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Farhangnia P, Ghods R, Falak R, Zarnani AH, Delbandi AA. Identification of placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) expression on human PC-3 cell line-derived prostate cancer stem cells compared to the tumor parental cells. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:251. [PMID: 38943028 PMCID: PMC11213845 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01121-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) is a gene primarily expressed in the placenta and the testis. Interestingly, it is also found to be expressed in many solid tumors, and it is involved in malignant cell features. However, no evidence has been reported regarding the relationship between PLAC-1 and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the current research, we explored the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) derived from the human PC-3 cell line. The enrichment of PCSCs was achieved using a three-dimensional cell culture technique known as the sphere-formation assay. To confirm the identity of PCSCs, we examined the expression of genes associated with stemness and pluripotency, such as SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, C-Myc, and KLF-4, as well as stem cell differentiation molecules like CD44 and CD133. These evaluations were conducted in both the PCSCs and the original tumor cells (parental cells) using real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Subsequently, we assessed the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in both enriched cells and parental tumor cells at the gene and protein levels using the same techniques. The tumor cells from the PC-3 cell line formed spheroids with CSC characteristics in a non-adherent medium. The expression of SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, and C-Myc genes (p < 0.01), and the molecules CD44 and CD133 (p < 0.05) were significantly elevated in PCSCs compared to the parental cells. The expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in PCSCs showed a significant increase compared to the parental cells at both gene (p < 0.01) and protein (p < 0.001) levels. In conclusion, it was indicated for the first time that PLAC-1 is up-regulated in PCSCs derived from human PC-3 cell line. This study may propose PLAC-1 as a potential target in targeted therapies, which should be confirmed through further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Lambert KA, Clements CM, Mukherjee N, Pacheco TR, Shellman SX, Henen MA, Vögeli B, Goldstein NB, Birlea S, Hintzsche J, Caryotakis G, Tan AC, Zhao R, Norris DA, Robinson WA, Wang Y, VanTreeck JG, Shellman YG. SASH1 S519N Variant Links Skin Hyperpigmentation and Premature Hair Graying to Dysfunction of Melanocyte Lineage. J Invest Dermatol 2024:S0022-202X(24)00393-2. [PMID: 38848986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
A better understanding of human melanocyte (MC) and MC stem cell biology is essential for treating MC-related diseases. This study employed an inherited pigmentation disorder carrying the SASH1S519N variant in a Hispanic family to investigate SASH1 function in the MC lineage and the underlying mechanism for this disorder. We used a multidisciplinary approach, including clinical examinations, human cell assays, yeast 2-hybrid screening, and biochemical techniques. Results linked early hair graying to the SASH1S519N variant, a previously unrecognized clinical phenotype in hyperpigmentation disorders. In vitro, we identified SASH1 as a regulator in MC stem cell maintenance and discovered that TNKS2 is crucial for SASH1's role. In addition, the S519N variant is located in one of multiple tankyrase-binding motifs and alters the binding kinetics and affinity of the interaction. In summary, this disorder links both gain and loss of pigmentation in the same individual, hinting to accelerated aging in human MC stem cells. The findings offer insights into the roles of SASH1 and TNKS2 in MC stem cell maintenance and the molecular mechanisms of pigmentation disorders. We propose that a comprehensive clinical evaluation of patients with MC-related disorders should include an assessment and history of hair pigmentation loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline A Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher M Clements
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Theresa R Pacheco
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Samantha X Shellman
- Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Morkos A Henen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Beat Vögeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nathaniel B Goldstein
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stanca Birlea
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Gates Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Griffin Caryotakis
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - William A Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Yizhou Wang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jillian G VanTreeck
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Gates Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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Cruz SM, Iranpur KR, Judge SJ, Ames E, Sturgill IR, Farley LE, Darrow MA, Crowley JS, Monjazeb AM, Murphy WJ, Canter RJ. Low-Dose Sorafenib Promotes Cancer Stem Cell Expansion and Accelerated Tumor Progression in Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3351. [PMID: 38542325 PMCID: PMC10969893 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis postulates that heterogeneous human cancers harbor a population of stem-like cells which are resistant to cytotoxic therapies, thus providing a reservoir of relapse following conventional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation (RT). CSCs have been observed in multiple human cancers, and their presence has been correlated with worse clinical outcomes. Here, we sought to evaluate the impact of drug dosing of the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, on CSC and non-CSCs in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) models, hypothesizing differential effects of sorafenib based on dose and target cell population. In vitro, human cancer cell lines and primary STS from surgical specimens were exposed to escalating doses of sorafenib to determine cell viability and expression of CSC marker aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). In vivo, ALDHbright CSCs were isolated, exposed to sorafenib, and xenograft growth and survival analyses were performed. We observed that sarcoma CSCs appear to paradoxically respond to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib at low doses with increased proliferation and stem-like function of CSCs, whereas anti-viability effects dominated at higher doses. Importantly, STS patients receiving neoadjuvant sorafenib and RT on a clinical trial (NCT00864032) showed increased CSCs post therapy, and higher ALDH scores post therapy were associated with worse metastasis-free survival. These data suggest that low-dose sorafenib may promote the CSC phenotype in STS with clinically significant effects, including increased tumor growth and higher rates of metastasis formation in sarcoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M. Cruz
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Khurshid R. Iranpur
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Sean J. Judge
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Erik Ames
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ian R. Sturgill
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lauren E. Farley
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Morgan A. Darrow
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jiwon Sarah Crowley
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Arta M. Monjazeb
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - William J. Murphy
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Robert J. Canter
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Huang YH, Chiu LY, Tseng JS, Hsu KH, Chen CH, Sheu GT, Yang TY. Attenuation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR Pathway to Reduce Cancer Stemness on Chemoresistant Lung Cancer Cells by Shikonin and Synergy with BEZ235 Inhibitor. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:616. [PMID: 38203787 PMCID: PMC10779050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010616] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is considered the number one cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although current treatments initially reduce the lung cancer burden, relapse occurs in most cases; the major causes of mortality are drug resistance and cancer stemness. Recent investigations have provided evidence that shikonin generates various bioactivities related to the treatment of cancer. We used shikonin to treat multi-resistant non-small lung cancer cells (DOC-resistant A549/D16, VCR-resistant A549/V16 cells) and defined the anti-cancer efficacy of shikonin. Our results showed shikonin induces apoptosis in these ABCB1-dependent and independent chemoresistance cancer sublines. Furthermore, we found that low doses of shikonin inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer stem-like cells by inhibiting spheroid formation. Concomitantly, the mRNA level and protein of stemness genes (Nanog and Oct4) were repressed significantly on both sublines. Shikonin reduces the phosphorylated Akt and p70s6k levels, indicating that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is downregulated by shikonin. We further applied several signaling pathway inhibitors that have been used in anti-cancer clinical trials to test whether shikonin is suitable as a sensitizer for various signaling pathway inhibitors. In these experiments, we found that low doses shikonin and dual PI3K-mTOR inhibitor (BEZ235) have a synergistic effect that inhibits the spheroid formation from chemoresistant lung cancer sublines. Inhibiting the proliferation of lung cancer stem cells is believed to reduce the recurrence of lung cancer; therefore, shikonin's anti-drug resistance and anti-cancer stem cell activities make it a highly interesting molecule for future combined lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (L.-Y.C.); (J.-S.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yen Chiu
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (L.-Y.C.); (J.-S.T.)
| | - Jeng-Sen Tseng
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (L.-Y.C.); (J.-S.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsuan Hsu
- Division of Critical Care and Respiratory Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan;
| | - Chang-Han Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate Institute of Biomedicine and Biomedical Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou 545, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan
| | - Gwo-Tarng Sheu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Oncology and Chest Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ying Yang
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan; (Y.-H.H.); (L.-Y.C.); (J.-S.T.)
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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5
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Lambert KA, Clements CM, Mukherjee N, Pacheco TR, Shellman SX, Henen MA, Vögeli B, Goldstein NB, Birlea S, Hintzsche J, Tan AC, Zhao R, Norris DA, Robinson WA, Wang Y, VanTreeck JG, Shellman YG. SASH1 interacts with TNKS2 and promotes human melanocyte stem cell maintenance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.26.559624. [PMID: 37808724 PMCID: PMC10557680 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.26.559624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Both aging spots (hyperpigmentation) and hair graying (lack of pigmentation) are associated with aging, two seemingly opposite pigmentation phenotypes. It is not clear how they are mechanistically connected. This study investigated the underlying mechanism in a family with an inherited pigmentation disorder. Clinical examinations identified accelerated hair graying and skin dyspigmentation (intermixed hyper and hypopigmentation) in the family members carrying the SASH1 S519N variant. Cell assays indicated that SASH1 promoted stem-like characteristics in human melanocytes, and SASH1 S519N was defective in this function. Multiple assays showed that SASH1 binds to tankyrase 2 (TNKS2), which is required for SASH1's promotion of stem-like function. Further, the SASH1 S519N variant is in a bona fide Tankyrase-binding motif, and SASH1 S519N alters the binding kinetics and affinity. Results here indicate SASH1 as a novel protein regulating the appropriate balance between melanocyte stem cells (McSC) and mature melanocytes (MCs), with S519N variant causing defects. We propose that dysfunction of McSC maintenance connects multiple aging-associated pigmentation phenotypes in the general population.
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6
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Liang L, Kaufmann AM. The Significance of Cancer Stem Cells and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Metastasis and Anti-Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032555. [PMID: 36768876 PMCID: PMC9917228 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified and characterized in both hematopoietic and solid tumors. Their existence was first predicted by Virchow and Cohnheim in the 1870s. Later, many studies showed that CSCs can be identified and isolated by their expression of specific cell markers. The significance of CSCs with respect to tumor biology and anti-cancer treatment lies in their ability to maintain quiescence with very slow proliferation, indefinite self-renewal, differentiation, and trans-differentiation such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse process mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). The ability for detachment, migration, extra- and intravasation, invasion and thereby of completing all necessary steps of the metastatic cascade highlights their significance for metastasis. CSCs comprise the cancer cell populations responsible for tumor growth, resistance to therapies and cancer metastasis. In this review, the history of the CSC theory, their identification and characterization and their biology are described. The contribution of the CSC ability to undergo EMT for cancer metastasis is discussed. Recently, novel strategies for drug development have focused on the elimination of the CSCs specifically. The unique functional and molecular properties of CSCs are discussed as possible therapeutic vulnerabilities for the development of novel anti-metastasis treatments. Prospectively, this may provide precise personalized anti-cancer treatments with improved therapeutic efficiency with fewer side effects and leading to better prognosis.
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Mukherjee N, Dart CR, Amato CM, Honig-Frand A, Lambert JR, Lambert KA, Robinson WA, Tobin RP, McCarter MD, Couts KL, Fujita M, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Expression Differences in BCL2 Family Members between Uveal and Cutaneous Melanomas Account for Varying Sensitivity to BH3 Mimetics. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:1912-1922.e7. [PMID: 34942200 PMCID: PMC9635014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is a subtype of melanoma. Although they share a melanocytic origin with cutaneous melanoma (CM), patients with UM have few treatment options. BCL2 homologous 3 mimetics are small-molecule drugs that mimic proapoptotic BCL2 family members. We compared BCL2 family member expression between UM and CM using immunoblot and The Cancer Genome Atlas transcriptomic analysis. UM has a unique signature of low BFL1 and high PUMA proteins compared with CM and 30 other cancer types, making them an attractive candidate for BCL2 homologous 3 protein mimetics. We tested the efficacy of a BCL2 inhibitor and MCL1 inhibitor (MCL1i) in UM, with viability assays, live-cell imaging, sphere assays, and mouse xenograft models. UM had a higher sensitivity to MCL1i than CM. Overexpression of BFL1 or knockdown of PUMA made the UM more resistant to MCL1i. In contrast, MAPK/extracellular signal‒regulated kinase inhibitor treatment in CM made them more sensitive to MCL1i. However, MCL1i-alone treatment was not very effective to reduce the UM initiating cells; to overcome this, we employed a combination of MCL1i with BCL2 inhibitor that synergistically inhibited UM initiating cell's capacity to expand. Overall, we identify a distinct expression profile of BCL2 family members for UM that makes them susceptible to BCL2 homologous 3 mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Chiara R Dart
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Carol M Amato
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Adam Honig-Frand
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - James R Lambert
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Karoline A Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - William A Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Richard P Tobin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Martin D McCarter
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kasey L Couts
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Dermatology Section, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA; Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Dermatology Section, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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A Novel Regimen for Treating Melanoma: MCL1 Inhibitors and Azacitidine. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080749. [PMID: 34451846 PMCID: PMC8399604 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080749] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although treatment options for melanoma patients have expanded in recent years with the approval of immunotherapy and targeted therapy, there is still an unmet need for new treatment options for patients that are ineligible for, or resistant to these therapies. BH3 mimetics, drugs that mimic the activity of pro-apoptotic BCL2 family proteins, have recently achieved remarkable success in the clinical setting. The combination of BH3 mimetic ABT-199 (venetoclax) plus azacitidine has shown substantial benefit in treating acute myelogenous leukemia. We evaluated the efficacy of various combinations of BH3 mimetic + azacitidine in fourteen human melanoma cell lines from cutaneous, mucosal, acral and uveal subtypes. Using a combination of cell viability assay, BCL2 family knockdown cell lines, live cell imaging, and sphere formation assay, we found that combining inhibition of MCL1, an anti-apoptotic BCL2 protein, with azacitidine had substantial pro-apoptotic effects in multiple melanoma cell lines. Specifically, this combination reduced cell viability, proliferation, sphere formation, and induced apoptosis. In addition, this combination is highly effective at reducing cell viability in rare mucosal and uveal subtypes. Overall, our data suggest this combination as a promising therapeutic option for some patients with melanoma and should be further explored in clinical trials.
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