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Murray S. Response to "Letter to the Editor: SMAC mimetics inhibit human T cell proliferation and fail to augment type 1 cytokine responses". Cell Immunol 2024; 395-396:104785. [PMID: 38016882 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Murray
- Department of Biology, University of Portland, Portland, OR, United States; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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2
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Glasheen MQ, Caksa S, Young AG, Wilski NA, Ott CA, Chervoneva I, Flaherty KT, Herlyn M, Xu X, Aplin AE, Capparelli C. Targeting Upregulated cIAP2 in SOX10-Deficient Drug Tolerant Melanoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1087-1099. [PMID: 37343247 PMCID: PMC10527992 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Drug tolerance and minimal residual disease (MRD) are likely to prelude acquired resistance to targeted therapy. Mechanisms that allow persister cells to survive in the presence of targeted therapy are being characterized but selective vulnerabilities for these subpopulations remain uncertain. We identified cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (cIAP2) as being highly expressed in SOX10-deficient drug tolerant persister (DTP) melanoma cells. Here, we show that cIAP2 is sufficient to induce tolerance to MEK inhibitors, likely by decreasing the levels of cell death. Mechanistically, cIAP2 is upregulated at the transcript level in SOX10-deficient cells and the AP-1 complex protein, JUND, is required for its expression. Using a patient-derived xenograft model, we demonstrate that treatment with the cIAP1/2 inhibitor, birinapant, during the MRD phase delays the onset of resistance to BRAF inhibitor and MEK inhibitor combination therapy. Together, our data suggest that cIAP2 upregulation in SOX10-deficient subpopulations of melanoma cells induces drug tolerance to MAPK targeting agents and provides a rationale to test a novel therapeutical approach to target MRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenna Q Glasheen
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Signe Caksa
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amelia G Young
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole A Wilski
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Connor A Ott
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Inna Chervoneva
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Claudia Capparelli
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Ventre KS, Roehle K, Bello E, Bhuiyan AM, Biary T, Crowley SJ, Bruck PT, Heckler M, Lenehan PJ, Ali LR, Stump CT, Lippert V, Clancy-Thompson E, Conce Alberto WD, Hoffman MT, Qiang L, Pelletier M, Akin JJ, Dougan M, Dougan SK. cIAP1/2 Antagonism Induces Antigen-Specific T Cell-Dependent Immunity. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:991-1003. [PMID: 36881882 PMCID: PMC10036868 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has failed in pancreatic cancer and other poorly responsive tumor types in part due to inadequate T cell priming. Naive T cells can receive costimulation not only via CD28 but also through TNF superfamily receptors that signal via NF-κB. Antagonists of the ubiquitin ligases cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP)1/2, also called second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics, induce degradation of cIAP1/2 proteins, allowing for the accumulation of NIK and constitutive, ligand-independent activation of alternate NF-κB signaling that mimics costimulation in T cells. In tumor cells, cIAP1/2 antagonists can increase TNF production and TNF-mediated apoptosis; however, pancreatic cancer cells are resistant to cytokine-mediated apoptosis, even in the presence of cIAP1/2 antagonism. Dendritic cell activation is enhanced by cIAP1/2 antagonism in vitro, and intratumoral dendritic cells show higher expression of MHC class II in tumors from cIAP1/2 antagonism-treated mice. In this study, we use in vivo mouse models of syngeneic pancreatic cancer that generate endogenous T cell responses ranging from moderate to poor. Across multiple models, cIAP1/2 antagonism has pleiotropic beneficial effects on antitumor immunity, including direct effects on tumor-specific T cells leading to overall increased activation, increased control of tumor growth in vivo, synergy with multiple immunotherapy modalities, and immunologic memory. In contrast to checkpoint blockade, cIAP1/2 antagonism does not increase intratumoral T cell frequencies. Furthermore, we confirm our previous findings that even poorly immunogenic tumors with a paucity of T cells can experience T cell-dependent antitumor immunity, and we provide transcriptional clues into how these rare T cells coordinate downstream immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S. Ventre
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin Roehle
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Elisa Bello
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Aladdin M. Bhuiyan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Tamara Biary
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Stephanie J. Crowley
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Patrick T. Bruck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Max Heckler
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Patrick J. Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lestat R. Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Courtney T. Stump
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Victoria Lippert
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Eleanor Clancy-Thompson
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Winiffer D. Conce Alberto
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Megan T. Hoffman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Li Qiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Marc Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - James J. Akin
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Stephanie K. Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Burton AM, Ligman BR, Kearney CA, Murray SE. SMAC mimetics inhibit human T cell proliferation and fail to augment type 1 cytokine responses. Cell Immunol 2023; 384:104674. [PMID: 36706656 PMCID: PMC10319349 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104674] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics are small molecule drugs that mimic the activity of the endogenous SMAC protein. SMAC and SMAC mimetics antagonize inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), thereby sensitizing cells to apoptosis. As such, SMAC mimetics are being tested in numerous clinical trials for cancer. In addition to their direct anti-cancer effect, it has been suggested that SMAC mimetics may activate T cells, thereby promoting anti-tumor immunity. Here, we tested the effect of three clinically relevant SMAC mimetics on activation of primary human T cells. As previously reported, SMAC mimetics killed tumor cells and activated non-canonical NF-κB in T cells at clinically relevant doses. Surprisingly, none of the SMAC mimetics augmented T cell responses. Rather, SMAC mimetics impaired T cell proliferation and decreased the proportion of IFNγ/TNFα double-producing T cells. These results question the assumption that SMAC mimetics are likely to boost anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Burton
- Department of Biology, University of Portland, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Brittany R Ligman
- Department of Biology, University of Portland, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Claire A Kearney
- Department of Biology, University of Portland, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Susan E Murray
- Department of Biology, University of Portland, Portland, OR, United States; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States.
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Afsahi A, Silvestri CM, Moore AE, Graham CF, Bacchiochi K, St-Jean M, Baker CL, Korneluk RG, Beug ST, LaCasse EC, Bramson JL. LCL161 enhances expansion and survival of engineered anti-tumor T cells but is restricted by death signaling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1179827. [PMID: 37138866 PMCID: PMC10150108 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1179827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The genesis of SMAC mimetic drugs is founded on the observation that many cancers amplify IAP proteins to facilitate their survival, and therefore removal of these pathways would re-sensitize the cells towards apoptosis. It has become increasingly clear that SMAC mimetics also interface with the immune system in a modulatory manner. Suppression of IAP function by SMAC mimetics activates the non-canonical NF-κB pathway which can augment T cell function, opening the possibility of using SMAC mimetics to enhance immunotherapeutics. Methods We have investigated the SMAC mimetic LCL161, which promotes degradation of cIAP-1 and cIAP-2, as an agent for delivering transient costimulation to engineered BMCA-specific human TAC T cells. In doing so we also sought to understand the cellular and molecular effects of LCL161 on T cell biology. Results LCL161 activated the non-canonical NF-κB pathway and enhanced antigen-driven TAC T cell proliferation and survival. Transcriptional profiling from TAC T cells treated with LCL161 revealed differential expression of costimulatory and apoptosis-related proteins, namely CD30 and FAIM3. We hypothesized that regulation of these genes by LCL161 may influence the drug's effects on T cells. We reversed the differential expression through genetic engineering and observed impaired costimulation by LCL161, particularly when CD30 was deleted. While LCL161 can provide a costimulatory signal to TAC T cells following exposure to isolated antigen, we did not observe a similar pattern when TAC T cells were stimulated with myeloma cells expressing the target antigen. We questioned whether FasL expression by myeloma cells may antagonize the costimulatory effects of LCL161. Fas-KO TAC T cells displayed superior expansion following antigen stimulation in the presence of LCL161, suggesting a role for Fas-related T cell death in limiting the magnitude of the T cell response to antigen in the presence of LCL161. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that LCL161 provides costimulation to TAC T cells exposed to antigen alone, however LCL161 did not enhance TAC T cell anti-tumor function when challenged with myeloma cells and may be limited due to sensitization of T cells towards Fas-mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Afsahi
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher M. Silvestri
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Allyson E. Moore
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Carly F. Graham
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kaylyn Bacchiochi
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Martine St-Jean
- Apoptosis Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher L. Baker
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Robert G. Korneluk
- Apoptosis Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shawn T. Beug
- Apoptosis Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Eric C. LaCasse
- Apoptosis Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan L. Bramson
- Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jonathan L. Bramson,
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A Review of the Current Impact of Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins and Their Repression in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071671. [PMID: 35406442 PMCID: PMC8996962 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins has emerged as a potential pharmacological target in cancer. Abnormal expression of IAPs can lead to dysregulated cell suicide, promoting the development of different pathologies. In several cancer types, members of this protein family are overexpressed while their natural antagonist (Smac) appears to be downregulated, contributing to the acquisition of resistance to traditional therapy. The development of compounds that mimic the action of Smac showed promise in the re-sensitization of the cell suicide defense mechanism in cancer cells, particularly in combination with other treatments. Interaction with other molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, in the tumor microenvironment reveals a complex interplay between IAPs and cancer. Abstract The Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family possesses the ability to inhibit programmed cell death through different mechanisms; additionally, some of its members have emerged as important regulators of the immune response. Both direct and indirect activity on caspases or the modulation of survival pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), have been implicated in mediating its effects. As a result, abnormal expression of inhibitor apoptosis proteins (IAPs) can lead to dysregulated apoptosis promoting the development of different pathologies. In several cancer types IAPs are overexpressed, while their natural antagonist, the second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (Smac), appears to be downregulated, potentially contributing to the acquisition of resistance to traditional therapy. Recently developed Smac mimetics counteract IAP activity and show promise in the re-sensitization to apoptosis in cancer cells. Given the modest impact of Smac mimetics when used as a monotherapy, pairing of these compounds with other treatment modalities is increasingly being explored. Modulation of molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) present in the tumor microenvironment have been suggested to contribute to putative therapeutic efficacy of IAP inhibition, although published results do not show this consistently underlining the complex interaction between IAPs and cancer.
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Miles MA, Caruso S, Baxter AA, Poon IKH, Hawkins CJ. Smac mimetics can provoke lytic cell death that is neither apoptotic nor necroptotic. Apoptosis 2021; 25:500-518. [PMID: 32440848 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-020-01610-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Smac mimetics, or IAP antagonists, are a class of drugs currently being evaluated as anti-cancer therapeutics. These agents antagonize IAP proteins, including cIAP1/2 and XIAP, to induce cell death via apoptotic or, upon caspase-8 deficiency, necroptotic cell death pathways. Many cancer cells are unresponsive to Smac mimetic treatment as a single agent but can be sensitized to killing in the presence of the cytokine TNFα, provided either exogenously or via autocrine production. We found that high concentrations of a subset of Smac mimetics could provoke death in cells that did not produce TNFα, despite sensitization at lower concentrations by TNFα. The ability of these drugs to kill did not correlate with valency. These cells remained responsive to the lethal effects of Smac mimetics at high concentrations despite genetic or pharmacological impairments in apoptotic, necroptotic, pyroptotic, autophagic and ferroptotic cell death pathways. Analysis of dying cells revealed necrotic morphology, which was accompanied by the release of lactate dehydrogenase and cell membrane rupture without prior phosphatidylserine exposure implying cell lysis, which occurred over a several hours. Our study reveals that cells incapable of autocrine TNFα production are sensitive to some Smac mimetic compounds when used at high concentrations, and this exposure elicits a lytic cell death phenotype that occurs via a mechanism not requiring apoptotic caspases or necroptotic effectors RIPK3 or MLKL. These data reveal the possibility that non-canonical cell death pathways can be triggered by these drugs when applied at high concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Miles
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Sarah Caruso
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Amy A Baxter
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Ivan K H Poon
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Christine J Hawkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
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An Updated Review of Smac Mimetics, LCL161, Birinapant, and GDC-0152 in Cancer Treatment. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app11010335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are suggested as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Smac/DIABLO is a natural IAP antagonist in cells; therefore, Smac mimetics have been developed for cancer treatment in the past decade. In this article, we review the anti-cancer potency and novel molecular targets of LCL161, birinapant, and GDC-0152. Preclinical studies demonstrated that Smac mimetics not only induce apoptosis but also arrest cell cycle, induce necroptosis, and induce immune storm in vitro and in vivo. The safety and tolerance of Smac mimetics are evaluated in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. In addition, the combination of Smac mimetics and chemotherapeutic compounds was reported to improve anti-cancer effects. Interestingly, the novel anti-cancer molecular mechanism of action of Smac mimetics was reported in recent studies, suggesting that many unknown functions of Smac mimetics still need to be revealed. Exploring these currently unknown signaling pathways is important to provide hints for the modification and combination therapy of further compounds.
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Bobardt M, Kuo J, Chatterji U, Wiedemann N, Vuagniaux G, Gallay P. The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins antagonist Debio 1143 promotes the PD-1 blockade-mediated HIV load reduction in blood and tissues of humanized mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227715. [PMID: 31978106 PMCID: PMC6980394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) plays a major role in T cell exhaustion in cancer and chronic HIV infection. The inhibitor of apoptosis protein antagonist Debio 1143 (D1143) enhances tumor cell death and synergizes with anti-PD-1 agents to promote tumor immunity and displayed HIV latency reversal activity in vitro. We asked in this study whether D1143 would stimulate the potency of an anti-human PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to reduce HIV loads in humanized mice. Anti-PD-1 mAb treatment decreased PD-1+ CD8+ cell population by 32.3% after interruption of four weeks treatment, and D1143 co-treatment further reduced it from 32.3 to 73%. Anti-PD-1 mAb administration reduced HIV load in blood by 94%, and addition of D1143 further enhanced this reduction from 94 to 97%. D1143 also more profoundly promoted with the anti-PD-1-mediated reduction of HIV loads in all tissues analyzed including spleen (71 to 96.4%), lymph nodes (64.3 to 80%), liver (64.2 to 94.4), lung (64.3 to 80.1%) and thymic organoid (78.2 to 98.2%), achieving a >5 log reduction of HIV loads in CD4+ cells isolated from tissues 2 weeks after drug treatment interruption. Ex vivo anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation increased the ability to activate exhausted CD8+ T cells in infected mice having received in vivo anti-PD-1 treatment by 7.9-fold (5 to 39.6%), and an additional increase by 1.7-fold upon D1143 co-treatment (39.6 to 67.3%). These findings demonstrate for the first time that an inhibitor of apoptosis protein antagonist enhances in a statistically manner the effects of an immune check point inhibitor on antiviral immunity and on HIV load reduction in tissues of humanized mice, suggesting that the combination of two distinct classes of immunomodulatory agents constitutes a promising anti-HIV immunotherapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bobardt
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Joseph Kuo
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Udayan Chatterji
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Philippe Gallay
- Department of Immunology & Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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The Immuno-Modulatory Effects of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein Antagonists in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010207. [PMID: 31947615 PMCID: PMC7017284 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is their ability to evade cell death via apoptosis. The inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of proteins that act to promote cell survival. For this reason, upregulation of IAPs is associated with a number of cancer types as a mechanism of resistance to cell death and chemotherapy. As such, IAPs are considered a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment, based on the role of IAPs in resistance to apoptosis, tumour progression and poor patient prognosis. The mitochondrial protein smac (second mitochondrial activator of caspases), is an endogenous inhibitor of IAPs, and several small molecule mimetics of smac (smac-mimetics) have been developed in order to antagonise IAPs in cancer cells and restore sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli. However, recent studies have revealed that smac-mimetics have broader effects than was first attributed. It is now understood that they are key regulators of innate immune signalling and have wide reaching immuno-modulatory properties. As such, they are ideal candidates for immunotherapy combinations. Pre-clinically, successful combination therapies incorporating smac-mimetics and oncolytic viruses, as with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, have been reported, and clinical trials incorporating smac-mimetics and immune checkpoint blockade are ongoing. Here, the potential of IAP antagonism to enhance immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of cancer will be discussed.
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11
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Ye W, Gunti S, Allen CT, Hong Y, Clavijo PE, Van Waes C, Schmitt NC. ASTX660, an antagonist of cIAP1/2 and XIAP, increases antigen processing machinery and can enhance radiation-induced immunogenic cell death in preclinical models of head and neck cancer. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1710398. [PMID: 32002309 PMCID: PMC6959437 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1710398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) antagonists have shown activity in preclinical models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and work across several cancer types has demonstrated diverse immune stimulatory effects including enhancement of T cell, NK cell, and dendritic cell function. However, tumor-cell-intrinsic mechanisms for this immune upregulation have been largely unexplored. In this study, we show that ASTX660, an antagonist of cIAP1/2 and XIAP, induces expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD) markers in sensitive HNSCC cell lines in vitro. Experiments in syngeneic mouse models of HNSCC showed that ASTX660 can also enhance radiation-induced ICD in vivo. On a functional level, ASTX660 also enhanced killing of multiple murine cell lines by cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and when combined with XRT, stimulated clonal expansion of antigen-specific T lymphocytes and expression of MHC class I on the surface of tumor cells. Flow cytometry experiments in several human HNSCC cell lines showed that MHC class I (HLA-A,B,C) was reliably upregulated in response to ASTX660 + TNFα, while increases in other antigen processing machinery (APM) components were variable among different cell lines. These findings suggest that ASTX660 may enhance anti-tumor immunity both by promoting ICD and by enhancing antigen processing and presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenda Ye
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Medical Research Scholars Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sreenivasulu Gunti
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clint T Allen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Youji Hong
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paul E Clavijo
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicole C Schmitt
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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12
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Shekhar TM, Burvenich IJG, Harris MA, Rigopoulos A, Zanker D, Spurling A, Parker BS, Walkley CR, Scott AM, Hawkins CJ. Smac mimetics LCL161 and GDC-0152 inhibit osteosarcoma growth and metastasis in mice. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:924. [PMID: 31521127 PMCID: PMC6744692 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Current therapies fail to cure over a third of osteosarcoma patients and around three quarters of those with metastatic disease. “Smac mimetics” (also known as “IAP antagonists”) are a new class of anti-cancer agents. Previous work revealed that cells from murine osteosarcomas were efficiently sensitized by physiologically achievable concentrations of some Smac mimetics (including GDC-0152 and LCL161) to killing by the inflammatory cytokine TNFα in vitro, but survived exposure to Smac mimetics as sole agents. Methods Nude mice were subcutaneously or intramuscularly implanted with luciferase-expressing murine 1029H or human KRIB osteosarcoma cells. The impacts of treatment with GDC-0152, LCL161 and/or doxorubicin were assessed by caliper measurements, bioluminescence, 18FDG-PET and MRI imaging, and by weighing resected tumors at the experimental endpoint. Metastatic burden was examined by quantitative PCR, through amplification of a region of the luciferase gene from lung DNA. ATP levels in treated and untreated osteosarcoma cells were compared to assess in vitro sensitivity. Immunophenotyping of cells within treated and untreated tumors was performed by flow cytometry, and TNFα levels in blood and tumors were measured using cytokine bead arrays. Results Treatment with GDC-0152 or LCL161 suppressed the growth of subcutaneously or intramuscularly implanted osteosarcomas. In both models, co-treatment with doxorubicin and Smac mimetics impeded average osteosarcoma growth to a greater extent than either drug alone, although these differences were not statistically significant. Co-treatments were also more toxic. Co-treatment with LCL161 and doxorubicin was particularly effective in the KRIB intramuscular model, impeding primary tumor growth and delaying or preventing metastasis. Although the Smac mimetics were effective in vivo, in vitro they only efficiently killed osteosarcoma cells when TNFα was supplied. Implanted tumors contained high levels of TNFα, produced by infiltrating immune cells. Spontaneous osteosarcomas that arose in genetically-engineered immunocompetent mice also contained abundant TNFα. Conclusions These data imply that Smac mimetics can cooperate with TNFα secreted by tumor-associated immune cells to kill osteosarcoma cells in vivo. Smac mimetics may therefore benefit osteosarcoma patients whose tumors contain Smac mimetic-responsive cancer cells and TNFα-producing infiltrating cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmay M Shekhar
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Ingrid J G Burvenich
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael A Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Angela Rigopoulos
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Damien Zanker
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Alex Spurling
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Belinda S Parker
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Carl R Walkley
- St. Vincent's Institute, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia.,Department of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia.,Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.,Departments of Medical Oncology and Molecular Imaging & Therapy, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christine J Hawkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
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13
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Kawalkowska JZ, Ogbechi J, Venables PJ, Williams RO. cIAP1/2 inhibition synergizes with TNF inhibition in autoimmunity by down-regulating IL-17A and inducing T regs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw5422. [PMID: 31049403 PMCID: PMC6494502 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw5422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
IL-17 and TNF-α are major effector cytokines in chronic inflammation. TNF-α inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although not all patients respond, and most relapse after treatment withdrawal. This may be due to a paradoxical exacerbation of TH17 responses by TNF-α inhibition. We examined the therapeutic potential of targeting cellular inhibitors of apoptosis 1 and 2 (cIAP1/2) in inflammation by its influence on human TH subsets and mice with collagen-induced arthritis. Inhibition of cIAP1/2 abrogated CD4+ IL-17A differentiation and IL-17 production. This was a direct effect on T cells, mediated by reducing NFATc1 expression. In mice, cIAP1/2 inhibition, when combined with etanercept, abrogated disease activity, which was associated with an increase in Tregs and was sustained after therapy retraction. We reveal an unexpected role for cIAP1/2 in regulating the balance between TH17 and Tregs and suggest that combined therapeutic inhibition could induce long-term remission in inflammatory diseases.
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14
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Dougan SK, Dougan M. Regulation of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity by IAP antagonists. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:787-796. [PMID: 29807457 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the T-cell co-inhibitory checkpoint receptors or their ligands CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1 using monoclonal antibodies has proven to be highly effective against many cancers. Yet many cancers remain resistant to checkpoint blockade, and durable remissions occur in only a minority of patients. Novel approaches to enhancing antitumor responses are thus necessary in order to expand the reach of these treatments. The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family comprises a diverse group of proteins, many of which have immunoregulatory roles. Small molecule IAP antagonists have been developed and are undergoing early phase clinical testing. These drugs were initially developed to promote tumor cell apoptosis; however, a considerable body of work now indicates that IAP antagonists induce antitumor activity through modulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Primarily through inhibition of cellular (c)-IAP1 and c-IAP2, IAP antagonists can activate alternative NF-κB signaling, promoting B-cell survival, activation of dendritic cells and delivering a broad co-stimulatory signal to T cells. At the same time, IAP antagonists can promote tumor cell intrinsic sensitization to innate immune signals, and enhance tumor cell killing by inflammatory cytokines and phagocytic macrophages. These drugs thus represent an attractive investigational approach to immunotherapy, providing a positive signaling counterpart to the relief of signal inhibition conferred by checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology & Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Dougan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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15
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Rathore R, McCallum JE, Varghese E, Florea AM, Büsselberg D. Overcoming chemotherapy drug resistance by targeting inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Apoptosis 2018; 22:898-919. [PMID: 28424988 PMCID: PMC5486846 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-017-1375-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) are a family of proteins that play a significant role in the control of programmed cell death (PCD). PCD is essential to maintain healthy cell turnover within tissue but also to fight disease or infection. Uninhibited, IAPs can suppress apoptosis and promote cell cycle progression. Therefore, it is unsurprising that cancer cells demonstrate significantly elevated expression levels of IAPs, resulting in improved cell survival, enhanced tumor growth and subsequent metastasis. Therapies to target IAPs in cancer has garnered substantial scientific interest and as resistance to anti-cancer agents becomes more prevalent, targeting IAPs has become an increasingly attractive strategy to re-sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapies, antibody based-therapies and TRAIL therapy. Antagonism strategies to modulate the actions of XIAP, cIAP1/2 and survivin are the central focus of current research and this review highlights advances within this field with particular emphasis upon the development and specificity of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) mimetics (synthetic analogs of endogenously expressed inhibitors of IAPs SMAC/DIABLO). While we highlight the potential of SMAC mimetics as effective single agent or combinatory therapies to treat cancer we also discuss the likely clinical implications of resistance to SMAC mimetic therapy, occasionally observed in cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama Rathore
- College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | | | | | - Ana-Maria Florea
- Institute of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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16
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Clancy-Thompson E, Ali L, Bruck PT, Exley MA, Blumberg RS, Dranoff G, Dougan M, Dougan SK. IAP Antagonists Enhance Cytokine Production from Mouse and Human iNKT Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2018; 6:25-35. [PMID: 29187357 PMCID: PMC5754232 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) antagonists are in clinical trials for a variety of cancers, and mouse models show synergism between IAP antagonists and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Although IAP antagonists affect the intrinsic signaling of tumor cells, their most pronounced effects are on immune cells and the generation of antitumor immunity. Here, we examined the effects of IAP antagonism on T-cell development using mouse fetal thymic organ culture and observed a selective loss of iNKT cells, an effector cell type of potential importance for cancer immunotherapy. Thymic iNKT-cell development probably failed due to increased strength of TCR signal leading to negative selection, given that mature iNKT cells treated with IAP antagonists were not depleted, but had enhanced cytokine production in both mouse and human ex vivo cultures. Consistent with this, mature mouse primary iNKT cells and iNKT hybridomas increased production of effector cytokines in the presence of IAP antagonists. In vivo administration of IAP antagonists and α-GalCer resulted in increased IFNγ and IL-2 production from iNKT cells and decreased tumor burden in a mouse model of melanoma lung metastasis. Human iNKT cells also proliferated and increased IFNγ production dramatically in the presence of IAP antagonists, demonstrating the utility of these compounds in adoptive therapy of iNKT cells. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(1); 25-35. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Clancy-Thompson
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lestat Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patrick T Bruck
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark A Exley
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard S Blumberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Glenn Dranoff
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Dougan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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17
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Gotwals P, Cameron S, Cipolletta D, Cremasco V, Crystal A, Hewes B, Mueller B, Quaratino S, Sabatos-Peyton C, Petruzzelli L, Engelman JA, Dranoff G. Prospects for combining targeted and conventional cancer therapy with immunotherapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2017; 17:286-301. [PMID: 28338065 DOI: 10.1038/nrc.2017.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 654] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 25 years, research in cancer therapeutics has largely focused on two distinct lines of enquiry. In one approach, efforts to understand the underlying cell-autonomous, genetic drivers of tumorigenesis have led to the development of clinically important targeted agents that result in profound, but often not durable, tumour responses in genetically defined patient populations. In the second parallel approach, exploration of the mechanisms of protective tumour immunity has provided several therapeutic strategies - most notably the 'immune checkpoint' antibodies that reverse the negative regulators of T cell function - that accomplish durable clinical responses in subsets of patients with various tumour types. The integration of these potentially complementary research fields provides new opportunities to improve cancer treatments. Targeted and immune-based therapies have already transformed the standard-of-care for several malignancies. However, additional insights into the effects of targeted therapies, along with conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, on the induction of antitumour immunity will help to advance the design of combination strategies that increase the rate of complete and durable clinical response in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Gotwals
- Exploratory Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Scott Cameron
- Translational Clinical Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Daniela Cipolletta
- Exploratory Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Viviana Cremasco
- Exploratory Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Adam Crystal
- Translational Clinical Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Becker Hewes
- Translational Clinical Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Britta Mueller
- Exploratory Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Sonia Quaratino
- Translational Clinical Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | | | - Lilli Petruzzelli
- Translational Clinical Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
| | - Jeffrey A Engelman
- Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Glenn Dranoff
- Exploratory Immuno-Oncology, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
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18
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Fischer K, Tognarelli S, Roesler S, Boedicker C, Schubert R, Steinle A, Klingebiel T, Bader P, Fulda S, Ullrich E. The Smac Mimetic BV6 Improves NK Cell-Mediated Killing of Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells by Simultaneously Targeting Tumor and Effector Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:202. [PMID: 28326081 PMCID: PMC5339542 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common cancer of connective tissues in pediatrics, is often resistant to conventional therapies. One underlying mechanism of this resistance is the overexpression of Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins, leading to a dysfunctional cell death program within tumor cells. Smac mimetics (SM) are small molecules that can reactivate the cell death program by antagonizing IAP proteins and thereby compensating their overexpression. Here, we report that SM sensitize two RMS cell lines (RD and RH30) toward natural killer (NK) cell-mediated killing on the one hand, and increase the cytotoxic potential of NK cells on the other. The SM-induced sensitization of RH30 cells toward NK cell-mediated killing is significantly reduced through blocking tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on NK cells prior to coculture. In addition, the presence of zVAD.fmk, a pancaspase inhibitor, rescues tumor cells from the increase in killing, indicating an apoptosis-dependent cell death. On the NK cell side, the presence of SM in addition to IL-2 during the ex vivo expansion leads to an increase in their cytotoxic activity against RH30 cells. This effect is mainly TNFα-dependent and partially mediated by NK cell activation, which is associated with transcriptional upregulation of NF-κB target genes such as IκBα and RelB. Taken together, our findings implicate that SM represent a novel double-hit strategy, sensitizing tumor and activating NK cells with one single drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra Fischer
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sara Tognarelli
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Roesler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Schubert
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; University Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Cystic Fibrosis, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Steinle
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Thomas Klingebiel
- LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Bader
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Department for Children and Adolescents Medicine, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Immunology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; LOEWE Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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19
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Smac mimetics synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors to promote tumour immunity against glioblastoma. Nat Commun 2017; 8:ncomms14278. [PMID: 28198370 PMCID: PMC5330852 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) antagonists, called Smac mimetic compounds (SMCs), sensitize tumours to TNF-α-induced killing while simultaneously blocking TNF-α growth-promoting activities. SMCs also regulate several immunomodulatory properties within immune cells. We report that SMCs synergize with innate immune stimulants and immune checkpoint inhibitor biologics to produce durable cures in mouse models of glioblastoma in which single agent therapy is ineffective. The complementation of activities between these classes of therapeutics is dependent on cytotoxic T-cell activity and is associated with a reduction in immunosuppressive T-cells. Notably, the synergistic effect is dependent on type I IFN and TNF-α signalling. Furthermore, our results implicate an important role for TNF-α-producing cytotoxic T-cells in mediating the anti-cancer effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors when combined with SMCs. Overall, this combinatorial approach could be highly effective in clinical application as it allows for cooperative and complimentary mechanisms in the immune cell-mediated death of cancer cells. Smac mimetics sensitize cancer cells to the extrinsic cell death pathway and stimulate anti-tumour immunity. In this study, the authors show that Smac mimetics can synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors to control tumour growth in mouse cancer models, including aggressive CNS tumours, in a cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell- and TNFα-dependent manner.
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20
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IAP antagonists induce anti-tumor immunity in multiple myeloma. Nat Med 2016; 22:1411-1420. [PMID: 27841872 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular inhibitors of apoptosis (cIAP) 1 and 2 are amplified in about 3% of cancers and have been identified in multiple malignancies as being potential therapeutic targets as a result of their role in the evasion of apoptosis. Consequently, small-molecule IAP antagonists, such as LCL161, have entered clinical trials for their ability to induce tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells. However, cIAP1 and cIAP2 are recurrently homozygously deleted in multiple myeloma (MM), resulting in constitutive activation of the noncanonical nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. To our surprise, we observed robust in vivo anti-myeloma activity of LCL161 in a transgenic myeloma mouse model and in patients with relapsed-refractory MM, where the addition of cyclophosphamide resulted in a median progression-free-survival of 10 months. This effect was not a result of direct induction of tumor cell death, but rather of upregulation of tumor-cell-autonomous type I interferon (IFN) signaling and a strong inflammatory response that resulted in the activation of macrophages and dendritic cells, leading to phagocytosis of tumor cells. Treatment of a MM mouse model with LCL161 established long-term anti-tumor protection and induced regression in a fraction of the mice. Notably, combination of LCL161 with the immune-checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD1 was curative in all of the treated mice.
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21
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González-Cao M, Karachaliou N, Viteri S, Morales-Espinosa D, Teixidó C, Sánchez Ruiz J, Molina-Vila MÁ, Santarpia M, Rosell R. Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in lung cancer: current perspectives. LUNG CANCER (AUCKLAND, N.Z.) 2015; 6:55-70. [PMID: 28210151 PMCID: PMC5217517 DOI: 10.2147/lctt.s55176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Increased understanding of tumor immunology has led to the development of effective immunotherapy treatments. One of the most important advances in this field has been due to pharmacological design of antibodies against immune checkpoint inhibitors. Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies are currently in advanced phases of clinical development for several tumors, including lung cancer. Results from Phase I-III trials with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in non-small-cell lung cancer have demonstrated response rates of around 20% (range, 16%-50%). More importantly, responses are long-lasting (median duration of response, 18 months) and fast (50% of responses are detected at time of first tumor evaluation) with very low grade 3-4 toxicity (less than 5%). Recently, the anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough therapy designation for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, supported by data from a Phase Ib trial. Another anti-PD-1 antibody, nivolumab, has also been approved for lung cancer based on survival advantage demonstrated in recently released data from a Phase III trial in squamous cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- María González-Cao
- Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Niki Karachaliou
- Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Viteri
- Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniela Morales-Espinosa
- Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Mariacarmela Santarpia
- Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Pangaea Biotech SL, Barcelona, Spain
- Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Vella LJ, Pasam A, Dimopoulos N, Andrews M, Knights A, Puaux AL, Louahed J, Chen W, Woods K, Cebon JS. MEK Inhibition, Alone or in Combination with BRAF Inhibition, Affects Multiple Functions of Isolated Normal Human Lymphocytes and Dendritic Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 2:351-60. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-13-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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23
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Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins as therapeutic targets in multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2014; 28:1519-28. [PMID: 24402161 PMCID: PMC4090267 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2014.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins plays a critical role in the control of apoptotic machinery, and has been explored as a therapeutic target. Here, we have examined the functional importance of IAPs in multiple myeloma (MM) by using a Smac-mimetic LCL161. We observed that LCL161 was able to potently induce apoptosis in some MM cell lines but not in others. Examining the levels of XIAP, cIAP1 and cIAP2 post LCL161 treatment indicated clear down regulation of both XIAP activity and cIAP1 levels in both the sensitive and less sensitive (resistant) cell lines. cIAP2, however, was not down regulated in the cell line resistant to the drug. siRNA mediated silencing of cIAP2 significantly enhanced the effect of LCL161 indicating the importance of down regulating all IAPs simultaneously for induction of apopotsis in MM cells. LCL161 induced marked up regulation of the Jak2/Stat3 pathway in the resistant MM cell lines. Combining LCL161 with a Jak2 specific inhibitor resulted in synergistic cell death in MM cell lines and patient cells. In addition, combining LCL161 with death inducing ligands clearly showed that LCL161 sensitized MM cells to both FAS-L and TRAIL.
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24
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Vucic D. The Role of Ubiquitination in TWEAK-Stimulated Signaling. Front Immunol 2013; 4:472. [PMID: 24391645 PMCID: PMC3867686 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor superfamily ligands and receptors are responsible for development, immunity, and homeostasis of metazoan organisms. Thus, it is not surprising that signals emanating from these receptors are tightly regulated. Binding of TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) to its cognate receptor, FN14, triggers the assembly of receptor-associated signaling complex, which allows the activation of canonical and non-canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Ubiquitin ligases cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 1 and 2 (c-IAP1 and 2) and adaptor proteins TNFR-associated factors 2 and 3 (TRAF2 and TRAF3) are crucial for the regulation of TWEAK signaling as they facilitate the recruitment of distal signaling components including IKK and linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex complexes. At the same time c-IAP1/2, together with TRAF2 and TRAF3, promote constitutive ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) – a kinase with critical role in the activation of non-canonical NF-κB signaling. While c-IAP1/2 mediated ubiquitination allows the activation of TWEAK-stimulated canonical NF-κB signaling, these E3 ligases are negative regulators of non-canonical signaling. TWEAK stimulation prompts the recruitment of c-IAP1/2 as well as TRAF2 and TRAF3 to the FN14 signaling complex leading to c-IAP1/2 autoubiquitination and degradation, which stabilizes NIK and allows subsequent phosphorylation of IKKα and partial proteasomal processing of p100 to activate gene expression. Recent studies have revealed that the spatio-temporal pattern of TWEAK-stimulated ubiquitination is a carefully orchestrated process involving several substrates that are modified by different ubiquitin linkages. Understanding the significance of ubiquitination for TWEAK signaling is important for the overall understanding of TWEAK biology and for the design of therapeutics that can be used in the treatment of human pathologies that are driven by TWEAK/FN14 expression and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domagoj Vucic
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc. , South San Francisco, CA , USA
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Dubrez L, Berthelet J, Glorian V. IAP proteins as targets for drug development in oncology. Onco Targets Ther 2013; 9:1285-304. [PMID: 24092992 PMCID: PMC3787928 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s33375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) constitute a family of proteins involved in the regulation of
various cellular processes, including cell death, immune and inflammatory responses, cell
proliferation, cell differentiation, and cell motility. There is accumulating evidence supporting
IAP-targeting in tumors: IAPs regulate various cellular processes that contribute to tumor
development, such as cell death, cell proliferation, and cell migration; their expression is
increased in a number of human tumor samples, and IAP overexpression has been correlated with tumor
growth, and poor prognosis or low response to treatment; and IAP expression can be rapidly induced
in response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy because of the presence of an internal ribosome entry
site (IRES)-dependent mechanism of translation initiation, which could contribute to resistance to
antitumor therapy. The development of IAP antagonists is an important challenge and was subject to
intense research over the past decade. Six molecules are currently in clinical trials. This review
focuses on the role of IAPs in tumors and the development of IAP-targeting molecules for anticancer
therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Dubrez
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), Dijon, France ; Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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