin Chen
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Dorris E, O'Neill A, Hanrahan K, Treacy A, Watson RW. MARCKS promotes invasion and is associated with biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:72021-72030. [PMID: 29069765 PMCID: PMC5641108 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overtreatment of low-grade prostate cancer is a recognised problem for clinicians and patients. However, under-treatment runs the risk of missing the opportunity for cure in those who could benefit. Identification of new biomarkers of disease progression, including metastases, is required to better stratify and appropriately treat these patients. The ability to predict if prostate cancer will recur is an important clinical question that would impact treatment options for patients. Studies in other cancers have associated MARCKS with metastasis. METHODS Tissue microarrays of local prostatectomy samples from a cohort of biochemical recurrent and non-biochemical recurrent tumours were assayed for MARCKS protein expression. Prostate cancer cell lines were transfected with siRNA targeting MARCKS or a control and functional endpoints of migration, invasion, proliferation, viability and apoptosis were measured. Actin was visualised by fluorescent microscopy and evidence of a cadherin switch and activation of the AKT pathway were assayed. RESULTS MARCKS was upregulated in biochemical recurrent patients compared to non-biochemical recurrent. Knockdown of MARCKS reduced migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells, reduced MMP9 mRNA expression, as well as decreasing cell spreading and increased cell:cell adhesion in prostate cancer cell colonies. Knockdown of MARCKS had no effect on proliferation, viability or apoptosis of the prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, MARCKS promotes migration and invasion and is associated with biochemical recurrence in localised prostate cancer tumours. The mechanisms by which this occurs have yet to be fully elucidated but lack of a cadherin switch indicates it is not via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Actin rearrangement indicates that MARCKS promotes invasion through regulating the architecture of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Dorris
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute for Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Amanda O'Neill
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute for Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Karen Hanrahan
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute for Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Ann Treacy
- Pathology Department, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - R William Watson
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute for Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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10
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Moran B, Rahman A, Palonen K, Lanigan FT, Gallagher WM. Master Transcriptional Regulators in Cancer: Discovery via Reverse Engineering Approaches and Subsequent Validation. Cancer Res 2017; 77:2186-2190. [PMID: 28428271 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-1813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reverse engineering of transcriptional networks using gene expression data enables identification of genes that underpin the development and progression of different cancers. Methods to this end have been available for over a decade and, with a critical mass of transcriptomic data in the oncology arena having been reached, they are ever more applicable. Extensive and complex networks can be distilled into a small set of key master transcriptional regulators (MTR), genes that are very highly connected and have been shown to be involved in processes of known importance in disease. Interpreting and validating the results of standardized bioinformatic methods is of crucial importance in determining the inherent value of MTRs. In this review, we briefly describe how MTRs are identified and focus on providing an overview of how MTRs can and have been validated for use in clinical decision making in malignant diseases, along with serving as tractable therapeutic targets. Cancer Res; 77(9); 2186-90. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Moran
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arman Rahman
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katja Palonen
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona T Lanigan
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - William M Gallagher
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. .,OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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11
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Lundon DJ, Boland A, Prencipe M, Hurley G, O'Neill A, Kay E, Aherne ST, Doolan P, Madden SF, Clynes M, Morrissey C, Fitzpatrick JM, Watson RW. The prognostic utility of the transcription factor SRF in docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer: in-vitro discovery and in-vivo validation. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:163. [PMID: 28249598 PMCID: PMC5333466 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Docetaxel based therapy is one of the first line chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. However, one of the major obstacles in the treatment of these patients is docetaxel-resistance. Defining the mechanisms of resistance so as to inform subsequent treatment options and combinations represents a challenge for clinicians and scientists. Previous work by our group has shown complex changes in pro and anti-apoptotic proteins in the development of resistance to docetaxel. Targeting these changes individually does not significantly impact on the resistant phenotype but understanding the central signalling pathways and transcription factors (TFs) which control these could represent a more appropriate therapeutic targeting approach. Methods Using a number of docetaxel-resistant sublines of PC-3 cells, we have undertaken a transcriptomic analysis by expression microarray using the Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST Array and in conjunction with bioinformatic analyses undertook to predict dysregulated TFs in docetaxel resistant prostate cancer. The clinical significance of this prediction was ascertained by performing immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of an identified TF (SRF) in the metastatic sites from men who died of advanced CRPC. Investigation of the functional role of SRF was examined by manipulating SRF using SiRNA in a docetaxel-resistant PC-3 cell line model. Results The transcription factors identified include serum response factor (SRF), nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB), heat shock factor protein 1 (HSF1), testicular receptor 2 & 4 (TR2 &4), vitamin-D and retinoid x receptor (VDR-RXR) and oestrogen-receptor 1 (ESR1), which are predicted to be responsible for the differential gene expression observed in docetaxel-resistance. IHC analysis to quantify nuclear expression of the identified TF SRF correlates with both survival from date of bone metastasis (p = 0.003), survival from androgen independence (p = 0.00002), and overall survival from prostate cancer (p = 0.0044). Functional knockdown of SRF by siRNA demonstrated a reversal of apoptotic resistance to docetaxel treatment in the docetaxel-resistant PC-3 cell line model. Conclusions Our results suggest that SRF could aid in treatment stratification of prostate cancer, and may also represent a therapeutic target in the treatment of men afflicted with advanced prostate cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3100-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Lundon
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - A Boland
- UCD School of Mathematical Sciences and Insight, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - M Prencipe
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - G Hurley
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - A O'Neill
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - E Kay
- Department of Pathology, Beaumont Hospital & Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S T Aherne
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland Non-US/Non-Canadian, Ireland
| | - P Doolan
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland Non-US/Non-Canadian, Ireland
| | - S F Madden
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - M Clynes
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland Non-US/Non-Canadian, Ireland
| | - C Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J M Fitzpatrick
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - R W Watson
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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12
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Prencipe M, O’Neill A, O’Hurley G, Nguyen LK, Fabre A, Bjartell A, Gallagher WM, Morrissey C, Kay EW, Watson RW. Relationship between serum response factor and androgen receptor in prostate cancer. Prostate 2015; 75:1704-17. [PMID: 26250344 PMCID: PMC4579008 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum response factor (SRF) is an important transcription factor in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Since CRPC is associated with androgen receptor (AR) hypersensitivity, we investigated the relationship between SRF and AR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Transcriptional activity was assessed by luciferase assay. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT and flow cytometry. Protein expression in patients was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS To investigate AR involvement in SRF response to androgen, AR expression was down-regulated using siRNA. This resulted in the abrogation of SRF induction post-DHT. Moreover, DHT stimulation failed to induce SRF transcriptional activity in AR-negative PC346 DCC cells, which was only restored following AR over-expression. Next, SRF expression was down-regulated by siRNA, resulting in AR increased transcriptional activity in castrate-resistant LNCaP Abl cells but not in the parental LNCaP. This negative feedback loop in the resistant cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry which showed a negative correlation between AR and SRF expression in CRPC bone metastases and a positive correlation in androgen-naïve prostatectomies. Cell proliferation was next assessed following SRF inhibition, demonstrating that SRF inhibition is more effective than AR inhibition in castrate-resistant cells. CONCLUSION Our data support SRF as a promising therapeutic target in combination with current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Prencipe
- UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Conway Institute of
Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel:
+353 1716 6913,
| | - Amanda O’Neill
- UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Conway Institute of
Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gillian O’Hurley
- OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lan K. Nguyen
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aurelie Fabre
- Department of Pathology, St Vincent’s University Hospital,
Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anders Bjartell
- Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital,
Malmö, Sweden
| | - William M. Gallagher
- OncoMark Limited, NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle,
Washington, USA
| | - Elaine W Kay
- Department of Pathology, RCSI Education and Research Centre;
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - R William Watson
- UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Conway Institute of
Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4,
Dublin, Ireland
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13
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Cyclodextrin mediated delivery of NF-κB and SRF siRNA reduces the invasion potential of prostate cancer cells in vitro. Gene Ther 2015; 22:802-10. [PMID: 26005860 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men of the western world. To date, no effective treatment exists for metastatic prostate cancer and consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new and improved therapeutics. In recent years, the therapeutic potential of RNA interference (RNAi) has been extensively explored in a wide range of diseases including prostate cancer using numerous gene delivery vectors. The aims of this study were to investigate the ability of a non-viral modified cyclodextrin (CD) vector to deliver siRNA to the highly metastatic PC-3 prostate cancer cell line, to quantify the resulting knockdown of the two target genes (RelA and SRF) and to study the effects of the silencing on metastasis. Data from a Matrigel in vitro invasion assay indicated that the silencing of the target genes achieved by the CD vector resulted in significant reductions (P=0.0001) in the metastatic potential of these cells. As the silencing of these target genes was shown not to have a negative impact on cell viability, we hypothesise that the mechanism of invasion inhibition is due, in part, to the significant reduction observed (P⩽0.0001) in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, MMP9, which is known to be implicated in the metastasis of prostate cancer.
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14
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Fitzgerald KA, Evans JC, McCarthy J, Guo J, Prencipe M, Kearney M, Watson WR, O'Driscoll CM. The role of transcription factors in prostate cancer and potential for future RNA interference therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:633-49. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.896904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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15
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O'Hurley G, Prencipe M, Lundon D, O'Neill A, Boyce S, O'Grady A, Gallagher WM, Morrissey C, Kay EW, Watson RWG. The analysis of serum response factor expression in bone and soft tissue prostate cancer metastases. Prostate 2014; 74:306-13. [PMID: 24249383 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) represents a challenge to treat with no effective treatment options available. We recently identified serum response factor (SRF) as a key transcription factor in an in vitro model of castration resistance where we showed that SRF inhibition resulted in reduced cellular proliferation. We also demonstrated an association between SRF protein expression and CRPC in a cohort of castrate-resistant transurethral resections of the prostate (TURPS). The mechanisms regulating the growth of CRPC bone and visceral metastases have not been explored in depth due to the paucity of patient-related material available for analysis. In this study, we aim to evaluate SRF protein expression in prostate cancer (PCa) metastases, which has not previously been reported. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated the nuclear tissue expression profile of SRF by immunohistochemistry in 151 metastatic sites from 42 patients who died of advanced PCa. No relationship between SRF nuclear expression and the site of metastasis was observed (P = 0.824). However, a negative association between SRF nuclear expression in bone metastases and survival from (a) diagnosis with PCa (P = 0.005) and (b) diagnosis with CRPC (P = 0.029) was seen. These results demonstrate that SRF nuclear expression in bone metastases is associated with survival, with patients with the shortest survival showing high SRF nuclear expression and patients with the longest survival having low SRF nuclear expression. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that SRF is a key factor determining patients' survival in metastatic CRPC and therefore may represent a promising target for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian O'Hurley
- OncoMark Ltd, Nova UCD, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Department of Pathology, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
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16
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Bae JS, Noh SJ, Kim KM, Jang KY, Chung MJ, Kim DG, Moon WS. Serum response factor induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition with resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Oncol 2013; 44:129-36. [PMID: 24173109 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process in tumor progression. EMT of tumor cells not only causes increased metastasis, but also contributes to drug resistance. Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in several types of cancers. We investigated the effect of EMT-related SRF, focusing on its promotion of chemoresistance against sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined SRF and Snail expression in 146 cases of HCCs by immunohistochemistry. We also examined the chemoresistance effect of SRF in HCC cells by transfecting HLE cells with SRF cDNA and SH-J1 cells with SRF antisense cDNA. Expression of SRF and Snail were detected in 37.6% (55 of 146 cases) and in 12.3% (18 of 146 cases) of the HCCs, respectively. None of the tumor-free liver tissues showed SRF or Snail expression. SRF expression was closely correlated with the expression of Snail (p<0.001) and expression of both SRF and Snail showed significant correlation with the high histological grade (p=0.015 and 0.003, respectively). Overexpression of SRF in HLE cells led to increased expression of mesenchymal markers, as well as increased cell growth and colony formation. Overexpression of SRF also led to a significant reduction in the cytotoxic effect of sorafenib in HLE cells. Conversely, inhibition of SRF expression in the SH-J1 cells significantly enhanced the apoptotic effects of sorafenib, along with the reduced expression of mesenchymal markers and restored the expression of E-cadherin. These results suggest that SRF is critical for HCC to acquire a mesenchymal phenotype, which leads to resistance against a sorafenib-mediated apoptotic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sang Bae
- Department of Pathology, Chonbuk National University, Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University Hospital and Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea
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17
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Pikor LA, Lockwood WW, Thu KL, Vucic EA, Chari R, Gazdar AF, Lam S, Lam WL. YEATS4 is a novel oncogene amplified in non-small cell lung cancer that regulates the p53 pathway. Cancer Res 2013; 73:7301-12. [PMID: 24170126 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic analyses of lung cancer have helped found new treatments in this disease. We conducted an integrative analysis of gene expression and copy number in 261 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) relative to matched normal tissues to define novel candidate oncogenes, identifying 12q13-15 and more specifically the YEATS4 gene as amplified and overexpressed in ~20% of the NSCLC cases examined. Overexpression of YEATS4 abrogated senescence in human bronchial epithelial cells. Conversely, RNAi-mediated attenuation of YEATS4 in human lung cancer cells reduced their proliferation and tumor growth, impairing colony formation and inducing cellular senescence. These effects were associated with increased levels of p21WAF1 and p53 and cleavage of PARP, implicating YEATS4 as a negative regulator of the p21-p53 pathway. We also found that YEATS4 expression affected cellular responses to cisplastin, with increased levels associated with resistance and decreased levels with sensitivity. Taken together, our findings reveal YEATS4 as a candidate oncogene amplified in NSCLC, and a novel mechanism contributing to NSCLC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa A Pikor
- Authors' Affiliations: Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and Hamon Center of Therapeutics, University of Texas South Western, Dallas, Texas
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18
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Bell JL, Haak AJ, Wade SM, Kirchhoff PD, Neubig RR, Larsen SD. Optimization of novel nipecotic bis(amide) inhibitors of the Rho/MKL1/SRF transcriptional pathway as potential anti-metastasis agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 23:3826-32. [PMID: 23707258 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.04.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CCG-1423 (1) is a novel inhibitor of Rho/MKL1/SRF-mediated gene transcription that inhibits invasion of PC-3 prostate cancer cells in a Matrigel model of metastasis. We recently reported the design and synthesis of conformationally restricted analogs (e.g., 2) with improved selectivity for inhibiting invasion versus acute cytotoxicity. In this study we conducted a survey of aromatic substitution with the goal of improving physicochemical parameters (e.g., ClogP, MW) for future efficacy studies in vivo. Two new compounds were identified that attenuated cytotoxicity even further, and were fourfold more potent than 2 at inhibiting PC-3 cell migration in a scratch wound assay. One of these (8a, CCG-203971, IC50=4.2 μM) was well tolerated in mice for 5 days at 100mg/kg/day i.p., and was able to achieve plasma levels exceeding the migration IC50 for up to 3 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Bell
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, MI, USA
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